BOROUGHBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Newsletter Review of the Year 2011—2012

The academic year 2011The academic year 2011The academic year 2011The academic year 2011----12 was yet another year filled with amazing 12 was yet another year filled with amazing 12 was yet another year filled with amazing 12 was yet another year filled with amazing achievements, perfect performances and celebrations! Here are just a selec-achievements, perfect performances and celebrations! Here are just a selec-achievements, perfect performances and celebrations! Here are just a selec-achievements, perfect performances and celebrations! Here are just a selec-tion of them…tion of them…tion of them…tion of them…

This year, Boroughbridge High School celebrated a fantastic, record-breaking set of A-Level results! The

highlight being A2 students achieving an outstanding 49% of passes at A* to B. Both AS and A2 results

were excellent and a reward for the hard work and commitment demonstrated by all our students and

staff. The vast majority of pupils have achieved grades that will allow them to accept the university places

they have been offered and in an increasingly competitive market for post A-level university places and

employment, these results should stand all students in very good stead.

Boroughbridge High School students also achieved a strong set of GCSE results. Many pupils have

achieved above their targets and they have all worked extremely hard:-

• 81 per cent of GCSE students at the High School achieved the benchmark figure of five or more A* to C

passes, with 63 per cent including English and maths.

• At the very top, 16 per cent of students achieved 5 GCSEs or more at A*-A.

• 100 per cent of GCSE students at the High School achieved one or more GCSE A* to C pass.

AWARDS EVENING

The GCSE and A-Level Awards Evening, held in the final week of the Autumn Term, was very well attended by past and present students. Prizes and certificates were presented by special guest Mike Riley – the man-ager of the Professional Game Officials Match Board – in charge of all referees and their assistants through-out professional and semi-professional football. A series of special awards were also given to pupils for outstanding achievement. Hannah Williams collected the 1322 Committee prize for the best A-level results, and Rebecca Skelton collected the Chamber of Trade Award for her excellent GCSE results. Sam Norman collected the Boroughbridge Lions Award for his out-standing contribution to the Drama department, Charlotte Reynolds took the Mark Kettlewell Enterprise Award and Alice Birch won the Robert Hornby Award for her contribution to school life.

END OF YEAR AWARDS

In a busy final week of assemblies, students were awarded certificates and trophies for their efforts and at-tainment in this year. The form prizes for Key Stage 3 went to the following pupils:-

Year 7: Joshua Rimmer, Rebecca Unsworth, Elizabeth Elgie, Ronan Chan and Emma Smith Year 8: Cora Herbert, Jordan Goodman, Bethany Grant and Caitlin Brown. Year 9: Caprice Aspey, Lottie Miles, Taylor Elliot, Lydia Brogan and Zoe Thompson. Year 10 pupils gained trophies for both their performance in subjects and also their overall achieve-ments. The Year 10 form awards went to James Rimmer, Kayleigh Chan, Sophie Dumbreck, Kate Patterson and Megan Jackson.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS

Having secured generous backing from the Boroughbridge Town Council and Boroughbridge Li-ons, Boroughbridge High School will be launching the Boroughbridge High School Duke of Edin-burgh Award in September 2012. Year 10 students from the school will be able to enrol for the Bronze award with Year 12 and 13 students able to register for the Gold award.

HEAD BOY AND GIRL

The Head Boy and Head Girl have been voted in for the academic year 2012-13. Head Boy will be Elliot Baron with his deputy Kieran Hussell. Rebecca Skelton was voted Head Girl with Jess Woodward as her dep-uty.

School celebrates its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted….School celebrates its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted….School celebrates its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted….School celebrates its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted….

In February the school had a visit from Ofsted over two days. The results of the visit were

very pleasing with the school maintaining its good rating:-

• As one of the first schools to be assessed using the newer, tougher framework, staff and pupils were

happy to have their hard work and achievements recognised.

