Midgley Pace Egg Performaces 2011 l Future Footprints update l Future Footprints l Our House l Ted Hughes Festival l Alice's Run 2010l Home to School Transport policy l Anti-bullying week

Community News

Books for Africa
The school's Humanities department and the LRC donated books to CART (Christian African Relief Trust). The charity sends out containers of books and furniture to around 14 different countries in Africa. At secondary school level, all lessons are conducted in English so textbooks for different subjects are particularly useful, as well as a selection of fiction. If you would like to donate books to the charity, please contact Hilary by email.

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Fun Day presented by White Rose Archers and Hebden Bridge Cricket Club
Saturday, June 4th...a great family day out at Salem Fields with 'have a go' archery, 6-a-side cricket, bouncy castle, coconut shy, handmade parade, stalls, barbeque...don't miss out! See the poster for more details.

Spring Bank Cycle Training: Bikeability
Bikeability is set to spring into action with free cycle training on offer for children aged 9-12. The training is set to run at Todmorden, Illingworth and Halifax fire stations. Bikes and helmets will be provided at all venues.

For more information contact Road Safety on 01422 392803 or email Lynda.hall@calderdale.gov.uk.

Course 1: Tuesday 31st May and Wed 1 June 10am to 3:30pm Halifax Fire Station
Course 2: Tuesday 31st May and Wed 1 June 10am to 3:30pm Todmorden Fire Station
Course 3: Tuesday 31st May and Wed 1 June 10am to 3:30pm Illingworth Fire Station
Course 4: Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June 10am to 3:30pm Halifax Fire Station
Course 5: Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June 10am to 3:30pm Todmorden Fire Station
Course 6: Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June 10am to 3:30pm Illingworth Fire Station

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Midgley Pace Egg Performances 2011 (reports by Billy Painter)

The Midgley Pace Egg raised a total of £928.48 this year, an increase on the amount in previous years. The money will be split between three chosen charities; The Alzheimer's Society, Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team and The Great Generation, all three of which the cast have strong feelings about supporting.

The day was extremely successful, and it was estimated that every performance (excluding Banksfield Estate) attracted over 100 people. The added performance at The New Delight Inn, Blackshaw was also very enjoyable and well received and this will now become a permanent fixture in the running order. The interaction and atmosphere generated by the people who came along to watch was superb too, and this really does take the performances to the next level.

We found ourselves without costumes and certain props just a couple of months ago, but after a plea for help we were delighted with the number of people and organisations that came forward to support us. We would like to thank the following: British Recycled Products, Heart Gallery, Luddenden Mayor’s Fund, Pre-Treatment Technologies and the Parent Teachers Association, all of whom are based in the Calder Valley. Each donated £100 to the cause and without their financial input it would have been extremely difficult to find the money to fund the Pace Egg this year.

We were also fortunate enough to have the voluntary help of Vanessa Kay, Nerys Rolinson and Sally Kinton along with the Blackshaw Head Ladies Arts and Crafts Group. Their support has been magnificent and the costumes were made to an exceptional standard and will be worn by Midgley Pace Eggers for many years. The materials used for the new costumes and props were also sourced locally from Ribbon Circus and Mytholmroyd Builders Merchants. Thanks must also go to Mytholmroyd Scout Group who allowed us to use their facilities to rehearse in over the past few months and also let us use their minibus to transport us around the 10 performance points on the day; Geraint Harris volunteered to be our driver and we’re thankful for his help.

To conclude, once again the Midgley Pace Egg proved a very successful and enjoyable day for the crowds who came to watch and really indicates that events such as this are built on firm foundations laid by the good heart and spirit of the Calder Valley people. We look forward to next year, and the many years that lie ahead.

Pre-performance report

As the Easter Bank Holiday draws ever closer, planning and preparation for the annual performances of the Midgley Pace Egg come to a close. It’s been an especially busy year for the cast, who just a few short weeks ago were left without costumes and props after a flooding incident occurred within their storage space. However, after the good will of local people providing a much needed cash injection and parents of cast members being at hand with their craft skills, the play is all set to take place with brand new costumes and shimmering new swords.

