HAWTHORN HIGHLIGHTS
UCHAFBWYNTIAU HAWTHORN
ISSUE 01 March 2013
www.hawthornhighschool.co.uk
COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIP
MEETING THURSDAY 21st MARCH @
7.00pm in the Hawthorn Pub. We are
currently
recruiting
Parents,
Grandparents, Relatives and local
businesses to become part of our
new supporters group Friends of
Hawthorn High School. You will be
involved
in
planning
events,
fundraising activities for the benefits
of the pupils of Hawthorn. Please
contact Mrs. A. Lambert on 01443
841228 for further details.
Llangrannog
Welcome to Hawthorn High School’s first edition of Hawthorn Highlights Year 10
GCSE Media Studies are proud to be involved in helping to produce a new product
for parents, pupils, wider community and our future intake. We hope this
newsletter gives you a further insight into aspects of school life.
PESS 2013 ORIENTEERING
Hawthorn High School and our cluster Primary and Infant schools have
been closely working together in Physical Education and School Sport .
We are currently working as a cluster on the provision of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
with the emphasis on Orienteering. Our agreed priority is to ensure clear progressions and
pathways in learning across Schools, Clubs and Communities and to promote OAA as a vehicle
through which transferable ‘skills for life’ can be developed.
Resources in all schools are being upgraded to integrate cross curricular opportunities using
orienteering as a teaching tool. Staff will be trained this term to deliver the activities and every
school premises will be mapped with permanent signs for regular use. Once orienteering is
established at each Cluster School with the assistance of specialist High School staff, pupils will
be invited to attend an inter-primary school competition at Hawthorn to celebrate and display
their new skills in a sports festival which will be led by Sports Leaders from Hawthorn. The final
aim is to offer orienteering as not only an activity to be used at all primary and infant schools as
part of the curriculum but to introduce the sport as an extra-curricular activity. Hawthorn
Primary School pupils are also attending ‘taster sessions’ with the sixth form students at the
high school in the coming weeks.
Hawthorn
High
School
continued its long tradition
of taking pupils to the Urdd
Welsh Language centres
when pupils in Year 7
attended Llangrannog for a
three day Welsh Language
course organised by the
Welsh Department.
The pupils enjoyed taking
part in all of the activities on
offer as well as improving
their grasp of speaking
Welsh. The assault course
was one of the favourites
judging by both the mud and
the laughter!
Mr Morrissi who organised
the visit said "The pupils
clearly made the most of
their time at Llangrannog
and I must commend them
on their excellent behaviour
- Da Iawn Pawb!"
REPORTING BACK
Headteacher Report January 2013
Last term we asked your
opinions on how well you feel
the school is doing in attempting
to meet its priorities for your
children. 100 parents took the
time to respond to the survey
and we would like to thank
everyone who took the time to
complete the questionnaire. The
survey gave us a good idea of
how satisfied parents are that
we are delivering on our
priorities.
You gave us a response, for the
most part, of either strongly
agree/agree/disagree
or
strongly disagree to each of the
questions
and we have
calculated what percentage of
each response we were given to
each of them.
97% of parents said that the
experiences and provision for
their children during
transition from primary to
Hawthorn High School was
excellent, very good or
satisfactory.
At the lower end of the table
were the scores for the
information that we provide you
with to keep you informed about
your child’s progress at school
(67% agree or strongly agree)
Actually, the school scored well
on each priority and the lowest
score still tells us that the
majority of parents either agree
or strongly agree that this is a
positive area of the school’s
work. 24% of parents were
unsure about the schools
procedures for dealing with
complaints. (These details can be
found on our school website.)
Overall you told us that you are
pretty happy that we are doing
well. There were no low marks.
Aiming for excellence
Hawthorn High School aims for
excellence. Your responses are
helping us set our targets for
improvement.
Thus the highest percentage of
parents either agreed or
strongly agreed that their child
likes coming to Hawthorn High
School (92%), that their children
were helped to settle in well
when they came to school (92%)
and that staff here always
expect their children to work
hard and do their best (95%).
Over the next year we will be:
Reviewing
the
school’s
homework
policy
and
homework timetable.
Reviewing our system
reporting to parents
My child is encouraged to be
healthy and to take regular
exercise’.
of
Developing a school newsletter
to keep you informed about
school events and successes.
We hope you enjoy this first
edition.
