JRS Express Summer 2011

WELCOME TO THE JRS EXPRESS — YOUR SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION MAGAZINE

YEAR 11 SCHOOL PROM 2011 A GREAT SUCCESS!

Dear Parents/Carers and friends, We are actually experiencing some summer weather, as I write, but will it last? Even Sports Day landed on two dry days. Students are orienteering in the dry conditions and able to enjoy the sunshine at lunchtimes. We have fingers crossed for continuing good weather for next week’s Cheetah Challenge, our whole school orienteering event. This event is the culmination of a busy term and a busy year. Our Year 11 students have finally left us, many after five years, but with a significant number having been with us for less time. Extra revision and booster sessions had started for them back in February and by the time they came back after Easter, with an ‘untidy’ start to the term with bank holidays and a royal wedding, these sessions had reached fever pitch. Staff could not have given more time or energy to the exam preparation to support our students but of course, it is ultimately in their own hands as to how well they perform in the exam rooms. Thursday 25th August is results’ day when all will be revealed. This is such an important first stepping stone for them, opening post-16 opportunities with a whole new array of learning and career pathways. We do, of course, wish them all the very best for the future. In May, at the full governors’ meeting, the resolution was passed for John Ruskin School to apply for academy status. In the last edition of the JRS Express I had enclosed a letter of consultation regarding this proposal and those who contacted me were generally supportive with a few questions about the new status. All of those stakeholders who have been consulted have been very supportive and have indicated that they trust the governors’ decision in this matter. I believe that it will be the beginning of an exciting new era for the school and for the South Lakes Federation (SLF) schools who have already changed their status. We believe that by working closely together we can provide the best personalised educational experience for the students in the schools of the Federation. As part of the school’s development we recently had a visit from four colleagues from the SLF, Mr Houghton, Mrs Fraser, Dr Greene and Miss Davies, who came to help us prepare for the OfSTED visit that we are due in the next academic year. As part of that visit some of our students were interviewed by the visitors, and, as ever, our young people gave an outstanding account of themselves and their school. The prefects have been trained and Head Boys and Girls with their deputies elected. The speeches given by every one of the candidates for these positions made me very proud. They are a credit to the school, their families and themselves. Next year’s peer mentors have also been trained ready for our new intake of Year 7. This team is highly successful in helping new students settle into life at John Ruskin School. We are looking forward to welcoming 37 Year 7 students in September; the same number as left us in Year 11. It is good to know that school numbers are being maintained. Team work is essential if we are going to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people. I would like to whole-heartedly thank every member of the staff team, both support and teaching staff for their inter-est, their dedication and their very hard work in striving to help our students fulfil their potential and main-taining a pleasant and safe environment. I would like to thank you as parents and carers too, for your continued support. I hope that you have an en-joyable and sunny summer and I look forward to working with you again next year. With very best wishes,

Miriam Bailey

YEAR 11 LEAVERS ASSEMBLY

Up and down England for the past two weeks, parents have stormed into their children’s rooms with frowns on their faces.

“Why haven’t you tidied your room!? Why haven’t you walked the dog. And WHY do you need an extra hours lie in!?” The reply comes swiftly back; “I’m revising”!

Sometimes of course that can be used as an excuse, but let me say from first hand experience that usually, it is the truth. Or at least partly the truth!

Revision is the bane of every teenager’s life. We probably don’t do as much as our teachers would like, and we know we didn’t do enough when we sit down in the exam hall and stare blankly at a question for ten minutes before thinking of any

thing to say! But, we struggle on and find ways to do it. Why? Because we are all chasing frantically after a set of GCSE results that will take us wherever we wish to go, and unlock the doors that stand in our way.

Of course, the end goal of secondary school is that set of precious qualifications, because secondary school is not the end of the road. It is simply a steppingstone on the path to some where else. We arrive fresh from primary school, ready to take this next step, and – after we

finish here- we step forwards again: whether it be into a job, an apprenticeship or on to sixth form.

I decided quickly when I agreed to write this speech that I wouldn’t include anything about how I

feel about leaving this school because nobody really needs to hear it from me. Many of us who are leaving will be sad to go, but most of us also relish the prospect of what the future holds. Many of

you who are in Years 7-10 will be sad to see us go, and I’m sure some of you will also be glad to see the back of us! When I see my fellow Year 11s sat here in front of me, I feel a sense of belonging, and also… pride:

Pride because I know how successful they could all be at what they want to do. Some of us are headed towards University degrees and city jobs, where as some of us will set up a little garage ‘in’t Cumbria’, and be very happy doing so!

It’s this wonderful diversity, which is evident in every year group that makes me so proud of mine. And that is my only message for all of you students: play to your strengths, and enjoy what you do, and I’m sure you will all find the right place to be. A steppingstone John Ruskin may be, but it is the nicest looking steppingstone in the river. Foot holes have been

worn away by the countless numbers who have gone before us, and, if we ever threatened to fall in the river and be swept away, there has always been a helping hand nearby.

