Ridgeway ReaderAll the latest news from Ridgeway High School

Feb-March 2015

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Ridgeway ReaderAll the latest news from Ridgeway High School

Spring EditionFeb - Mar 2015

From Ridgeway to Hollywood

Student becomes top Hollywood producerDo you think it’s not possible?

Think again...

Contents:Ridgeway Reader:

MR TAYLOR’S TOP PICK

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Front page

Contents page and important dates

Headteacher’s Update/Ms Williams’ Thoughts

Ridgeway High School Noctorum Avenue Prenton CH43 9EB Wirralwww.ridgewayhighschool.co.ukEmail: schooloffice@ridgeway.wirral.sch.ukTel: 0151 6783 322 Fax: 0151 678 6571

Performing Arts: Off to Paris

Science: MARSBalloon Project

Psychology Club: Learning how to debate

MFL Interactive Trip: Language enrichment event

Humanities Trip: Catching election fever

Where Are They Now? Former Ridgeway students

Sporting Success: Reaching for the stars

Humanities: Mock trial in real courtroom

Duke of Edinburgh: Another muddy expedition

Year 7 Enterprise Day: Making, marketing & selling soap

Science Taster Lesson: Bidston Avenue Primary visit

Raising Aspirations: Top music producer visits Ridgeway

Careers Event: Skills North West

Sports: Football and basketball

Primary Liaison: Football tournament

Business Studies Trip: Guess where we went?

English: World Book Day

Eclipse: Watching in awe

Welcoming Our New Intake: Afternoon tea

Apr 2 ThursdayBreak-up for Easter

Apr 5 SundaySports trip to Barcelona

Apr 21 Back to school

April 2015

“Trips abroad are anintegral part of our enrichment programme.”(Page 4-5)

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Headteacher’s Update:

Ms Williams’ Thoughts:

MR TAYLOR’S TOP PICK

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Ridgeway High School

I hope you enjoy reading about students past and present in this edition of the Ridgeway Reader. I found it interesting that they all had one thing in common – very good attendance at school.

We regularly speak to parents and students about the impact of being off school and that, if students miss just ten days a year, this will affect their GCSE results. Attendance is currently top of the government’s agenda. From September they have set a higher, even more rigorous, bar for students to reach. Any student who drops below 90% attendance will be subject to intervention from the school and local authority, which could result in prosecution.

So how do we keep our children free from colds and bugs? At school we have recently installed hand sanitizer machines, similar to those in hospitals. These are installed by the lunch-hall and in key places around the school. I also urge parents, even if their child feels under-the-weather, to send them into school. If they are unwell during the day they will be sent, or even brought, home - with sufficient work to keep them occupied! If you need help with your child’s attendance, please contact school.Working together, we can iron out issues quickly.

Have a restful spring break.

Group % Attend7BL 94.67BA 95.17RE 92.87YL 93.87GR 94.98BL 95.08BA 93.38RE 91.38YL 94.88GR 92.1 9YL 93.09RE 94.89GR 94.19BL 91.69BA 93.710BL 91.710BA 93.610GR 91.710RE 92.910YL 94.211BL 88.711YL 94.911BA 95.511GR 92.511RE 92.2Totals 93.4

Attendance

Welcome to another fascinating edition of the Ridgeway Reader. Schools, and in particular headteachers, often talk about gaining qualifications and how qualifications open doors to career pathways. At Ridgeway we place a strong emphasis on students securing the necessary grades for further education, apprenticeships and work placements. Equally important to us is providing opportunities that inspire students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to fulfil their aspirations and potential.

‘The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams’ is a quote from a former President of the USA,Theodore Roosevelt. Inside this edition you will read about current and ex students who have worked hard to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. Over the years many of our students have gone on to be successful in their chosen career or running their own business.

At the start of March our new Year 7 and their parents visited the school for ‘Afternoon Tea’. This is the start of ourprogramme of events to welcome new students to life at Ridgeway. Between now and next September a variety of activities has been planned, including Saturday mornings and two summer schools in July and August. These events allow the students and staff to get to know each other. For the parents, it relieves any anxieties they may have about their child starting high school. I am delighted that for the second year running our Year 7 is over-subscribed.

