Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA,...

15
Page 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email: [email protected], Website: www.richmondschool.net Dear Parent/Carer The school year has started in a really positive way. Our results at both GCSE and A Level have been confirmed as being significantly above the national average. After a year of uncertainty on a national scale, with new GCSE and A Level courses running, it has been hugely reassuring to know that the hard work that went in to supporting the students through these new examination courses has resulted in some excellent outcomes. We have held two very 'busy' Open Evenings over the last month. The first one for prospective Year 7 students and the second for potential Year 12 students. Both sittings for the formal talk on each evening were full and the school was literally a hive of activity. It was very rewarding to see how confident and relaxed the new Year 7 students were in their roles as student helpers. Diana Murray and Seth Wilkinson impressed us all with their public speaking skills. In front of more than 250 visitors they delivered their speeches, which they had written themselves. I know that everyone present would agree that they spoke with confidence, honesty and humour about their initial weeks at Richmond School. We have a busy half-term ahead and many plans. Our school focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) continues, as does the work we have started on the three values of Independence, Excellence and Resilience. I would like to thank all parents for monitoring and signing school planners and insisting that the students take responsibility for organising themselves and their work. Our checking of the student planners has shown that to date they are being used very consistently across the school. Whilst it may only seem like a small thing, we are convinced that getting the 'small things' absolutely right will help us to keep improving standards and ensure each student has the most positive experience possible at Richmond School. I wish you all a restful half-term break. Best wishes, Jenna Potter (Head of School)

Transcript of Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA,...

Page 1: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 1 of 15

Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email: [email protected], Website: www.richmondschool.net

Dear Parent/Carer

The school year has started in a really positive way. Our results at both GCSE and A Level have been confirmed as being significantly above the national average. After a year of uncertainty on a national scale, with new GCSE and A Level courses running, it has been hugely reassuring to know that the hard work that went in to supporting the students through these new examination courses has resulted in some excellent outcomes.

We have held two very 'busy' Open Evenings over the last month. The first one for prospective Year 7 students and the second for potential Year 12 students. Both sittings for the formal talk on each evening were full and the school was literally a hive of activity. It was very rewarding to see how confident and relaxed the new Year 7 students were in their roles as student helpers. Diana Murray and Seth Wilkinson impressed us all with their public speaking skills. In front of more than 250 visitors they delivered their speeches, which they had written themselves. I know that everyone present would agree that they spoke with confidence, honesty and humour about their initial weeks at Richmond School.

We have a busy half-term ahead and many plans. Our school focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) continues, as does the work we have started on the three values of Independence, Excellence and Resilience.

I would like to thank all parents for monitoring and signing school planners and insisting that the students take responsibility for organising themselves and their work. Our checking of the student planners has shown that to date they are being used very consistently across the school. Whilst it may only seem like a small thing, we are convinced that getting the 'small things' absolutely right will help us to keep improving standards and ensure each student has the most positive experience possible at Richmond School.

I wish you all a restful half-term break.

Best wishes,

Jenna Potter

(Head of School)

Page 2: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 2 of 15

Year 11 PPEs (Pre-Public Examinations) – W/C Monday 13th November All Year 11 students now have their PPE timetable and should be in a good position to plan their revision for these all-important forthcoming exams. We urge all Year 11 students to spend some of their half-term holiday revising. The Year 11 Handbook (all students have a copy) contains lots of good advice about how to revise and students have received ongoing help and guidance from their subject teachers and tutor. Students are urged to purchase all the necessary subject specific revision guides from the Parent Portal Shop on the School Website. The Maths Department is encouraging students to spend as much time as possible using 'Mathswatch' - an online Maths resource designed to help students improve on their highlighted areas of weakness. We know that students who used this consistently last year saw significant improvements in their results. The Year 11 Practical PPEs take place immediately after half-term i.e. W/C Monday 30th October We have been very impressed with the application and work ethic of a large number of our Year 11 students and we wish them well during the challenging time ahead.

Academic Update

Key Stage 3

The academic focus this year will be on the school values of resilience, independence and

excellence. We are sure that if students are able to show resilience (through responding to

teacher feedback for example) and independence (completing homework and revision tasks

and developing the ability to work independently) they will achieve excellence – grades that are

close to, or even above, target. All students in Key Sage 3 should now be aware of their

subject target grades and know what they are aiming for academically this year. The first

Aiming High report will be available to parents just before the Christmas holiday and you will be

able to see the progress your son or daughter is making. These will also include an Attitude to

Learning grade for each subject.

