School News

Eco Garden update l Year 11 Leavers' Celebration l Salters' Festivals of Chemistry l Prom pass l Students in unusual uniform l A Personal History lesson l Work Experience for Year 10 l The votes are in! l Work Related Report Interviews l Uniform Consultation Process l 'One Week in September' publlication l Finding the Calderdale Apprentice 2010 l Welcome to new staff l Design and Technology Show

Year 11 Prom 2011
After months of build-up and planning on both sides, students and staff from Calder High School came together to celebrate the success of Year 11, at the annual Prom, hosted at Liquid Night Club. Staff gathered early to welcome students as they arrived at the venue in Halifax town centre, in all manners of style and ostentation. Vintage vehicles, luxurious limousines, and a variety of trendy transport appeared to deliver the stylish students to their red carpet reception.

“It was a lovely evening” said Headteacher, Mrs Spillane “and a fitting end to a year of hard work by both students and staff.”

With GCSE exams complete, students were relaxed and feeling nostalgic over their time spent at Calder. Midway into the night, a celebratory ceremony was held to congratulate the excellent educational achievements of students. Pseudo Oscar awards were handed out to acknowledge some of the characters in the year group and certificates given for outstanding achievement in different subjects. There were also awards for 100% attendance and the best dressed male and female. The finale of the ceremony was the “Grand Draw” for the much sought after iPad, kindly supported by PC Solutions in Mytholmroyd.

Mrs Kaye, Raising Attainment Coordinator and Personal Tutor at Calder High, said: “the build up to the Prom Celebrations is always frenetic because both students and staff are working hard to make the most of every opportunity to improve the students final exam results. Our Year 11 have worked really hard and deserved their night of celebrations; I am so proud of them all and pleased that I could share it with them.” 

The dress ensembles on the night are a testament to the diversity in character of students at Calder High. Girls adorned an array of dresses, from the chic contemporary, to classically beautiful; and the boys were not to be outdone on the style front, sporting statements of experimental interpretations of traditional, formal fashion; combining their own young style with the typical tuxedo.

Students and teachers danced into a glamorous night that marked the end of a memorable era, but the start of a promising future.

Written by Lyndsey Ashton

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Year 6 Mathematics Challenge

Primary schools from the local area sent some of their children to Calder High to take part in a Maths morning organised by some of the Maths staff. Pupils in the morning experienced just how fun Maths can be by working around some practical Maths activites.

The second session saw the pupils competing in a Maths race around the LRC which saw pupils from Riverside take the top spot. All pupils were a credit to their primary schools and fun was had by all.

Mr R Glascodine, Mathematics teacher

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'Hello' from our new Deputy Headteacher
First and foremost, thank you for the warm welcome I have been given by the community of Calder High School. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term. Even though I still get a little lost in the warren of corridors, there is always a friendly nudge in the right direction, and I think this sums up the kindness and community spirit; the ‘feel’ of Calder High. 

I have been most impressed with our students; what a wonderfully diverse, pleasant, creative and talented bunch you are!  I have had many an insightful conversation on my walking tours around the school; please continue to brighten my days with your wit and humour. Of course, you are inspired and motivated by the whole staff, whose dedication and commitment to improving standards and outcomes for students is exceptional. 

In addition to my leadership responsibilities, I teach GCSE Geography and have to admit to being a bit of a Geography geek. I studied Geography at the Queens’ University of Belfast, near to where I grew up before moving to Manchester to complete my PGCE. I’ve remained in Manchester, where I now live with my husband. I enjoy a breathtaking scenic route to and from school, over the moors, which is like a Geography field trip in itself. Admittedly, I have not yet traversed the route in winter, when I am told the experience can be a little different, but still beautiful nonetheless.

My role as Deputy Headteacher, is to help ensure every child reaches their full potential. I work very closely with other leaders and staff in school, to improve efficiency through the development of systems and plans, in a way that ensures we can measure and celebrate student success. Considering the raw materials, and the staff and students, the potential for improvement at Calder High is truly exciting; we can be an outstanding school. 

