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High Noteshighnotes@wilmslow high.cheshire.sch.uk

@wilmslowhigh

wilmslowhigh.com

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Tuesday 12th July 2016 Issue 38

Over 80 students’ achievements across the full range of our ‘whole’ curriculum were celebrated on Thursday evening. The evening provided a moment for recognising students’ hard work, outstanding contributions and dedication to improvement. For many of our students, the journey will not have been easy and behind the celebrations there will have been moments when they will have had to ‘dig deep’.

Well done to all of our award winners and thank you to parents, carers and staff for their contributions and support.

Key Stage 3 Presentation Evening

University College London Psychology Department comes to Wilmslow HighAround 60 student volunteers from Year 8 and Year 12 recently took part in a collaborative research project on the psychology of learning. Acting as participants and with full parental consent, the students were asked to engage in activities to investigate the effects of distraction on cognitive processing in school students.

The experiment was part of the research PhD for Michael Hobbiss from UCL. In order to complete the activities, Mr Hobbiss also recruited 10 of our A level psychology students as assistants. The students were trained in the specific areas of neuroscience relating to the project and in psychological research methods. All those involved gained valuable experience towards psychology related university courses to include in their UCAS applications.

His 10 assistants for the week were: Georgia Hulme, Lydia Caine, Gemma Dempster, Bethany Lewis, Isabella Hargreaves, Isabelle Reynolds-Duffy, Isabelle Whalen, Grace Finlay, Noor Nasseri and Josh Jones.

Worldwide Skills EventAs part of Whole Education Week, Year 9 language students had the opportunity to attend the Worldwide Skills Event at UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire). Students were given the opportunity to experience different methods of language learning and to see how beneficial languages are in the world of work and beyond.

In the first activity, students used booths for simultaneous interpreting practice with a professional interpreter. Secondly, students had the opportunity to try out ‘Rosetta Stone’, a world leading language learning software in 21 languages. Some of the languages learnt by our students included Dutch, Italian, Portugese and Arabic!

After lunch, students took part in an exciting activity that looked at Chinese calligraphy, where they learnt about the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy and wrote characters with traditional brushes and inks. Our students loved writing their names in Chinese!

To end the day, our students took part in an interactive Worldwise quiz using interactive handsets. They were tested on their knowledge of languages and cultures which had certainly flourished by the end of their day at UCLan!

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G8way Forest SchoolFriday 1st July marked the end of a term for the first cohort of G8way Forest School students at Wilmslow High School, Knutsford Multi Academy Trust and Poynton High School. To celebrate the hard work that students have put into the project, the team, along with Sarah Clarke (G8way Coordinator), Lindsay Martin from the Handforth Youth service and Lauren Mullaney who are both Forest School qualified and ran the project, went to Pizza Express in Wilmslow for a pizza making session.

As well as demonstrating their skills in making the perfect pizza, the team enjoyed eating the results of their hard work for lunch.

Catherine Holyland, Assistant Head Teacher at Poynton High School said, “It has been rewarding to have students across Knutsford Multi Academy Trust, Poynton High School and Wilmslow High School come together via the G8way Forest School project and build their resilience, team-working, discipline and supportive skills via the outdoor forest learning environment at Wilmslow High School. Feedback from all of the staff and students involved has been tremendous and we are very much looking forward to assigning our next cohort to the project in September”.

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Big Bang Fair50 year 9 students who will be following the separate science course next year visited the Big Bang Fair in Liverpool.

The fair was aimed at encouraging students to consider careers in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

I think, therefore I am – Young philosophers explore western thoughtUltimate questions such as ‘why are we here?’ and ‘does God exist?’ have captivated great minds for many centuries. When our Year 8 students explored personal identity in Buddhism, it was evident that philosophical enquiry captivated the great minds of Wilmslow High School. Through investigating Theseus’ ship students vociferously debated

the construct of identity. The talent and potential of these young philosophers was to be nurtured by Mr Pollock’s Philosophy Club.

Each week students would spend their Wednesday afternoons questioning and critiquing western philosophy. Stretched beyond the national curriculum students utilised their skills of analysis and evaluation to greater depths. The young philosophers were tantalised by Cartesian scepticism, questioning the problem of solipsism. While some accepted Descartes’ dream argument others were not convinced.

The students have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, one stated that “philosophy club allows us to have more of an understanding of life and our perception of life”. Next year Wilmslow will continue to inspire young minds and enrich their philosophical wisdom.