Some dates for your diaries –

Year 7 and Year 8 Assessment Week - 26th- 29th March (the week before the Easter

Holiday.)

Year 9 PPE (Pre-Public Examinations) week - 25th-29th June

Year 7 Parents’ Evening – 15th May

Year 8 Parents’ Evening – 13th March

Year 9 Parents’ Evening – 6th February

As always, if you have any questions abought your child’s learning don’t hesitate to get in

touch.

Jim Coldwell - Lead Learning Manager Key Stage 3

Page 3: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 3 of 15

Key Stage 4

The students in Year 10 and 11 have got off to a flying start and it was great to see so many of

you at the information evenings we held last month. There are many challenges ahead,

particularly for Year 11 who should have started revising for their PPEs in earnest now.

Throughout Key stage 4, they have received lots of advice about revision and study techniques

and there are a variety of online websites and applications for them to use, such as: BBC

Bitesize, GCSE Pod and Maths Watch. Revision guides are also available to purchase via

Parent Pay.

Please encourage your son or daughter to revise for a couple of hours every day over the next

few weeks, even get involved yourself by noting key dates on the family calendar, pin the exam

timetable up on the wall, help with planning a revision schedule, and ensure they have a

healthy diet and get a good night’s sleep.

As always, if your son or daughter needs any advice or support, please get in touch:

[email protected].

Key Dates for Year 11

HALF–TERM: an ideal revision opportunity.

Mon 30th Oct – Fri 3rd Nov

Practical PPE Week: Art, Drama, Digital Photography, Music

Mon 13th – Mon 20th Nov

Pre Public Exams (PPEs)

Fri 15th Dec

PPE Results Assembly and Collection (L4L)

Wed 13th Dec

Aiming High 2 Reports available

Year 10 Handbooks Year 10 students will take part in a formal Year 10 launch assembly on Friday 20th October and will receive their own Year 10 copy of the Key Stage 4 Handbook. We encourage all students and parents to read this document in detail as it contains lots of helpful information to support the students through their studies.

Page 4: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 4 of 15

Under 16 Area Netball Tournament

We took a mixed Year 10 and 11 girls’ Netball

team to the Under16 Area Netball rally on 15th

September at Queen Mary’s School near Thirsk.

This tournament is very early in the season and

the girls had only managed to fit in one training

session before the event. Despite this, they

performed very well beating Thirsk, Northallerton

and Queen Mary’s School. They narrowly lost out

to SFX, Stokesley and Cundall Manor. The team

achieved 4th place overall.

Under 15 Netball V Stokesley School

The Year 10 girls’ Netball team travelled to

Stokesley School on 28th September to play a

friendly fixture. It was a very closely-fought game

with both teams being evenly matched.

Richmond did however finish strong with the

overall result ending with a 22-14 win. Great

performances were produced by the whole team

but special mention goes to the effective

partnership of our two shooters Evie McFarlane and Abbie Robson. The girls rarely missed a

shot all night.

The picture from left to right: Jade Hall, Toni Carr, Evie McFarlane, Miah Macey-Glithro, Abbie

Robson, Emma Brown, Katie Wood, Nadia Fenwick.

Year 9 Boys’ Football

The Year 9 and Year 11 football

squads qualified for round 3 of the

ESFA National cup with exceptional

victories against Conyers School. The

Year 9s started the game with pace

and power, which the Conyers defence

couldn't deal with and within the first

seven minutes the Year 9s were 4-0

up. Nathan Carvey opened the scoring

after good work from man of the match

Sam Connolly. Sam then scored two

further goals with brilliant finishes and then Matty Callender scored from a free kick to make

the score 4-0. Conyers fought back after the initial onslaught and scored just before half time to

make it 4-1. In the second half Richmond were again dominant and scored a further 3 goals to

Page 5: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 5 of 15

make the full time score line 7-2 with Sam Connolly adding another two goals and Ben Dale

scoring the seventh.

The Year 11s had a much tougher game and had to come from behind to get the victory. Man

of the match, Dan Luck, scoring a great left-footed goal to make the score 1-1 at half time. In

the second half Richmond defended for large parts with striker James Kelly dealing with scraps

on the counter attack. However, the Richmond defence dealt with all of the attacks from

Conyers and James Kelly scored the winner to send Richmond School into round 3 with a 2-1

victory. The Year 11s also had a close victory versus Bedale School in the Area cup as they

won 1-0 through a Sanny Lingthep penalty when again the Richmond School defence was on

top throughout.