The journey has already begun, we acknowledge the challenges on the horizon, we face them and plan for them, and as such there is a sense of purpose and order in this school, a shared belief and commitment that we can and will be better.

I feel privileged to have a leading role in this school’s improvement journey. I look forward to working with you all in the pursuit of the best possible standard of education for all our students. 

Mrs C Johnston
Deputy Headteacher

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Points really do mean prizes!

The doors are open to Calder High’s Reward Shop. Aiming to provide extra motivation to encourage students to push themselves, and achieve excellence, the shop offers a range of rewards which students can claim by collecting commendations.

Deputy Head, Mrs Johnston, says: "Commendations and merits are earned in a variety of ways: in lessons, for good work; answering and asking questions; giving a high level of effort; an exceptional piece of homework; being kind or  a good citizen around school. Very soon, good letters and postcards home, certificates and other positive correspondence home will also be redeemable at the shop."

The Reward Shop’s team of teaching and non-teaching staff, led by Mr Smith, Acting Deputy Head, has taken time in deliberating the tariff of prizes on offer. After careful consideration and negotiation, the team arrived at a currency to present over a trial period. This will be reviewed to ensure that the shop’s 'prices' are realistically achievable.

Opening in time to support the introduction of the new curriculum, the Reward Shop offers prizes that include, classroom equipment, sports equipment, school bags, USB memory sticks, scientific calculators, key rings, iTunes vouchers, Love2Shop vouchers, and book vouchers.    

(Report by Miss L Ashton)

Eco Garden update (report by Miss C Tooth)

Lots of seeds were set in Feb/March by some Year 7 and Year 8 Catering classes (with Miss Black and Mr Penson). The aim was to grow vegetables to make some delicious dishes with in class. We had a greenhouse full of seedlings which have now been planted out and are all doing really well! There are peas and borlotti beans, runner beans, onions, tomatoes, courgettes, rocket and fennel. Already, we can see baby courgettes, strawberries, peas and some fabulous bright purple turnips! We have planted marigolds with the tomatoes to deter pests and we're using organic fertiliser!

In April, the Orange Pathways group spent an afternoon improving the garden; they helped repair the greenhouses, planted some fruit trees and built a new raised bed which is now full of vegetables.

New additions to the fruit bed include Apple, Cherry and Elder trees, joining the gooseberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. The Year 7 Girls in the Garden Group planted sunflower seeds (with Miss Tooth)and the race is on for the tallest and the biggest sunflowers!

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Year 11 Leavers' Celebration (photos)
After a Leavers' breakfast and shirt-signing in the diner, Year 11 had their final celebration assembly in the Ted Hughes Theatre.

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Challenge Winners 2011

Year 8 students (Louis, Stephen, Abigail and Susie) took part in the Salter’s Festivals of Chemistry at University of Bradford on 5 May 2011. They worked as a science team competing in different practical activities alongside students from 13 other regional schools. The University Challenge involved “investigating ice-cream properties using selected ingredients and chemicals”. The winners were judged on practical skills and the quality of the report submitted.

The Calder High School team was awarded 1st prize by a panel of judges. During the prize-giving ceremony, students were also awarded prizes by Dr Nazira Karodia, the Associate Dean, University of Bradford. For more information about the Salter’s chemistry festival you can visit www.salters.co.uk/festivals/

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Free pass for some!



The sense of excitement is building as Year 11 students plan and prepare for their GCSEs, their future and of course their prom! Year 11 students have been collecting reward stamps in a special “Passport to the Prom” since February half term for doing all the right things in the lead up to the exams.

Pictured here are the ten Lucky Golden Ticket winners who received their Prom ticket FREE as a reward for being some of the first students to complete their Passport. For the rest of Year 11, the race is still on as passports are being completed on a daily basis. In addition to the Golden Tickets, plenty more rewards and prizes are available to the students as they continue to collect stamps. Students and teachers at Calder High can look forward to celebrating together at the Prom on 29 June and on GCSE Results Day 25 August.

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Students in unusual uniform (Report by Lyndsey Ashton)

It was George Washington who said: "Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another."