After a recent plea for financial support, the cast were delighted with the amount of people that came forward to help support the cause. Supporting the Pace Eggers with voluntary donations are: The Luddenden Mayor’s Fund, British Recycled Products, Heart Gallery and Pre-Treatment Technologies. Providing the required skill to manufacture the costumes are Vanessa Kay and Sally Kinton, whose sons will be performing this year along with Nerys Rolinson of Blackshaw Head. Mytholmroyd Builders Merchants and Ribbon Circus also supported the Pace Eggers with materials for the props and costumes.

The Midgley Pace Egg play has been performed throughout the Calder Valley for many decades on Good Friday, and never fails to draw large crowds of regular spectators and those from further afield to watch Saint George battle; with added twists and turns.

The story is based around Saint George's triumphs and the whole play boasts his great champion status. Throughout the performance three challengers try to defeat Saint George (Bold Slasher, Black Prince of Paradine and Hector). The play consists of eight players, aged between 13 and 18. As always, it is an all boys cast due to the ancient traditions of the play.

All Pace Eggers, past and present, had to audition in front of a panel in order to nail a part for the 2011 performances. For the auditionee to get the nod, they had to recite the part of Saint George in their own unique style as well as an unscripted performance of their own choosing. The auditionee also had to show their passion and interest in the Pace Egg itself and explain why they would like to be part of it. The lucky auditionees will experience performing the oldest play in the world, performing to a wide variety of people throughout the Calder Valley and will get to make the performance their own by working outside of the usual boundaries.

The cast for 2011 has changed dramatically from last year, with no less than four new faces making their Pace Egg debuts. Jacob Jones and Kieran Bell have both undertaken new projects, whilst Dario Coates has moved on to further his acting career and Pace Egg veteran Thomas Deadman has left for University after almost a decade of performances with the cast. Meanwhile, Clara Collett and Jess Woodhead who have both directed the play for the last few years as well as provide musical acompliment on the day are currently on a gap year travelling.

Entering the Pace Egg fray are some rather younger players than in previous years, with James Kay and Matthew Kinton (both 13) taking the roles of Doctor and Bugler after impressing during the audition process. Also making his first Pace Egg appearance is Thomas Jennings; someone who has really sprung on to the theatrical scene over the last 18 months and become a well known figure, he takes the role of Tosspot. The final new face is Sol Cotton, younger brother of Joe, who will undertake the role of King of Egypt after missing out for two years previously. Finally, returning to the Pace Egg, in what will be his farewell appearance, is Billy Painter. Having missed last year’s performance due to work commitments Billy was determined to perform one last time before ‘hanging up his hat’.

This year’s cast will be: Jack Deighton, The Fool; Sam Harris, Bold Slasher; James Kay, The Doctor; Sol Cotton, King of Egypt; Rowan Carter, Black Prince of Paradine; Joe Cotton, Hector; Thomas Jennings, Tosspot and finally Billy Painter takes on the role of Saint George. Crowds will also be spoilt with the musical brilliance of Matthew Kinton who will be the Bugler.

The play will be performed all day on Good Friday, 22nd April, throughout the Calder Valley and in total there will be ten performances. This is one more than in previous years, as the play will debut at the New Delight Inn, Blackshaw, 12.15; a performance that the players are looking forward to. The performances will commence from 8.45 at Banksfield Estate, Mytholmroyd with the day culminating at Heptonstall at 3.00, which is certain to be a memorable performance.

Do not miss it!

Running order for Good Friday, 22 April:

Future Footprints update

In February the group of year 9 students working with Groundwork Leeds on the "Future Footprints" project attended a weekend residential in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria with students from two other schools in Manchester. They did climbing, a night walk and other activities and worked on environmental issues.

Two students from each school were chosen to go to London to talk about the project at a conference with Heads of several charities and some politicians. The students have also given a presentation in morning Assembly to years 7,8 and 9 about recycling in school and how we could improve this at Calder High. They are working on ways to encourage more recycling in school.

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"Future Footprints"...