Whilst we where at this school, we didn’t just receive an education. We lived, and made friends, fell out, played,

grew and developed into young adults, all under this roof.

As Mr Walker’s now legendary leavers assemblies always show, people change a lot between when they arrive and when they leave but change is inevitable, and positive, and hints at things yet to come…

Teachers and staff have been told before, and will be told again what I barely even need to voice: thank you, for all the

effort and fun. Alfred Hitchcock once said “The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder”, and I think that the length of speeches should be directly related to the length of the gap between when you sit

down and when your bum starts to ache, so I will finish now, with this last thought.

It’s always sad, to look back on the times that will never be repeated, but once the final bell has rung, and we walk through the open doors for the last time, we’ll head off into a world of opportunity, and leave behind us a

perfectly worn steppingstone, for new children to step steadily onto, and know what it is, to be a student at

John Ruskin School.

Bobby Gard-Storry

STEPPINGSTONES

This term we said goodbye to Year 11 and as is now tradition at John Ruskin School, we said farewell to them in a special leavers’ assembly. Mrs Bailey presented numerous certificates to prefects and head boys / head girls; David Bishop-Miller

was named as the student with the best attendance record, Holly Clarke delivered a personal tribute to teachers and friends and Mr Walker did his best to ridicule Year 11 for one last time. As part of that celebration, Bobby Gard-Storry wrote

and presented a speech about his time at John Ruskin School and printed for you below is the text in its entirety. Obviously,

Bobby’s animated delivery and confidence made it a powerful moment amidst the laughter and tears of leavers’ day. And as for Year 11, their next ‘stepping stone’ for them of course was the prom!

Mr Walker

HOW THE SCHOOL CAN SECURE MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION

Pupil Premium Parents will have heard through the news that the Government have decided to give extra money to schools based on the number of students eligible for free school meals. The benefit to an individual student is the cost each day of a school dinner £1.65 x 190 days = £313.50. The benefit to a school will be considerably more. Currently the school would receive an additional £430 per year or over £3,000 during a students’ time at secondary school and almost £2,600 while at senior school. Additionally, students who progress to higher education will have their fees waived in the first and second year of study. This could save them up to £18,000 over three years. The ‘pupil premium’ is due to rise over the course of this Parliament to almost £2,000—a big bonus to any school. If any parent feels they may be eligible because they meet the criteria which are :-

• Income support

• Income based Jobseekers Allowance

• An income related employment and support allowance

• Support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Action 1999

• Child Tax Credit

• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

It is in all our interests for you to apply. The link for the application form is : http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/537/955/1044/40091113529.pdf Completed forms need to be returned to:

Children’s Services Busher Walk Busher Walk Kendal LA9 4RQ

Robodance comes to JRS All of Year 9 were off timetable on Wednesday 14th July to take part in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) spon-sored Robodance. This day saw teams of four challenged to build and programme a robot to dance to a tune chosen by the team.

This involved a good deal of teamwork and skill in programming and designing. The teams rose to the challenge well, working enthusiasti-cally and effectively. I was amazed to see certain students putting in some overtime during break and lunch they were enjoying it so much.

After five lessons of sustained effort the stage was set for the dance off. Each team had to dance their robot keeping it in a set area and once it was turned on they could not touch it again, all the dance moves and timings were programmed into it. The robot had two motors that could be programmed to run forwards, backwards and at different speeds for different lengths of time. By varying the combinations of signals to the motors the robots danced. They also had lights that could be flashed for extra impact.

Judging the dances were the new head girl and head boy of Thurston house Jemma Cameron and Will Maher along with Mrs Bailey the headteacher. They were looking at programming, choreography, build quality and did the robot have the wow factor. The best robot from the ten teams was Robobob built and programmed by Hannah Dalton, Amy Noble, Holly Tucker, Jamie Gilles and James Johnston. Well done to them

Thanks goes to all of year nine who worked so hard and with such enthusiasm. Our thanks also go to Tony Gill from Cumbria STEM who bought along the robot kits and programming equipment and ran the session. The stu-dents loved it.

Mr A Callaway

WHAT’S ON THE TELLY?

As part of their Year 7 English course, students completed a media task where they analysed the different genres of

TV programmes and media audiences available for schedule makers. Then, in the style of a Channel 5 TV listings magazine advert, they had to produce information about an invented TV programme for a channel of their own. Here

are some examples of what Year 7 put on the box!

FUNNY YOU!

Your Friday ni

ght fun starts

here! With Ant

and Dec

as the hosts,

you are bound

to have loads

of fun. They

go all over the

UK to find the

ultimate funniest th

ings

in Britain.