Perhaps the same could be said of schools. To succeed in life, we all need discipline and determination, and that is something five of our Year 9 students are taking in hand. Joe Moralee, Delan Halam, Cory Brocklehurst, and Toby Barrowcliff are part of the ATC (Air Training Corps) and have taken part in a variety of different activities and experiences that have taught them how to become more disciplined, committed and focused. Their experiences have encouraged them to mature and grow in confidence. The four boys demonstrated this when they bravely gave an assembly to the whole of their year group, along with the help of uniformly dressed Aaron Greenwood, who is now also thinking of joining his friends in the ATC.

The boys’ hobby will eventually provide them with the equivalent of two GCSEs or a BTEC (Public Service GCSE). It has also allowed them to gain valuable experience into what the workplace can be like and the demands that this places on an individual. But the ATC is not all 'nose to the grindstone', said the boys, who were very enthusiastic about what the ATC could offer in terms of military training with professional guidance.

Calder High is always so proud to see its students achieving and being proactive in doing so. In being disciplined and proactive, perhaps we can all learn to realise Washington’s ideal, and push for the excellence we are all capable of.

Well done boys!

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School competition
This year's competition is 'How do you solve a problem like?'.....' Students have to think of a problem and design an invention which solves the problem. They must draw a diagram of their invention, label it and explain how it helps solve the problem. In the assembly Mrs Swain had some great ideas for problems to be solved like a bad hair day, doing your homework and getting out of bed easier! The deadline for entries is Friday 18 March and they need to hand the inventions to their teacher making sure it has their name and form on the back. The winners will be chosen over the weekend and there will be a itunes voucher prize for the best in each year. All entries will be sent to the national competition where they could win a Nintendo 3 DS.

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A personal history lesson from Iby Knill: An ordinary person with an extraordinary personal history!

On 10 March, Calder High was visited by Iby Knill, a former inmate at Auschwitz concentration camp. This remarkable woman gave a distinctive talk to 30 Calder VI students about her firsthand experiences of the Holocaust. This was a rare opportunity, and one that may not be available to future generations, for the students to meet, listen to and discuss experiences that defined history of the Twenty First Century.

Iby told of her experiences of persecution and what can only be described as horrendous emotional torment. Her story, however, is confirmation of the strength of the human spirit, even when faced with the most malevolent circumstances; she tells of how she and two other girls stepped off of the mobile prison that had transported them and other detainees to Auschwitz. The girls literally came out singing, not through joy, but defiance. Strangely enough, it was this show of rebellion that may have saved Iby’s life, the first time. It seemed to Iby that her attitude and refusal to succumb to oppression, amused the SS officer greeting them off the train. After laughing at the girls he sent them to join a line that would go on to live, for now. Iby explains how none of the prisoners new from one moment to the next if they would live or die, and how the cries of condemned inmates still haunt her today.

For years Iby hid her ordeal from polite society, and even denied history to herself, precisely because of its personal proximity. Today, however, in a somewhat bleak victory, Iby is able to educate our students and tomorrow's future, perhaps so that history never repeats itself. But the scars are real, and despite all of her unquestionable strength, Iby must rely on medication to relieve her from her memories, granting her a preferably dreamless sleep. At 87, and yet wonderfully articulate, Iby presented an invaluable gift to our students, we were extremely lucky to have had her come visit the school, it sincerely was a grace. 

For more information and photos see the Daily Mail article by clicking on this link - or taking a picture of the QR code below with a barcode reader on your mobile phone:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1334982/Iby-Knill-Auschwitz-survivor-breaks-silence-They-try-dehumanise-inside-I-me.html



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Work Experience for Year 10 students

During the week of 7 February all Year 10 students took part in another exciting and successful week of Work Experience. The scheme gives students the opportunity to see how companies work, how working with adults compares with working in school, to help develop new skills and the opportunity to gain work experience and the possibility of getting a weekend job.

Many of the students arranged their own placements, seeing students travel as far as Portsmouth; and to work with Wightlink, the Isle of Wight Ferry Company; London, to work with Grazia Magazine; and also travelling north to the picturesque Lake District, for painting and decorating. 