Over Easter, our school teams for football and basketball are going on tour to Barcelona where they will participate in tournaments playing opponents from all over Europe. Everyone involved is extremely excited.

GCSE examinations this year start on 5 May with English language. Over the two-week break many Year 11 students are attending holiday intervention sessions to support their revision. .

Finally I wish each of you a Happy Easter and a reminder that school re-opens on Tuesday 21 April.

Fulfilling dreams and aspirations

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Performing Arts:Off to Paris

The e-workshops were fun, engaging and inspirational. Students developed their theatre repertoire and learnt from professionals who have been performing at Disney for over 12 years.

Miss Bonsall led a memorable trip to Disneyland Paris for 40 students to take part in Performing Arts workshops. Mr Griffiths, Mr Murphy, Ms Pelter and Miss Kell went along too! We learnt a range of songs from famous films such as High School Musical and Tangled. In the workshops, the focus was on singing, acting and dancing.

Bon voyage!We visited the Montparnasse Tower at night for spectacular views across the city and visited the Le Musée Du Parfum, purchasing lots of goodies and souvenirs!

We also had time in both theme parks and we explored some of the world-famous sights of Paris too – such as Notre Dame, the Louvre Pyramid and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.

Where did wego?

Through the Eurotunnel

Pont de l’Archevêché(Padlock Bridge)

Arc de Triomphe

The Louvre

Eiffel Tower

Explorers Hotel

Disney Performing Arts WorkshopMontparnasse Tower

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J’adore Paris

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Science: MARSBalloon Project

The Little Sheldons Science Club is continuing to investigate their chosen question: “Will the conditions on Mars affect plant seeds and how they grow?” This is part of the MARSBalloon project.

The project aims to test how everyday objects will survive on Mars by sending capsules containing young people’s experiments 30km up into Earth’s atmosphere on a high-altitude balloon. Conditions there are very similar to the surface of Mars. This flight was called Elysium.

You can watch the video at http://marsballoon.com/ely-sium-2/

Our students sent a selection of seeds on the Elysium flight. They had planted them along with a ‘control group’ of seeds, which were stored in the lab.

We have been monitoring and comparing their growth to form a conclusion. The plants which were sent into the Mars-like conditions are growing well and are almost exactly the same as the plants from the control seeds.

Students decided that this means that seeds are not affected by conditions on Mars, which is very good news for astronauts who may want to attempt to grow plants there at some point in the future.

Students will continue to monitor the plants to see if there is any significant difference in flowering and life span of the different groups of seeds.

Sowing seeds of success

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Learning how to debateThis term students havereally developed their thinking skills in Psychology Club, giving more complex answers than ever before. We are learning to think about situations in much more depth than previously and from different viewpoints, evolving our empathy skills.

Psychology Club:

Hot topicsStereotypes Marriage Perception in infantsSelf-fulfilling prophecy

“Students have reallydeveloped their thinking skills this term.”

Film Club: Reviewing Shrek

Shrek Forever After

Andrew Hardy 12“This is a fantastic, action-packed family film. I really enjoyed watching it and would recommend it to people of all ages.”

Nathaniel Allen 11 The war makes it more thrilling and exciting – just like an action movie.”

Ellis Thompson 11“I didn’t really enjoy it, as I prefer real-life films, rather than animation.”

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To show the good progress made this term, we invited two colleagues from Ridgeway to join in our ‘sexism in the workplace’ debate.

This led to fantastic discussions between staff and students. In the end, two teams were formed and the stu-dents came out as the winners due to their excellent debating skills.

Topics we’ve covered this term include: stereotypes, marriage, perception in infants and the self-fulfilling prophecy.

MFL Interactive trip: Language enrichment eventA group of 25 Year 8 students were chosen to attend a Language Enrichment event held at Manchester Metropolitan University in January. The event was organised by The Routes into Languages North West Consortium who work with young people across the region to encourage them to study languages, with the aim of increasing the take-up of languages from school to university. Students began the day by listening to a talk by guest speaker Carmen Herrero in which she explained how important and useful studying a foreign language can be.