The first of a t

wenty part se

ries consists of

an inter-

view with a pi

neapple lover

…the world’s o

nly guy to

marry a pineapp

le! Will his taste bud

s ever change

?

Plus an intervi

ew with Paul

the parrot – th

is perfect

parrot can make a s

lice of toast if

he is feeling

a bit

peckish and st

art a conversa

tion with you

if he’s feel-

ing a bit lonel

y.

And to top it

all off, Ant an

d Dec get an in

vitation to

Harry Jackson

’s house to ha

ve a look arou

nd the

‘Purple Paradi

se’, as Harry c

alls it – he onl

y buys stuff

that is purple;

even his food

, lights and ga

s fire are

coloured purp

le!

So can the pe

rfect pineappl

e, Paul the pa

rrot and the

purple paradis

e persuade yo

u enough to p

ause on

your perch to w

atch The Funn

iest Things in

Britain at

7.30 pm on Cha

nnel 6?

Jame Postlethwai

te 7 TH

SK8TE ON!

Sk8te On has got kids all over Britain skate boarding

home to watch it!

This new teenage drama is filmed in a skate board

park, next to the sea in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle.

Sk8te on is all about two groups of skate boarders that

live on opposite sides of town. The two groups are ene-

mies and choose to compete against one another at

competitions instead of representing Whitley Bay to-

gether…

Today’s episode features both groups of skaters prac-

tising their tricks for a national contest to see who Brit-

ain’s best skate boarding group is.

Will the rivalry continue or with they finally come to-

gether as one group?

This series isn’t just fun, it gives messages to teenagers

about how to communicate with adults.

So switch on the TV at 6.00 p.m. for your son or

daughter to enjoy Sk8te On!

Ioanna Stergiaki 7 TH

DEATH ROW…

This creepy, cryptic horror movie is ideal

for a good fright and it will definitely

make you scream! Ha ha ha ha!

The film features ghastly ghouls of

American prisoners from the early 1900s

killing a bunch of petrified students. The

film stars Simon Pegg as Andy and Rus-

sell Howard as Chris. The ghosts include Bucking Bill and Sav-

age Sarah, who were both jailed for

murder. We hope this movie doesn’t

scare you too much – and remember

viewers, when you’re alone, no one can

hear you scream… Thomas Yoxall 7 TH

FINALLY TOGE

THER?

Sit dow

n and watch Qu

ality Street with

all your

family at 7.30 p.m. on Ch

annel Six.

Kayleig

h and Johnny a

re finally engag

ed in

Quality Street!

Tom and Je

ssie are away o

n their honeym

oon

in Hawaii but it’

s coming to an end a

nd they try

to get home but w

hat’s Tom done w

ith the

tickets?

Back at

home, Kayliegh and

Johnny plan ou

t

their wedding –

what’s the bes

t date? Who’s

going to be the

best man? And Kayleig

h’s dad

doesn’t agree b

ut will they jus

t go through w

ith

it anyway?

And on

top of this, will

Max attend the

wed-

ding? Can Kayl

eigh’s step mum talk so

me

sense into him or not?

There’s only on

e way to

find out; tune i

n to Quality Str

eet.

Emma Roger

s 7 TH

MATHS CHALLENGE

May 6th saw the Junior Maths Challenge for Year 7 and 8 students. Twenty students were prepared to come to extra sessions, and spend an hour of their day having their brains

assaulted by some pretty tricky maths problems!

The result was that five students, Niall Cameron and Hector

Meanwell from Year 7, and Chloe Rowe, Chelsea Raines, and Andrew Vickers from Year 8, achieved a bronze certificate.

This was quite an achievement for the Year 7 students in

particular, and they are all to be congratulated on their efforts. Hopefully they can all be cajoled into trying for even

better next year!

Pictured, from left to right, are Chelsea, Andrew, Niall, (who was also best in school), Chloe and Hector

with their certificates.

Well done to them all! Mr Murray

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS

Well done to Esther Lambert, Freya Muir, Katy Giffiths and Ellie Meredith who have led some dance and netball clubs for younger students. This experience allows them credit towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The group and other dancers also trained in dance for four months in preparation for a concert. They can use that training to gain credit in this

scheme.

SCHOOL’S LINKING NETWORK - LOWRY INSPIRED CLAY WORK

A session with our Year 7 ‘ambassadors’ and Years 5 and 6 from Coniston Primary school took place this term in the art

room. Years 5 and 6 shared their experiences in Manchester on their residential and in particular, focused on a clay workshop

which they had done at the Lowry Centre. They then proceeded to work together, paired with a Year 7 from John Ruskin, to

create a figure inspired by LS Lowry’s ‘matchstick men’ paintings. It was a fun activity with everyone successfully creating a

mini sculpture and making new friends.