Year 7 Boys’ Football

Following a 3-1 defeat in the ESFA Cup

in round 1 the Year 7s recorded their

first victory for the school in two

emphatic wins versus Bedale

School. After going a goal down in the A

team game they recovered to win 10-1,

Fin Tulip scoring four goals, Preston

Gredziak scoring 3 with other goals

coming from man of the match Luke

Wade, Alex Walton and Sam Booth. In

the ‘B team’ Richmond's forwards were

too strong and they ran out 9-0

winners. Caden Beckett's forward running causing problems all game as he scored two and

set up another 3 for man of the match Jake Percival. Seth Wilkinson, Karl Harris and Callum

Paton scoring the other goals.

English Schools’ Fell-Running Championships

On the 24th September a team of students took

part in the English Schools’ Fell-Running

Championships – a national competition, held

this year in Settle, that attracts entries from

over 100 schools.

Our runners showed fantastic resilience, on

some extremely tough courses. In the Year 8/9

boys’ race Dan Francis finished in a fantastic

17th place, with George McCowie, Charles

Bacon, Peter Longstaff, Morgan Soley, Aiden

Page 6: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 6 of 15

Smith and Dan Cutter also performing well. Isobel

Brooks was our only competitor in the Year 8/9

girls’ competition.

Our Year 10/11 boys’ team finished in an

impressive 4th place overall, with Dylan Soley

finishing 16th and James Longstaff and James

Thornton (both Year 10 and therefore running a

year young) making up the team. Isabel Bacon and

Andie Jones both secured good places in the Year

10/11 girls’ completion.

All the students represented the school impeccably in what is undoubtedly one of country’s

toughest athletic competitions.

Under 13 Girls’ Football team

Our Girls’ Football team won their game against Northallerton School with a fantastic score of 3-1. Two of the goals from our new year 7 team members (Lucy Denton and Faith Andrews) and the third from Year 8 player Amy Potter.

Player of the match went to Emma Scott for her outstanding, consistent defence. The team was captained by Ellen Atkinson - Brilliant goalkeeping throughout.

We would like to thank the Trustees for the funding of our brand-new kit, the donation has been very much appreciated by everyone on the team.

Our brand-new players to the squad; Charmaine Nicholson, Maisy Forbes, Charlotte Harrison and Holly McCowie - all did an amazing job too!

Year 8 Football

The boys made a really positive start to the season overturning High Tunstall, a team who beat

them 4-1 the previous season, securing a strong 2-0 win. They have also progressed to the

second rounds of both the ESFA National Cup and the Area Cup with victories against Manor

Academy, 9-1 and Wensleydale, 5-0 respectively. Unfortunately though, progress to the

second round of the County Cup ended in round one with a loss to a strong team from South

Craven.

The goals have been shared around the team with numerous players contributing. However,

special mention must go to Connor Leak (8STH) who has made a blistering start to the season

Page 7: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 7 of 15

scoring 5 goals and Luka Green (8ABU) who scored a hat trick off the bench against Manor

Academy.

Inter-Regional Track Championships

Ben Partridge (Year 9) was selected to be part of a four-man team to represent the North East

at the British Cycling Inter-Regional Track Championships held at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome,

Glasgow. 12 regional teams of 4 boys and 4 girls, all under 16, are selected to take part in a

range of track events.

The North-East boys had a particularly young

team with Ben being the youngest boy at the

whole event.

Ben enjoyed the experience very much, with the

highlight being a personal best in his flying

200m, and the team being 6th in the team sprint.

Overall the team were 11th which was very

respectable given the age difference to some of

the other teams.

School Ski Team

The Ski team recently competed in Norwich

in the English Schools' Ski Association

National Championships and both the girls

and boys teams qualified for the British

Schools’ Artificial Ski Slope Championships

to be held in Pontypool in South Wales on

Sunday 19th November.

Picture Left to Right: Mia Cole, Isabel

Bushell, James Norman, Hannah

Speakman, Olivia Frankland, Tom Cole,

Isobel Brooks, Alex Speakman, Emily Riley, Ben Webster.

