REGENCY NEWS
Updates from Regency High School
ISSUE 25/18th July 2016
Head and Deputy retire
Over the many years of dedication to Rose Hill School
and Regency High School, Frank and Janet have now
reached their respective retirements. I have been
fortunate to work alongside them both as a school
governor and chair of the board for many years and
seen them build a very strong foundation to take our
school forward.
Working with Janet and Frank has been great; the school
has changed in many ways over the years, always in a
positive way. The commitment they have given is beyond
words, with over 55 years’ service between them. These
weren’t ’jobs’ for Frank and Janet, more a vocation. I
send them both best wishes in their retirements.
Our new headteacher designate Sara Harding, who has
already spent a lot of time getting to know our staff and
school, will be in place for the new school term. The full
governing body is enthusiastic in its welcome of Sara;
there are ambitious plans in place to improve Regency
and to maintain the warmth and happiness of our
students. Jon Pearsall, School Governor and ex-Chair of
Governors.
This term we also say farewell to three other valued
members of staff: D&T and ICT lead teacher Simon
Whyte is taking up a teaching post at Chadsgrove
School; reading support Amanda Jackson is
pursuing her passion for photography; and Steph
Withington is joining Westminster School as
Assistant Head. We wish them all the best.
Students present Ex-Chair of
Governors with a special gift
Retiring this month: Headteacher Frank Steel
and Deputy Head Janet Gibbons
Celebrations
Events in school to mark Frank and
Janet’s retirements will be concentrated
around tomorrow. In the morning
pupils will enjoy a selection of 15
activities such as circus skills, drum love
and face painting, followed by a wholeschool picnic lunch.
Open House
Afterwards there will be an open house,
where any previous Rose Hill or Regency
student and their parents, or anyone else
who has close connections with the
school, is welcome to join us between
1 and 3 o’clock. Parking is available at
Sainsbury’s.
Jon Pearsall’s own retirement from many years of service as Chair of
Governors was marked with a very special gift of artefacts— copies of items
that are special to Jon’s personality, lifestyle and interests.
Year 11 art students (not pictured), including Ryan J Jones who deserves
a special mention, worked collaboratively to produce miniature replicas of:
Jon’s passport, his Buckingham Palace garden party invitation, a bicycle
pump, a welding torch and mask, a rowing club cox swain and a theatre
ticket for Carmen - all contained in a miniature version of Jon’s trademark
silver briefcase. Jon was understandably overwhelmed with his gift!
Jon is pictured here with his gift, surrounded by (left to right): ex-school
nurse and volunteer Julie Jenkins and pupils Nathan, Chloe, George, Sam,
Dillon, Oliver and Oliver.
2016 has been a fruitful
year for achievements and
fundraising. Here is a taste
of what’s been happening
around school ...
Archery Award - Since the age of eight
Aaron Relf has enjoyed archery, which
culminated in him achieving 4th place in
the Junior Nationals in Lillishall recently.
Aaron’s brother took part in archery at
the London Olympics.
An in-school haircut service has been
secured with a qualified hairdresser,
for pupils who find a visit to a salon
distressing. The price is £10. For
more information please speak to
Pam in the office.
Sponsorship raises funds
for Sport Relief
What a great success Sport Relief
fundraising was at Regency once
again this year.
Staff and students were sponsored
to complete what has been
dubbed The Regency Mile. This
consists of jogging, walking and
using chairs to go round the block
twice. We raised a whopping
£1,036.39 through sponsorship and
the sale of healthy snacks, and the
teamwork between students was a
joy to see. Tamsin Bayliss.
Photos: students return from The
Regency Mile— top: Freya and April,
middle: Jay and Oliver and bottom:
Misha with TA Lizzie.
Our ECO Schools Green Flag award has been renewed,
thanks to another sterling effort from students. Energyefficient initiatives around school include: turning off
light switches, recycling and litter control.
Sugar substitutes
KS5 Accreditation
Team Enterprise tuck shop
raised £77.08 for Send a
Cow to Africa charity,
following a sugar-free
assembly.
Many Key Stage 5 students have
recently passed their NOCN
qualifications, having presented
impressive portfolios of
evidence.
Thank you to all who
helped with baking, donating and, of course, sampling
the tasty cakes made with
alternatives to sugar.
A quiet challenge
Well done to Jay Fenney on
successfully completing a two-hour
sponsored silence. Jay raised £90
for our new season’s horticulture
plans.
