Newsletters

Key Information for the last two weeks of term

Final day of Christmas term is Thursday 15th December. 

Students are expected in school on Wednesday 4th January. 

COVID-19 and maintaining good health

Currently, our COVID infection numbers at RHS are very low. However, with COVID infection numbers increasing locally and nationally, and with Christmas around the corner, can you please be mindful of how to decrease your child’s chances of catching COVID and any other virus.

While at school your child should:

• Open windows – where possible
• Wash hands
• Sanitise hands

If your child contracts COVID they will need to isolate for 3 days with the day of a positive test or first symptom as day 0. For example, if you tested positive on Sunday then they would be allowed out of isolation on the Thursday.

Students should not attend school if they are unwell with Covid symptoms, or any cold or flu like symptoms, as illnesses being passed between students and staff in school impacts on student attendance and progress, and staffing for lessons – we would be very grateful if all members of the community would take care to stay at home if they are ill.

Students who are ill in lessons or during the school day

If a child is ill during the school day they must ask their class teacher if they can go to reception. Students will only be sent home if they are ill. Students must not phone or text their parents to inform them they are going home, the school receptionist will contact parents. We would be grateful if all parents adhered to this, and if contacted by your child directly, that they tell them to go to reception, where we can confirm with parents and ensure they are looked after properly, until collected.

Road Safety

The current road works on Longrood Road are causing significant disruption to traffic at the start and the end of the day, and staff on duty have witnessed some very dangerous driving from drivers in the last week. The mornings and afternoons are dark, and student safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please do not pull into the drive of the school, do follow all road markings and take the utmost care when collecting your child. It is far safer to park on Cymbeline Way, or surrounding roads, and arrange pick up for your child there. We do not want to see any injuries or accidents due to unsafe driving or parking.

Bumper sports round-up from Nicole Wallace, Head of PE

This has been a busy, busy term so far for sport, as our students have been out competing in a whole array of activities. So here is a summary of what’s been happening.

Netball

I am delighted, and so proud, to share with you that our netball teams in Year 8, 9, 10 AND 11, ALL won their age group leagues, against our local schools. In fact, of the 18 matches, we did not lose a single one, with score lines ranging from a close 7-5, to a whopping 35-2. The students showed great team spirit and represented RHS with the mature, respectful manner we would expect. Below you can see just how competent we were at both ends of the court! This is a fantastic achievement as we continue to dominate netball in the borough.

Year 7 players are now eagerly awaiting their turn to compete after Christmas, in the hope of maintaining our winning ways. I also want to say a HUGE thank you to EL and KO, who come out every single Friday lunchtime and help to coach our Year 7s…of which there are lots; the session would be so much more difficult without them!

Football and Futsal

The KS3 football club returned this year and was opened up to all of KS3 and KS4. We also have four sixth form volunteers, who make all the difference to our sessions. We have already hosted Houlton School at home with a mixed year 7 and 8 team, a closely fought match that Houlton won 4-2. We were delighted that our qualified referees, B and M, were able to officiate for us too. We were also away to Harris for a 9-a-side game with a fabulous KS4 team (and one year 9) and were so delighted to win this 2-3.

Football report: Thursday 24th November  Bilton School 3-1 Rugby High School

In a competitive match between two Year 7 sides, Bilton came out the winners. Rugby High produced a resilient performance, striving until the end to score. Special mentions should go to E for a wonderful strike which hit the underside of the bar, two brave one-one saves by A and a goal-saving block by D, in a player of the match performance. All of the students should be very proud of their efforts! 

We have so many exciting football events coming up this year and this week Simon King, the School Games Co-ordinator for East Warwickshire, came in and delivered the first of two Futsal sessions for our main school footballers. It was exciting, fun and great for the development of our players. After a further training session next year, the students will have the chance to compete in two Futsal tournaments! Then in March, we are taking part in the Barclays Biggest Ever Football Game at Rugby Borough football ground, and as well as an inter-schools tournament in April, we are in the process of arranging some more friendlies and hopefully some league games in the Spring term. 

