Download - Example%20Newsletter
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
1
Issue 1, September 2012
Another year begins... We are in the first weeks of the new school year at Clifton High and we are delighted to welcome everyone back
after the summer break. Our new Year 7 pupils and sixth form students joined us a day early for a day of induction
activities before term started properly and it was great to see so many excited faces and friends greeting each other
on Wednesday morning as the normal hustle and bustle of school life was fully restored.
Although the atmosphere is very different at School in the summer, the site has been anything but quiet. Staff have
been in and out busily preparing for the new year, students and staff came in for the GCSE and A level results and
the maintenance and IT teams have been working extremely hard to make a number of exciting changes around
the School. Read more about everything that has been happening over the summer inside this first issue of Clifton
Highlights which forms part of our refreshed newsletter package for the new year. You can expect an information
newsletter every couple of weeks with important announcements, reminders and a note of the latest web news
plus an issue of Clifton Highlights at least twice a term to keep you fully updated on all our news!
Inside this issue:
Namibia Sports Examination Induction School Chinese Expedition Coaches Results Day Improvements Visitors
Clifton Highlights
“We hoped she would prove to
be academically successful,
would make lasting friendships
and be confident and well
rounded. All this has come to
pass and we are very
appreciative. The 2012 leavers
were an impressive group, well
prepared for the challenges that
they will face in the future and a
credit to CHS and its
aspirations and values.”
(Letter to Dr Neill, received this week
from a parent of one of our most
recent leavers)
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
2
World Challenge expedition to Namibia Seventeen members of the sixth form
completed a World Challenge
expedition to Namibia over the
summer which provided huge
challenges in this beautiful country
which can be found just above South
Africa on the coast of the Atlantic or, as
it is known locally, the Skeleton Coast!
Highlights included rugged, beautiful
scenery, communal campsite cooking
with a blazing fire and bright stars, a
visit to the UNESCO world heritage site
at Twyfontein, an evening safari to see
the famous desert elephants and
singing and dancing with local villagers.
The team then stayed and worked at
Katora Primary School and Hostel for
11 days. From money raised in the UK,
they were able to buy the school much
needed photocopy paper for their
exams and the materials to re-glaze
111 window panes. As well as doing
this, they also repainted the hostel
windows and repaired two swings.
Every day they played games and
helped the children with revision.
More travels followed with highlights
including thrilling animals, stunning
landscapes, rock and plain trekking,
dolphin watching and even a spot of
dune boarding!
The group have tales of amazing
experiences and sights and are proud
and excited to share all they have
done for the children of Katora and all
the incredible things they saw. We
look forward to hearing more about
the conditions they experienced, the
work they undertook and the things
they did while they were in Namibia.
Helen and Livvi from Year 13 will give a
whole school assembly on 21st
September about their fantastic trip
and this beautiful country and look out
for a full report from the expedition
team coming soon to the school
website.
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
3
Excellent Examinations You will have read over the summer about our success in the GCSE and A level examinations. We had 100% pass rate for another year at AS and A level with a third of grades at A or A* and over 96% of entries reaching C grade or above. Five subjects saw 100% of A*-B grades and individual students gained full marks in modules across eleven of the twenty-two subjects and 80-98% in all the rest, demonstrating the excellent and diverse talents that are developed across the curriculum at Clifton High.
There were excellent GCSE results too. 57% of entries achieved grade A* or A, over 78% A*, A or B and more than 92% C or above. A was the most common grade overall, achieved by over a third of the 431 entries and over half of subjects saw full sets of A*-C grades.
Congratulations to both year groups and to those who secured and confirmed their university places. We wish all those starting their study, careers or gap years in the coming weeks all the very best.
As Dr Neill said at Rose Day, of course examination results matter and we are very pleased and proud of our senior students’ successes, but they do not define all that young people are or all that they will become. It is the doing, the experiencing and the hard lessons - living each moment for what it is that makes life so fulfilling, whatever our age.
Read the full report on our website about what the Year 13 students are going on to do, which subjects did particularly well this year, how three Year 8 and 9 pupils received top GCSE results and how the new Higher Level Project Qualification celebrated fantastic success too.
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
4
Extensive and exciting improvements
Above: new computer hardware including 50 PCs, monitors
and new interactive whiteboards has been installed to go
with a new fast broadband throughout School.