Some of the facts and figures shocked our students. For example, only 33% of British people can speak a second language. I’m happy to say that is not the case at Ridgeway, where all of our students study either French or Spanish.

We also have a Chinese club every Wednesday after school. Another shocking statistic is that 75% of the world’s population speaks no English whatsoever. This definitely puts an end to the common misconception that everyone around the world speaks English! In fact, there are over 5,000 different languages in the world.

Businesses say that in the future the three languages which will be most in demand are French, Spanish and Mandarin. And those happen to be the three languages offered by Ridgeway High School!

Our Year 8 students loved experiencing a taste of university life for the day, and were especially fascinated by the lecture theatre. Did you know that celebrities including J.K.Rowling, Jonathan Ross, Lucy Liu, Rory Bremner, Fiona Bruce, Chris Martin and Nigella Lawson all studied languages at university?

Students began their sessions with an interactive Chinese cultural activity: making origami frogs. They showed their creative side and soon had them hopping over the tables – except for Mr Stokes, who just couldn’t seem to get it right and proved to be the worst student in the class by a mile!

The final interactive activity of the day was also the most popular and funny: traditional Arabic dancing, which we know as belly dancing. As you can see from the photos our students found this hilarious and had great fun.

Mr Stokes proved to be much more talented in this area. Maybe he should give up the day job, after all!

All our students study French or Spanish

After this, students attended a Mandarin taster lesson and it wasn’t long before they were singing a Chinese number song, which just got faster and faster and faster! Next came the less widely taught language of Arabic but our students quickly mastered the basics and before long they were having a conversation.

75% of people in the world do not speak English

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Humanities Trip: Catching election fever in London

In February the Humanities department took 59 students to London to visit the Houses of Parliament. After an early start, students arrived in London around 1pm and made their way to the Palace of Westminster. Once through security, we were given a tour of one of the most important and famous buildings in the world.

We were able to see Westminster Hall, the actual room where Charles I was put on trial for treason after the English Civil War, where kings and queens lie in state before their funerals, and where people like Nelson Mandela have addressed Members of Parliament.

If this was not enough, we also peered inside the House of Commons, where great leaders have addressed the nation.

After seeing places that have played such an important part in our nation’s history, students were then able to take part in a workshop about democracy and the importance of being able to have a say in how our country is run.

After their visit, we went to the Chinatown area of London to sample traditional Cantonese food in a Chinese restaurant.

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Some students even tried to learn how to use chopsticks!

Suitably refreshed, it was time fora walking tour of London, taking in famous sights, including the Eros statue and bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, the vast space of Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column.

After a spot of souvenir shopping, students made their way to Buckingham Palace, where, tired but happy, they were picked up by the coach for the long drive back to school.

Students got to see inside the House of Commons

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Where Are They Now?ormer Former Ridgeway studentsJo McNeill, class of 1993Corporate Law Solicitor, London

We interviewed ex-students, asking: where are you now, what are you up to and how did Ridgeway shape your future?The answers in response were astonishing...

I had lots of fun at Ridgeway. I have lots of fond memories and they are the ones that endure. What happened next: I got 9 As and 1 B GCSEs, then 3 As1 B at A level. I studied law at the University of Sheffield and also attended law school for my post-grad in legal practice. I was sponsored by a big London law firm and started my training contract with them in 1999.

I trained for two years, which included living and woking in Brussels for six months, then qualified into their corporate department in 2001. I practised corporate law for over ten years before taking a break after having my second daughter (Florence 5 and Matilda 3).

I’m now back in work ‘in-house’ drafting commercial contracts for a big pharma-logistics company (claims to fame include having the contract for transporting the urine samples for the Tour de France and being the World Health Organisation’s courier of choice forEbola samples!).

I still love singing and I’m partof a mums choir called Pram Chorus.

That was a passion ignited at Ridgeway by Mrs Keig, an amazing music teacher.

Her productions had to be seen (and heard!) to be believed. Our Christmas concerts (and rehearsing for them in the choir and the band) are some of my fondest memories - that and the hours of my life I spent in the art department

Overall my experience at Ridgeway was brilliant. There are always good and bad memories, but Ridgeway is a fantastic school, which feels like a real community. I’m proud to have studied there.