Dates:

Tues 31st January 2023 1.30pm-2.30pm - Futsal training Y7-11
Mon 6th February 2023 - Futsal tournament Y7/8, time tbc
Mon 13th Feb 2023 - Futsal tournament Y9/10, time tbc
Weds 8th March 2023 Barclays Girls Biggest Ever Football Game, Rugby Borough ground, yrs7-10/11 tbc
Mon 24th April 2023 Schools tournament for 7/8s and 9/10s. time tbc.

We have also seen a first in Rugby High history, as we now have an U17 boy’s team. The lads have been out training in all weathers…including having to be stopped when the ball was barely visible due to poor light, I think they would have stayed all night if left to it! We hosted our very first game against RFS and it was great to see a crowd of supporters. The result was 3-3 at full time. Next, we travelled over to Princethorpe for our 2nd game. It was an end-to-end battle from start to finish. Final result another 3-3 draw. We look forward to organising more fixtures in the not too distant future.

Swimming

We have also had students representing Rugby High in swim meets, against very tough private swim school opponents! They competed in 50m Freestyle relay, and a 50m Medley relay. Our juniors team came 2nd in both of their races and the inter team came 4th in both of theirs.

Our teams demonstrated excellent support and encouragement for each other, and really embraced kindness, care and respect in the way they conducted themselves.

Cross country

Having qualified in joint second place from the Warwickshire county race, four girls from year 8 went on to represent RHS at the regional final, racing against the best school teams from across Hereford and Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Cheshire, and West Midlands.

All the girls ran so well and represented our school fantastically. Esther came in 10th place, Merryn 13th, Emily 19th, Jess 69th.  Overall team score of 111 and finishing 7th, which is a fantastic achievement at regional level! Onwards and upwards, as next year we go again.

Olivia McGhee (Yr 9) won her race in the schools cup, and was then selected to compete in an Inter Area English Schools event on Sat 19th Nov. Olivia ran a brilliant race and finished 2nd. This is a huge achievement. We anticipate more great things from Olivia in the future!

Dodgeball

After just one single lesson in Dodgeball, we had Year 7’s ready to sign up for a dodgeball competition, no questions asked, just eager to play again no matter who they were taking on. Sadly, we were only able to enter a squad of 8, I could have entered 3 squads worth they were that keen (but watch out for my dodgeball opportunities coming after Christmas). The team that did go along to Harris, for the Level 2 Schools Games competition, had a fantastic time and showed exceptional determination when faced with male opponents launching balls at high speed. Our girls weren’t put off by anything though, and as the evening progressed their confidence even more, catching people out left right and centre! Unfortunately, we missed out on qualifying to level 3 by just 2 points. Everyone really enjoyed the evening though….so much so, we forgot to take a team pic.

We are currently in the midst of Badminton and Basketball fixtures, so watch out for more updates to follow…

Visiting the Roman Baths in Bath

Year 11 GCSE Latin students recently had the opportunity to visit the Roman Baths in Bath. One of the students has shared her experience of the trip! “The trip had two sections: a teaching session and visiting the Baths. The teaching session involved translating Latin inscriptions on tombstones and altars, and handling Roman artefacts relating to the baths. Some artefacts were replicas, which we appreciated in the case of the tweezers and ear cleaners. However, some had been preserved from nearly 2000 years ago. The session was engaging; as a student, I was grateful for the opportunity to translate inscriptions and closely inspect artefacts. It was invaluable in developing a deeper understanding of the culture and customs associated with Aquae Sulis.

We had time to walk around the baths, which was an incredibly insightful but also enjoyable occasion. During our visit, we could see many historical objects, such as the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva and a collection of Roman coins. Possibly the most exciting part of the day for some was being able to sample the mineral-rich spa water. However, the minerals could not save the water from its unfortunate taste. Overall, the trip was very enriching as it widened our cultural knowledge while remaining entertaining and unforgettable."

Bookbuzz for years 7 and 8!