Mrs Walton

Jonathon Brown and Mr Stather make a start on our Jubilee Garden

YEAR 8 POETRY UNIT – MEMORIES OF THE DEAD

Students in Year 8 studied an anthology of poems all linked by the theme of death. Poets included W H

Auden, Dylan Thomas and Christina Rossetti. After they had responded to these poems by writing a formal,

literary essay comparing their three favourite texts, they had a chance to develop their own poetic techniques

and talents! Then one corner of Room 6 was transformed into a poetry filled graveyard! I hope you enjoy

these examples..

Mrs Kinsella

THE HAUNTING

The squeak

y floor,

The creaky

floorboard

.

The cobwe

bs and torn

curtains

Hanging in

the window

.

My torchlig

ht reflected

In the brok

en glass of

the mirror.

The stench

of mothba

lls

Was overpow

ering.

Along the c

orridor

The chande

lier suddenl

y lights

And flicker

s in the win

d.

The moon s

hows full

Through th

e circular w

indow

In the ceilin

g.

Then, just

Blackness…

By Rowan D

ust Ambler

8BT

R.

R.I.P.

Red poppies blossom

Where all the poppies lay.

A thousand screams can be heard

From that dark, dark day.

Our faces shone with pride

As we waved them off to war,

For how were we to know

We had just locked the door?

Families all must mourn

For the loved ones they have lost.

But we know we cry for nothing

For they are forever lost.

Death….the word slips out.

The meaning is unreal

How can I ever live

With all the emotions that I feel?

By Frankie Gard Storry 8BT

IN DEATH IN DEAT

H

In death

, I still lo

ve you.

Even tho

ugh tho

se angel

s have

conclude

d

Your sw

eet melo

dy,

And the

priest h

as playe

d his pa

rt.

The flow

ers are th

rown.

The pet

als drift s

lowly… e

ver

falling.

Like tea

r drops s

hining.

Glistenin

g like de

w drops

in

moonligh

t.

They lan

d and sh

atter like

glass

In an au

rora of c

olours.

By Si

obhan W

eston 8T

H

SHAKESPEARE – OFF BY HEART!

PUTTING JOHN RUSKIN SCHOOL IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

We recently received in school a letter from the BBC outlining details of a very exciting competition!

SHAKESPEARE – OFF BY HEART asked schools to nominate three students to go to Manchester in November 2011 to perform a famous Shakespearean speech which they will have learnt from a set list. They will also spend time working with professional actors and get a fantastic

opportunity to join a behind-the-scenes acting workshop. They will experience Shakespearean language like never before: they will learn how to breathe it, feel it, vocalise it

and make it their own. After the regional finals, just eight finalists will be selected to

battle it out on stage in London, in a bid to be crowned Schools Shakespeare Champion in an exciting televised final! I nominated three students and am delighted to say that we have been selected to take part in the Manchester heat on November 21st! The students who are going are: Jake Martin who will perform Shylock’s speech TO BAIT FISH

WITHAL from THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and Maddy Cole and Ella Martin who have both chosen to perform Helena’s

speech SHE IS ONE OF THIS CONFEDERACY! from A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM.

I am sure they will have a day they will never forget and look forward to giving you all a full and (fingers-crossed) very successful report in the Christmas edition

of The JRS Express!

!!! STOP PRESS !!!

! LIBRARY COMPETITION !

“READING IN UNUSUAL PLACES”

Have a photograph taken of yourself this summer reading in an unusual place - for example –

Reading the latest Michael Murpurgo at the top of Blackpool Tower,

dip into one of Bronte’s classics while lying on a beach in Hawaii

or could you flick through your GCSE Anthology while

bungee jumping in Outer Mongolia?

Entry form from the library in September.

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER READING

Mrs Emmett

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PARENTS’ EVENINGS on the following dates from 6—7:30pm

Year 8 Parents’ Evening 2 November 2011

Year 10 Parents’ Evening 17 November 2011

Year 9 Parents’ Evening 30 November 2011

Year 11 Parents’ Evening 23 February 2012

Year 7 Parents’ Evening 7 March 2012

REPORTS due out on the following dates:

Year 11 report 27 January 2012 Year 9 report 3 February 2012 Year 10 report 11 May 2012 Year 8 report 6 July 2012 Year 7 report 13 July 2012

TARGET SETTING DAY WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2011

FIRST FULL TEACHING DAY

THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2011

First is a description of a terrifying adversary written by Rosie Elkington-Crabtree (I do hope she didn’t find her inspiration for this character in any of the staff at John Ruskin…!)

