Newsletters

News from Mr Grady

Hello everyone.  In the penultimate week of the half term, as I was pottering along the corridor today I noticed one of the subtle changes that happen in RHS from time to time, that if you weren’t quite paying attention you would miss, but that day to day imperceptibly adds to the warmth of our environment.

You can notice it on the corridors around the school if you’re really paying attention:  The art work has changed on the walls. 

The art department at RHS keeps a revolving approach to artwork around the school, it comes and it goes, ebbs and flows, and if you don’t like a particular picture, you don’t need to worry, as there will be another one along before you know it. 

The Year 10 pumpkin studies have really changed the character of the corridor outside Miss Bell’s office, adding autumnal hues and a sense of encroaching winter.  It has echoes of harvest festivals, of Halloween, log fires, warm scarves and darkening evenings. 

The large still life outside my office has added a sense of quiet dignity to my office that I somehow fail to bring myself, and the works along the sixth form corridor are simply outstanding.

What gives so much pleasure is of course that these aren’t purchased pieces of “corporate art” but personal pieces, created by our students, and adding so much to our day to day experience.

Each time the works change, you get a real sense of the range of skills and experiences of our students, celebrated quietly and without fuss; you get a sense of the artistic explorations they’ve had, but above all you get a sense of their great skill and talent and that seems just the thing to celebrate this week!

Best wishes

Mr Grady

Last Call for 200 Club Tickets  

Just a reminder that you have until half term to get your 200 Club shares.

If you haven't ordered yours yet you can click here for a form. It's easy to enter & you could win a prize!

This is a great way to show your support for the PTA. Last year we raised £606 for those 'little extras' around school & gave out £606 in prizes.

A big thank you to all those who have already entered. Your tickets will be sent out to you after half term.

Best wishes
Erica Milwain, 200 Club Organiser

Swimming: Team Relay Champs Qualifying Round

On 4^th October, a group of 8 swimmers, ranging from Year 7-10, took part in the West Midlands qualifying round of the ‘ESSA Team Relay Championships’. There was some tough competition from across the region, all culminating into a high calibre event with plenty of fast swimming. RHS had two teams: a ‘Junior’ (Year 7&8) and an ‘Inter’ (Year 9&10) who both competed in the 4x50m medley and freestyle relay. The junior team placed 5^th and 6^th in the freestyle and medley relay respectively, with all swimmers posting some strong relay splits. The inter team came in 3^rd for both relays, once again with some impressive splits. The event serves as a time trial for the national final mid-November, with the top 30 teams in the country being invited to compete; the qualifying list has yet to be released so it is a nervous wait to see if any of our teams will have qualified. Overall, the event was a positive one, with 3 out of the 8 swimmers competed at the lower end of their age category, showing great promise for next year! Finally, thank you to Mrs Wallace to accompanying us to the event.

Anna Farrow, Year 10

Uproar

Last Tuesday marked the second Uproar session; Uproar is the Year 7-9 extra-curricular drama group that allows students to create interesting drama pieces while making friends and most importantly having fun! During the last two sessions we have been playing some drama games to allow everyone in the group to become more comfortable with each other. The turnout at Uproar has been incredible with over 30 people attending the last session. We have also been introducing a new dramatic concept, Kneehigh, which is a device used to tell stories. It includes lots of bright colours, music and dance and over the next sessions we will begin to adapt two stories into live pieces. These live pieces will then be shown to friends and family. The rehearsal process so far has been amazing as the students have been fully engaged and enthusiastic and we hope that this stays the same! If you’re interested in joining Uproar then make sure to come to the drama studio at 1:20 every Tuesday.

Fatima Krida 10H

Careers in Latin

Last Tuesday, as part of careers week, we had a lesson focussed around careers using Latin. We were shown a power point and an Mr Paterson spoke to us about Latin's uses in schools, work environments and in daily life. Not only is it useful in jobs like teaching but in business - caveat emptor (let the buyer beware!). We found it really interesting to discover all the ways that Latin is used. Some people, when they hear the word Latin, switch off: they say, " Why learn a language that isn't in practice today?" or "If no one else knows it, then what's the point?" or even "Surely a modern foreign language is more useful?" We discovered that Latin is helpful in almost all jobs and most universities and job applications would look favourably upon you having done it, whether for A Level or GCSE. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of how useful the language of Latin is in all aspects of life. 

An attender of classics club, and lover of Latin said "Latin is a really interesting subject and I am keen to take it for my GCSE.” 

Latin is extremely useful when studying many subjects: law, medicine, languages and teaching. Universities love to see it on your CV or application form for university. Furthermore, not only does Latin set you up for life, but not many state schools offer the amazing opportunity to take Latin, meaning it stands out in a crowd. Mr Paterson agreed when he said "It has been fantastic to share all the many varied careers that the study of Latin can lead to. I thought it was really important to raise awareness of how useful this subject can be in securing employment later in life in such a wide variety of careers. This prompted excellent discussions across my classes and I think students gained more appreciation as to how lucky they are that we are the only state school in Rugby and the local area to offer Latin." 

Another year 9 student - choosing her GCSE options this year- said "I am really interested in doing something to do with law and now I can see how useful Latin would be in the course." 

Eve Lawson, Year 9

Make a Global Difference – Think Personal

If we all individually changed one small thing about our life which reduced our carbon footprint, minimised waste or cut our use of single use plastic, collectively we could make a significant difference.

The Science department would like to hear a change you have made and the scientific facts behind it. Email your change to Mrs Weston. Every entry will receive a House Point and the best short paragraph each week will be put in the newsletter and each publication will receive 5 House Points.

Here is this week’s change. Could you do this too?

PTA Tombola Donations

With the Winter Fair fast approaching (November 15th 5-7 pm), the PTA are looking for donations for their Tombola.

Please support us by donating new and unused:
* Bottles (from Sauce to Sauvignon)
* Toiletries
* Wine
* Toys
* Chocolates & Sweets
* Candles
* Unwanted Presents
* Preserves and more

So, if you have anything from a bottle of Champagne to a box of chocolates please send them in by the morning of November 15th marked clearly with “PTA Tombola”.

University of Warwick Science Gala

Wednesday 5^thFebruary 2020   - Save the date!

17:00 and 20:30 

Open to all students and parents - a very interesting and entertaining visit for all those interested in Science and Science Careers

The Science Gala will be an evening extravaganza highlighting inspiring careers and exciting science. Visitors will be given the opportunity to meet scientists and science students, find out about cutting edge research and careers in science. They will be offered activities and will be able to explore with hands-on demos. Come and visit our planetarium, listen to inspiring lectures and visit our laboratories!

KS3 Book Recommendation

Jazmin has been shunned ever since her best friend Becky disappeared. But Becky didn't just disappear - she jumped off a tall building and seemingly never reached the ground. It was as if she simply vanished into thin air. Did Jazmin have something to do with her disappearance? Or was it more to do with Icarus, so beguiling and strangely ever youthful, with whom Becky became suddenly besotted . . .