Whole Education WeekLast week, students enjoyed a ‘collapsed’ time table week of activities. They enjoyed a variety of learning experiences linked to the school’s formal and wider curriculum offer. Activities ranged from ‘Reporting from Rio’ (English) and CSI (science), to ‘More than a Mill’ (history) and ‘Exploring Faith’ (social studies). All Year 9 students spent a day experiencing each of their Key Stage 4 option choices to whet their appetite and help prepare them for September.

As always, the week ended with the annual walk to Alderley Edge and back. For some, the highlight was walking with friends, for others, it was the ice-cream! Please see photos overleaf.

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Work Expereience 2016Last week, all our Year 10 students had the opportunity to sample the world of work. Lots of the students found their own placements and worked in places as far apart as London, Hull, Hastings and Aberdeen while others found themselves working more locally in places such as Manchester, Stockport, Knutsford and Wilmslow to mention just a few.

Other students were helped to find a placement but the final result was that everyone had a great opportunity to find out what it was like to go to work rather than school, wear one’s own clothes rather than uniform and finish exhausted after a day that was longer than school!

The comments from students when staff visited or phoned were that it was an enjoyable if tiring week during which they had amazing experiences to try something very different from school. The employers were delighted with our students, making comments such as “best student we’ve ever had”, “they’ve been helpful and positive, willing to do everything we’ve asked and a credit to the school” and “some of the best research I’ve received from someone doing Work Experience. Brilliant”.Well done!

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Eureka!On Friday 1st July the Skill Development Group visited Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, in Halifax.

Students had the opportunity to visit galleries such as ‘All About Me’, where they immersed themselves in numerous activities designed to broaden their understanding in how their bodies work.

They also enjoyed the ‘Global Garden’ gallery, where the students explored the deep dark oceans and the outside world.

However, a highlight for all was the ‘Working Together’ gallery, where students got to grips with working in a bank, garage and a shop.

Accompanying staff: Mrs Lumley, Miss Raven, Mrs Sivner, Mr Cartner, Mrs Copley, Mr Pearson.

“The best day ever!”

- Maddie Lingard

Sports X-tra: http://tinyurl.com/hoq2zvnArts X-tra: http://www.wilmslowhigh.com/?p=265X-tra – Xtra: http://www.wilmslowhigh.com/?p=269Previous issues of High Notes: http://www.wilmslowhigh.com/?p=2239Letters sent from school: http://www.wilmslowhigh.com/?p=2043

USEFUL LINKS

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NOTES

Please help!We are collecting small tins of Pringles

and AZERA coffee for a textiles competition.

The product has to fit in to a tubular tin that is the same size as a 40g Pringles snack tin or a 60g Nescafe Azera coffee tin. Please

send any tins to the food technology office or for the attention of Miss Speed.

Wilmslow Business GroupWilmslow Business Group is recruiting for

a part time Events Manager and a part time Business Development Manager to help

develop and grow the Business Group and arrange the events they stage such as the Motor Show, Art Trail and Christmas Lights

Switch On.

If you would like a job description and further details, please contact Sue at sue@

wilmslowbusinessgroup.co.uk

The Thinkuknow websiteThe parents’ section of the new Thinkuknow website provides information to support parents and carers to understand and respond to the risks their children may face as they grow into adulthood/young adults. It covers a broad range of online safety issues from nude selfies to what to do if you think your child is being groomed online. Find it at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents.

Uniform and PE kit donations If you have any school uniform or PE kit that your son or daughter no longer needs, please consider donating

any items of clothing to the PTA.

The PTA offer an excellent second-hand uniform shop that relies upon the generous donations from parents/

carers.

If you have any items that you are happy to donate, please drop these off at main reception before the end

of term.

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SPORTFingers crossed for SaskiaCurrent Year 13 Wilmslow High School student, Saskia Swatland was selected for the full England U18 squad back in February. Having been involved with the extended and full squads all season, she was selected to play against Germany last weekend.

A strong performance in this match has earned her a place in the 18 strong squad who will attend a training camp in Belgium this week ahead of this summer’s European Championships. She will be hoping to do enough at that camp to pin down a place in the squad for those European Championships which will be held in Ireland at the end of the month.

Quad KidsYear 7 students, Alfie Moran, James Doorbar, George Halfpenny, Theo Hill, Tom Crouch, Bella Pownall, Sally Ann Hitchin, Issy Flanagan, Emma Jackson and Amelie McKay, took part in the Quad Kids Athletics competition at the Cheshire and Warrington School Games on Wednesday.