There were many exciting placements arranged including two football clubs, veterinary surgeries, working on Walshaw Moor Estate, a TV company, hairdressing salons, architects, dental surgeries and graphic design as well as placements arranged by our Careers Service in nurseries, primary and infant schools, local shops and supermarkets, sports centres and even some students who worked with teachers in the PE and Expressive Arts faculties within school.

Placements were contacted and positive comments and feedback was received, confirming that our Year 10 students really are exceptional - polite, courteous, smart, independent and hard working. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Year 10 on their Work Experience project and I hope they have all gained something positive from their week in a work setting.

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THE VOTES ARE IN!

There was great excitement at Calder High School on Tuesday, 1 February when the Student Council gathered in the HRC to count the hundreds of votes received for the proposed new School Uniform in September 2011. Students had previously submitted over 200 designs from which three were chosen as potential new uniforms.  The open voting process took place over a 2 week period and included, students, parents/carers, staff and Governors. In addition to having a say in shaping the future of Calder High School, students have also gained valuable experience in how a democratic voting process operates.

The results were as follows:
1st place option 2: royal blue jumper, white shirt, tie (diiferent for KS3 and KS4), black trousers/skirt/hijab
2nd place option 1: navy blazer, white shirt, tie, grey trousers/skirt, navy hijab
3rd place option 4: current uniform
4th place option 3: royal blue polo shirt, hoody, black trousers/skirt/hijab

Option 2 won overall by 193 votes. It polled the highest number of votes in years 7, 8 and 9, and was also top scorer with staff and parents. 

Headteacher Mrs Carol Spillane commented: “There has been real excitement about the design and vote for a new uniform. The School community has had the chance to reflect on our values and mission at Calder High and how this is reflected in our choice of uniform. There has been much heated debate! The Student Council has been magnificent in its leadership of the consultation and the exercise has been a powerful learning experience. I wish to thank all of our students, parents, staff and Governors who have taken part in such a positive way."

New uniform

KS3: silver and blue tie	KS4: black and blue tie

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GCSE Applied Science -Work related report interviews

On 24 January, the students in year 11 who study applied science had the opportunity to interview individuals who work in the health care profession. The event took place in the LRC.  The pupils have to produce a report on the profession as part of their coursework.  Before the session they had to research the profession and then question the individuals about the science knowledge, qualifications needed for the role, day to day tasks and responsibilities etc.

They were lucky enough to interview the following people:

Suzanne Everett, Clinical Psychologist
Ann Ogden, Mountain Rescue
David Green, Radiotherapist
Chris Wright, Dietician
Joanne Machon, Teenage Pregnancy Midwife
Susannah Harris, GP

Some comments from the pupils:

" It was interesting and helpful for me making choices about my life"
"Very interesting"
"The psychologist can read your mind!"
" I’ve learnt a lot"
"Thanks for helping us with our work related report"

Both the staff and the pupils would like to say a big thank you to all of the speakers at the event who gave up their own time to help support the applied science students. We look forward to hopefully repeating the event next year.

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Uniform consultation process

Staff, students, parents and governors will be invited to vote on the uniform options during the last two weeks in January. Mocked up versions of the uniform were put on display in the school theatre and the Student Council demonstrated the different ideas during year group assemblies.

Option 1: White shirt, tie, navy blazer, grey trousers or skirt

Option 2: White shirt, tie, royal blue sweater, black trousers or skirt (royal blue fleece - optional)

Option 3: Royal blue t-shirt, black trousers or skirt (royal blue hoodie - optional)

Option 4: Current uniform to stay as is.



Option details:

Option 1	Option 2	Option 3

Option 4: the current uniform as modelled by Student Council members Joe and Sarah:

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"One week in September" publication
Mytholmroyd-based legal publishing firm Sweet and Maxwell have published a collection of writing by sixth form students from Calder High School. The anthology, entitled “One Week In September”, is the result of a residential writing course carried out by students and staff from Calder VI last September at The Arvon Foundation’s Centre at Lumb Bank. During the summer, the company generously printed and bound the collection, which is now available in all local libraries, and also for sale at a cost of £5.00. Copies can be purchased from Calder High itself via the school’s Learning Resource Centre and at all evening events, as well as from The Bookcase, Just Books and The Hebden Bridge Bookshop in Hebden Bridge town centre.

