Newsletters

Rugby High School - Autumn 2020 Issue 12

News from Mr Grady

Hello Everyone!

I cannot believe that I am writing this in the last week of November.  On one hand, it feels like this term is slipping away quicker than I can keep up, and on the other hand, given how tired I know we all feel, I have that sense of: “Is it ONLY November?”

What is fantastic though, is how much we have achieved in the last 3 months.  If you cast your mind back to August, we were all nervously considering what a return to school would look like.  What our “new normal” was going to be and how we would meet the different challenges.  And look where we are now!  Students are back and in lessons, their work is really starting to pay dividends and we can see students across the school really starting to progress through the curriculum – their evident joy at being in school, or if learning from home, being able to access staff far more directly through Microsoft teams is great to see.

We are starting to find ways to get students into more and more of their practical subjects, and although this is extremely challenging due to continued safety and minimising measures, it is great to see students of all year groups in Science labs, taking part in PE, Music and Drama.

And we’re starting to find ways to offer some of the little extras for students, Creative Writing Club is back up and running, there are lunch time revision sessions starting to take place, Cool to be Kind Week was a great success, the Year 13s have found ways to ensure that we will still see a Sixth Form Entertainment this year and Mrs Grimes is currently working on a virtual Foundation Day.  We’ve managed to run Year 6 and Year 11 Open Evening online events for students joining us in Years 7 and 12 next year, and we’re preparing for online parents’ evenings, with a Year 7 settling in evening swiftly approaching.  In January, Year 9 will be able to take part in a virtual “options evening” and I’ve got plans to ensure that in one form or another we manage to create an RHS “school production” via video for early next term.

When I spoke to students and staff in September, I spoke about each month having its own little aim.  September was focused on settling in to a new normal and taking stock.  October was starting to consolidate, understanding individual and whole school needs and planning aims for the rest of the year. November was about building and broadening the curriculum, and having had time to review and plan, we can start to deliver a broader and richer experience for all. 

We are doing incredibly well, and I want everyone in the RHS community to understand that if, as each day passes we’ve managed to get up, get in, take part in lessons, had positive social time and added something, then we should all be very pleased with ourselves.  Yes, there may still be a way to go, but if we think about how far we’ve come since September, we can be really hopeful about how far we will be by the time we get to the new year!  Each marginal gain adds to the whole.  Carefully and safely, with kindness, care and respect, and with heights very much firmly in our hearts we keep moving forward.  Well done everyone, for such hard work, for such commitment and for supporting each other every step of the way!

Stay well and safe everyone,
Mr Grady

Road Safety Reminders

Once again, can I remind all drivers dropping off and collecting students, or driving to school to take the greatest of care.  We have had reports of drivers clipping wing mirrors, and not stopping to give details.  This is illegal.  Can I remind everyone to abide by the rules of the road, and to maintain your vigilance outside school at all times.  Any such incidences will be reported to the police.

Mark Grady
Head Teacher

A message from Warwickshire County Council

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our schools and early years settings are continuing to work hard to maintain provision for your children by reducing bubbles sizes, documenting seating plans, asking for close contact details, supporting families with IT where possible and provision of food parcels to eligible pupils during self-isolation. 

We know that you may be getting tired of all the information about Coronavirus and could be feeling exhausted and frustrated. Support is available if you need it from schools, settings, or the council at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirus. We have come so far together and if we continue to support each other to follow guidance and stay safe we will have a better chance of controlling the virus and keeping well.

There are four weeks until the end of term and what we all do now, in Warwickshire, will have a massive impact on transmission leading up to the festive period - which we all want to be as close to normal as possible.

Wards which have the highest numbers of cases in this area are Benn, Coton and Boughton and Eastlands1. We wish to focus efforts even more in these particular wards to stop this increase in cases. In all five of Warwickshire’s districts and boroughs the highest transmission is caused by meeting with others in home settings.

What our families do, in our communities, has a massive impact on schools and early years settings. For example, we have had situations where some children have experienced multiple episodes of self-isolations due to positive cases at settings. However, there are still some simple things you can do help your child remain in childcare or education and prevent transmission of Coronavirus.

  • Follow lockdown rules now and after lockdown by limiting social interactions and socially distancing when you do. Spread into settings is due to social interactions outside. Doing as much as you’re able to will prevent your families from being exposed to Coronavirus and minimises exposure risk for the setting.

  • Maintaining social distancing from others is the best way to prevent spread whether you’re indoors or outdoors or wearing a face covering. Remember to keep 2 metres away from others.

  • If you, or anyone in your household, is unwell with a new or worsening cough, a high temperature, loss or change in taste or smell, then please self-isolate and get a Coronavirus test. Do not send your child into school and do wait for the test result. Your child can return to school if your result is negative.

There are three main symptoms of Coronavirus - a cough, loss or change in sense of smell or taste or a high temperature. When anyone displays these symptoms it is most likely a Coronavirus infection, we therefore ask you to isolate with your household, book a test, and if positive self-isolate for 10 days if you were the one who tested positive, and 14 days if you are a household contact.

We are all working tirelessly to maintain education provision in this crisis, we ask for your support in ensuring that schools and early years settings continue to remain open.  

1 Data at 18th November based on positive cases with a specimen date between 23rd October to 12th November

We are aware that the dates on the calendar are not appearing correctly when the newsletter is viewed inside an email.  Please Click HERE to view the newsletter online.