Page 8: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 8 of 15

Year 11 Geography Field Trip to Arkengarthdale

In September, Year 11 Geographers investigated changing downstream characteristics of the Arkle Beck in Arkengarthdale. With the title, “Aims & location of the fieldwork” developed in lessons beforehand, the trip allowed students to collect primary data and to examine whether the Bradshaw model was relevant to this location. Following Mr Hedley’s demonstration of data collection techniques at the first site, students then worked in groups of 12 to collect their own data at four following sites. They measured key aspects such as the wetted perimeter of the channel, average depth and average velocity of the water.

On returning to school, the students presented, analysed and evaluated their data in preparation for their unit 3 exam in the summer. All the students were an absolute credit to both the Geography department & Richmond School. Miss Young, Mr Hedley, Mrs House and Mr Clark.

Yes@RichmondSchool

Following a successful seven years as an Enhanced Mainstream School for Cognition and

Learning (Specific Learning Difficulties) Richmond School has launched a new website

www.yesatrichmondschool.net. The website provides a wealth of information linked to

strategies and interventions which help students with a 'learning difference'. Designed

to support parents, students and teaching staff and other educational professionals, the

website also provides information about training courses and information drop in sessions

and signposts effective resources.

Contact [email protected] or visit the website www.yesatrichmondschool.net. YES @

Richmond School can also be found on Twitter @YesSpLD.

Page 9: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 9 of 15

Audition Success

Following an audition open to young people (age 14 – 18) across the whole of Yorkshire,

Stefan Wardale (Year 11) gained one of five places for the successful candidates to come

together and compose and perform a piece of music for the Huddersfield Contemporary Music

Festival

This is the 40th year that the festival has been running and is the largest International festival

for Contemporary Music held over 10 days in November.

Year 9 History

All the year 9 students have had “History come alive” with a talk on the

First World War with artefacts from Carl Watts, the Education Officer at

the Green Howards Museum in Richmond.

Students were allowed to touch and try on original artefacts from the war

as Carl explained what life in the trenches would have been like. They

were surprised to discover the variety and difference of uniforms and

helmets used during the war, as Carl explained

why they changed over time reflecting the changing

nature of warfare.

Students were also very interested to handle original First World War

weapons, listen to the very loud sound of a gas rattle and touch

examples of trench art the soldiers produced. Year 9 students have

been learning about trench warfare during lessons and the opportunity

for them to handle original weapons, ask questions and work out

possible answers was a very enjoyable and valuable experience for

them all.

Year 11 History revision visit to the

Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds

The History department took most of the

Year 11 History historians to the Medical

Museum in Leeds last week to consolidate

their understanding of the GCSE Medicine

course.

Students have already studied the topic

needed for their PPE and final exam and so

they had an opportunity to explore the

galleries and develop their understanding

further.

Page 10: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 10 of 15

They were able to see a 19th-century operation and learnt about the importance of the

development of anaesthetics, antiseptics and aseptic surgery. The visit also offered the

opportunity to experience the public-health problems of Leeds in 1842, when the students

enjoyed wandering through the streets and houses of the poor in a very realistic reconstructed

street scene. Students learnt about the cures available at

that time too, including an interesting one with a donkey!

They also consolidated their knowledge of the discovery

of germ theory by Louis Pasteur and the massive

changes this created in many ways including the

development of vaccinations and cures such as penicillin.

Students found the visit an excellent opportunity to revisit

topics studied last year and consolidate their

understanding in a fun and interesting environment ready

for their PPE exams in November

Creative and Community Arts

This half term, as always, has begun very much where the last left off; a hive of creative

activity. The exciting part of a new school year is always the prospect of what is to come. The

school production ‘Joseph’ in December is taking shape. At the last count we have over 120

Students involved in the show, including a choir from Methodist Primary School. Tickets go on

sale for the show after half term. There is a link on the website. Make sure you are quick as

they will sell out fast!

In the Dance department, we have hit the ground running with Year 10s/11s/ 12s/13s all

already making a positive start towards their exam coursework.

We have a GCSE & A-Level theatre visit scheduled for 15th November to watch Rambert

Dance Company - we will be watching two professional works that are being studied as part of

both the GCSE and A Level specification.

Extra-Curricular Dance:

'Metamorphosis Dance' and 'Divas Dance’ have been combined and rebranded for this year

going forward and we have launched 'EVOLUTION DANCE' which is a whole school dance

company that aims to engage and bring together dancers from across all year groups. It is a

collaborative project/company which is led by Mrs Fox and makes use of Sixth Form leaders.

This is giving our A-Level Dance students choreography and teaching experience and they are

thriving under the responsibility of having their own projects and companies to work on. The

younger dancers are really enjoying looking up to the Sixth Formers and are being challenged

and encouraged by them.

