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T his really has been a super term in school and everyone has worked hard to get it right. The new Year 7 are well settled

and have been a credit to their previous schools and their families. What has also been clear is the sense of togetherness that is in place across the school and the support pupils offer each other. This really is great to see. As we get to Christmas it is a good time to reflect on what has gone on before as well as focus on targets and plans for the future. All the very best for 2013 and may all your ambitions and dreams come true! Go for it!

Mr T. Griffiths

‘The beautiful thing about learning is no-one can take it away from you’ BB King

It was super to see Stuart back in school presenting certificates and prizes to last year’s Year 11 pupils. Stuart, the current England Rugby coach, was a PE teacher at the school for 9 years and has kept in touch as his coaching career developed. In the past he has presented prizes, led pupil workshops and attended the recent Olympics Day, which involved our primary schools. He has also delivered INSET to teachers on team building. It was great to see Stuart in school again, especially after his team’s defeat of the Rugby World Cup Winners New Zealand at the start of the month.

Schools are judged on the progress pupils make during their time in school from Year 7 to Year 11. The Department for Education has just published the 2012 figures and this places Kettlethorpe High School at the 91st percentile. This means we are in the top 10% of schools nationally and on average pupils at KHS achieve 4 or 5 grades higher than the average school. Very well done to the pupils and staff for this impressive figure.

This year the school have once again gave that extra mile when it comes to raising money. We have raised a total of over £7250 for 5 different children's charities, including Children in Need, a bone marrow research charity and the Olivia Arnold Trust.

The Toy Appeal aims to buy presents for

children in Wakefield family services care,

so that everyone has something to open on

Christmas day. 11S1 spent £1250 buying

presents for babies right through to

teenagers, whilst Mrs Harrison organised a

30% discount at Body Shop which has allowed

us to buy even more gifts. Pupils will wrap

and deliver these presents to family services.

We saw everyone take part in non uniform day, from scary zombies to

cute dalmations! We had some outstanding talent in Kettlethorpe's

Got Talent with Mrs Galloway smashing the competition on Thursday

and Tom Crossley and Henri Saddler stealing the show on Friday.

From doughnut sales, to chutneys, to face painting, to films,

everyone in school took part and we are proud of our achievements!

Congratulations to Tye Cooper, Cole Fla-herty, Dan Moulson, Matthew Rees, Lee Turgoose, Joe Wain and Alex Young, all Year 9, who won the Wakefield Schools U14 Basketball Tournament, winning every match they played.

Two members of staff have been at the school for over thirty years as teachers.

They have both been presented with gifts to thank them for their long service. Well done Miss Hodgson and Mr Greatorex.

Sam Holgate in Year 8 came 2nd and won the title of ‘Vice Champion’ in the WTP Cadet Category for Karting. He has also earned the Number 7 plate at the ‘Little Green Man Championship’ where he competed across the country against a national field.

We would like to welcome Taylor Warby and John Kowald, from Rockhampton State High School in Queensland, Australia. They will be spending eight weeks with two host families from KHS from 23rd November until 23rd January 2013. Both boys will be playing Rugby League for Crigglestone All Black Raiders U17s, have the opportunity to train with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats U20s, as well as getting a taste of the English way of life! In return, Chandler Nicholson and Daniel Redfearn, two of our Year 11 pupils, will go to Australia in the summer for eight weeks, after they have finished their GCSE exams.

The Year 11 rugby team have had continued success into this year and have qualified for the next round of the Champions Schools’ Competition.

Friday 21st December School closes at 3.05pm for Christmas

Monday 7th January School re-opens

Wednesday 23rd January Year 8 Consultation Evening

Well done to 11S1, 10S5, 9S4, 8S1 and 7S5 for achieving the highest number of Positive Referrals this half term in each year group.

Year Group Pupils with 100% Year Group Total

Year 7 138/53% 93.5%

Year 8 157/51% 95.3%

Year 9 150/49% 94.3%

Year 10 133/46% 94.2%

Year 11 126/40% 93.6%

Learn something new today! Enrol now on the following adult education courses: Introduction to IT, Award in Office Procedures, CLAIT, ECDL Essentials, ECDL Advanced, Spanish for Beginners, Italian for Beginners, English & Maths and many more. Contact KHS Community Learning Centre for more information - free courses available.

Appointments: Could parents/carers please write any appointments for dentist/hospital/doctors etc. into your child’s school planner signed and dated. This saves time at reception when your child is released from school.

Recording an absence: There is now the facility to email and report your child’s absence from school. The e-mail address is: attendance@kettlethorpe.wakefield.sch.uk. Please state your child’s Name, Year, Tutor Group and reason for their absence from school.