REPORTING BACK
Percentage of parents who scored the school as good or excellent in these questions:
ATTENDANCE REWARD CHALLENGE
Our attendance reward challenge is very simple and works on the principle of rewarding pupils for
achieving 100% attendance. Every week your child’s Form Tutor will receive an attendance print out for
their group and will reward every pupil with 100% attendance a raffle ticket. The more raffle tickets that
your child receives the greater the chances of winning the big prize. We are currently seeking
sponsorship from local businesses and already have a number of excellent prizes.
The target for attendance across the LEA is 95% therefore we must use every possible opportunity to
promote good attendance throughout the school. School Attendance is a shared responsibility by all staff
and parents and we ask for your support in ensuring that this
initiative is promoted with your children.
School Attendance is of great importance, as attendance is a
key requirement to increasing standards of educational
achievement. There is clear evidence of the correlation
between attendance and attainment and although it is clear
that we are all working hard to improve the attendance of our
children, more needs to be done to witness significant
improvement and to meet our school and LEA targets.
SUBJECT NEWS
ENGLISH KEY STAGE 3: Year 7 Readathon Following the success of
the Bilbo Baggins Reading Challenge where pupils watched the
newly released film The Hobbit , the Readathon is a charity event
that will be part of Hawthorn’s celebration of 'World Book Day'.
Last year’s event raised over £300
ENGLISH KEY STAGE 4: Year 11 English revision sessions are
provided during Wednesday lunchtimes. FREE baguette!
DRAMA: Rehearsal schedules for Year 11/12/13 practical acting
are posted weekly outside Rooms 4 and 5.
MEDIA STUDIES: Revision sessions held every Tuesday Lunchtime
in Room 4.
HISTORY: The 'Bring Your Brain To Breakfast' Revision Club has
started for Year 11 GCSE pupils. Toast and crumpets are on offer
whilst pupils practise their exam technique with past paper
questions. Pupils in Key Stage 3 are investigating local war
memorials for the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative, a national
competition entered by the pupils. The We Will Remember Them
project is aiming to produce a database of those who died in
Pontypridd during the First World War and find out more
information about these brave people. Pupils have visited the
Rhydyfelin War Memorial and are planning a similar visit to the
Pontypridd Roll of Honour in Ynysangharad Park. Local members of
the community have been kind enough to lend artefacts to the
group and have visited the school to talk about their relatives and
their own research on the topic. If you could help the group with
this project we would very much like to hear from you.
MUSIC: Orchestra Rehearsals Tuesday lunchtimes
5x60
Inter-School
Gymnastics Competition
The 5x60 officer, the PE departments of
both schools in the cluster and the head
coach of the 5x60 Gym sessions have
been working in partnership. During
December 2012, it was decided to hold an
inter-school cluster competition to help
prepare pupils for the 5x60/school
gymnastics competitions in the spring
term. It was held during curriculum time
and in after school sessions at the school
gym at Cardinal Newman school.
The competition was also fortunate to
have an Olympic Gymnast, Jessica Hogg
to score the tumble runs on the day of
the competition .
Weekly 5x60 after school sessions with
Kellie are delivered on both school sites
for pupils to attend. The purpose of the
sessions are to have fun, meet new
friends, keep fit or if pupils choose to help
prepare pupils for the spring term 5x60/
school gym competitions.
The sessions have proven very successful
to date with excellent retention rates.
The pupils are now working towards a
further
inter-school
cluster
gym
competition at Hawthorn High School
gym in January 2013.
In the Spring Term the officer will be
continuing the gymnastics in after school
sessions delivered by Kellie the head
coach also supporting the lunchtime
sessions at both schools. Sessions will
also prepare pupils for the 5x60 RCT
school competition in February.
I really enjoyed coming to the
competition today, it was so nice
to be the judge for a change
Jessica Hogg GB Gymnast
It is so nice to see how the pupils
have progressed over the term
Claire 5x60
I can’t believe I won the U13 girls
competition, I am so pleased!
PERFORMING ARTS
Cinderella November 2012
Hawthorn’s annual School Production was of a completely different genre this year as
David Wood’s version of the traditional pantomime Cinderella was presented at the
school at the end of
November.
Over 60 pupils were
involved
in
the
production both on
and off-stage and
audiences
were
thrilled by the high
standards presented
by the creative team.
Caitlin Woodland as
Cinderella was most
impressive in her first
principal role ably
supported by Kirsty Hussien as Prince Charming. Bella and Donna, the Ugly Sisters,
were extremely well played by Connor Mould and Thomas Austin - their comedy
timing was superb! Harry Nurton as King Septimus and Yasmin Watkins as Queen
Ermintrude made a very convincing “Royal” couple indeed. Dafydd Richards as Baron
Hardy was his usual excellent stage self and his part in the “chase through the woods”
scene was hilarious. Holly Field made a very convincing Jester and Sophie Price was
the quintessential Fairy Godmother. The two Mice, played by Emily Austin and
Bethan Lisles were perfect companions for Cinderella and gave the Uglies a run for
their money! The ensemble cast members sang with gusto and gave excellent
support throughout the many scenes from the opening Christmas Fayre to the
Masquerade Ball at the palace. Musical
numbers drove the narrative with
integrated scene changes of background projection helping to keep the show flowing.
