Rossett News Update - 26 November 2021
Presentation Evening
We celebrated the success and resilience of our 'outgoing' Year 11 students this week at our annual Presentation Evening. Subject staff and parents/carers joined in the applause for the current Year 12s as Ms Woodcock enumerated the many challenges they had overcome in the last two school years.
Our guest speaker - was in the tradition of previous years - a member of the local Harrogate community who is an entrepreneur who knows the school and its work well. Mr Joe Joyce came from the world of manufacture and construction where he was CEO, to a second career as a Finance Director, before taking over a popular local brewing company. He shared his personal philosophy on the importance of aiming high in life and presented GCSE, and BTEC certificates, and awards and trophies to special winners on the night.
Our Year 12 musicians, performed an Oasis hit and Nia Bell sang a beautiful solo by Adele. Head Prefect, Harvey Kennedy closed the evening's celebrations with particular thanks to our guest. Well done to all of our award winners!
Following the formal ceremony, some of the award winners came together for an informal photograph to end the evening.
Mock Examinations
Mock GCSE examinations in all subjects will commence on Monday 29 November for our Year 11 students. Students will sit some of their mock examinations in the Sports' Hall and other, options subjects, will be sat in classrooms during normal lesson times. These mock examinations will take place under full 'exam conditions' to enable students to practise their written skills and to experience these conditions before their official examinations which are currently scheduled for this summer.
We wish all of our students' 'good luck'; we have been very impressed with their attitude to learning and resilience in the lead up to these assessments. Students are expected to bring their own stationery items such as: two black pens, pencils, a ruler and a protractor, a compass and an eraser - all in a clear pencil case or plastic bag. Students should also ensure that they have a scientific calculator as this will be essential in their Mathematics and Science examinations. Students are expected to attend school as normal during this period and have received a copy of the examinations' timetable.
Sixth Form Information Evening - Thursday 2 December 2021
A further reminder for Parents/Carers of students in Year 11 that our Sixth Form Information Evening will be held on Thursday 2 December. The event commences at 6.00pm with presentations from the Headteacher and the Head of Sixth Form in the main hall. This is a very important evening as the Subject Fair - which takes place in the Sixth Form Centre - provides detailed information about the courses and enrichment opportunities on offer post-16. Sixth Form Ambassadors will also be available during the evening, and parents and students are encouraged to speak to our students about their experiences at Rossett and the opportunities on offer.
NHS COVID Vaccination Programme
On Monday this week, Rossett hosted the NHS vaccination team who administered Covid vaccinations to those students in school who were eligible and had previously given consent. We were very impressed with the mature way our students approached these vaccinations and were pleased to support the national roll-out of the programme for students in year 7-11.
The NHS have expanded their vaccination programme for 12-15 year olds and they suggest you contact your GP or the NHS website in the first instance to book a vaccination for your child and see the FAQs should you wish further information.
Sixth Form Apprenticeship Talk
VQ Solutions, an apprenticeship provider visited school on Wednesday to talk to our Year 13s about progression to employment and apprenticeships. We were delighted to welcome visitors to our Sixth Form after so many months of virtual engagements, and were pleased to hear about their top tips to secure the very best positions in the world of work. Students learnt about the way in which they should prepare themselves for interview and the research they should be conducting now. Advice was given on CV-building and what content to include in their covering letters and online applications. Top of the list of actions was registering with apprenticeships.gov.uk in order to keep abreast of the very latest vacancies. Students were also reminded how competition is high and how competitive the recruitment process can be for some of the more popular Apprenticeship vacancies.
For further information visit: https://www.vqsolutions.co.uk/ https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
Dance Workshop
Year 9 students took part in a dance workshop this week. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the event and their contribution to the workshop was excellent; the visiting dance company were very impressed with their enthusiasm. We hope to be able to welcome more activities for students to take part in, in the coming months.
English Literature Workshop
On Thursday we were very pleased to again welcome Professor Jill Rudd from the University of Liverpool. Professor Rudd delivered valuable enrichment sessions for our A Level Literature students who enjoyed the opportunity to explore a variety of critical interpretations in relation to their studies of Christina Rossetti’s poetry and literary non-fiction from the Fin de Siècle period. Professor Rudd was very impressed with our students' engagement and responses and we hope to welcome her back again in the future.
Year 7 Bake Sale for World Aids Day - Wednesday 1 December
Students in Year 7 are supporting World Aids Day next week by organising a cake bake and sale during early break (10.05am -10.20am) on Wednesday 1 December.
This year marks 40 years since the first reported cases of Aids-related illnesses and deaths and the charity is supporting a renewed drive to end new cases of HIV nationally by 2030.
Students can bring a small amount of money to buy cakes on the 1 December at breaktime; the sale will take place in the Blue Dining Hall.