Year 11 Mocks
9:00am – 4:00pm
From 30 Nov until 04 Dec
30
November
Year 7 Flu Vaccinations
9:00am – 12:00pm
04
December
Year 11 Mock Exams
9:00am – 4:00pm
From 07 Dec until 11 Dec
07
December
PTA Crazy Hair Day & Winter Draw
9:00am – 4:00pm
11
December
Year 11 Mocks
9:00am – 4:00pm
From 14 Dec until 16 Dec
14
December
Christmas Lunch Year 9, 12 & 13
1:00pm – 2:00pm
14
December
25 Nov 2020
Archiving - a work in progress
We have just begun the task of making electronic copies of photographs and documents from our archives.  Please click   here which will allow you to take a look at some photos from the 1960s and a selection of documents from the 1950s that have recently been sent to us. 
Read more

Christmas Lunches 14th,15th,16th December

Christmas dinners with be served in the main canteen on the following dates-

Monday 14th December for years 9,12 & 13

Tuesday 15th December for years 8 & 10

Wednesday 16th December for years 7 & 11

Cost of Christmas lunch this year is £3.95 which includes Christmas dinner, pudding, mince pie & Christmas Cracker.

If you would like your son/daughter to have Christmas dinner please pre book and pay in advance between Monday 30th November – Wednesday 9th December in your designated area Gym/Hall/Main canteen during break (10.45-11.15) & Lunchtime (12.55pm-2pm)

Students who don’t want a Christmas dinners on their allocated day can purchase Jacket Potato & Filling or a filled sandwich.

Thanks
The Catering Team

Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Programme 

Congratulations to Jessica Batchelor and Elsie Mitchell in Year 12 who have been awarded an Arkwright scholarship to help them with a mentor and some finance to support their A-level STEM subjects with the aim of pursuing an Engineering degree or apprenticeship. 

If you are in Year 11 currently and also thinking of studying STEM A-level subjects and planning a career in Engineering, take a look at the information below. If you would like to be nominated for the application process, please email Mrs Mighall (mighalls@rugbyhighschool.co.uk) by December 16th.

The highly respected Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, designed to inspire and equip the next generation of UK engineering talent, is celebrating a record number of female scholars embarking upon its 2020 programme.

Now heading into its 30th year, the Scholarship provides young people in the UK with a fully sponsored programme of hands-on experience, professional mentorship and careers guidance throughout their A-levels and Scottish Higher qualifications.  

The year-long scholarship application process, which involves an online application, an aptitude exam and a virtual interview, is designed to assess students’ engineering knowledge as well as other key life skills such as leadership and creative thinking.

If successful, Scholars’ hard work is rewarded through a nationally recognised Scholarship certification to supplement university and apprenticeship applications. Schools participating in the programme further receive a £400 donation per awarded Scholar at their school, which they can utilise for STEM events and resources to benefit students.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship 2021 Programme is now open to all Year 11 students in England. If you are a school or student who would like apply for The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Programme, please visit:  https://www.arkwright.org.uk/arkwright-scholarships

Have you taken up any new hobbies or activities since March?
Not really, just done a bit more walking in the countryside, a few jigsaws and some gardening.

What sort of music do you like to listen to? 
I tend to listen to Radio 2 a fair bit, which plays a mix of older stuff right through to more contemporary. I like latin music and particularly like early 80s stuff. My favourite band to see live is Duran Duran who I must have seen about 7-8 times now.

What are you reading at the moment? 
"Greek Island Escape" by Patricia Wilson. It's a holiday read based on one of my favourite Countries. She twists modern day life in the UK with a past in Greece and I'm assuming it will all link together.

Your most memorable cooking disaster? 
I haven't had any disasters as such, but I cook a lot of "surprise" dishes in that I make a double batch of something and freeze the other half, but I'm not so good at labelling the meal. When it then comes to heating up the chicken curry to go with the rice I've just cooked, I ping the lid off the recently defrosted chicken curry to discover its sausage casserole, which incidentally goes pretty well with rice.

If you could play any sport really well – what would it be? 
I'm not sure it is classed as a sport, but I'd be a ballroom/latin dancer. I've been salsa dancing for the last 13 years and even teach it from time to time.

What are you most looking forward to being able to do once life is back to ‘normal’? 
Seeing my parents who live in Wales whom it has been very difficult to impossible to visit this Autumn and to go on my holidays to Greece and Italy which were cancelled this year.

What is/has been your favourite item of clothing? 
I have a few summer dresses which I love just because I wear them when it is warm and sunny, which makes me happy. I'm described as a lizard by those who know me best as they say I must be cold blooded. I feel the cold so easily, that as soon as the sun comes out, I bask like a lizard to warm my blood up.

What has been your favourite TV series during lockdown? 
It wasn't exactly a stress relief, but I finally got round to watching the docudrama Chernobyl. Having remembered the news stories from when I was at school myself and reading the book last year, it was brilliantly done and I can see why it won so many awards.

Here is a snapshot of some of the lessons taking place in school on Wednesday morning Periods 1 and 2.  

Click for link to school menu

KS3 Book Recommendation

Fourteen-year-old Stevie lives in Lewes with her beloved vinyl collection, her mum ... and her mum's depression. When Stevie's mum's disability benefits are cut, Stevie and her mother are plunged into a life of poverty. But irrepressible Stevie is determined not to be beaten and she takes inspiration from the lyrics of her father's 1980s record collection and dreams of a life as a musician. Then she meets Hafiz, a talented footballer and a Syrian refugee. Hafiz's parents gave their life savings to buy Hafiz a safe passage to Europe; his journey has been anything but easy. Then he meets Stevie...

As Stevie and Hafiz's friendship grows, they encourage each other to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

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

November 24th Edition