The French Connection is back... French Exchange 2008/09
(Letter)
After a couple of years absence, the French Exchange is back and letters have been distributed to students this week regarding plans for next year. We will be welcoming our friends from St Pol in late November/early December this year (exact dates will be confirmed shortly) with our return visit to them planned for March 2009. Both visits will last for a week and the trip to France will include visits to Paris and Bruges as well as many other visits in and around the local area. The Exchange is a wonderful experience for students, enabling them to establish links with a student from France and allow them to enhance their knowledge of the language and culture of the country.

For further information please contact Mrs.E Taylor.

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World of Physics Event, Leeds University, 24 June 2008
A small group of Year 10 pupils attended a World of Physics event at Leeds University.  Pupils had the opportunity to listen to a lecture about explosions, take part in interactive workshops and meet lecturers from York, Hull and Leeds University Physics Departments. Pupils also got chance to sample student life on a campus and to talk to undergraduates about studying science after school.

	The day started with a lively lecture by Marty Jopson on Explosions. This involved a laser guided turnip, water rockets, exploding film canisters and sending smoke rings using vortices. The pupils then had interactive workshops which involved learning: ...how magnets are used to store data onto tape for storage of information (computers and auditory) how the properties of materials change when exposed to very low temperatures. Pupils got to use liquid nitrogen to see the effect on flowers, rubber tubing and finally to make ice cream. (If you want to know what happened to the flowers or tubing then see the display on the science corridor and ask one of the pupils that was involved in the demonstration.) ...about lots of different types of polymers in everyday use. Pupils then made a polymer and then destroyed it using salt. ...about the effectiveness of sunscreens on protecting you from ultraviolet radiation. ...how to make different electronic circuits in the Leeds Physics Student Common room. Not a bad day out and lunch in the student union was free! The pupils agreed that it had been a great day out - some even admitting that not all science or scientists are boring! Miss M Jackson, Science Teacher

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Leeds College of Art visit

	A group of year 9 students attended a workshop at Leeds College of Art. They experiemented with different dyes and surface patterns techniques and produced some beautiful work. They were also able to explore the college and see the excellent equipment and exciting work that goes on there. The tutors were particularly impressed with their skills and their impeccable behaviour. Miss K Hall

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Drama students step back in time!
GCSE Drama students took part in a two day workshop at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester last week. Students watched a performance of Herietta V performed by final year Manchester College students and then took part in a number of dramatic workshops which culminated in a performance based on props and characters from World War 2.  It was a great experience for the students, not only to perform in the museum's surroundings, but to work with mature students from another institution.
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Ukraine Connection

Students at Gymnasium No 4 in Odessa are fired with enthusiasm for writing to their counterparts at Calder High School.

The excitement follows a recent visit that the Head made to the school which specialises in the Teaching of English. Stephen Ball was part of the first group of English Heads to travel to Odessa as part of delegation organised by The National College for School Leadership.

“Our visits into the schools were illuminating and humbling” he said. “The report back that we gave to the authorities in Odessa was carried as a major news item on state television but I was moved by what was being achieved by teachers and young people in very difficult circumstances. Ukrainian children have none of the resources that we take for granted and many are taught in buildings which we would regard as totally unsuitable but they achieve very well – particularly in English, which some study for up to 15 hours each week!”

Very few young people in Odessa have easy internet access and so some of the technical problems are being explored before the opportunity is launched but anyone with a particular interest should let Mr Ball know directly.

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2008 Ski Trip to Austria Report by Mr H Potter


Another year and another ski trip! 43 students and 6 staff have recently returned from the wonderful resort of St. Anton in Austria.

After a 20 hour coach journey and virtually no sleep, the group arrived at the hotel Pezina in the lovely little village of Flirsch in St. Anton. The week was fantastic and the snow conditions were some of the best experienced in Austria in recent years. The group had 6 action packed days whilst on the trip. The days consisted of 5 hours of skiing tuition in excellent conditions, an hour for lunch and an evening activity, which included bowling, curling and swimming.

The behaviour of the group was fantastic and they were an absolute pleasure to be around. There were some great falls and everyone will have a story to tell. Even Mr Cockings, on a retirement break, had a great time! So great he broke his ankle on the first day. But Mr Cockings, being the man he is, shrugged it off as a twist and continued to ski for a further 3 days!! It was only when his foot turned black with bruising that he decided to get it checked out at the hospital!

I would like to thank all the students for being so great during the week and I hope that next year will be just as successful.

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Liverpool: Visit to Art Gallery and Museum
A visit to Liverpool has been arranged for GCSE students following the Art & Design course. The exhibitions to be visited will cover a broad range of themes in support of their exam preparation for this subject. The work of Niki de Saint Phalle is being exhibited at the Tate Gallery - the first UK exhibition of this internationally acclaimed French artist.

Armour and the Armouries
Year 10 GCSE Art and Design are visiting the Royal Armouries in Leeds to draw and observe military regalia. Students will also have the chance to observe and draw a range of bio-mechanical insects and take photos. They will find out all about them with a view to preparing a 3D sculpture of their super bugs.

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