Winter Warmer Concert - Thursday 9 December
Rossett Arts Faculty are proud to announce the long-awaited return of the first of our live concerts. We would like to welcome you to our Winter Warmer Concert on Thursday December 9th at 6:30pm in our Main Hall. The concert will feature performances by our extra-curricular music groups plus a range of solo and group items prepared by our students. Tickets are available from Monday 29 November and can be purchased online via SCOPAY where they can be found under, 'trips & events'. Adult tickets are priced at £3:50 which includes entry to our raffle: tickets for under 18s are priced at £2 each. See you there!
PTA Year 7 Disco
Rossett PTA are organising a Year 7 Christmas Disco on Thursday 16 December 2021 in the Main Hall. The event provides our Year 7 students with a fun and entertaining evening at the end of a busy term. Tickets are £5 each and include a hot dog (meat or vegetarian) and professional DJ, ex-Rossett student DJ Dent.
Learning Resource Centre Newsletter
Mr Asker has received this wonderful quick book review from Natasha Eagland in Year 7.
'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman is an enchanting novel that is a delight for all who open its bewitching pages. You will forget the world around you from the moment you look inside.
The book tells of the beautiful but stubborn Buttercup, who falls in love with a poor farm boy, Wesley. When he sets off to build his future, she is left with doubt and misery, promising to never grow fond of another man.
However, when her heart is drawn to an eager prince, who is prepared to fight brutal battles to have Buttercup as his wife, a thrilling adventure full of shocking discoveries, ferocious beasts, venomous snakes, vengeance, deceit, courage, and miracles begins!
I would recommend this book to advanced readers, who love a gripping tale and stirring plots! (Natasha Eagland)
Christmas Colours/Non-Uniform Day - Make the World Better with a Sweater!
We are, once again, joining Save the Children in their fundraising by taking part in their Christmas jumper campaign. All students and staff are invited to wear a Christmas jumper or to wear bright colours on Friday 10 December. We usually ask for a £2 donation and you will be able to donate on-line this year, using your child's Scopay account or hand in your cash donation to their tutor at the start of the school day; we know the charity will be very grateful for any donations, large or small.
Mobile Phones in School
We would like to remind parents/carers that students bring their mobile phones, personal devices and earphones into school at their own risk. The school are not liable for any personal equipment or mobile phone that are accidentally lost or damaged whilst on the school site. Responsibility for the safe storage of mobile phone lies with the student at all times.
Driving with Care
Whilst we appreciate that the continuing and ever-shifting pattern of current roadworks in the area must be frustrating for those parents/carers who drive their children to school, we would like to remind you to drive with caution on the surrounding roads at all times. At the start and end of the day, the roads in the locality are busy with students from primary and secondary schools. We appreciate your care and attention in adhering to speed restrictions - 20 miles per hour on Pannal Ash Road - at all times, please.
Reminder: Early finish on the last day of the Christmas term
We would like to remind you that, as always, Rossett School will finish the Christmas term early - this year on Friday 17 December at 2.10pm. There will be a change to the scheduled lessons on this day and all school buses will arrive at school and drop off one hour earlier.
Continuation of Lateral Flow Testing for students and staff
We ask that our parents and students support our safer school initiative by continuing to test on Sunday and Wednesday evenings and report the results – whether positive, negative or void – to NHS Test and Trace via the self-report option at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result and also inform the school at: https://rossett.school/studentcovidreport. It is our current understanding that this national initiative will continue until the start of the Christmas holidays.
This information is helping the Government to understand the prevalence of the virus across the country.
Please note that this asymptomatic testing programme does not replace current guidance for those who develop the three Covid-19 symptoms, even if mild, which is to arrange a PCR test as soon as possible. If your child develops a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loses their sense of smell or taste or it changes they should self-isolate until they receive the results of their PCR test.
As you will now be aware the self-isolation rules have changed and students no longer need to self isolate if someone in their household has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19 if any of the following apply:
- students are under 18 years 6 months old
- students are fully vaccinated
- students are taking part or have taken part in a Covid-19 vaccine trial
- students are not able to be vaccinated for medical reasons
In such cases, even if they do not have symptoms, students should still:
- get a PCR test
- follow advice on how to avoid catching and spreading Covid-19
- consider limiting contact with people who are at higher risk from Covid-19
If you have any questions please email Mr Royles droyles@rossettschool.co.uk.
PE Fixtures
Well done to...
- Kallum Shaw who has been selected to join the U-17 GB American Football Team. Well done Kallum!
What's happening this half term...
Monday 29 November - Friday 3 December
- Year 11 Mock Exams take place
Tuesday 30 November
- Staff Training after school - no after-school clubs
Thursday 2 December
- Sixth Form Information Evening: 6.00pm in the Main Hall - followed by a Subject Fair
MONDAY 6 DECEMBER
-
STAFF TRAINING DAY - NO STUDENTS IN SCHOOL
Thursday 9 December
- Winter Warmer Concert
Friday 10 December
- Christmas Jumper Day
Friday 17 December
- School closes for the Christmas holidays: Early finish at 2.10pm.
H Woodcock
Headteacher