“I practise corporate law and lived in Brussels”

“I got nine As and one B in my GCSEs”

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Dave Barney, class of 1995IT Manager and former RAF, Wirral

I attended Ridgeway from 1990 to 1994. I was lucky to arrive with a group of friends from Townfield but it was still daunting to walk through to the gates where everyone was so much bigger than us! It took a little time to have the confidence to speak up in lessons but soon I set-tled in. There weren’t any lessons I disliked though I needed more focus and effort in certain ones (like maths!). Being a sporty person I loved PE and played in defence for the football team, as well as captain-ing the basketball teams. Someone thought I was a worthwhile Head Prefect and Head Boy too!

IT Manager, Dave Barney, was a former Aerospace Systems Operator in the RAF.

Initial training was at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. From there I travelled north to Northumberland for trade training at RAF Boulmer, learning radar theory, communication procedures and many other things for my role within the United Kingdom Air Surveillance and Control System.

This led me to start my ‘real’ job at RAF Neatishead in Norfolk.

I was posted there for nearly five years - part of which was spent working in the South Atlantic in the Falkland Islands. My second posting was to RAF Boulmer again working in the School of

Fighter Control. I found myself working as an IT Technician due to my self-taught knowledge of computers and networks.

One thing I always say to people entering the military is to make sure they take advantage of the opportunity to experience things outside of their ‘job’. I played basketball, which I’d learnt at Ridgeway. I was lucky enough to train every year in the USA for two weeks, as well as taking part in competitions all over Europe.

Friends of mine ski, surf, horse ride and so many other things - all for free or for almost no cost! So in a round-about way I found myself back at Ridgeway working with computers…

“I played basketball all over Europe”

I achieved 10 GCSEs - 3 As, 6 Bs and a C. A change of direction in my morning walk saw me at Birkenhead Sixth Form where I chose A Levels in Sports Studies, History, and English Literature.

Through all this time I’d never settled on what I wanted to do with my life and this affected me when I went to John Moores University to study Sports Science. I found that my lack of direc-tion led to apathy and reduced effort. After dropping out of university and spending a few months in part-time jobs, I decided to join the military, which gave me direction and purpose. I’d always enjoyed challenges on the sporting field or heading up a mountain with the Scouts so being part of an organisation that embodied that sort of ethos seemed right for me.

At first I was thinking of joining the parachute regiment but, on the advice of my father and uncle (both members of the Paras themselves), I joined the Royal Air Force as an Aerospace Systems Operator.

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Lynette Howell, class of 1995Film Producer, Los Angeles

“I produce films in Hollywood”Liverpool is a fantastic place for me to come back to to a few times a year. It’s full of great people and I will always miss my home there.

A lot of people I work with in Hollywood come from famous or rich families.

That is not me. My mum still lives in the same house I lived in when I went to Ridgeway and that is where I spend Christmas almost every year. I worked a paper round since I was 12 years old and just decided I was going to work in entertainment.

Nothing should stop you being who you want to be or doing what you want to do.

I am currently a film producer living and working in Los Angeles, California. I’ve been here for 15 years now. All of my schooling was done in Merseyside. I went to primary school at Townfield and then to Ridgeway. It was here where I developed my love of drama and English. I had great teachers in both those subjects and it nurtured my passion for working in a creative field.

I also remember being in two school productions (Oliver and West Side Story) which solidified my love of the arts. My whole school experience at Ridgeway was a really positive one. I made some great friends, some of whom I still keep in contact with today (albeit by Facebook or email!).

I also went to college in Liverpool (LIPA) and then moved to London briefly for a year before moving to LA...

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Bradley Cooper, Lynette Howell, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes

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Productions include two previous movies starring Ryan Gosling: Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine, with Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, and Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s Half Nelson, for which Mr Gosling was an Academy Award nominee.

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Sporting Success: Reaching for the starsGeorge Harry’s football career looks promising. Through exceptional talent, skill and sheer hard work, George has achieved an elusive scholarship with Wrexham Football Club, edging one step closer to his dream of playing football professionally. We interviewed George to find out what inspired his football career and how he made it this far.

