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Reminder:
School is closed to students tomorrow, Friday 27th January, for a marking, assessment and planning day.
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 News from Mr Grady
12th January 2023
Hello everyone,
Well, January has flown past, and I can’t believe that we’re only a few days away from February. After the very dark mornings of the first few weeks of term, it is lovely to see those first few signs of Spring in the slightly lighter mornings, and evenings. One doesn’t notice the change, but whereas at the start of January, I was leaving home to drive to school in the dark and arriving in the dark, now I’m leaving in the dark and enjoying seeing the sun slowly make an appearance, so that by the time I arrive at school, it is light and, looking at the first few bulbs poking through the ground, and shoots on bushes and trees, very much feeling like Spring is on the way, despite the continued freezing temperatures.
If you want something to stave off those freezing temperatures, then I can only recommend coming to see our school production, “The Red Shoes” tonight or Friday. Although it is a dark fairy tale, what will warm you up is the joyful humour, the playfulness and the sheer skill with which our cast, musicians and crew bring the story to life. (A samosa and glass of prosecco from the PTA’s refreshment stall may also help!)
This is our first school production since “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2019, and so for our whole school community it is simply wonderful to see the incredibly high standard of performance return to the RHS stage.
I won’t spoil the show or the ending for you with too much detail, but the intricate and detailed work of the ensemble, the ethereal voices of the choir, and the brave and nuanced character work are a real pleasure to behold. Supported by the orchestra, and a calm and accurate technical crew, this really was a wonderful evening.
There’s nothing better than a play finishing, and after the applause, the audience leaving having been entertained, moved and provoked to wonder and think about the themes and the ideas in the piece.
A magical evening that has so many memorable lines, so many beautiful images, and despite the consequences of succumbing to temptation, it’s perhaps to agree with the fabulous “Lady Lydia” who narrates the play: “Shoes as red as wounds…that’s what I crave…”
Now, if that doesn’t encourage you get your tickets immediately, I don’t know what will!
Stay well and safe everyone,
With all best wishes,
Mr Grady
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Teacher Strike Action - Important Information
You may be aware from media coverage that the National Education Union has declared strike action, which will take place on Wednesday 1st February, Wednesday 1st March, and Wednesday 15th, and Thursday 16th March. The strike is happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government and not because of any issues at our school.
Having discussed this with the school trustees, we will have to close the school to all pupils on Wednesday 1st February 2023, due to the planned industrial action of the National Education Union. We have completed a full risk assessment, and we cannot safely accommodate, monitor and teach students as a result of this industrial action.
It is highly likely that we will also have to do so on each of the successive dates, Wednesday 1st March, Wednesday 15th March and Thursday 16th March. We will confirm this as soon as possible. We have not taken this decision lightly and we remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our pupils, and feel that we would be unable to provide this with the staff we have available.
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Climate month this February
This February the school’s Climate Coalition are organising a series of events to highlight the climate crisis. All money raised will go towards the school’s recycling systems and payments can be made via finger scanning. These are the planned activities:
- Monday 6th Feb = Meat-less Monday: At lunch only vegetarian food will be available in the canteen
- Friday 10th Feb = Cake Competition: Climate crisis themes. Entries collected in Food Tech. Judging will be in the hall at lunch time
- Monday 13th Feb = Clothes Sale: Donations collected at break in the hall, sale will be at lunch time in the hall, all clothes will be £1.
- Friday 17th Feb = Non-uniform Day: Second-hand/sustainable theme, £1 donation via ParentMail
In the cake competition there is a different theme for each year group:
Year 7: endangered animals
Year 8: pollution
Year 9: deforestation
Year 10: plastic
Year 11: rising temperatures
Years 12 & 13: rising sea levels
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Red Shoes art and poetry competitions
In celebration of our theatre production of The Red Shoes this week, we have held both an art competition and a poetry competition to create pieces inspired by the play.
The brilliant winning artworks and winning poems and the other creative entries are on display in the entrance hall, so you can view them if you're coming to one of the performances this week.
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You can also view the full gallery of art and poems on our website.
Winners of the art competition:
1st place: Ann Sajith, 10S
2nd place: Gaby Jencylin Gilbert Raja, 7G
3rd place: Josephine Woolf, 7R
Winners of the poetry competition:
1st place: Daisy Clark, 8R
2nd place: Ivany Mebou Talla, 10S
3rd place: Irene Babu, 7H
Well done to everyone!
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Table tennis success
On Sunday 15th January, four of our students represented our school in the Zonal Finals for the U16 English Schools Table tennis Team Championships. Each student had to play two singles matches, against each of the other three schools in the competition. Out of the 24 matches played, our students won 19 and only lost 5.
The organiser of the event said "Your girls were wonderful, polite, grateful and a pleasure to have. All the parents were very grateful too, which made it even more worthwhile running the event."
We are so impressed with them, and wish them a whole lot of luck as they move on to compete in the Regional Finals, in Bristol, on Sunday 5th February. Well done, Srihamsini Garlapati, Nethra Kulandaivel, Daya Chima and Anya Sompura.
