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 News from Mr Grady
7th December 2023
Hello Everyone,
We are well and truly into the “Christmas Season” at RHS. I know this, as I’ve just sent my email to all colleagues about the different things we have built into the curriculum and school day in the coming fortnight. It reads like a delightful list, as they are all celebrations in their own way.
Firstly, next week, we have the celebration assemblies, not just of student’s attainment and progress, but of their resilience, their contribution to the community, their modelling of care, kindness and respect and their contributions to sports teams and the wider life of the school. A wonderful chance to celebrate all that is so great about our students and their experiences of RHS.
We’ve also got Christmas Dinner, in our last week, where, over a fine feast friendship groups can come together and have a full Christmas dinner, to celebrate together and mark the Christmas Season. It’s often so full and bustling in the canteen during Christmas lunch it looks like an out-take from a full-cast version of “A Christmas Carol,” with decorations, fine food and smiling happy faces.
In addition to this, we have the Sixth Form Entertainment, the yearly period of misrule, where year 13 “entertain” us with a “script” often dwelling on the trials and tribulations of RHS, as each department is represented with varying degrees of accuracy by the students. I always welcome this performance, as I believe it is important to always have the ability to laugh at oneself. As the late, great Barry Humphries said, “if you don’t laugh at yourself, you could be missing out on the joke of the century…” What is always lovely about the sixth form entertainment, is that for all the students, despite the jokes at our expense, there is real affection for RH6, RHS and the efforts and commitment of the staff here. For year 11 currently thinking about sixth form applications, think carefully about the wonderful school RHS is – there are few places that have the strength of character to allow students such responsibility in presenting the end of term entertainment.
When I write to you again, it will be the last day of what has felt like a very long term. I hope the next two weeks bring not only the usual excellent RHS experience of lessons, and the joy and curiosity of learning, but that we take the time to look after each other, take the time to ensure everyone can enjoy the last two weeks and take the time to count our blessings at this time of year, that we are so lucky to have the next few weeks to look forward to.
With all best wishes,
Mr Grady
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2024 The Sunday Times Parent Power: Best and Top Schools
The Sunday Times released its league tables of the best and top schools in the UK and Rugby High School is ranked 47th in the country! We are also listed as 32nd for our GCSE result. To be in the top 50 state schools is an incredible achievement, and proof of the outstanding education and outcomes students achieve here.
This is a real testament to the highly skilled and passionate staff of Rugby High School, our talented students and the supportive families with whom we work.
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Food bank donations
The charity committee are running a food bank collection during this half term. We would like everyone, where they can, to bring in as much as possible - it would be amazing if each person could manage 1 item per week! There will be a chocolate-y prize for the form which collects the most items!
The last day to bring items in will be Friday 15th December, and they should be left in a box in your form room. Boxes will be in form rooms, and we will also have a box next to the house point totals in the foyer.
Rugby food bank are currently in need of the following items:
- Savoury biscuits
- Fruit juice
- Tinned meat
- Good strong carrier bags
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
Check the website for up-to-date information
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Prom payments
The Prom Committee would like to request £10 from each student wishing to attend our RHS only Year 11 Prom. This needs to be paid by 8th December 2023.
The Prom will be on Thursday 27th June 2024 from 7pm to 11pm at Hellidon Lakes, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 6GG.
The total cost is expected to be around £48pp and the final amount will be confirmed, along with a balance payment request after the Christmas holiday.
The Prom will allow all Year 11’s an opportunity to celebrate the last year of school!
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GCHQ National Language Competition
We were thrilled with how well our Year 9 students performed in the recent GCHQ National Language Competition. There was fierce competition all week with over 3000 teams from more than 500 schools across the UK putting their language skills to the test and battling it out for the top spots on the national leader board. Our RHS winning team came 109th - a fantastic achievement! Congratulations to all of our students who took part.
Our winning team:
Dipika, Santhana, Roshni, Sarayu
Ms Vann, Modern Foreign Languages
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Year 9 Options
Here are the important dates for your diary for year 9 students choosing their GCSE options.
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Thursday 11th January
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Year 9 Options Information Evening
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Friday 12th January
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Electronic Options Forms launches
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Wednesday 17th January
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Taster sessions for students
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Thursday 18th January
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Year 9 Parents’ Evening (1) – 9T1 and 9T2
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Tuesday 23rd January
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Year 9 Parents’ Evening (2) – 9T3 and 9T4
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Friday 2nd February
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Deadline for option choices
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Year 11 Trip to the Roman Baths
Our year 11 Latin students recently enjoyed a trip to the Roman Baths and Matilda has shared the events of the day! On 24th November, Year 11 were given the opportunity to visit Bath, where we visited the Roman Baths and the festive Christmas Market. Upon arrival at Bath, we split off into small groups exploring the market around the picturesque cathedral, inhaling the competing sights and sounds of the different stalls. Following this exciting start, we walked to the Baths where we were given a learning session. We were presented with the challenge of translating ancient Roman tombstones and altars, and also learned about the Roman bathing process. The experience was a really valuable one and will help us draw upon real evidence in our mock exams.