How long have you been playing football?For 11 years, since I was five. I was in the Wallasey Junior League from that point.

What compelled you to pursue football as a potential career?I realised at an early age that I was quite good. I love it today as much as I did then. I was ap-proached by Wrexham aged six.

What has been the toughest point in your football career and why?I think probably leaving my first football team when I was 12 years old to commit to Wrexham because I’d been playing there for such a long time. Also, when I played for England Juniors at Goodison Park and lost!

If you had to choose another career instead of football, what would it be and why?From a very young age I’ve always been ob-sessed with flying planes, so another ambition is to be an airline pilot – if the football doesn’t work out. You have to work really hard at school regardless of which career you choose because employers expect good grades.

Where would you like to be in five years?Hopefully playing regular first-team football for a good team, or finishing university.

How has Ridgeway High School supported you with your football career?During pre-season, Ridgeway allowed me to use the field for extra training. They also understood when I couldn’t play for the school team, due to training commitments.

Who is your football inspiration and why?My dad, because he ‘gets on my back’ when he knows I can do better. He’s always pushed me to do more than the other boys. My early football managers, Ian and Dave, coached me up to the age of 12, so they influenced and inspired me too.

George Harry, offered Wrexham scholarship

Tell me about the scholarship:I start at the end of June - I don’t know the date yet, but I’m attending an open evening soon, so I’ll know more then. It’s a two-year scholarship, which means I will train Monday to Friday and play a game every Saturday. I was one of five selected from my team for the scholarship. I am hopeful this will lead to the career in football that I’ve always dreamed of.

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Anything’s possible if you work hard

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Aaron Bretland wins bronze medal

Aaron Bretland won yet another bronze medal, this time fighting at the 42nd Dutch Open Taekwondo competition in Holland in March.

With fighting flair and ease of movement, Aaron fought four gruelling bouts and went on to win bronze by surprising the French world champion with a complex ‘Scorpion-Kick’ at the last-minute.

The next competition looms, taking Aaron to Spain in April, followed closely by fights in Austria and Germany in May.

Aaron’s nan, Dot, continues to work tirelessly to raise the much-needed funds, ensuring Aaron can continue training and competing,

However, her effortsalone are not enough.

He still needs the additional support from public donations, which Aaron and family appreciate greatly.

Aaron, his family and Ridgeway High School would like to thank those have donated so far - you have been kind and generous beyond words.

Please donate by visiting the GoFundMe website: http://www.gofundme.com/aaronbretland

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Humanities: Mock trial in real courtroom

In the second round, our team defended against Litherland High School from Liverpool. While their prosecution team was confident and determined, our defence team, led by the brilliant Taylor Kendall, successfully demonstrated that our defendant, Georgia Hytner, was not guilty. This was a relief for Georgia, as she was worried she would have to spend a night in the cells if she was found guilty!

What won the case for us was Taylor’s fantastic closing speech, in which she set out the details of the case in sucha clear and simple way, that it only took the magistrates a matter of minutes to reach a verdict. Taylor said afterwards that she felt “very proud” of what she achieved and that taking part in the Mock Trial has given her a huge boost of confidence.

Another student, Connor Styring, said that he was not bothered if we won or lost, as he had enjoyed the experience so much.

Over the course of the day, the studentsexperienced both highs and lows, but above all they managed to impress other schools and the judging panel.

It was a valuableexperience for all those who took part and the team can’t wait for next year’s competition.

In March, Ridgeway took part in a national competition in which they assumed the roles of participants in a mock trial, run by the Citizenship Foundation. Our 12 students travelled to Mold Magistrates’ Court, playing the part of lawyers, witnesses, defendants and magistrates, and competed against schools from across the north west.

In the first round, our prosecution team, led by the amazing Jonty Hughes, went up against Upton Hall. Through skilful questioning, Jonty and Olivia Wallace were able to argue that Upton’s “defendant” was guilty of the crime of which they were accused, which in this case was the theft of a mobile phone.

This round was held in a full crown court, which did not worry our legal team, and allowed them to rise to the challenge. Despite brilliant questioning, our legal team lost the first round.