Good luck to the team!
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Basketball Tournament
Last week we held a Year 9 Basketball Tournament with Avon Valley and Rugby Free School (A & B teams). Our team played very well and were able to dribble and dodge quickly up court in all our games, allowing us more shots on the basket than the opposition.
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Frustratingly our shots seem to bounce on every part of the hoop most times, but didn't go in. We lost our first match against Avon Valley, won our second match against Rugby Free School B team and lost our second game against Rugby Free School A Team. Resulting in our team coming joint 3rd with Rugby Free School B Team. Great playing everyone!
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Preloved uniform sale
The PTA will be holding a preloved uniform sale at school on Saturday, 11th February at 10am. Before the sale, if you would like to donate outgrown but not outworn uniform please ensure your donated items are clean and that you have removed all name tags.
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Items can be sent in to school with your daughter and handed in at reception. Remember, please don’t donate anything that you would not want your own daughter to wear.
We are grateful to receive outgrown but not outworn: blazers, jumpers, blouses, skirts, trousers, PE hoodies, PE shirts, skorts, leggings, football boots and current academic text books.
We’d love to see you at the sale!
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Year 9 Engineering Courses
The Smallpeice Trust is running three residential engineering courses for Year 9 students this year. The Smallpeice Trust is an educational charity that encourages young people into engineering careers, fuels students' passion for STEM, helps them picture life beyond the classroom and meet industry leaders and top academics.
The courses come highly recommended from past students! They are now accepting applications and places fill up quickly, so apply now to avoid disappointment.
Cyber Security
Students will explore the risks of cyberspace and the latest security measures protecting us from hackers, to see if they have what it takes to be a cyber security expert. Located at Royal Holloway University London, this course takes place from 3rd-5th April.
Apply here
Engineering Experience – England
An insight into three different disciplines: cyber security, electrical and space engineering. Students will get creative and improve teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Based at the University of Hertfordshire from 4th-6th April.
Apply here
Girls Into Engineering
For girls aged 12 to 14 who are keen to change the world, this residential course is an amazing opportunity to unlock female students’ potential as future engineers. Taking place at Loughborough University from 14th-16th August, students will learn from top academics & engineers!
Apply here
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Remember
by Joy Harjo
Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time. Remember sundown
and the giving away to night.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled
to give you form and breath. You are evidence of
her life, and her mother’s, and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life, also.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth, we are earth.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.
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Local warm spaces
Bilton Methodist Church and St Mark’s church have come together to offer warm spaces to support our community through the winter. For those in need of some warmth and fellowship, join them and enjoy a cup of tea / coffee, soup and a roll.
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The two locations are: Bilton Methodist Church on Wednesdays 10am – 3pm and St Mark’s Church centre on Church Walk, Bilton on Sundays 12pm – 4pm. These warm spaces will be open until the end of February.
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Guides looking for members
7th Rugby Guides is looking for new members aged 10 – 14 years. Guides is all about developing new skills, building friendships and having fun and 7th Rugby Guides meet at St George’s Church, St Johns Avenue, Hillmorton on Fridays 7.30pm - 8.30pm. You can email for more information or register online.
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Cadet Recruitment
Warwickshire Police Cadets is a volunteer scheme for young people who wish to be part of a year programme that offers an opportunity to gain a practical understanding of policing and develop their spirit of adventure and good citizenship.
Recruitment is open from 1st January to 28th February 2023 and the application form can be downloaded from Warwickshire Police website from the 1st January 2023.
Go to the Warwickshire Police website, download the application form to complete and email it to cadets@warwickshire.police.uk
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Household Support Fund payments
Warwickshire County Council has written to parents / carers who are eligible for benefits related free school meals to let them know about financial help with significantly increased living costs.
Warwickshire County Council will be providing vouchers to support those families during these challenging times. Families will receive this cost of living payment by 8th February 2023. This will be a £30 voucher for each child at home who is in receipt of free school meals in addition to one £90 voucher to help with your household costs. If you have questions about this support please visit their website.
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School Vacancies
We’re recruiting for a Premises Manager and Cleaners, with all posts starting as soon as possible.
Premises Manager: NJC Grade H: Points: 17-22 (£26,845 to £29,440), full-time and permanent (37 hours per week). We are currently looking to appoint a Premises Manager to manage our caretaking and cleaning team. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, have a high attention to detail and take pride in their work and that of their team. They must be passionate about developing a programme of continuous improvement of the site. They will be a great communicator, with a passion to serve their internal and external customers.
You will ideally have previous experience managing such a team in the education sector. You must have well-honed practical skills and a thirst to utilize them to the maximum benefit of the school. You will have purchasing expertise and a knowledge of a wide range of professional service providers. You must have experience of managing a budget and be a competent ICT user. The ability to work to tight deadlines and to communicate successfully with staff and students is essential.
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
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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.
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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
24th January Edition
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The School Newsletter is sent out every other Thursday during Term time.
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