With a flash of light, a sudden puff of smoke, but no sound, a figure appeared in front of me. The woman was not tall but was, never the less, terrifying. She wore a floor length ruby red dress; her intense black hair was scraped into a tight bun perching on top of her head, with two dagger-like locks on either side of her face. Her dark red lips curled into a sinister smile that did not reach her emerald eyes, which were surrounded by thick, black lashes. She lifted her hands, her skin ghostly pale and nearly translucent, jet black talons on the end of each bony finger. She wrapped her fingers around her face and screamed. The sound pierced my head and made my ears ring.

To end the school year with a somewhat scary sensation, Year 8 have been studying a selection of supernatural short stories! They are now in the process of putting all the many and varied techniques that have learnt into practise and are writing narratives of their own; seeing who can rise to the challenge of keeping Mrs Kinsella awake all night for fear of what lurks beneath her bed…! Although work is still ‘in progress’, I thought I would share with you just a few of the wonderfully descriptive pieces our talented writers are producing! But be warned - don’t read them alone…!

Next is a description of a so-called ‘nurse’ described by Chloe Hamilton as the brother and sister in her story wake to find themselves in a rather unusual hospital… “What have you done to him?!” My words were a mix of screaming and sobbing. “It’s OK. He’s just in shock. It’s from the crash.” Her reply is warm; soothing. She slides up to me and pulls me close. He arms are almost non-existant. She is unnaturally skinny. She wraps her skeletal limbs around me – well, one of them. The other one is reaching into her pocket. She lifts it out again but this time…This time she is holding a needle. I don’t struggle… I don’t resist… I give up and let the needle plunge into my arm. The drug starts to affect me instantly. Images of the drawing are flashing in my head. Then I remember the rope… It was around my neck. He drew me hanging…but from what? The intricate patterns of the rope lead off the page, but the rest is merely a murky haze.

And finally, Maddie Cole introduces her story with a very vivid description of an empty picture house, where her character is desperately trying to escape something that she doesn’t understand…

As I leaned against the door, I realised; I was alone. For the first time. No friends. No family. Even my conscience was absent. My breathing slowed, my heartbeat stopped hammering against my ribs. I could smell the buttered popcorn and the crimson velvet seats that rigidly stared, at the screen. I could see the darkness through the open skylight. The sky looked sticky; more like black treacle than the rich, deep navy that usually graced the midsummer night sky. It was as if the stars had been torn from the cosmic night. That’s when I felt a presence. I could feel the rawness that thrived in the air about me. Despite the fact there was no light, no movement, no life, I could sense the darkness that reigned over the atmosphere. Then, in the very corner of my eye, I saw a movement. It was like a shadow that swam through the existing shadows. Then, as quickly as it had appeared; it was gone. My hearts steady beat was replaced with that familiar hammering rhythm, and my breathing quickened. I took a cautious step towards the vast, silver screen that stood before me. It was usually so full of life, but now it was empty and dull. As my foot fell to the floor, a movie poster crumpled beneath it. I looked down to see the slightly torn “Rear Window” poster. My heart raced as my eyes fell upon James Stewart staring at me through glazed binoculars. Was he looking at me? My eyes then landed upon Grace Kelly in an enviable evening gown; in the brightest white; cut just above the ankle. She was beautiful. Something I

could only ever aspire to.

Year 8Year 8Year 8Year 8 Supernatural Short StoriesSupernatural Short StoriesSupernatural Short StoriesSupernatural Short Stories

GCSE Art and Design 2011

There was an exhibition of diverse art work on display in the art room from the talented Year 11 GCSE Art and Design group this summer. There were photographs of a photographic installation hung in the trees at

the bottom of the school playing field, a sheep’s skull painted with life symbols, black and white fashion designs, animations, intricate and beautiful drawing, wine bottle labels and a short film based on the world of computer games – and that was just their exam work! Coursework was equally individual and creative: amongst many exhibits there was an hour long feature film from Adam Pickford ( an amazing achievement from such a

young film maker), wonderful photographs from Rose Yates, Kim Askew and David Bishop Miller, ice hockey graphics and incredible sketchbooks from Bobby Gard Storry, sculpture and drawings based on horses from Rachael Lampard, a large self portrait painting by Anna Moulton and digitally transformed perfume bottles

from Katie Tebay. Jack Kennedy in Year 10 entered GCSE Photography: Lens and Light based media, submitting a portfolio of work based on the set theme of ‘Everyday’, choosing to shoot images in Asda supermarket, and coursework

based on portraits and landscapes.

Very well done to all.

The images below give a sall taste of their work:-

Mrs Walton

EXPRESSIVE ARTS—BALLET TRIP

The term started with a balmy evening at Keswick, here

a group of students saw Beauty and the Beast, performed in a ballet/contemporary style by

Ballet Wales.

This trip was a good contrast to Arthur Miller’s

A View from the Bridge seen just before Easter.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS – LONDON ADVENTURE

We have been invited by Grizedale Arts

(a local arts group) to be part of The Festival of Britain’s 60th Anniversary Celebration in London in September. This includes a

performance by our Year 11 students at the ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, an pportunity not to be missed. Students are to perform a

play penned by RAY DAVIES of THE KINKS.