All rise in thecourtroom

Aaron Bretland wins bronze medal

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Nit; notilibem ta, norem, senterr ibunum voludam. Ari se, que in hor iu enatiu in rectura? Nihi, Catuam dii crum et

Duke of Edinburgh: Another muddy expedition

The arrival of spring has seen the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students tackle their latest training session with gusto! On Saturday 14 March a group of 20 intrepid young souls participated in training sessions covering advanced map-reading and expedition first aid, as well as some expedition skills.

Following their intensive training, the students were then ushered out of the school gates and onto a brisk mini-expedition around some of the finer parts of the Wirral. The teams coped very well with the knee-deep mud and even managed to negotiate some major bridge repairs being under-taken by a group of local farmers.

A great day enjoyed by all!

Year 7 Enterprise DayMaking, marketing & selling soap Year 7 students were set a suitably challenging

task for Enterprise Day in February. Working in groups of four, they had the chance to experience all aspects of the soap making business, including: making the soap; designing and creating the packaging; and pitching a business idea to advertise and market the soap.

The aim of the day was to develop a range of enterprise skills in our students who are, of course, future employees and employers – teamwork, creativity and innovation, initiative, presentation, product design and the marketing of well thought-out ideas. These are all skills vital for the modern world of work.

“It was a really fun day. We learnt how to design the packaging for the soap as well as making it. It was great.” Tilly Smith, 7BL

Alisha, Helen, Jay and Kieran leave the well-trodden lane for a more rugged pathway.

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Science Taster Lesson: Bidston Avenue Primary

Year 5 students save the world!

Our Year 5 visitors became Chief Scientific Officers for the day, solving a scientific puzzle. We gave them an imaginary scenario: an asteroid has hit the Wirral and is oozing a mysterious red liquid.

Our young scientists were challenged to use their investigative skills to work out what thepotentially deadly substance was and save humanity!

Science is fun!

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Raising Aspirations: Top music producer visits Ridgeway

Paul Love is the multi-talented brother of dance teacher, Miss Love. He paid a surprise visit to Ridgeway, travelling all the way from London to talk to GCSE Performing Arts students about his career in the music industry.

Paul owns and manages Paddock recording studio in London, as well as working as a producer, musician and session drummer! Is there anything this man cannot do? It seems not! BBC’s Newsnight featured Paul performing with his band, the sensational ‘Bloom Twins’, and the legendary Sony and EMI labels are amongst Paul’s long list of impressive clients.

After graduating from Westminster University with a music degree, Paul set up his own recording studio, Paddock, which is going from strength to strength, so he was keen to pass on his knowledge of the music industry to our students. “It takes a lot of hard work, drive and dedication to forge a successful career in the music industry.”

Paul works tirelessly to maintain a successful business in the competitive London environment. Days-off are a rarity so we were very grateful he made the effort to spend his valuable spare time visiting us. The students will certainly apply his knowledge to help them progress with their course. Who knows? Maybe they too will become experts in their field one day!

To find out more, please visit www.paddockstudio.org

Success takes hard work, drive and dedication

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Skills North West

Years 10 and 11 spent the day at Skills North West in Manchester. Skills NW is the region’s biggest skills and careers event aimed at young people.

There were over 60 organisations offering hands-on, work-based activities to inspire and encourage our students to look to their future choices.

Careers Event:

About Skills North West These are hugely interactive careers and skills events for young people. Since 2007 they’ve helped over 100,000 young people find out about careers, skills and learningoptions.

www.skillsnw.co.uk

North West’s biggest careers event

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The Year 7 football continued their good run of form, reaching the quarter finals of the Wirral and Merseyside cup competitions, beating Neston 3-2 and Holy Family 6-0. Mr Murphy said: “The boys have shown a great attitude all year in games and at training. Hopefully we can add to the silverware already won this year!”

Sports:

Our teams are doing well

Football and basketball

The Year 10 football team are currently training hard for their trip to Barcelona at Easter. They are also due to play Oldershaw in the Wirral Cup.

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The Year 7 Boys-basketball team have been training hard and have reached the Wirral finals beating St Anselm’s and Oldershaw.

The Year 11 basketball team were awarded 5 A*s in their GCSE controlled assessment. They have also made the Wirral Finals.