Combined with a lighting array of colourful washes and use of glitter ball, Hawthorn’s
Cinderella was a visual and aural feast for its audience.
Cinderella was a fantastic show! I
thoroughly enjoyed playing the part of
Donna one of the Ugly Sisters. I was
fortunate to be a cast in a leading role
and got to develop my drama skills;
voice,
movement,
gesture,
choreography and how to interpret
and portray a convincing character.
Connor Mould Year 11
Carol Service
The Carol Service of 2012 was of a very high standard with over 60 pupils taking part to put
St Luke's Church
2012. There were beautiful solo items from Amiee Morgan, leading the first verse in Once in
on a great performance for all those who attended St Luke’s Church on the 18 th December
Royal David’s City, Thomas Austin singing the German Carol, Sophie Price singing the first
verse of Silent Night, A Cradle Song by Emily Austin and Scarlet Ribbons by Clarissa Radcliffe.
Festive piano solos were provided by Taylor Jenkins and Morgan Davies.There were also
group ensembles from the sixth form, choir, guitar ensembles, Year 11 girls and a Key Stage 3
vocal group. Winter Wonderland and Merry Christmas Everybody were particularly enjoyed
for their upbeat swing style, whilst the Walking in the Air, Away in a Manger and Welsh Song
Stori’r Preseb were delivered with beauty and serenity.
Lauren Rees Year 10
PERFORMING ARTS
Matthew Bourne Dance Legacy
The Hawthorn “Bourne” Dance Legacy reached a new
and action-packed 2 weeks sending Hawthorn Dance
to an explosive new level.
Hawthorn Dance welcomed Alan Vincent to the school. Famous for his creation of
the role of Luca in Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Car Man’, Alan was on a mission to find
a select group of pupils to perform on the main stage at the Wales Millennium
Centre. In conjunction with the Wales Millennium Centre and ReBourne, this
exciting new project comes to Hawthorn to celebrate New Adventure’s 25 th
birthday and the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s” Sleeping Beauty”.
Hawthorn pupils performed a ‘Curtain Raiser’ on Friday 8th March, just prior to the
opening of the evening performance by New Adventures. The performance was
live streamed by the BBC on the WMC and ReBourne website.
A week of workshops were held to introduce Dance and audition students for this
massive venture. Students were given aspects of the choreography to learn and
perform in a limited amount of time. In true Hawthorn tradition, our pupils set an
incredibly high standard and the final selection took hours.
After a hard week of deliberation, the group was selected. The Hawthorn Company
are getting set for rehearsals starting the week back after half term. It will be a
busy yet rewarding time for them, as they represent our school to the world!
Students selected for this incredible opportunity are:- Year 7 pupils Scott Dummer,
Amy Williams, Sophie Jones, Brandon Morgan, Caitlyn Best; Year 8 pupils Deon
Mota, Victoria Edward-Webb, Bridie Rees, Christopher Paterson; Year 9 pupils
Paige Harris, Bethan Lisles, Megan Stead, Luke Hitchings, Tyler Morgan; Year 10
pupils Nina James, Regan Prior, Ben Titcombe, Emilee Stephens, Kelsie Neak,
Jessica Walker, Alicia Thomas, Gregor Mckain, Shola Baldwin, Paige Davies, Luke
Mallett, Leah Probert and Year 13 pupil Sophie Price.
Hawthorn staff were slightly disappointed to not be selected for the final
group! They thoroughly enjoyed their staff workshop and we have the
pictures to prove it.
MORE ABLE AND TALENTED PROVISON
Key Stage 3
SCIENCE MADE SIMPLE Bloodhound Supersonic Car
On the 21st March pupils in years
7,8 & 9 will be taking part in the
Bloodhound Road Show presented
by a team from Science made
Simple. The mission: to build a car
capable of traveling at over
1000mph and inspire the next
generation of scientists and engineers. Science made simple are taking
the project on the road, in this interactive science show. Pupils will
consider:
What are the challenges in building a vehicle that travels faster than a speeding
bullet? See rocket tests, the effect of drag and the fastest mathematician on earth.