The Music Department are working towards the busy festive period. They hosted a concert for

Year 7 starters early in the term with the REME military pop group from the Garrison. They

were fantastic and the students had a great time singing and dancing to the likes of Ed

Sheeran.

Page 11: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 11 of 15

Germany Trip July 2018

Plans are well under way for our Orchestra and Bands’ trip to the Rhine and Moselle in July

2018. We will be performing three concerts in a variety of venues as well as finding some time

to visit historical places of interest.

Bag Packing at Tesco Catterick

Our Music Department have been offered the fundraising opportunity of Bag Packing at Tesco

Catterick on Sunday 17th December. As well as supporting shoppers with their groceries we

will be giving some Christmas cheer by performing seasonal music throughout the day.

All funds raised will go into music-making opportunities in our school and the community.

Please come along to support our students.

Instrumental teaching at Richmond and new instruments.

I think everyone will be aware that we have now taken full control over the delivery of all

instrumental disciplines. This was part of a process we started last year to increase the quality

of provision you can expect in an instrumental lesson. We have been able to add 5mins to

every lesson and guarantee our students more lessons throughout the academic year. We are

looking forward to seeing the development of the students following these positive changes.

As a direct result of the high profile music performances in School events, assemblies and in

the classroom, we are receiving more and more requests to start instrumental tuition at

Richmond School. We are also trying to buy new quality instruments to support the

development of our students and assist parents with the costs of initially starting musical

instruction. If you have or knew of any instrument gathering dust that would be better used by a

student, please email [email protected]

Extra- curricular in Music

We have a very busy extra-curricular programme of ensembles after school – please

encourage your child to come along (whether you have lesson in school or not). We are

already planning our Christmas events!

Ensemble Teacher Day Time

String/Symphony Orchestra Mr Wardale/ Mr Boyd Monday 3.30-4.45pm

KS3 Wind Band Howard Harrington Tuesday 3.30-4.45pm

Guitar Club Mr Harris Tuesday 3.30-4.45pm

Richmond Singers Ms Brown Wednesday 3.30-4.45pm

Theory Course Mrs Devlin Wednesday 3.30-4.45pm

Page 12: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 12 of 15

Jazz Band Mr Boyd/Mr Millman Thursday 3.30-4.45pm

GCSE Intervention Mr Boyd/Mr Harris Wednesday & Thursday 3.30-4.45pm

Concert Band Mr Boyd Friday 3.30-4.45pm

If you would like your child to learn to play a musical instrument at Richmond School, please

email Stephen Boyd [email protected] or ask your child to pop in to the

music department to have a chat.

The Drama Department are now planning our next shows. In March, years 12 and 13 will be

performing devised work at The Georgian Theatre. Our partnership with the theatre allows for

this unique opportunity and from a community aspect we are constantly looking to develop this

further. In November, Drama Club for Year 7-10 and the Sixth Form Theatre Company will

fully begin developing our work. The plan is for the both groups to work together focusing on a

site specific performance at Richmond Castle in the New Year as well as a community project

in March. Information will be passed to the students about these groups, with us meeting on a

Wednesday. We are in the process of arranging trips to Sunderland to see Blood Brothers and

York to see Frantic Assembly. We are also very excited for the impending visit of the critically-

acclaimed Fuel Theatre Company for a performance in late October. Our Year 9 Arts’ Award

groups and GCSE students will form the audience. The show also opens with a performance

devised by a group of Year 8 to Year 13 students who have been working with the company.

They will also tour the region with the production. Tickets and information can be found on the

Rural Arts’ website. The show in the Georgian Theatre on 3rd of November is a good place to

catch the show.

Following the Art A-level and GCSE exhibition at The Station we have also had a successful

exhibition of Year 11 Digital Photography. The work looked fantastic and in conjunction with

The Station we have produced a calendar for 2018 featuring the work of our students. It is an

ideal stocking filler and available from The Station.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Careers for Girls

Event

On the 5th of October, Miss Weir, along with Mr Soroczan (our careers’ adviser) and Mr Jones

and Mr Williams (our trainee science teachers), took a group of 13 Year 9 girls to RAF

Leeming. The Soroptomist International were hosting a conference called “STEM Jobs for the

Girls”.

Soroptomist International is a global volunteer movement who work to transform the lives of

women and girls. They work at local, national and international levels to educate, empower

and enable opportunities for women and girls. One of the current interests of Sorpotomist

Page 13: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 13 of 15

International is to address the gender imbalance in employment

in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.