Right (from top): In the main building, two small under-used
rooms have been combined into one big useful classroom;
the Y11 Common Room has had a make-over; the relocated
School Office is a beautifully refurbished light and airy room
with preserved features behind the Waiting Room; new high
-quality changing facilities off the Beech Room.
You will probably already have spotted some of the excellent updates and improvements the school site has
enjoyed over the summer. Others you will not be able to see so easily. Here are some work-in-progress pictures
that we took just before the start of term and notes about some of the exciting changes:
Left: Our brand new floodlit Multi User Games Facility (MUGA) has
been installed ready for netball, five-a-side football, tennis, hockey,
basketball and street cricket (also available for
hire!). The special rebound fence that allows safe
viewing has been tested out by former CHS
students Adam and Will with Mr Collins!
Left: The Performing Arts centre in
New Hall is almost complete with
flexible seating, commercial grade
cinema, sound, lighting and curtain
equipment, a dance mirror and
barre and a dedicated technical
‘box’ as well as excellent changing
and toilet facilities for performers
and audiences alike.
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
5
New sports coaches join
the CHS team We were delighted this summer to announce the
appointment of two new professional sports coaches for
September. Rugby and hockey professionals Matt Salter
(Bristol Rugby captain 2004-08 and Bristol Academy
coach) and Mike Leatt (England Hockey coach and former
Welsh Hockey Union CEO) join the school staff this
autumn to support the Games Department and coach the
school rugby and hockey teams. Mr Salter will also help
coordinate a rugby club and a Summer Sevens entry for
junior children making this a very exciting sports
development for the whole school.
Mr Salter is a highly proficient and well-respected
professional rugby player with well over a decade of
exceptional experience including captaining Bristol Rugby.
Known for setting a magnificent example as a player, Mr
Salter is also a dedicated and inspirational teacher;
currently a Bristol Academy coach, he is committed to
bringing on the next generation of players and looks
forward to playing his part in the team at Clifton High.
Mr Leatt is a well qualified level 3 hockey coach and tutor
with an extensive background of playing and 16 years of
coaching experience. Mr Leatt currently plays for region
and county and is extremely well placed to further build
on developing the hockey expertise at Clifton High School.
Mr Leatt understands how to bring school players into the
adult game and is committed to helping young players
progress. Everybody enjoyed his first session immensely.
Above (from top): large,
bright new Y5
classrooms in the main
building; small rooms in the Junior
School have been combined and
others rearranged to create four
lovely large classrooms for Years 4 and 3; Mr Richards’ new
office (previously a changing room!) has been refurbished.
Above: lots of hard work is evident around the
grounds, especially at the pond, the wildflower and
vegetable gardens, a new safety screen, tree beds and
turning circle. New bicycle racks have been installed
with the help of a grant from Lifecycle UK. Mr Salter joins the team. Look our for a picture of Mr Leatt along with our report
on the Autumn Alumni matches in the first regular newsletter of term.
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
6
County Netball Congratulations to the girls who were successful in July in being selected to attend the Avon netball academy squads for this season.
Bethan Evans-Brain and Briony Wills (Y9) and Louisa Bell (Y8) were selected for the U14 satellite group.
Charlotte Jagger, Charlotte Morris (Y7) and Isabelle Harvey (Y6) will join the U13 satellite group.
Well done, netballers!
Staffing changes There have been various staffing changes over the summer. We are delighted to have a number of new staff taking on new roles and others joining us who bring with them a wealth of teaching and academic talent and a whole host of individual skills and experience with which to enrich the opportunities on offer for our pupils.
Taking on new roles:
Mr Chris Collins – Head of School Games (Boys)
Mr Sam Goldsmith – Head of Design Technology - Food
Mr Charles Gunter – Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Examinations Officer
Mrs Gill Malpass— Head of Drama, NQT Co-ordinator, PGCE Associate Tutor, Staff Induction Co-ordinator, Extra-curricular Programme Co-ordinator
Mrs Emily Freire Baños—Database Administrator, Examinations Support
New staff:
Miss Feona Horrex—School Office Administrator and Events Co-ordinator (p/t)
Mr Andrew Blayney – Head of History and Government and Politics, Head of Year 9
Mrs Tara Harris – Head of German
Miss Helen McKenna – Head of French
Miss Sarah Shuttleworth – Head of School Games (Girls)
Miss Alice England – Science Teacher for Junior and Senior Schools
Mrs Jane Doubleday – Teaching Assistant (Nursery) (p/t)
Mrs Caroline Pope – Reception Class Teacher (p/t)
Mr Michael Leatt—Hockey Coach (p/t)
Mr Matt Salter—Junior Boys’ Games and Rugby Coach (p/t) (p/t) = part time
Cricket Heroes Thomas Harvey and Alex Minter-
Swannell had an opportunity to visit
Gloucestershire Cricket Club at the
end of last term, where they were
put through their paces by Captain
Alex Gidman and Sri Lankan Muttiah
Muralitharan. Muttiah is the leading
test match wicket taker and is famous
for his spin bowling. The boys
eventually managed to work out
which way the ball was going to spin
and enjoyed the challenge. Here is a
picture that they managed to snap
while they were there to prove it!
