At the end of the busy Autumn Term and
the beginning of the festive season, it is
always a meaningful time to pause and
celebrate Christmas with the “family” that
is The County High School, Leftwich.
Recently, driving behind a car with the
often-ignored reminder in its window that
“A Dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, I
thought about Coco, our “family pet” who
was born in December, a Christmas
present for her first owner before being
introduced to County High School students
and staff, her third or fourth “owners” in as
many months of her little life. She is now
four, much loved, contented, calm and
(usually)
graded
“outstanding”
for
behaviour. I was thus touched and
delightfully surprised by Meg Mattinson’s
talented design of our Academy’s
Christmas card this year: her attention to
detail caught Coco’s features accurately
and depicted her in the snow playfully
approaching a robin – my favourite festive
symbol.
Such thoughtfulness is characteristic of the
majority of County High School Students
and being their Principal is a gift in itself.
Year 11 have studied assiduously for their
trial examinations, yet they have also
prepared seriously for the traditional Senior
Citizens’ Party – and students across the
year groups and staff have donated many
gifts. This year, also, the Academy has
supported the ”Children’s Adventure Farm
Trust” near Altrincham. Student donations of
gifts and selection boxes will generate
Christmas joy for many disabled and
disadvantaged children. Thank you to all
the mums and dads who have supported
their sons and daughters in making these
donations. I enjoyed thanking many of you
personally at our annual Christmas Concert,
December 11th and Year 7 Carol Service,
December 14th, both of which are always
heart-warming community events.
As a community, we are always aware that
for some families Christmas can be
challenging economically and/or because
of illness or bereavement. However, we are
also mindful that caring, compassion, true
friendship and love are the real messages
of this special time of year. These attributes
need not be expensive and are often
exhibited throughout the year in the
“family” that is The County High School,
Leftwich. Therefore, to this very special
“family”, I thank you for your positive and
valued contributions and wish you all a
Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New
Year!
WINNING
CHRISTMAS
CARD DESIGN BY
MEG MATTINSON
Following on from the success of
our collection of Christmas gifts
for The Children's Adventure
Farm Trust, we have been
thanked by the charity for our
kindness and generosity.
CAFT would like to say a big
'thank you' for our donations
along with the proceeds from
the cake sale held by 7C - they
will really make a difference to
some local children's lives this
Christmas.
Mrs L. Galloway
Learning Support Assistant
Kingsmead, Comberbach, Great
Budworth and Leftwich Primary
Schools were in attendance for the
annual
Quicksticks
Hockey
tournament.
Some good Indian Dribbling and
passing was on show as the goals
kept popping in the back of the
net. Some good strong tackles
went in to prevent the forwards
advancing.
Well done to Leftwich Primary who
Won 3 games and drew one
scoring an impressive 9 goals! They
will represent the cluster at the
partnership finals!
Thank you to Winnington Park
Hockey club – if you are interested
in training with them please see their
website or visit a training session on
a Tuesday night at Sir John Deane’s.
Mrs H. Marklove
Teacher of PE
Year 8B 1-1 V's Winsford Players Player Izzy Cleague
Year 9 lost 3-6 V's Winsford Players Player Cerys Pilliner
Year 7 won 3-0 V's Winsford Players Player Harriet Nixon
Year 8 won 21-4 V's Middlewich
Players Player Laura Colloby
Year 9 lost 5-6 V's Middlewich
Players Player Cerys Pilliner
Year 10 won 21- 3 Vs Middlewich
Players Player Leah Ahovi
Year 11 won 11-5 V's Middlewich
Players Player Hatti Davis
On Wednesday 18th November,
after several weeks of preparation
during English enrichment, The
County High School, Leftwich,
entered two teams into the Local
Heats’ round of the Rotary Youth
Speaks competition: a respected
and admired event.
The Year Nine students involved
were: Alex James, Michaela
Attfield,
Sophie
Beckingham,
Kieran Baddeley, Harry Dooley
and Chris Le - without exception,
they performed magnificently.
Both teams took on one of three
roles which saw them present to
an honoured audience, including
a local judge, at Mid-Cheshire
College as part of the first round in
the competition. CHSL students
found themselves pitched against
two other groups from highly
regarded education providers.
The two speeches conceived by
each of the groups were
stimulating, eloquently delivered
and charming with touches of
humour
to
invigorate
the
assembled
audience.
They
engrossed
the
guests
with
powerful arguments about the
inappropriate presentation of
women in the media and the
importance of freedom of
speech.
Outstandingly, the two teams
secured the first (Alex, Michaela
& Sophie) and second (Kieran,
Harry & Chris) places at the Local
Heats! CHSL swept the leader
board! Both teams now progress
to the District stage in February,
and we wish them lots of luck
and success. Our congratulations
go to both teams: you did
yourselves proud!
Miss R. Williams
Second in English
We always try to return named
clothing and property to its owner
but cannot do so if items are
unnamed or if name markings are
illegible/faded. Please can you
regularly check that all your
child’s items are clearly marked
with his or her name (including
ties, coats and shoes if possible)?
If students are missing something
please ask them to check with the
main office.