• As ever, the supportive and friendly atmosphere of the school was seen as a positive and student

achievement was seen to be good.

• Particular strengths identified in the report were the impact of the school’s specialist status’ in Perform-

ing Arts and International Schools Award.

• Teaching and behaviour throughout the school was good and the work the school does during transi-

tion from primary school was seen as a notable strength.

NORMANDY TRIP: In early July, 59 Year 8 students made the week long trip to Normandy, France. A mixture of French culture and history - the students had a wonderful time! They visited the Bayeaux Tapestry, the D-Day beaches, a Commonwealth War cemetery and on a lighter note a goats cheese factory. FABULOUS FOOD FESTIVAL: Dodging the poor weather, Fabulous Food Festival was as success-ful as ever. A huge variety of stalls from local producers proved very popular with those who at-tended.

BEWERLEY PARK: Nearly 50 year 9 pupils ventured out of their usual environment to Bewerley Park for the week in June. Focusing on building their communication skills and confidence through a variety of team activites, all pupils had the chance to take part in canoeing, mounting biking, raft-ing, high ropes, low ropes, rock climbing and gorge walking.

ART EXPERIENCES: Ray Mutimer, the illustrator famed for works including Postman Pat, spent an afternoon giving a talk and presentation of a selection of his works to our Fine Art A-Level students. A joint French and Art A-level trip also ventured to Paris in December.

AUSCHWITZ TRIP: Two sixth form students, Jamie Field and Sarah Hams made the trip to Po-land to visit Auschwitz as part of the Holocaust Educational Trust ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project.

SCIENCE: Boroughbridge High School has been chosen by The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, to receive a Partnership Grant that will enable lo-cal scientists and engineers to work with teachers from the school to implement an innovative science project. The project, entitled ‘Essential oils as antimicrobial agents’ will see pupils from Years 11, 12 and 13 take on the challenge of identifying the minimum inhibitory concentration of freely available essential oils. Professor Kerr and Dr Harrison will help students by providing guidance and practical expertise to their research projects. Those involved will be given the opportunity of visiting York University to participate in practical workshops.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: The Annual Boroughbridge High School Christmas Fair was again a massive success. Organised by the Friends of Boroughbridge High School group, it featured stalls from all form groups in Years 7 to 9 and a number of inde-pendent retailers. The stalls were selling a huge range of home made wares, from decorations to cakes and proved extremely popular. The day itself raised a record £1500, all of which will be spent on equipment for the school.

Performing Arts

Review of the 2011Review of the 2011Review of the 2011Review of the 2011----12 Academic Year……...12 Academic Year……...12 Academic Year……...12 Academic Year……...

• The first week of March 2012 saw the Performing Arts Faculty take to the stage to perform Queen’s We Will Rock We Will Rock We Will Rock We Will Rock

YouYouYouYou. Students and staff scaled new heights to deliver a performance that will live long in the memory of those

who attended. Leading from the front with stunning performances were Jake Husband, Cathy Simpson, Joe

Miles, James Gray, Denver Maybank, Paige McKee and Harry Messenger. Backed by an outstanding band, includ-

ing solos from Toby Pearson and Tom Palmer, audiences were awed all week.

• Students from the music and dance departments were busy in March also taking part in a gala performance at

the Royal Hall Harrogate to commemorate the 100100100100thththth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The oratorio fea-

tured the Boroughbridge High School senior choir and the dancers provided a visual feast of movement with

specially choreographed pieces.

• On the Sunday of the Diamond Jubilee weekend, the High School played host to the only event to mark the Jubi-Jubi-Jubi-Jubi-

leeleeleelee in Boroughbridge, whilst also raising money for the Lake Garda tour in July. The school bands also per-

formed at a family dinner organised by the Boroughbridge Lions in the Coronation Hall.