New faces: (L-R) Miss Horrex, Mr Blayney, Mrs Harris, Miss McKenna, Miss Shuttleworth, Miss England, Mrs Doubleday and Mrs Pope
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
7
Induction Day The gates opened early for the new
school year on Tuesday to welcome
new Year 7 pupils and Sixth Form
students for a special day of
Induction activities before term
began in earnest. Year 7 were
greeted in the morning by Dr Neill
and Mr Collins along with tutors.
The day was full of useful
information and activities to help
the new pupils and students get to
know one another and their new
environments including time with
tutors, a House team building
activity, a Peer Mentor support
session, a treasure hunt for Year 7
and Futures and Skills sessions for
the sixth form.
Well done, Helen! Dr Neill was delighted to receive a glowing report over the summer
about our Head Girl, Helen Milne. Helen attended a Senior Prefects’
Conference in West Yorkshire run by the Society of Heads. There were 64
prefects in attendance, representing 35 schools from across the country.
All the delegates reaped the rewards of a packed and stimulating
programme over three days. As well as an opportunity to network, the
conference included theoretical and practical training sessions to help
them in their roles as student leaders.
Helen shone at the conference and did Clifton High School proud. The
report points out that she is an excellent ambassador for her school and
that her dedication and commitment throughout the course made it
clear why she was chosen to be Head Girl.
“Helen made a fabulous impression. From the beginning of the course she has been enthusiastic and engaged. She
received a prize for her public speaking which was very motivational and well executed. Helen was also chosen to
give grace at dinner. Overall she has been an excellent candidate and is a credit to Clifton High School!”
Congratulations and thank you, Helen!
Clifton High School Highlights Issue 1 September 2012
8
Don’t forget 10th September
Y7-11 Meet the Tutor Evening
12th September
Y1-6 Welcome Evening
13th-14th September
Y7 Bonding Trip
18th September
Nursery Welcome Evening
Thursday 20th September
Open Evening for prospective families
26th September
Y10-13 Examinations Evening
28th September
Macmillan Coffee Morning
4th October
Clifton’s Cracking Ideas
(Y6 Taster Day)
6th October
PA Boden Coffee Morning
13th October
Open Morning for prospective families
Remember to check the
school calendars and
website regularly for more
details plus all the latest
news, events, fixtures and
important dates!
Copies of all letters home are
also stored on the website.
The School Office can give
you log in details to access
the parents’ area.
Contact us:
Tel: 0117 973 0201
Email: [email protected]
To report an absence: [email protected]
www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk
Visitors from Guangzhou
During the holidays we were visited by some children from one of our sister schools, DongFeng Dong Lu School in Guangzhou. Harriet and Simon very kindly came in to escort our guests on a tour and to give and receive gifts reflecting life in the two junior schools. The rapport between the children from different cultures was quite remarkable and we are greatly indebted to Simon and Harriet for making the visit such a success. The visit was filmed by the Guangzhou Broadcasting Company and will be shown on television in China.
We can now offer pupils the opportunity to follow the Centre National d’Enseigement à Distance (CNED) curriculum at Clifton High.
The CNED curriculum was devised for French students living overseas, to provide them with recognised qualifications and allow their reintegration into the French educational system. CNED lessons are taught in French and all materials are created by the French Education Ministry.
The CNED curriculum is available for a very reasonable extra cost and will be delivered by teachers employed by Fast Languages, a CNED endorsed and highly respected provider of tuition at home and in schools.
If you are interested in the CNED provision and would like to know more about the details, please let us know.
French curriculum learning