Music of various decades 1950 to the present day will help us follow the lives of 3 couples who start as children in 1950 and

the play follows their lives. Russell Peet an ex-student is directing the play, whilst staff act

as project managers. We travel and rehearse over two days at

the site, on Sunday 4th September we perform the play. It may be possible to see this play at the Coniston Institute in Septem-

ber. Approach the school for details in September if keen.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS IN THE CLASSROOM……Year 7 to 11

A great set of performances by all year groups ended the year well. Year 7 performed a re enactment of the

Harry Potter breakfast scene, whilst Year 8 entertained and scared us with the tale of real and hoax fairies. Meanwhile Year 9 took us to different worlds with the Secret Garden variations. Congratulations to Year 10 for

completing their Unit 1 coursework inspired by Crosby beach sculptures. Finally a goodbye and good luck to the

Year 11 Expressive Arts group. A really professional set of final pieces performed in May.

Miss Sharp

HAWKSHEAD DANCE CLUB

I have been pleased to work at Hawksead in both lessons and at clubs this term. The dance club and I created a piece for a

Fantasia performance at the Lakes school in June. It was lovely to work with such keen and energetic young people. Well done to them on their work and interest.

THE ARTS

SPORTS DAYS 2011—THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

Congratulations to every single one of you. The com-

petitors were fantastic and a lot of this was down to the unbelievable support given by everyone watching.

Personally I am delighted with the way everyone accepted and embraced the ‘new look’ Sports Days

and I am sure you will all agree that the two days

went very well.

My highlights of the Friday Sports Day were Ben Wal-

ton’s speedy start to the boy’s relay even though he

had been apparently limping all morning, the boys’ 100m show race which had Jack ‘Flying Man’ Flynn

timed at an exceptional 12.38 seconds with Brett Ush-er running an amazing 13.01 seconds to come second.

Esther Lambert’s excellent performance across all the events she took part in and Florence James proving

she is the fastest girl in the school with a excellent

14.86 in a particularly strong Year 9 and 10 girls group.

Miss Sharp’s highlights of the events were the great

fitness shown by Katy Griffiths with her excellent 1500m race in 6.36 seconds and Jack Edmondson’s

5.53sec. Kerensa Hannah and Ioanna Stergiaki ran a competitive 100m race and this ended closely with

Kerensa winning. The show races were a joy with de-

termination shown and sheer dedication. The speeds from Jack and Florence were awesome. The Year 9

and 10 male sprinters overall were great for me e.g. Liam Owen, Jack Flynn, Brett Usher, Bradley Treeby,

Will Maher, Zak Robinson, Jack Feeney, Josh Rogers

were a joy. The relays are a favourite of mine and I enjoyed these super team events. At field events day

it was a joy to see such excellent throwing skills from Brittany Ryce, Charity Gallagher, Kieran Wear, Will

Maher, Zak Robinson, Laura Davidson, in Years 9 and 10. Younger students Maddie Cole and James

Postletwaite in long jump and Amy Hambly, Niall Cam-

eron and Joe Hadwin all throwing well. My final high-light is the overall good attitude by all involved as

spectators and competitors.

This year the sports day competitors were chosen by staff on an invitation basis. The criteria for entry was

to invite the most able students in those events seen in class. After that we looked at only allowing any one

student in so many events. Trying to make teams fair

was important. We only wanted people willing to take part involved.

We as a Department are pleased a number of other

students also wanted to be involved . Sadly we could not fit in everyone on this occasion. We are pleased

you have shown such an interest. Not all students were involved, this is usual.

Thank you for enthusiasm shown.

Well done to teams and individuals who sorted out problems with injuries, illness and absences and still

got teams out, a true team approach and good organization.

At Sports Days 2011 we all witnessed some true skill

and fabulous movement which is what sport is all

about, it really was poetry in motion. A great year! BT were this years winners who won by 19 points. At the

end of day 1 BT took the lead with 177 to TH’S 165. A closely fought competition from both houses.

Miss Sharp and Mr Metcalf

YEAR 7 SOUTH LAKES ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNE 2011

On a lovely sunny day we set off to the lakes venue to compete and have some challenge. Well done to competitors at this event where nine local schools took part. Fifteen students attended and we gained some positive results with a number of second and third places scored. We were impressed with the

attitude determination and guts of our small squad.

Team….Niall Cameron, John Barr, Bradley Smith, Tom Yoxall, Daniel Armistead, Joe Hadwin, Angus Hosking and Jack Edmondon.

Ashleigh Booth, Ellie Park, Ioanna Stergiaki, Chloe Carroll, Amy Hambly, Kerensa Hanna and Ruth Lambert.