Representing Macclesfield and District, the

team eventually ran out as comfortable winners. Alfie, James, Bella and Sally all won their individual races but it was a fantastic team effort from all involved. James also competed for Cheshire against Merseyside last

weekend, where his strong performance in wet and windy conditions saw him finish in second position in the 1500m race.

TennisOn 6th July Wilmslow High played the first round of the National Finals against Bedes School. An amazing team performance from Olivia French, Ellie Aldrich, Jess Purdy and Laura Jackson resulted in a 5 matches to 1 victory and puts us through to play the number 2 seeds on Thursday.

This will be a tough match but puts us in the top 8 in the country.

Fixtures commencing 8th July

DATE OPPONENTS 1ST U15 U14 U13 U12 SPORT08-Jul-16 STAFFORD A ROUNDERS09-Jul-16 SANDBACH A A CRICKET09-Jul-16 TENNIS NATIONALS A TENNIS12-Jul-16 DANCE PERFORMANCE A A DANCE

Results commencing 2nd July 2016

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DATE OPPONENTS 3RD/U16 U15 U14 U13A U12A SPORT02-Jul-16 LIVERPOOL COLLEGE canx canx canx canx CRICKET06-Jul-16 NATIONAL FINALS won TENNIS06-Jul-16 CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON QUAD KIDS won ATHLETICS07-Jul-16 NATIONAL FINALS lost TENNIS07-Jul-16 FALLIBROOME canx canx ROUNDERS

Week commencing 18th July 2016

Day/date Time Venue ActivityMonday 18th July 10.00am

4.30 - 5.30pm

ChesterIcelandMain Hall

Year 7 Shrewsbury Football residential departsYear 10 Chester Zoo visitYear 11 and 12 Iceland visit departsWilmslow Concert Band

Tuesday 19th July Periods 1 - 3 Main Hall Sports Awards presentationWednesday 20th July

12.30pmYear 10 French visit returnsSchool closes for summer break

Thursday 21st July 3.30pm Year 7 Shrewsbury Football residential returns

Friday 22nd July Year 11 and 12 Iceland science visit returns

CALENDAR

Week commencing 11th July 2016

Day/date Time Venue ActivityMonday 11th July All day

9.00am4.30-5.30pm

VariousCowlingBakewellMain Hall

PHSCE day 4Year 11 GCSE PE residential departsBronze DofE assessment (B1) departsWilmslow Concert Band

Tuesday 12th July 9.00 - 12.00pm

4.00pm

Macclesfield College

Bakewell

Year 10 Macclesfield College taster day

Year 13 Law visit returnsBronze DofE assessment (B1) returns

Wednesday 13th July 9.00am Bakewell Bronze DofE assessment (B2) departsThursday 14th July

4.00pm

12.30-2.00pm

Bakewell

Main Hall

Year 11 GCSE PE residential returnsBronze DofE assessment (B2) returnsYear 10 GCSE German visit returnsCommunity Afternoon Tea event

Friday 15th July 12.30pm Front field Sports DaySunday 17th July Paris Year 10 French visit departs

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WOMEN WHO LOVE SINGING!Cheshire A Cappella, the Wilmslow-based ensemble is looking to swell its numbers and is keen

to attract new singers from around the region to join in the fun.

Recent summer activities have included singing with Russell Watson at one of his ‘Songs from the Heart’ concerts and a free concert and flash mob event at the Barnaby Festival – both great

fun!So whether you sing high or low or somewhere in the middle, give some thought to joining

the girls on Sunday July 24th from 11am ‘til 4pm at their Taster Day workshop and experience the magic of four part a cappella close harmony singing. There’s no obligation, just a great

opportunity to see what it’s all about, meet the girls, sing some songs and who knows, make a whole bunch of great new friends!

If you can’t make it then, the chorus offers Open House rehearsals on the last Wednesday of every month so feel free to come along.

If you’d like further information on the A Cappella Appetiser day, or on any of Cheshire A Cappella’s activities, please call 07975 927423 or email hilary.pinnock@ntlworld.com.

COMMUNITY

Thank you from Mrs BirchillI just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who recently sponsored me to run 10km in memory of my mum who lost her fight to lung cancer in September.

It was at Tatton Park last week – 26th June – and took me 1hour and 3 minutes. If you still wish to donate online you can do so at: http://justgiving.com/helenbirchill7 or you can drop in any donations to me to forward at the end of the week. So far, I have raised over £330 for Cancer Research UK.

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