REVISED TERM DATES
It has become necessary to change some term dates during the next
academic year, affecting dates in September 2016 and July 2017. Revised
dates can be found on our website, or ask your child’s class if you need
an extra hard copy, which is now printed on yellow.
Summer term ends this Friday 22nd July and we start our new academic
year on Monday 5th September.
Arts Award
Outstanding passes were
awarded to Arts Award
students last week for
photography and/or mixed
arts. Congratulations to all
13 students: Brandon
Preece, Louise Stevens, Ed
Parry, Saskia Dawson, Jack
Johnson, Vincent Lewis,
Christian Macdonald,
Megan Jones, Jordan
Gibson, Hadyn Richards,
Mark Lowry, Luke Johnson
and Emma-Jane
Chamberlain.
Food hygiene award
Our team of kitchen staff has
once again been awarded a
five star rating, the highest
possible award for hygiene.
Well done to Louise and her
team for keeping up the high
standard and great work; we
all love what you do!
New challenge for Horticulture students
Another project has begun for our gardening students, following the successful renovation of
flower beds at St Wulstans Church, allowing key stage 3 students to take on this on-going
project. Located on the edge of Pitchcroft racecourse, the group attends The Old North Stables,
an urban teaching, research and community display garden. This is a Community Interest
Company affiliated with Transition Worcester.
Places are now available
As part of a 20-week ASDAN volunteering course, KS4 and 5
at Tuesday’s after-school
students are challenged with learning new skills, including the
Gardening Club
scientific aspects of gardening, beekeeping, basic surveying, tree
care and developing woodlands. Sarah Rudge.
KS4&5 LegoLand and London trip
Robert’s report: ‘LegoLand was a great place to go to because I have
always wanted to go to there. Some of my favourite places were:
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The Lego Star Wars area which was giant models from the
films.
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The pirate log flume which caused everyone to get wet.
Miniland which were massive models of countries in the
world like England and France.
The Atlantis submarine which was like going to an aquarium and falling into one of the tanks.
The Lego Movie 4D film was great because I love The Lego Movie.
The hotel was better than I expected partly because I got the king-sized bed and a TV to myself. The pool
was quite small but that was fine. The evening meal was ok, but not the best I have had.’
Harriet’s report: ‘There were lots of us; Mrs Whitelaw, Mrs Yorke, Andy, Deb and Sue with 23
pupils. We went by minibus to LegoLand. I felt happy and excited, we got to LegoLand around
11:30. The hotel was big and bright, with Lego models everywhere, even in the toilets! We spent
the day going around the rides, we went to see a 4d film, it was good to see it. I liked the log
water ride. We went to a business studies work shop .The company who runs LegoLand looks
after the staff, they look happy. The company is growing. Every two years they spend a lot of
money, this time they are building a Ninjago hotel. In the evening, we went to the swimming
pool in the hotel, it was so cold in the pool, and we went for dinner and to see Windsor Castle.
Next day we went into the centre of London and went on
the underground tube. We walked around the sites of London. The exciting part was going on the London Eye it was
fun and interesting to see London from so high, but Andy
(TA) didn’t like it, he’s scared of heights. In London we saw
Buckingham Palace, pelicans in St James’ Park, Nelsons
Column and Leicester Square. It was a busy day! I hope I
get to go again!!’
Regency News is produced by Pam Olander at Regency High School, Carnforth Drive, Warndon, Worcester WR4 9JL
Telephone 01905 454828 Email [email protected] Website www.regency.worcs.sch.uk
Seven students love once in a lifetime trip
The long-awaited Calvert Trust trip finally arrived for the seven students last month!
Accompanied by several staff, the youngsters’ first stop was at the seaside in Burnham-on-Sea,
before arriving to incredible facilities at the Calvert Trust venue in Exmoor. Staff were excellent,
so welcoming and understanding. Meals and sleepovers were coped with very well, with only
one late night, and above all the students had a great deal of fun!
The specialist activities were adaptable to their individuals’ needs; students were challenged and
everyone excelled in at least one area. Canoeing proved a highlight for Marilena, Freya, Daniel
and Victoria, and they were so relaxed on the boat; Conor was fantastic on the bike; Richie
climbed very high in the crate stacking and Joshua showed his daredevil streak on the giant swing.
This three-night activity trip was made possible from much fundraising that has taken place this
year. Deserving of special thanks include: The Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Ladies, Green Bike
Cycling team - all of who gave generously - plus a 25-staff (and two dogs) sponsored walk
through Worcester.
Initial plans for a similar trip in the future are already underway.