Best Results …..Joe Hadwin 2nd in shot, Niall Cameron 3rd in shot, Jack Edmondson 4th in 1500m with an excellent 5mins and 53 secs. Ioanna Stergiaki 3rd in heat. Kerensa Hanna 3rd in heat, John Barr 3rd in heat. Ashleigh Booth 5th in 800m in a large group. Amy Hambly and Chloe Carroll threw well in the javelin. The relay take-overs and sprinting very pleasing. John Barr, Niall Cameron and Kerensa Hanna have a lovely sprinting style.

As a result of the fixture Joe Hadwin has been invited to represent the South Lakes in the District finals at

Copeland. Niall Cameron travels as reserve, well done to them.

Miss Sharp and Mr Metcalf

Students enjoying Cheetah Challenge 2011

On the 19th June 2011 two members of JRS staff completed the Great North Swim for charity to help raise money for people with Cerebral Palsy

Miss Nelson and Miss Shuttleworth trained hard in the run up to the event including a dip in Coniston Water — our apologies to the Gondola driver!!!!

They both managed to complete the event which was a mile swim in Windermere in under 40 minutes

Almost £400 was raised for their charity.

Many thanks to all students, staff and members of the community who supported us.

We will repeating the feat again next year if any parents or staff would like to join us.

Coniston Swimming Pool – I would like it open in 2012 …Can you help???

This resource for the area and our school is based on site at our school. Recently, due to financial constraints because of government cuts it became unviable to continue the maintenance and staffing at the level required.

I have applied for a grant from a local foundation and hope this kick starts the process of getting it reopened in 2012.

I am conscious everyone is busy but feel any help, as a one off, once in a while or more regularly would benefit us all. A pool locally saves time and money. It is convenient. In a rural location it is such an advantage.

CAN YOU HELP ??? HOW MIGHT YOU HELP ??? MAKE A DONATION ???

Help set up a committee to help jointly plan a strategy for how a local non school group could manage the pool at weekends and evenings June to August?

Join the local committee? Be a lifesaver and offer an occasional evening? Give me some ideas of grants or other strategies? Attend an ideas meeting in September 2011?

As a teacher who teaches others to swim I believe my work is valuable to promote water safety

and I would like to continue this for our students and to primary students who visit to work with us.

We have a strong community and the community is known for pulling together in times of adversity.

There have been many in the past who have worked together to keep this fantastic village amenity open to whom we have all been extremely grateful. It would be wonderful to think that we could pull a strong team together once again

so that everyone can enjoy and reap the benefits of having a swimming pool within our locality.

I am very happy to speak to any one who has any ideas or offers of support. Please contact me at school,

preferably by email at g.s@jrs.org.uk and I will contact you. Alternatively, please telephone school on 015394 41306, however I will pick up emails at home but school will be closed for the summer from 22/07/2011 to 04/09/2011.

Thank you in anticipation.

Miss G Sharp

STAFF CHANGES

We are saying farewell to a number of colleagues, mainly from the support staff.

Mrs Maureen Hadwin

Mrs Hadwin has been at John Ruskin School for the best part of 25 years. She came to us when her two boys, Grant and Ross started school, to help in the kitchen and subsequently became a lunchtime supervisor. Her length of service demon

strates great dedication and loyalty and I am sure that all the past Headteachers would join me in thanking her for her long service to the school.

I hope she will go on to be as active as she always has. Over the years Maureen has helped organised extra-curricular

badminton and has joined many school events such as Year 11 Leavers’ proms and the Duddon/Cheetah Challenge, clearly

demonstrating her enjoyment of the company of young people. I know that she is still a keen ballroom dancer and an avid ‘Take That’ fan (she has great taste!).

Despite the tragedy that befell her family last year when she lost her lovely grand-daughter,

Eva May, to sudden infant death syndrome she clearly engenders a ‘can-do’ attitude within her family. They have raised £10,000 to support research into this tragic circumstance that affects

too many families. She galvanised the whole school into action on 13th May to walk a ‘Mile in Memory’ as a fundraising activity.

Very happily, I believe that there is another baby on the way and I hope that Maureen will

enjoy the extra time she will be able to spend with her family.

We wish you the very best for the future Maureen, and thank you so very much for your long and active service to the school community.

Mr Don Shepherd

Mr Shepherd has been at John Ruskin School for 16 years as ‘cleaner in charge’. It is not so long ago that he was also a staff

governor.

I have very much appreciated his support and common sense approach when we have had readmittance meetings for

students returning after an exclusion. As a Justice of the Peace he could adopt a very stern demeanour and tell a few

salutary tales to our students about people who had not taken their school life seriously enough and had ended up in front of him as criminals.