The English department have invested in ‘Bookbuzz’ to promote the love of wider reading and reading for pleasure, in English lessons. All students in year 7 and 8 watched a trailer and chose from 17 titles and are very excited to have now received their books. Keep reading Year 7 and 8!  

Remember, to borrow eBooks and Audiobooks from our new E-library, go to the online platform or scan this QR code:

200 Club 2022-23

101 shares in the RHS PTA 200 Club have been purchased this year. Many thanks to all those who have purchased shares. The first draw, covering the first quarter, took place at the PTA’s recent AGM.

Congratulations to the following lucky winners! 

All the shares, and cheques to the winners, will be delivered over the next couple of days.

Best wishes, Tess Juckes, 200 Club Organiser

Prismatic Jane Eyre Competition 2022: Jeanne et la lumiѐre flottante

IT in Year 10 is now a published poet in French and English and wanted to share her poem and her experience: “When Ms Vann shared details of the creative translation competition back in February, I wanted to take on a new challenge. Fortunately for me, the Prismatic Jane Eyre Competition was in my sights as I had never written a poem in another language or even a piece of a story. Although I wasn't very fond of Jane Eyre, the Project interested me; as it was about the effect of languages on stories, and I wanted to be a part of it. To be honest, I enjoyed the experience of writing a poem again. Three months later, the results came in, and I was among the 100 chosen! After another five months, the printed project was printed and now I'm a published poet!”

Translated the poem reads:

Jane and the gliding light 

Is there a floating light at my window? 
No! 
Is it a ghost? 

Ghost, 
You do not see me tremble 
You do not see my courage melt like an overheated candle 
But see my innocent heart 
Beat like an army 
An army ready to run away 

Instead, hear my fists land in great succession on your door 
And leave me in peace 
Me, your niece, Jane 
Take pity, my uncle, pity

You can find out more on https://prismaticjaneeyre.org A nation-wide creative translation competition in which students are asked to write a poem in another language inspired by a selected passage from Jane Eyre.

Current House Points totals 

Here's the latest House points totals, with Rauf still in the lead as we head towards the end of term and the celebration assemblies where this term's House winner will be announced! Keep earning those house points everyone! Students can keep an eye on the totals by checking the ping pong balls in the entrance hall.

Diversity Day fundraising

This year's Diversity Day which was led by the Sixth Form Wellbeing and Diversity Prefects raised a total of £632.29. The whole school's efforts on Friday 30^th September have been donated to Malala Fund UK. A charity helping girls access education across the world, with the aim that one day every girl will learn and lead without fear.

Christmas letters raising funds

AO in Year 9, has been making hand-made Santa letters with handwritten calligraphy and wax sealed envelopes.

There is a Facebook page called ‘The Calligraphy Girl’ where orders can be placed and also directly through Ava. They are £4 each and A is raising money for the World Challenge expedition to Borneo in 2024. 

There was a naughty boy
John Keats (1818)

There was a naughty boy,
A naughty boy was he,
He would not stop at home,
He could not quiet be–
He took
In his knapsack
A book
Full of vowels
And a shirt
With some towels–
A slight cap
For night cap–
A hair brush,
Comb ditto,
New stockings
For old ones
Would split O!
This knapsack
Tight at’s back
He rivetted close
And followed his nose
To the north
To the north
And followed his nose
To the north.

Read the rest of the poem here

All things Poetry found at Poetry by Heart

School Vacancies

Cleaners: £9.50 – £9.60 per hour, morning shift flexible starting between 6am to 7 am or afternoon shift from 3.50pm. Term-Time plus 5 training days plus 1 working week for deep clean – 40 Weeks. Training for cleaning and COSHH will be provided.  Applicants must be able to work alone and as part of a team.

Please visit our website to find out how to apply for the Cleaner position. 

Visit the vacancies web page

For RHS Students ONLY

If you have a concern about another student, please fill in this form to report your concern.

For more information about Wellbeing including resources and links to our DSL's, please visit our Wellbeing page here.

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

Warwickshire Family Information Service Newsletter

29th November Edition