• In 2011, over 60 public engagements for the music department culminated in

a packed final week of term. The highlight was the school’s Christmas Con-

cert, wonderfully attended by pupils and parents. All of this was to raise

funds for the music department trip to Lake GardaLake GardaLake GardaLake Garda in Italy in the final week of

the summer term. Over 40 students were accompanied by a few lucky mem-

bers of staff on a trip that none of them will forget. Taking in tours of Venice

and Verona and performances from the school bands, this proved a fitting

climax to a year’s hard work.

• Elsewhere in the Performing Arts Department, Boroughbridge High School students had two opportunities to

experience the Olympic spirit. A group of 40 pupils were rewarded for their hard work this year with a trip to

see the Olympic torch pass through Knaresborough.

• A group of Year 9 students have been working on an intensive project to make a documentary drama for entry

into the North Yorkshire Sport Cultural Olympiad Festival at Escrick in July.

• Upper School students put on a excellent Arthur Miller’s “A View from the BridgeA View from the BridgeA View from the BridgeA View from the Bridge” in 2011. The show was a huge

success with all those who came to see and the audience were particularly impressed with the talent and enthu-

siasm of the whole cast.

• In Key Stage 4, Ella Brooks-Sykes (year 11) and Aimee Wood (year 10) have been selected to represent North

Yorkshire in dance.

Performing Arts — September News….

• Three of the High School’s star dance performers have received excellent news. Maya Hinchliffe-Bray and Caitlin

Brown (both Year 9) and Molly Brown (Caitlin’s sister) have fought their way through a gruelling audition process

to dance in the York Grand Opera House pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Congratulations to all the girls whose talent

and hard work richly deserve this recognition.

• On September 19, A-level Theatre Studies students attended a performance of The Importance of Being Ernest by

Hull Truck Theatre. The play most recently performed by the London Classic Theatre was directed by Michael

Cabot. The performance was heart-warming and amusing. The characters where played admirably whilst also

staying true to the original play by Oscar Wilde.

• GCSE Drama students in Year 10 took part in a theatre workshop and also attended the matinee performance of

the Pilot Theatre production of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner at York Theatre Royal. Students all

enjoyed the gritty adaptation of Alan Sillitoe’s classic text.

• The school’s dance groups are currently rehearsing for a performance called ‘Diamonds on the Soles of their

Shoes’, working with Knaresborough Youth Club. The aim is to produce a 15 to 20 minute piece of performing

art based on the 1950s.

The return to school has been anything but quiet at the High School.The return to school has been anything but quiet at the High School.The return to school has been anything but quiet at the High School.The return to school has been anything but quiet at the High School.———— Year 7s have settled in to secondary school life quickly and successfully, Year 7s have settled in to secondary school life quickly and successfully, Year 7s have settled in to secondary school life quickly and successfully, Year 7s have settled in to secondary school life quickly and successfully, while years 10 and 12 have begun their GCSE and Awhile years 10 and 12 have begun their GCSE and Awhile years 10 and 12 have begun their GCSE and Awhile years 10 and 12 have begun their GCSE and A----level studies.level studies.level studies.level studies.

ARTARTARTART

As part of their A-level studies and to enrich their artistic

understanding, on Tuesday 24 September, Year 12 & 13

Art students were joined by professional pastel artist,

Cath Inglis. They took part in a full day workshop which

began with an inspiring and impressive demonstration

from the lady herself. After a long day, the students were

extremely pleased with their efforts and all produced a

highly skilful outcome.

EAST BARNBY AEAST BARNBY AEAST BARNBY AEAST BARNBY A----LEVEL TLEVEL TLEVEL TLEVEL TRIPRIPRIPRIP

Year 13 biologists have had a packed start to their A2

studies. They spent a a fantastic weekend camping at East

Barnby Outdoor Education centre, where they conducted

ecological field studies on the rocky shore ecosystem at

Runswick Bay.