He has been such a reliable and dedicated member of staff who has helped to look after the school environment for so many

years. He has organised the teams of cleaners so effectively, keeping a weather eye on some of our students who have joined his team to earn some extra pocket money. I know that they have valued his kindness and

tolerance earning their respect and friendship.

Don too has suffered dreadful family losses, but he remains stoical and matter of fact through out with a serenity that must come from his faith. He is a very active member of the church and

is generally a pillar of the community.

In recent years he has been dragged (?) to some of the more remote corners of the world by his wife Kay. We wish Kay a speedy recovery and I hope that she and Don will continue to enjoy life

in the years to come.

Mr Jack Pattinson

Mr Pattinson is another long-serving member of staff having been at John Ruskin School for 13 years.

He has taken on a great range of responsibilities, starting as a classroom assistant and studying while in post to improve his

understanding of that role. Subsequently as successive Headteachers realised his practical skills he became a technician, supporting the technology department and becoming the sound and lighting technician for school productions.

He has also worked alongside Mrs Hadwin as lunchtime supervisor, ensuring the safety of our students whilst taking care of

their health as well, as a first aider.

Latterly, he has had the unenviable role of Health and Safety Co-ordinator. All of which he has done with a sense of humour and a cheerful attitude. He really is a ‘Jack of all trades’ with a smile on his face.

He has gained several qualifications on the way and has truly lived up to the vision of the school

‘to encourage life-long learners’. In fact only last month he was invited to London to receive his second ‘Adult Learners’ Week’ award for life-long learning.

I have no doubt that Mr Pattinson will continue to stay busy – apart from anything else he has quite a

menagerie of animals on his small-holding. I will miss those free range eggs!

Many thanks for all you have done over the years Jack. I know you will be missed by many.

Mr David Graham Mr Graham has taught music at John Ruskin School for the last six years and has become one of the stalwarts of the Cheetah Challenge and the Expedition Group. As a gifted musician, Mr Graham has produced some memorable contributions for school events. He has com posed some beautiful pieces that have been performed at our Christmas Carol services; last Christmas was particularly memorable. He has truly amazing skills on piano and has supported students, as well as accompanying Miss Flanagan when she sings opera. He has been amenable in accommodating the vagaries of the JRS timetable to make sure that we can personalise it for particular Key Stage 4 students. I am sure that there will be other schools waiting to snap up his fantastic talent and expertise. We wish him every success in the future.

Mrs Carol Callaway Mrs Callaway joined the school just two years ago but has made a great impact in that relatively short time. We were so fortunate that at the point when I became Head and we needed a capable person to take on the role of SENCo from me, Carol had applied to be a teaching assistant but had the expertise to fulfil the role of SENCo. She has co-ordinated the Learning Support team and brought a great amount of expertise and knowledge from her previous experience. She has supported students with calmness and good humour and has likewise liaised with a range of specialist agencies and parents. She also volunteered to pick up the role of Gifted and Talented co-ordinator and has brought order and interest so that school can more effectively provide appropriate challenge for those students. I know that parents have greatly valued Carol’s support, as has school and I would like to thank her for all she has done. I believe she is going to sit back and take some time out of the world of work for a while at least, so we hope she enjoys the peace and quiet that awaits her.

Mrs Sarah Goffe Mrs Goffe has only been with us for a year but her steady hand and unruffle-able demeanour have given stability and expertise in the maths department, alongside Mr Murray. We greatly appreciate what she has done for school, not only in Maths, but her enthusiasm in helping at events such as the Cheetah Challenge and the Coniston 14. She is now going to enjoy a life where she has complete control over what she does and is not going to be ruled by the school bell. We wish her well and hope she continues to enjoy life in the Lake District, being able to make the most of what it has to offer.

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Key board stand. Designed and made by

Adam Pickford

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AM/FM Radio case with recycled circuit.

Designed and made by

Vincent Teetsov

Air Rifle case. Designed and made by

Kyle Piper.

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Cottage style coffee table with inlayed chess board.

Designed and made by David Bishop-Miller

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Solid oak coffee table. Designed and made by Reuben Woodhouse

Year 11 group are first to complete the new exam board specification for Design and Technology.

This summer saw the first set of students to complete the new GCSE with the design and making of some very good quality coursework products.

Traditionally this subject gave the students the opportunity to work with a very open design brief and in the past we have had many varied and interesting products produced including guitars, bike trailers, snooker cues and kite buggies, but with the advent of the new controlled assessments the students

had to choose from a list of twelve board set tasks. Having said that there was still scope for diversity and creativity, and again this current year has pro-duced some excellent quality and unique products including coffee tables with inlayed chessboards,

bird tables, radios using recycled circuits, eco friendly jewellery and key board stands. All the students worked hard to meet the deadlines and have hopefully have reinforced their prospects

of a good GCSE result by doing well in the recent written exam that they took.

Mr Burns

YEAR 11 STEP INTO THE FUTURE