Next, we were given the opportunity to give ourselves a self-guided tour around the museum, where we saw many of the tombstones and altars we had translated, and many other artefacts which were or would have been found in the baths such as curse tablets – defixiones. Some of us made our very own video guides of the Baths to show in the next class! Walking around the Baths, it was very easy to picture the scenes from 2000 years ago, and talking to a ‘real life’ Celt, really brought the experience to life – brilliantly putting into context what we have done in class!
During the self-guided tour, we were also given the chance to try the water from the fountain, but due to the amount of minerals found in the water, the taste wasn’t very pleasant!
After one more wander round the ever more festive Christmas market, the trip concluded with a very competitive Latin vocab ‘Blooket’ on the coach ride home- our favourite game in Latin lessons!
Thank you to all the teachers for making this trip happen!
Matilda Clarke
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Chedworth Villa trip
Recently Year 8 students visited Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire; Victoria shares the events of the day: “On Monday, 20th November, Year 8 went on a trip to Chedworth Villa and Corinium Museum as part of our Latin curriculum. We had a tour of a real Roman villa, made mosaic coasters, learned about Roman people, and had the opportunity to explore the museum.
The first part of our trip was to Chedworth Villa. My form group (8R) had mosaic making first. We were given tiles and got to design and create our very own coasters. After that, we went on a guided tour of the amazing Chedworth Villa, where we saw mosaics preserved from Roman times. We also explored the remains of a Roman Bath house, where we could see the work, we are doing in Latin and Classics being brought to life. Throughout our tour, we were accompanied by an extremely knowledgeable guide who was willing to answer any questions we had.
Later, we arrived in Cirencester, and after a short walk, we were at Corinium Museum. Here we had a session in the classroom with really helpful staff. During this, we went through what a Roman citizen would be buried with and read some gravestones to figure out information about the person. Some people then got to dress up in Roman clothes - as the people we were learning about. Following that, we went around the museum and visited the gift shop.
After speaking to some of my classmates, we all agree that this was an extremely fulfilling and fun trip. I think that going to places like these is a great way to learn about what we are doing away from the classroom. It was very interesting to see things we were doing in lessons in real life!”
Victoria Agranovsky
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Poetry competition
Enter the Tower Poetry Competition! The 24th Christopher Tower Poetry Competition will run from October 2023 to February 2024, with students between 16-18 years of age challenged to write a poem on the theme ‘Mirror.’
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This year’s judges are Will Harris, Jane Yeh and Mishtooni Bose. The poet who writes the best single poem on the theme of ‘Mirror’ receives £5000. There will be a second prize of £3000, and a third prize of £1500. Along with these, there will be ten runners up, who will each receive £500.
Find out how to enter
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Sports catch-up
A LOT has been happening in the PE department since we started in September. We have to be ready to spring into competitive action straight away. So here is some of what's been going on. (Year 8/9 netball and Girls' Football updates in previous newsletters)
Netball
Year 10 Team: Lucy, Sienna, Darcy, Rhianna, Daisy, Corey, Poppy, Charlotte, Lhotse, Izzy, Addy, Mya.
Last half term, the Year 10 Netball team played in the netball league contesting against local schools: Bilton, Avon valley, Ashlawn, Harris and Rugby free. Throughout the matches the team played very well, and even with a large squad, managed to gel together and dominate matches; winning 4/5 matches and drawing one, meaning they won the league! The team showed great commitment to training, made conscious efforts to implement new strategies and were rewarded for their hard work.
Scores in the games were:
Vs Ashlawn - drew 4-4
Vs Avon valley - won 15-0
Vs Rugby free - won 15-3
Vs Harris - won 34-10
Vs Bilton - won 23-16
Year 11 team: Rosie, Shaan, Okiki, Lily, Georgia, Niamh, Casey, Cherie-Asha, Ava, Rachel, Sofia.
Year 11 were also competing in the local league for their age group last half term. Unfortunately only three other schools entered teams, so they had less matches than Year 10, but they absolutely went out and showed what they were made of. The team were given a focus for their game, to open the court out using width and create space so we could get the ball to our shooters in as few passes as possible, without rushing. They listened, reacted and succeeded. These players also demonstrated great flexibility in being able to switch positions and still dominate.
Scores in the games were:
Vs Avon Valley - Won 23-14
Vs Rugby Free School - Won 18-13
Vs Harris - Won 22-5
Well done to both age groups, we are very proud of you all.