A group of Year 9 students have been working with Groundwork Leeds on a project called “Future Footprints”. The group wants to raise environmental awareness and promote recycling at Calder High. They have been learning teamwork and leadership skills to help get their message across.

After undertaking a bin survey throughout the school, where they weighed and measured the contents of around 20 bins from different faculties, they had a clearer picture of what we throw away. They realised that we waste a lot of materials that are being thrown away which could be recycled; paper, for example, was found in many bins, some of it had not even been used. So, the group will look at ways to reduce waste in school and get more waste recycled. The group made three “Bin-Monsters” from waste paper, plastic and metal to inspire other students to put their waste into the appropriate bins for recycling.

Soon, the group will be presenting their argument in assemblies to increase whole-school awareness and to get everyone involved. If we can recycle more at Calder High, then maybe we can inspire other schools to do the same.



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Our House - It would be MADNESS to miss it! (Report by Bertie Yates, Year 7)
Calder Valley Youth Theatre’s latest production, Our House, an urban romantic story of a young man’s dilemma, opens at Halifax Playhouse on 17th November and closes on Saturday 20th November.

It has experienced directors, innovative choreography and an energetic cast and a story made up of Madness songs, resulting in a well-performed, jam-packed show. In 2 acts, there is never a dull moment.

Calder High students Lizzie Bradley, Oliver Bairstow, Holly Carter, Otti Gauvain, Georgia Lomax-Thorpe, Sam Harris and Tom Jennings all take lead roles and most of the chorus comes from Calder High too.

Update on Rotary Shoe Box Appeal 2010
115 boxes were collected on 12th November. Thank you to all students, parents and staff who contributed.

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Ted Hughes Festival
Friday, 15, Saturday, 16, Sunday 17 October
There will be a lively programme of events around the theme of ‘Myth and Legend’. Many of our students have entered the Ted Hughes Young Poets Award competition and the prize-winners will be announced at ‘An Evening with Kevin Crossley-Holland,’ the popular children’s writer. This event will be in the Ted Hughes Theatre at Calder High on Friday, 15October. Also in the theatre, on Saturday, 16 October, the poet, Fleur Adcock who has judged the event, will announce the winners of The Elmet Prize, the adult competition. Both poets will be reading from their own work. Prose and drama events also feature, as do walks and family events. For the full programme, visit www.theelmettrust.co.uk.

Ted Hughes Birthplace Open Day
Thursday 7 October, between 11am and 6pm
As part of National Poetry Day, 1 Aspinall Street, Mytholmroyd, will be open for tours, free of charge.

(The Elmet Trust is a Mytholmroyd organisation that celebrates the life and work of Ted Hughes, late poet laureate in the town of his birth. The Elmet Trust and Calder High work in close partnership.)

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5 September

More thatn 200 runners took part in the annual race...a memorial fundraising event named after Alice Redmond.

The race starts and finishes on Calder High's front field and takes in 10Km worth of fields, canal towpaths, and streets of Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

The money raised goes to Epilepsy Action and the yearly race is supported by Alice's parents. Details of results are available on the Epilepsy Action website

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Home to School Transport Consultation
Calderdale Council are consulting students, parents and teachers about changes to their Home to School Transport Policy. Policy changes in 2008 meant that a number of families no longer qualified for free home to school transport assistance to their nearest school - where there is a nearer school outside the Calderdale boundary. They are now "considering whether to use their discretion in order to provide transport assistance for those families who are attending their nearest Calderdale secondary school who meet the distance criteria set out in the home to school transport policy even though there is a nearer out of authority school."

Please use the questionnaire available from the Council's website to make your views and comments known to the Access Team. All comments must be received by 17 March 2010.

The policy can be viewed here.

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Anti-bullying week
As part of Anti-bullying week in November, Year 7 students took part in a poetry competition. The winner was Amina Rafiq...but special mentions also go to the following students who won prizes: Imogen Bristow, Issy Wharton, Alice Paine, Joy Rooney, Ronan Lane, Shiraz Khan, Mariam Shahid, Dhaniyal Khan, Martha Salter, and Iqraa Tahseen.

Amina pictured with her winning poem. (Link to poem)

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