Standish Community

High School contactus@standishchs.wigan.sch.uk

Bulletin for students and parents / carers Friday 11th December 2020

Message from Mrs Barker, Head of School

Welcome to another edition of our weekly bulletin. Below is a message from our Chair of Trustees,

Adrian Hardy, and our Chair of Governors, Sarah Djali. I’d like to echo their sentiments of thanks

and to wish you all a relaxing break with your families.

Have a restful weekend and stay safe.

Mrs Barker

We are writing to thank all our students, their parents/carers and wider families for all the

commitment you have shown this term in getting to school and keeping up with your learning.

We appreciate that it has sometimes been hard when lessons have been on-line, when you have

missed your friends and your teachers, but you have been responding positively to the challenges

that have been thrown in your direction. Your parents and carers also need a big thank you from

us for entrusting the school with your care each day and also supporting you when you have had

to work from home. On your behalf Sarah and I have already written to all the staff to thank them

for the work they have put in to maintain the teaching this term as well as the safety of the school

itself.

We wish you a relaxing Christmas holiday and we look forward to welcoming you all back in

January.

Best wishes from Adrian Hardy and Sarah Djali

Chair of Trustees and Chair of Governors

SIMS Parents app Please note from week beginning 9th November communications will be sent via the SIMS Parents app rather than Schoolcomms. This means you may get text messages or emails from a different source number or email address than you normally would. In the case of emails, please check your junk/spam folder on a regular basis and mark any school emails as 'not junk' or add the source email to your safe sender list. It is planned that most communications will be via email or the SIMS Parents app message function so please make sure you can access the app; however, all unexplained absence messages will be sent via a normal text message - as they currently are. If you have difficulties accessing the app or have any other questions about this, please contact us using the following email address: simsapp@standishchs.wigan.sch.uk

Well-being

Our school website has a number of resources to promote well-being and to improve mental

health. There are currently resources to help pupils and parents when discussing and dealing with

loss: https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/wellbeing/88.html

Many of us are struggling with how the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is affecting ourselves and our loved ones. Those of us already living with mental health problems are facing extra challenges too. Here you'll find some information and tips to help you cope during this time. www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

Well done Naheed

Yet another of our amazing students has donated their beautiful locks to The Little Princess Trust.

Over October half-term, Naheed had 7 inches of her hair cut by her mum to be made into wigs for

children with hair loss. Naheed has really made a difference to their lives. We are so proud of you

Naheed!

Year 7 Flu Vaccinations

The nasal flu vaccination will take place on Wednesday 16th December for Year 7 students if

consent has been given by parents / carers. Please see the attached link to consent or decline

consent for the nasal flu vaccinations.

https://www.nhsimms.uk/FLU/information?Id=143812&Type=FLU

The link will close on 13th December. If you have any questions, please contact NHS staff on 0333

3583397.

Safeguarding updates

Please find below the links for a Safeguarding Briefing Update from Standish Community High

School. Wigan Local Authority have requested that school share information and guidance

materials with parents following an increase of incidents across the borough.

https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/internet-safety/69.html

https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/media/documents/user-uploads/29729542-AEAB-2567-

79214175019926AC.pdf

Mr Peters

Keeping safe at home

Greater Manchester NHS advice for parents

General notices

We would like to ask all parent / carers to please ensure their child is equipped with a mask and a

couple of spares each day, in case of loss or damage. Disposable face masks can be purchased

online via SCOPAY costing £3 for 10 and will be delivered to your child during form time.

Parent and Carers – if you need to notify school of an appointment for your child (for medical,

dentist, optician, music exams etc.) or any other reason they will be absent from school including

arriving late, can we please ask that you press option 1 when you telephone school. This will take

you to the Attendance Line. If the line is engaged you can leave all the details on the voicemail

facility. Alternatively you can email any details to our enquiries or contact us email accounts.

Thank you.

If you are collecting your child from school early could you please ensure we have prior notification

by either leaving a message on the attendance line or putting a note in your child’s planner with

the time and who will be collecting them. This allows students to excuse themselves from lesson

at the time that you require.

Thank you.

Please ensure we have up to date contact and medical details for your child – any changes can be

emailed to our email account data@standishchs.wigan.sch.uk

Please can we ask that your child does not bring into school:

Nuts of any type – Lupin – Kiwi – Shellfish

This is due to a number of staff and students having very serious allergy issues. Also please do not allow your child to bring any nuts into school as a snack or part of a packed lunch. Thank you for your support with this.

Enterprise Competition

As part of the Thought for the Day activities during November, Standish High students were asked

to become inventors and create a new idea that linked with eco-schools, global warming and

Covid-19 amongst other emerging issues in today's society. Prizes were awarded for the best

inventions and here are some of our Year 9 and 11 winners.

Recipe from Mrs Aitchison

Lancashire Hotpot

4 lamb chops (you could make this dish with sausages instead of chops)

1 large or 2 small onions

2 carrots

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. mixed dried herbs

1 chicken or vegetable stock cube

3 large potatoes

Preheat the electric fan oven to 160ᵒC (gas mark 5).

(1) Peel the potatoes and slice into rounds that are around 3-5 mm. Place in a pan of cold water to

allow some of the starch to come off them.

(2) Prepare the onions and carrots, cutting into quite chunky pieces.

(3) Place the stock cube into a measuring jug, add 150ml boiling water and stir. Leave to one side.

(4) Heat 2 tbsp. sunflower oil in a frying pan and add the chops or sausages. Allow them to colour,

taking care that they don’t splash you with fat (reduce the heat if they do).

(5) Carefully transfer the chops or sausages to the casserole and add the vegetables to the frying

pan. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, dried herbs and

stock. Season and add to the casserole dish.

(6) Drain and rinse the potatoes then shake off the excess water.

