Newsletters

Rugby High School - Spring 2021 Issue 18

News from Mr Grady

Hello Everyone,

This week, I had the opportunity to meet our new senior student leadership team for the first time since their election at the end of the Christmas term.

The sixth form team ran a rigorous election process, including, applications, interviews and video hustings of the final 8 candidates, followed by a democratic vote and it was great to see students presenting their views and themselves with such confidence, creativity and maturity.

In the current climate, where one might imagine that stepping into leadership roles might not be on the top of anyone’s agenda, it was fantastic to see our students, not only eager to step into those roles, but also the ideas that they wanted to bring and the innovation they wanted to share.

Yesterday’s meeting was such a pleasure because the students displayed such empathy in discussing the different challenges faced by students and staff, emotional resilience in understanding and offering thoughts and ideas for moving forward, and a wonderful sense of positive humour.  They exemplified our commitment to mutual care, kindness and respect and are clearly a group of young people not just with heights set in their own hearts, but with heights set in their hearts for their fellow students and for RHS itself.

What struck me most was the confidence they had in voicing their ideas and opinions and the sensitivity with which they shared them – they were happy to listen, and move the discussion forward, and they were eager to make a difference. 

I am always so proud of our students, and proud of what Rugby High School does in order to support them through their learning and their personal development.

If yesterday’s meeting with the senior student team told me anything, it was that we’re doing a great job, that our students feel part of a strong community and have a passion for ensuring we grow stronger together.  I left the meeting buoyed up by their enthusiasm for embracing a challenge, by their good humour and by their honesty and integrity.  I look forward to them continuing to share in the leadership of RHS throughout 2021.

Stay well and safe everyone,
With very best wishes,

Mr Grady

Exams 2021 – National Consultation

OFQUAL and the DFE have published their consultation on exam grading this summer for those students due to sit exams.

The Link to the consultation is below and we urge you to read the document and respond.  Anyone can respond, but if you are a Year 11 or 13 student, or the parents of Year 11 or 13 students, then the outcome of the consultation will of course directly affect how grades will be awarded this year.  You should take the time to read the document and give your feedback.  There’s a tiny bit at the bottom of the webpage this link takes you to that says “respond online” when you’re actually ready to respond.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-how-gcse-as-and-a-level-grades-should-be-awarded-in-summer-2021

Access to School for Key Worker Parents

Should any parent need to get in touch with the school, or contact their child if they are attending, please do not simply turn up at the school – Ring reception on:  01788 810 518 to arrange a slot so you can come on to the site and collect your child safely. 

Contacting Staff

Please do continue to contact staff in the way you would, via email in the first instance, or through reception on 01788 810 518.  Please do not make unscheduled Teams calls to staff.  In the very rare instances where a query cannot be resolved through email or a phone-call please schedule face to face online meetings through email confirmation.

Have you taken up any new hobbies or activities since March?
Dog walking as we got a black labrador during lockdown. I have also just started Couch to 5k (for the third time although I have never actually made it to the end!). Inspired by some of my students, I received a calligraphy set for Christmas and am determined to be able to do some fancy writing by the end of this lockdown. 

What sort of music do you like to listen to?
A real range- pop, soul, indie. I'm trying to educate my kids on the joys of Prince, Oasis and Bruce Springsteen. 

What are you reading at the moment?
I have just finished Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney and am still dipping into Michelle Obama's autobiography every now and then. 

Your most memorable cooking disaster?
When visiting family in South Africa I offered to cook a meal and served up raw prawns (I had presumed they were already cooked). Everyone was very nice about it but it was pretty embarrassing! 

If you could play any sport really well – what would it be?
Tennis. I love watching it and I think it's a really nice sport to be involved in. Plus if you are really good at it you can travel the world and earn lots of money. 

What are you most looking forward to being able to do once life is back to ‘normal’?
A night out with friends and being able to hug people. I have been lucky enough to see my parents regularly as they live nearby but have only had one hug with them since March which I have found really tough. 

What is/has been your favourite item of clothing?
Dungarees- despite wondering if I look like a toddler in them! 

What has been your favourite TV series during lockdown?
Normal People in the first lockdown- I was completely sucked into the storyline and the characters and didn't want the series to end. I am now watching a lot of films and my husband and I are working our way through all the films we have missed out on since having our first child 7 years ago. We watched 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' the other day which was absolutely fantastic. 

KS3 Book Recommendation

Twelve-and-three-quarter-year-old Felix Knutsson has a knack for trivia. His favorite game show is Who What Where When; he even named his gerbil after the host. Felix's mom, Astrid, is loving but can't seem to hold on to a job. So when they get evicted from their latest shabby apartment, they have to move into a van. Astrid swears him to secrecy; he can't tell anyone about their living arrangement, not even Dylan and Winnie, his best friends at his new school. If he does, she warns him, he'll be taken away from her and put in foster care.

As their circumstances go from bad to worse, Felix gets a chance to audition for a junior edition of Who What Where When, and he's determined to earn a spot on the show. Winning the cash prize could make everything okay again. But things don't turn out the way he expects. . . .

Susin Nielsen deftly combines humor, heartbreak, and hope in this moving story about people who slip through the cracks in society, and about the power of friendship and community to make all the difference.

Please find below information that has been passed to us that may be of interest to you and your family.

Latest information on coronavirus from Warwickshire County Council
 

Warwickshire Family Information Service Newsletter

January 19th Edition