The day started with a trip to RAF Leeming. The girls then

joined approximately 200 other girls from schools around the

North East. We sat and listened to 2 talks: one on an

introduction to Soroptomist International and the keynote

speech about improving gender balance called “Classroom to

Boardroom”. The girls then spent the rest of the day in

workshops.

The first workshop was called “Challenging Everyday Designs”.

This workshop highlighted how engineers and designers modify and adapt current technology

to meet our needs. The girls were given an opportunity to try their hand at creating surgical

instruments from materials such as drinking straws. They then tried out their new equipment

by operating on bodies made from jelly.

During lunch, there was an opportunity to visit the

marketplace. Here girls were given the chance to meet

and talk to representatives from industry, academia and

professional associations. Many different colleges and

universities were there to illustrate the programmes they

offer as well as industries such as GSK, McAlpine and

Northumbrian Water to show the girls the opportunities

that apprenticeships offer.

The second workshop was called “The Next Big Thing”.

Here the girls explored cutting-edge technology

and suggested what technology would create in

the future. The girls experienced virtual-reality

headsets, controlling software through hand

gestures alone and, Miss Weir’s favourite,

manoeuvring a ball through an obstacle course by

only using brain waves! The girls had to come up

with ideas as to how these technologies could be

used in the future such as mine sweeping in war

zones to mind-controlled wardrobes that pick out

good outfit choices.

The day finished off with a discussion on what is

infra-red radiation is and how it is being used in a

new deep-space telescope. We then all got back

together for a final tour of the market place and

closing speeches. The day certainly gave us all

something to think about with new understandings

of what it is to be a girl and get into STEM.

Miss Weir - Science Teacher

Page 14: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 14 of 15

Richmond Town Firework Display – Sunday 5th November at Richmond School The Richmond Town Council Firework Display will once again be held at Richmond School. Gates open at 6.00 pm the display begins at 7.00 pm. Catering will be located on site and our PTA and students will be selling sweets and glow sticks, so do come early! Parking is going to be limited, those attending are advised to walk to school if at all possible. Please remember to throw your loose change into one of the buckets that will be doing the rounds.

Bad Weather Procedures In summary, in the event of heavy snowfall during the winter

months please do keep an eye on the Website for any

school closure. Always assume school is open unless the

website says otherwise. In the event of bad weather

students should wear sensible warm clothing, and

appropriate footwear in snowy or icy conditions.

Start of Day Closure - It is always the School’s aim

to inform parents by 7.00 am at the latest if it is

necessary to close the School. This information is posted on the Home Page of our School

Website (www.richmondschool.net). Unfortunately it seems that the local radio stations will

no longer be able to guarantee announcing school closures through their breakfast

programmes. We will therefore arrange for the School’s switchboard to be manned from

7.00 am so that those who do not have access to the Internet can use this facility as an

alternative.

Day-time Closure - If conditions are such that we have to close during the day we always

try to give parents as much notice as possible and will use the texting service during the

school day as well as our School Website to inform you. Any students who come to us

to say that they cannot get home safely or do not have an alternative agreed location

to go to will be kept at School.

It is important that parents have their own emergency plan to ensure that their children can

either get in at home or have a safe alternative to go to. Please discuss this with your

child(ren) to ensure that they are clear about what is required of them.

We know that some parents have expressed concern that it is very difficult getting through on the school numbers once a closure announcement has been made. Please be assured that

Page 15: Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email:

Page 15 of 15

we do everything we can to take calls, but the volume often exceeds our capacity to get through them all. We do appreciate that announcing on the Website that school is open and then subsequently having to change this can cause a great deal of confusion and frustration. We always aim to avoid such situations, however, weather conditions can deteriorate very quickly and for the sake of everybody’s safety, risk assessments are on-going and occasionally lead to earlier decisions having to be adjusted or reversed.

Reducing risk in Richmond School car park Following a formal Health and Safety review of dangers and risks in our School Car Park the following changes are being introduced to reduce the likelihood of an incident: We are restricting the movement of vehicles entering the School Car Park from 3.30pm to 3.45pm. From Monday 30th of October 2017 the entrance to the School Car Park will be closed to vehicles other than buses and vehicles used by disabled users from 3.30pm to 3.45pm (entrance to the School Car Park is available before and after these times) These changes will reduce the movement of vehicles in the School Car Park while 1400 students access the Bus Park and move off site.