(7) Arrange a layer of potatoes on top of the casserole then season and add a few small pieces of

butter. Add another layer of potatoes followed by more seasoning and more butter.

(8) Place in the oven and bake (uncovered) for 1 hour or until the potatoes have softened and are

golden on the top. Use a sharp knife to check that the potatoes are thoroughly cooked.

The Brick "Together Everyone Achieves More"

Please ensure all contributions are in school by Monday morning.

Suggested donations are listed below:

• Tinned meat and fish (minced beef, corned beef ham and tuna)

• Cereals (porridge sachets, Weetabix)

• Tinned potatoes, veg, soups

• Packet quick meals (pasta and sauce, Pot Noodles)

• Tinned desserts (rice pudding, custard, fruit)

• Snacks, biscuits, crisps

• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate

• Nappies (up to size 5), formula milk

• Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste)

• Toys for children of all ages, gifts for teenagers

Many thanks for all your efforts so far.

Mrs Rostron

Running Club

Running Club at Standish Community High School started again this week after lock down. Staff

walked, jogged, ran (and crawled!) around a 5km route around Standish at the end of the school

day, ensuring all Tier 3 guidelines were followed. If you see some socially distanced groups of 6

next week, please give them some support – a few need it!

Tyrers #1 Superfan

It’s been another amazing week for Tyrers #1 Superfan Scarlett, Year 8, who has presented some

Christmas posters to the school bus drivers with help from Mr Walker. One bus driver was so

delighted with his poster he allowed Scarlett to sit in his seat!

Well-being Calendar

Our P.E department have produced an advent calendar focusing on fitness and well-being each

day throughout December. Have a look at the link below to get active every day!

https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/wellbeing/88.html

Please see below how some students have got involved!

KS3 Recommended Read

This is the story about how one ordinary nine-year-old child and three classmates are full of empathy for Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria (he is the boy at the back of the class). Through their sensitivity, curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and innocent niceness, they make a massive impact on Ahmet’s life, friends, class, school, community and wider world. There’s a lovely lack of stereotyping on gender and backstory for the narrator, which adds to the message of not judging people before you know them.

KS4 Recommended Read

Will is a black American teenager, living in a neighbourhood

overshadowed by gun crime. When his older brother Shawn

is shot dead in front of him, Will is overcome with grief,

despair and fury. Focusing on the Rules – no crying, no

snitching and get revenge – Will takes Shawn’s gun,

intending to avenge his brother’s murder. However, the 67

seconds he spends in the lift from his apartment to the

ground floor are life-changing for Will. He is joined by six

‘ghosts’, key figures from his past, whose deaths are all

gun-related. Learning how and why each of them died

prompts him to consider whether the perpetual cycle of

revenge killing is the only way forward.

Mrs Charnock

The Futures Team

Alumni

The Futures Team are proud to launch the new alumni section of the website. It’s a place to

celebrate ex-Standish students and the diverse pathways they have taken since leaving Standish

CHS. We hope that Standish played a role in forming, supporting and guiding that pathway in

some way. If you are a past student or know someone who is, please ask them to complete the

online communication form so we can share their career journey to hopefully inspire the next

generation of Standish students.

Please follow the link to our alumni page: https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/careers/228.html

https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/celebrating-student-career-pathways--their-story/267.html

Parents Zone

The Futures Team would also like to invite parents to complete our online 'Parental

Questionnaire'. We are looking for some feedback from our parents in relation to your

understanding and potential experience (through your child) of the careers programme here at

Standish. It might be helpful to complete this with your child to obtain a clear view of all the

questions but we certainly appreciate any feedback or suggestions on how to keep improving our

careers and destinations programme going forward. Click the link to take you to the parental

section of the Futures section: https://www.standishchs.wigan.sch.uk/parents2/243.html

Mr Prout

Christmas Lunch Menu

Please see our Christmas Lunch Menu which will be served on 16th December 2020 in place of

the Original Diners Republic Menu. All menu items are part of the £2.30 Meal Deal.

SEND Youth Champion

Thought for the Day:

wigan.gov.uk@wigancouncilwigancouncilWiganCouncilOnline

COVID Winter Grant SchemeAre you working with families or other households who

need extra support this winter?

The Winter Grant

Scheme is new funding available from December

2020 until 31 March 2021 to support families with children, other vulnerable

households, and individuals.

The funding is ring fenced to support those most in need with the cost of food, energy and

water bills and other essential items.

We have already identified and written to over 7,000 families who are in receipt of Free School

Meals covering over 11,000 children asking them to complete a simple form to claim support with food, utility costs and a one

off Christmas bonus in time for the Christmas holidays.

Details overleaf...

As well as supporting the families identified we will also be able to offer additional support and apply our enhanced Welfare Support offer to other vulnerable household during the winter months, this would include:

• Other families• Households without children• Individuals• Care Leavers

The above list is not exhaustive.

Our existing welfare support offer already includes:• Gas and Electricity Vouchers• Furniture packages• Referrals into local food banks• Income maximisation and advice

In additional to what we already provide we have enhanced our offer to include:

• Increasing the value of the gas and electricity vouchers• White goods to allow families to store and prepare meals safely• Aldi food vouchers• Asda e-vouchers for hep towards buying warm bedding and blankets• Asda e-vouchers for help towards buying winter coats

To access the extended Welfare Support offer you simply need to send an email to welfaresupport@wigan.gov.uk and include the following information about the household or individual needing support:

Name Address Postcode Contact Number Email address What support they need

Our residents are also able to access and apply for support themselves by visiting www.wigan.gov.uk/localwelfaresupport or alternatively can contact us Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on 01942 705221.

The Winter Grant Scheme

wigan.gov.uk@wigancouncilwigancouncilWiganCouncilOnline