Pupils will be given opportunities to consider how:
•Forces are interactions between objects and can affect their shape and motion
•Elements and compounds show characteristic
chemical properties and patterns in their behaviour
•Use real-life examples as a basis for finding out about
science
•Use creativity and innovation in science, and
appreciate their importance in enterprise
•Explore contemporary and historical scientific developments
Department of Education, University of Oxford Invited some of our
more able year 7 students to participate in a free online, one-day
critical thinking master-class on Sunday 21st October 2012.
‘Is this the right room for an argument?’ is an online one-day master-class, which is
designed to develop the critical thinking skills of argument, reasoning,
communication and debate. It is run by Oxford University professionals.
The benefit to students: development of critical thinking skills; an opportunity to
engage in an activity which presents an intellectual challenge.
The theoretical components of the course included the development of
motivation, thinking skills and metacognitive awareness. The learning activities
included two critical thinking activities which focused on the development of
argument, reasoning and logic, an exercise in awareness of learning strategies and
tutor-led debate on ethical dilemmas.
OXFORD
UNIVERSITY
LEARNING
PATHWAYS
We recognise that it is crucially
important to raise awareness of
the benefits of a university
education amongst promising
students at a younger age. In
conjunction
with
Oxford
University we offer activities
aimed at Gifted and Talented
cohorts in years 11,12 and 13.
These events are designed to
dispel stereotypes about Oxford
at the same time as inform and
inspire, so that younger students
are (we hope!) encouraged to
work hard in preparation for the
next stages of their education.
KS4 pupils took part in
‘Investigating Options Day’ on
Friday 16 November 2012, the
one-day event aimed to provide
year 11 students with advice on
their post-16 options. The event
included
two
small-group
academic taster sessions, and talks
on post-university career options
and A-level choices.
KS5 students in year 12 and
13
were
given
the
opportunity to take part in a
number of events:
Year 12 AND 13 were given the
opportunity to attend interview
and test preparation sessions
These are designed to prepare
candidates
for
university
applications
and
interview
processes.
Year 12 are also given the
opportunity to visit Oxford
University and
take part in
academic taster sessions.
Techno Camps
ICT have arranged for a
group of students to form
TECHNOCAMPS.
Schools Gymnastics Championships 2013
On Wednesday 6th February 17 gymnasts from Hawthorn travelled to Merthyr to
compete at the Schools Gymnastics championships. There were hundreds of
competitors on the day and our girls in both the Under 15 and Under 19 categories
put in some excellent performances. The Under 15 team only just missed out on
bronze in their tumble and vault competition, with a commendable performance
from Menna Angwyn in the individual event.
The Under 19 squad entered 2 teams in their category and did the school proud by
finishing in bronze and silver medal positions and were only a 1.0 point away from
winning the gold! Shola Baldwin in Year 10 won the bronze in her individual
performance on floor and vault and will now represent the county squad in the
Welsh Championships. Nina James finished 6th overall and was also selected to
represent the county at the Welsh Championships.
The Under 15 squad:—Menna Angwyn, Victoria Edward-Webb,
Charlie Edward-Webb Calista Davies, Shanice Jones, Jasmin Cadwallader,
Chloe Thomas, Annabel Sheppeard
The Under 19 squad: - Demi Johnson – Emilee Stevens – Bronze, Holly Field –
Bronze, Natasha Cowell – Bronze, Bethany Evans – Bronze, Nina James – Silver,
Paige Davies – Silver, Tyler Gaule – Silver, Shola Baldwin – Silver
The University of Glamorgan
are working with students
from Hawthorn on high
performance
computers,
social media and their use.
The university are arranging
programming lessons to help
young people with ICT.
Triwch a Llwyddwch
TRY AND SUCCEED
If you would like to make an
appointment to visit our
school or if you have further
enquiries then please contact:
Mrs Alison Lambert
Assistant Head KS3
Telephone: 01443 841228
hawthornhighschool.co.uk
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Year 5/6 Curriculum Taster
Evening July 9th
Year 11 Learning Pathways
Evening Thurs 14th
AWARDS Evening March 18th
Year 9 LEARNING PATHWAYS
Choosing optional subjects for the Learning Pathways studied in
Years 10 and 11 is one of the most important decisions that a pupil in
Year 9 will be required to make.
Making the right choices will have a positive effect on the rest of their
education at Hawthorn High School and also on their future working lives.
Over the course of this term our pupils will be making these important
choices. Together with the compulsory core curriculum, the option choices
provided are designed to give a broad and balanced curriculum which will
best prepare them for life-long learning, whilst at the same time giving
choice to pupils according to their needs, interests and aptitudes.