MILITARY WIVES

Fame beckons for two people closely linked to the school with the famous Military Wives Choir. History teacher Mrs Helen Langford and Mrs Nici Cooke, whose daughters Paige (Year 11) and Holly (Year 7) at-tend Boroughbridge High School, both from the Dishforth Military Wives Choir attended the video shoot which broke a world record for the biggest-ever video shoot in music history! On 13 September, over 600 members of the Military Wives Choirs were joined by Choirmaster Gareth Malone at Wellington Barracks in London, for the filming of their new video as they came together for the first time to launch their new al-bum and The Military Wives Choirs Foundation. Mrs Rebecca Lindley, who son Jacob is in Year 8, also took part in recording the album back in July with Decca Record Producer Jon Cohen. The album, Stronger Together, which is due to be released on 5 November, features the title track which starts with a solo from Mrs Nici Cooke as well as a track by Dishforth Military Wives Choir called ‘When Will I See You Again’!

LISTENER’S TRAINING: Renowned for excellent pastoral care of all pupils, the school takes great pride in the services available to all pupils. The Sixth Form Listeners are an integral part of this and a fresh set are currently un-

dergoing training. Whether offering help and guidance to new starters or a friendly face to those who may be strug-gling in any way, these volunteers should feel immensely proud of their contributions.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

The school’s contribution to the wider community continues to be one of its main objec-

tives. As ever fundraising will play an important part in their efforts this year. The first (and

ever popular) fundraiser is the Macmillan Coffee morning with all the staff and some of the pupils making the most of the excellent cakes on offer. All for a good cause!

SPORT ROUNDUP….

Year 9 boys played at 9-team tournament at Rossett School. Beginning with a 1-1 draw against Queen Ethleburga's, the boys then lost out to hosts Rossett 3-1. Things improved with a con-

vincing 3-0 against Harrogate High and a 2-1 win in the repeat fixture against Queen Ethle-burga's. Their final match saw them draw 1-1 with St John Fishers.

The Year 10 boys were entered into an 8-team tournament at Rossett. St Aidan's were defeated 1-0 in the first game followed by a 1-1 draw with Rossett. In the semi-final the boys ran out 2-1

winners over Harrogate High. Unfortunately they narrowly lost 1-0 in the final to Rossett.

Great Ouseburn Collaboration

Boroughbridge High School is very pleased to announce that the collaboration between the High School and Great Ouseburn

Community Primary School has been formalised. The schools worked very closely together in October 2011, when co-

ordinating the visit of the schools’ partner schools from China. The Affiliated High School of Shanxi University and Third Affili-

ated Primary School of Taiyuan Normal University provided the impetus for what we are sure will be a long and prosperous

partnership. This partnership has been built on throughout the rest of the academic year especially through a joint Y6/Y7

project ‘Oxygen’ where pupils considered the effects ’Mindset’ has on achievement. Staff and pupils from the High School

have assisted in a huge number of events, ranging from the Great Ouseburn production of ‘Oliver’ to the staging of an Ulti-

mate Pentathlon.

The formal collaboration will now bring the schools closer together both in curricular and extra-curricular activities. It will

provide staff at both sites with increased opportunities for Leadership development and will also see additional specialist

cross-phase teaching taking place in both primary and High school. One of the first opportunities that pupils will be given is

to begin the Arts Leader Awards in Performing Arts at the primary school. In a constantly evolving educational climate, both

schools will reap rewards from working closely together.

Boroughbridge High School and Great Ouseburn Primary School welcomed special guests in October 2011 as

North Yorkshire schools completed the second part of their exchange programme with schools in China. Seven

Chinese headteachers and education specialists spent the week visiting schools across North Yorkshire to find

out more about the British approach to teaching and learning. The opening gala dinner for all the delegates

and host schools was hosted by Boroughbridge High School, with lively musical entertainment laid on by the

students. The visitors enjoyed tours of local schools and spent two full days in their main host schools, ex-

changing information about the differences between British and Chinese schools.

CHINA VISITCHINA VISITCHINA VISITCHINA VISIT