Friday, December 4th was a
special day at The County High
School, Leftwich, because we
received a visit from our Member
of Parliament, Graham Evans.
Mr. Evans rewarded Sophie
Beckingham, Year 10, with a bag
full of gifts, in particular a framed
copy of her entry in the “Best
High School” category
of the MP for Weaver Vale’s
School
Christmas
Card
Competition, 2015.
Sophie was delighted to meet
Mr. Evans and appreciated he
had made the time, in his busy
schedule,
to
make
the
presentation himself.
Miss J. Brandreth
Principal
On Monday 7th December, Year
10 Students were visited by Gen
Kelsang Chokyong from the
Odiyana
Kadampa
Buddhist
Centre in Northwich as part of the
Education for Life Religious Studies
curriculum.
Gen
Kelsang
Chokyong hosted an assembly in
which he discussed his life as a
practising Buddhist and the art of
meditation, whilst encouraging
students to consider their mental
wellbeing and develop their
coping strategies during their
GCSE studies. Year 10 students
were even given the opportunity
to
practice meditation
for
themselves! We would like to
thank Chokyong for his time and
well done to Year 10 for taking
part.
Miss K. Clark
Learning Leader: Education for Life
Creative Cafe has gone from
strength to strength, with numbers
attending at an all-time high.
Students have entered lots of
national competitions, with many
having great success getting their
work published. This half term we
launched the competition, 12
Words of Autumn, to all Key
Stage 3 students. We were
overwhelmed by lots of lovely
entries, many of which are now
displayed in school. However,
there was one stand-out entry
which was a favourite with all of
the
judges.
A
huge
congratulations to Year 8
student Sophie Harper, who
managed to sum up autumn
beautifully in just twelve words!
It has been a great year for the Year
9 football team who have gone
through their programme of fixtures
for the season unbeaten. Playing
some fantastic football the boys
worked really hard as a team, won
all their 11-a-side league matches
and were crowned Champions of
the district just after half term.
fashion they rose to the occasion
winning their remaining group
games. They played St Nicholas in
the final which finished in a 1-1
draw but held their nerve in the
penalty shoot out to complete the
double and be crowned 5-a-side
champions as well.
Fresh from this success the team
then entered the district 5-a-side
tournament held at Middlewich. In
absolutely atrocious weather of
strong winds and torrential rain they
drew their opening game with
Hartford. This put the boys under
great pressure because any other
slip-ups would have resulted in them
not qualifying for the final. In true
‘The mighty oak weeps and its
silent tears are colourful autumn
leaves’
Mrs L. Garratt
Teacher of English
Mr P. Bowden
Teacher of Maths
The annual Christmas Concert
was
held
on
Friday
11th
December.
All of the Academy’s music
groups were involved such as the
flute
group,
wind
band,
woodwind band, rock bands
and Brassed Off.
A wonderful start to the festive
season!
Monday the 14th of December saw
The County High School, Leftwich
annual Year 7 Carol Service. Carols
were sung joyously by all of Year 7,
well
accompanied
by
the
Academy’s very own band. The
leading song was opened by Hayley
James who beautifully sang a solo
verse of 'Once in Royal David’s City'.
Along with Miss Brandreth and Miss
Thornton, several Year 7 students also
gave readings from the New
Testament. The spirit of Christmas was
embraced and shared with all our
guests, family and friends of The
County High School Community.
Mrs K. Berry
Learning Leader: Year 7
On Tuesday 15th December the Year
11 students hosted our Senior Citizens’
Christmas Party. Weeks of planning
and preparations made the event a
roaring
success.
Tables
were
decorated
with
balloons
and
crackers; hampers and gifts were
wrapped; cards were written and the
Christmas music played.
Guests enjoyed their traditional
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings
cooked by the fantastic and
hardworking catering team. Year 11
students catered to the guests’ needs
by serving the drinks and food in a
most professional manner.
Entertainment was provided by the
Year 11 GCSE dance group who
performed to the classic Rockin’
Robin by the Jackson 5. Bingo games
were enjoyed, and a quiz created by
the students themselves proved most
entertaining. Special mention must
go to Callum Jackson and Jessie
Lonsdale who performed a number
of Christmas themed songs and
medleys. Father Christmas made his
annual entrance to provide the gifts
and hampers for the guests to much
applause.
A huge thank you to all students,
parents/carers and staff, on behalf of
everyone at The County High School,
Leftwich, for donating items for the
event or for giving their time so
generously.
We received so many positive
comments, and saw so many happy
smiling faces at the end of the party
that we are already very much
looking forward to continuing the
tradition next year.
Mr S. Burton
Learning Leader: Geography
PARENT PORTAL
You are able to look at ‘lesson
monitor’, where a number from
1 to 4 will indicate the
contribution your child is making
in each lesson.
1)
2)
3)
4)
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
If you wish to discuss any of the
information about your child’s
current progress, please contact
the school.
If you require new log in details for
the Parent Portal, please email
[email protected].
GENERAL ENQUIRES: 01606 333300
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relating to articles in
this edition including
all the latest
Academy News and
Information.
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The County High School, Leftwich
Granville Road
Leftwich
Northwich
Cheshire CW9 8EZ
e-mail: [email protected]