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Boys football
Squad: Charlie Needham (C), Tommy Watson, Evan Hawthorn, Alex Kilby, Felix Farmer, Adam Gregson, Will Elliott, Yehya, Ahmed, Alasdair Rowan, Biran Sing Deol, Phoenix Colburn, Aleks Daniel, Tejiri Sefia, Mutunde Lupunga, Charlie Billington, Jack Cooke, Mihail Pertrov.
The RH6 team has been in action again, hosting a match against Rugby Free School. The boys have been committed to training Tuesdays after school and, with a few new faces joining this year, they have worked hard to find, and play, to their strengths as a squad. On the back of a narrow win against Princethorpe earlier in the term, the team went out full of confidence. By half time it was 4-0 to RH6 (with Jack Cooke, Year 12, on a hat trick). Even with multiple substitutions in the second half, to give everyone that chance to represent, we never lost our shape and dominated on the attack throughout, with the defence barely being penetrated and keeping Rugby Free well away from goal. Final score was 8-0 RH6.
Well done lads!
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Badminton fixtures
This half term our badminton fixtures have gotten underway. The team are numbered 1-4 and then have to play singles against their relevant number from Ashlawn, Houlton (in KS3) and Rugby Free School, and then we play doubles games as well. Numbers 1 and 2 joining up, and 3 and 4 joining up.
Year 10 Team: Penelope, Harriet, Izzy, Trisha.
First out, were Year 10. Not only did the girls take charge in their own game, showing better tactical awareness and better knowledge of the rules, they then also volunteered to umpire when they weren't playing, and managed the games for others too. I was so proud to see how much they had progressed not only as players, but also how confident they felt in taking on leadership and supporting others. Out of 12 games we came home with 12 wins!! A very successful evening, and now through to the final, later this month.
Year 9 Team: Gunjan, Oliwia, Meera, Maria.
Next up were Year 9. These guys had a really tough round of matches and were put through their paces! They persevered though, continued to show initiate in their shot selection and showed great team spirit supporting each other whilst playing. They came third overall, which unfortunately means they won't progress to the final stage.
Year 11 Team: Sara, Livia, Angela, Surpriya,
Unfortunately this team only had one other school to play against, due to no representation from the other schools in our pool. We played against Rugby Free School; winning three of our four singles matches and winning both of our doubles matches. The girls, once again, were dominant in skill and knowledge, moving their opponents around and playing winning shots as opposed to gaining points through unforced error. This team also now progress to the final.
Year 8 Team: Anushka, Eva, Zoe, Pranati.
Year 8 turned up full of enthusiasm and ready to take charge. Whilst Ashlawn fielded a full team, unfortunately Rugby Free only had two players, and Houlton had none. So instead of 18 matches, we only had 9 on the night. However, not to be deterred and still ready to prove what they were about, Year 8 succeeded in claiming all 9 wins. Another age group though to the final!
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Leadership - KS1 Cricket Festival
Leaders: 9T1
We don't only compete at RHS, we also host primary school events so the little ones can get involved, and our students are on hand to lead, coach, support and encourage. On Weds 11th Oct we had 162 pupils from three local primary schools come along for a KS1 Cricket Festival. The event is organised by the sports partnership but we host and provide leaders. The school field was a hive of activity and our Year 9 students did a wonderful job of helping to manage the event. The primary pupils got a lot from the afternoon, and the primary staff all had great things to say about how good our students were. So well done for representing RHS in the way we have come to expect.
More opportunities to follow in the coming weeks, for Year 8, with Primary Sportshall Athletics.
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Basketball success
Students in Year 7 and 9 played Ashlawn School at Basketball at the end of November. Year 9 won 16-8 and Year 7 won 26-0. Fantastic skills on display throughout the night.
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Year 7 and 8 futsal tournament
Team: Ella, Zoe, Abi, Imogen, Katie, Anushay.
A small squad of year 7 and 8 footballers went to Harris to play in a friendly football tournament against Harris and Avon Valley. We played some great games and just lost out to Avon Valley by a goal difference of one. Abi and Imogen both scored three goals each, and Anushay scored two. Zoe and Abi both made some great saves helping to protect our goal difference. The whole squad battled for a win and we're looking forward to a rematch next month.
Player of the tournament was Abi Davis, not only for scoring a hat trick in the first game from defence, and a spell in goal but her positive attitude and maturity throughout the tournament.
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Free webinar to attend
Elevate Education is hosting another parent webinar:
How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress - 12th December 6:00pm
Sign up here
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Coral Rumble
Street Lights
The town leapt a little, tonight,
As the Christmas lights came on.
Everyday streets became more important
And even the darkest pathways glistened.
Stars and snowflakes
Angels and reindeer
Flashed and flickered a holy-white whisper,
Making our town,
Our ordinary, brick and tarmac town,
Sparkle like a frosted castle
In a far-off, frozen land.
All things Poetry found at Poetry by Heart
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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
7th December Edition
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The School Newsletter is sent out every other Thursday during Term time.
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