Sweet & Maxwell Director Miles Hutchinson said “With the publication of One Week In September, we are pleased to be associated with yet another of the school’s many exciting creative ventures. As publishers ourselves, we are familiar with the sense of both excitement and apprehension that will be gripping everyone involved in the project; in getting the fruits of so much hard work out into the real world for others to read.”

Deputy Headteacher Chris Sylge added “This wonderful publication has only been possible due to the continued support, good will and unfailing enthusiasm of our colleagues at Sweet and Maxwell. The support offered the school has been outstanding and the partnership will, I’m certain, continue to go from strength to strength as we begin to plan together some exciting developments for this year.

Calder High School was originally approached by two colleagues from Sweet and Maxwell in 2005, who were canvassing the local community for opportunities for their staff to be involved in some corporate social responsibility outreach work and from these seeds, the partnership has burgeoned over the past five years to a point where it is now a defining aspect of the school’s character, which permeates all aspects of school life. The positive impact that the partnership continues to have on the experiences of our young people is clear to see.”

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Finding the Calderdale Apprentice 2010

Joe Cotton...you're hired!

Joe won through in the final competing against seven other Calderdale students. Comments from two of the judges:

"Well done again, Joe. You deserved your success on your ability to pull things together and go the extra mile in organisation and in your selling today."
Mike James 14-19 Consultant Calderdale

"Throughout the process you demonstrated a great deal of positive skills: creativity, imagination, dedication, leadership and a real flair for finishing touches. As such it was a unanimous decision with the judges - particularly the way you not only delivered in the team leadership role, but also the way you seemed to so enjoy the challenge of the sell. Great stuff!"
Craig Hamer - Joint Managing Director Dews Motor Group

Enterprise Education at Calder High goes from strength to strength as two students go through to the final of The Calderdale Apprentice. Year 11 students Joe Cotton, Jesse Raikes and Joey Scarf plus students from other Calderdale schools were put into different teams as they competed against each other to prepare a marketing brief for Dews Motors.

Along with six other students, Joe and Jesse will try out their selling skills again on Wednesday 20 October between 10am and 2pm in the centre of Halifax. The winning team will be the one which makes the most profit (or least loss). One student will be crowned The Calderdale Apprentice 2010.

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Design and Technology end of year shcw
The Technology faculty held an end of year show in June to celebrate the creative work of GCSE and A level students. Images will be displayed on the screen in the dining hall as well as through this link to the presentation. The displayed work features stained glass, textiles, art, modelling, light boxes, resistant materials and product design.

Design and Technology competition
Following our great success in last years Campus Calderdale Product Design competition where we won second place in the KS4 category we have been invited to enter the competition once again. This year we entered a much stronger and wider range of fantastic products...ranging from a stunt jumping bike by Tim Morley, a Stainless steel and hardwood designer chair by Tom Tatham,  a concept garden hammock by Dan Fielder at KS5 to a range ‘Micro scooters’, ‘Street Scooters’  &  a ‘Childs Scooter’ made by Rob Conroy, Ben Palmer and Matt Kaye in KS4. (Visit the website to see the full range of entries)

The competition is an excellent opportunity to showcases pupil’s work from KS3 to KS5 in product design and resistant materials subjects; it highlights what talented and imaginative young designers we have at Calder high School. The presentations took place at Heath and we had three prize winners:

Rob Conroy won 3rd prize for his Street Scooter (KS4)	Dan Fielder won 2nd prize for his Hammock (KS5)	Tom Tatham won 1st prize for his Designer Chair (KS5)

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Anti-Bullying Week
Here are some useful sites:
www.bullying.co.uk
www.antibullyingweek.org/
www.childline.org.uk

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