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Primary Liaison: Hillside Primarywon the competition Football

St Peter’s Primary School football team.

The winners, Hillside Primary School football team.

Ridgeway held its annual primary schools’ five-a-side tournament in March. Once again it was a hugely successful event, ending with Hillside running out as overall winners. Mr Murphy, our primary liaison co-ordinator, said: “The tournament was a great day and there was some excellent talent on show. We look forward to many of the youngsters representing Ridgeway in the future in local, regional and national competitions.”

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Hillside Primarywon the competition

Woodchurch Road Primary School football team.

St Paul’s Primary School football team.

The winners, Hillside Primary School football team.

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Business Studies and i-Media Trip: Guess where we went?

Yummy, deliciousand educational

In March, 48 students studying BusinessStudies and i-Media visited the world-famous Cadbury factory in Birmingham. The visit gave students the chance to learn about Cadbury’s advertising campaigns and the methods and rationale behind them.

As part of the tour, students witnessed first-hand how popular products like Dairy Milk and Creme Eggs are actually made, as well as having the chance to sample these chocolate delights. We also learned about how the company was founded and were given an historical view of why the business is so successful today.

The day ended with a visit to the largestCadbury shop in the world, which gave everyone a chance to stock up on their favourite chocolate.

Fact selection Timeline segment

Did you know?

1824 - John Cadbury opened Bull Street shop, Birmingham

1831 - John Cadbury opens factory in Crooked Lane

1875 - Milk was added to the recipe by Swiss manufacturer

1875 - Cadbury produces their first Easter egg

1897 - Cadbury Dairy Milk is launched

1955 - first Cadbury advert appears on TV

1947 - Milk Tray chocolates used to come in a bar

1990 - Cadbury World opened

2009 - Cadbury Dairy Milk becomes Fairtrade

2012 - Chocolate Centre of Excellence opens in Bournville

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1970 - Curly Wurly invented

English: World Book DayThe aim of World Book Day, (5 March every year) is to inspire children to read as much as possible and maybe to start building their own book collection.

World Book Day’s theme this year was Teenfest. At Ridgeway we had a literary scavenger hunt. Our teachers printed their favourite literary quotations and put them on their classroom doors in preparation. The students had to find all of these lovely literary quotations. The winner was Jessica Johnson in Year 8, who found all of the quotations. Well done, Jessica!

We also hosted a cake sale at break time and made £25.50 for charity.

Three reasons why reading is so important

It will help you communicate better Reading expands your vocabulary, making communication easier!

It makes you more intelligentReading develops your imagination. The brain expands your imagination, creativity and logic through reading.

You can learn new skills Reading other people’s experiences and stories helps you to see things from different points of view. We call this empathy.

Books contain 50% more rare words than prime-time TV

Wirral Globe Facebook image

Eclipse: Watching in awe

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On Friday 20 March, a total solar eclipse occurred in northern regions of Europe, the Arctic and of course, Prenton! This means the sun becomes momentarily obscured by the moon. This unique experience was coupled with a supermoon, caused by the moon being at its closest point to Earth, making it seem larger than usual.

During the eclipse, it is dangerous to look directly at the sun, so our students made pinhole cameras in science, providing a safe way to view the eclipse.

The next eclipse will occur on 12 August 2026!

Welcoming our next cohort of students

Welcoming Our New Intake:Afternoon tea

CONGRATULATIONSto our new Year 7 students

Ridgeway hosted a hugely enjoyable afternoon tea in March for the many Year 6 students who are joining us in September, as well as their parents and close family. It was an opportunity formally to welcome next year’s intake to the school. Refreshments – including a delicious selection of cakes – were prepared and served by our GCSE catering students. Ridgeway staff were on hand to chat to families and to answer queries.

Miss Willis, our resident Marketing & Communications Officer would like to hear from you!

Please email Miss Willis: willism@ridgeway.wirral.sch.uk

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Mr Taylor and Ms Williams each gave a short presentation, setting out our highly successful ‘smooth move’ programme, which runs between now and September.

By giving our Year 6s many opportunities to visit the school, we aim to ensure that the formal start of secondary education in September is as comfortable and worry-free as possible.

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