Welcome to the new look monthly High Notes which features a new design and reenergised content with theaim of engaging students and reaching more parents. Toachieve this we want to generate a newsletter that is notonly for the students but about them, making it moreappealing. High Notes will combine articles from both ourschool and college allowing you to find out what’s happening throughout all year groups. For years 10 and11 it’s a good opportunity to familiarise yourself withsome of the college’s activities.

We need your help and want everyone to get involved in providing content and weencourage students to write articles on activities and classes that take place. Pleaseask your form tutor or teacher for ideas on how you can get involved. If you fancy yourself as a budding reporter, reporting for High Notes is an ideal opportunity as itgives you the chance to make your own news report for a real audience.

Parents and students can get in touch and let us know what you think and have yoursay on what we feature in the next edition.

To get involved and leave your comments please email highnotes@rainford.org.uk

Mrs Halsall, Principal

Welcome Feb 2010 – ISSUE 1

CALENDAR‘R’ ECHO- Rainford Readers Nationally Recognised!- Year 11 have been exchanging letters with a school in Ghana- A Midsummer Nights DreamFEATURED WORK - Creative Writing ClubNEWS REPORTSWHAT’S ON?EXTRACTS FROM ‘RAINFORD HIGH SCHOOL - A 50 Year HistoryATTENDANCEACHIEVEMENTSOTHER FEATURES

IN THIS EDITION

FEBRUARY 2010

• Mon 1st Yr 9 Reports• Thurs 4th Yr 10 Intermediate Maths

Challenge• Yr 9 Parents’ Evening• Mon 8th Post 16 Joint Self Review

Week• Year 9 Interviews start• Mon 8th-12th China Week• Thurs 11th Year 9 Options Evening• Fri 12th Post 16 Information Day• School Closes for Half Term• Mon15th-19th Spanish Trip• Mon 22nd School Re-opens• Mon 22nd-5th Mar Fair Trade Fortnight• Wed 24th-10th Mar Y11 Interviews• Thurs 25th Y10 Parents Evening• Fri 26th Mosedale Valley Glaciation trip

MARCH 2010

• Tue 2nd Y10/11 Maths Mod 1 &3 Resits

• Tue 9th Inter-House Rugby/Hockey Yrs 7 8 9

• Year 11 Exam Drama Evening

• Wed 10th Inter-House Rugby/Hockey Yrs 10 11

• Thur 18th Yr 7 Parents Evening• Fri 19th Red Nose Day• Thur 25th Post 16 Parents

Consultation eve 2• Fri 26th School closes for Easter• Yr 12 Southport &

Morecambe fieldtrip• Fri 26th-3rd Apr Skiing Trip to Austria

Rainford Readers Nationally Recognised!This year, not only did Rainford High students raise almost £1000 duringour annual Readathon event, but they were also selected to take part in the filming of a DVD to promote the charity!

Many of our students, from a range of year groups, were filmed whilst taking partin their Readathon lessons. They were also interviewed to explain their experiencesof the event and to encourage other students, nationally, to take part.

Visit http://www.readathon.org/resources/readathon-the-movie to see our students in action!

Calendar

‘R’ ECHO

Year 11 have been exchanging letters with a school in Ghana

Ever since Mrs Aylward established the connection withGhana, my pen-pal has told me so much about their wonderfulcountry. It’s amazing to hear about their culture, interests andway of life. A lot of it is very different to our own ways.

Evelyn, my pen-pal, goes to the Owimhose School in Ghana.It is a very small school compared to Rainford and the pupilsstudy a range of subjects, some similar to the ones we take.The class sent some photographs of the students and theirschool; it was nice to put a face to the lovely letters I’dreceived.

I look forward to continuing my friendship with Evelyn andhope to hear much more about Ghana in the future.

Olivia Colquitt

School productionRehearsals for ‘a Midsummer Night's Dream’ are well under way. We got hold of abusy Mr Dunning to ask him a few questions about the school production which willbe performed at 7pm on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th March.

1. Why did you choose a Midsummer Night's Dream?

2. Do you think the students have enjoyed taking part in a Shakespeareanplay and what do you think they have gained from it?

3. What is your favourite part/highlight of the show?

I’ve loved this play for many years—myfirst real chance to get to know it waswhen I first met my wife, who’d been in aschool production of it not long before,and was able to quote huge chunks of it(she still can!) Right from the time Ibecame actively involved in Drama, it’sbeen an ambition of mine either to be init, or, better still, have a chance to directit. This is something I’ve waited almostthirty years for!

As for the play itself, itis a comedy after all,and let’s not forgetthat Shakespeare had to get “bums on seats” just the sameas any modern profes-sional playwright; it’s justsuch a great story and told in such anamazing way, with so many fantastic characters.

I certainly hope they’re enjoying it—there’s definitely been a lot of dedicationshown already! At any rate, we’ve had afew good laughs at rehearsal, amid all thehard graft!It’s got to be one of the biggest chal-lenges any of the cast will have encoun-tered in Drama. This is as true for themore experienced actors as it is for theones who’ve never been in a show before.We’ve not staged a completeShakespeare play in school for a very long

time (about 30 years!) though we used todo extracts from the KS3SATs set plays. This will have stretched allthe performers for sure, and hopefully willbe a memorable and satisfying experiencefor everyone, whether they’re playing a leading role or a non-speaking one (Iwon’t say a small role, as I don’t believethat there’s any such thing: everyone con-tributes and everyone’s important; andthat’s especially true of a play like this!)

How long have you got? There are someamazing scenes…the “Rude Mechanicals”for example: “the am-dram society fromHell!” They have some great moments,and of course, the climax of their perform-ance is the “Pyramus and Thisbe” playthey put on for the Duke’s wedding feast.There’s the “gang warfare” between the

Fairies; then there are the young

lovers in the forest, falling in and out ofsituations that wouldn’t be out of place onthe Jerry Springer Show. There’s so muchmore besides, and I think this cast has thepotential to pull it off superbly. We’ve gotso many talented and enthusiastic youngpeople, across the whole age-range of theschool.

A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream

4. What challenges have you had to overcome during rehearsals?

5. We know that there are a number of staff performing, so can we expectany Oscar winning performances from teachers?

First of all, I had some really agonisingdecisions as to who would get what part:some roles almost cast themselves, butwith others I was spoiled for choice. Then, there’s the sheer length and complexity of the text. I did cut just a few lines here and there, but couldn’tbring myself to cut a lot.

Rehearsals are very time-consuming, asthe plot and sub-plots all have to be fittedtogether, and I think at times some of theactors have struggled a bit to see howtheir scenes fit into the big picture. Thecast are coping well with the unfamiliarand often poetic language, though.

Rehearsals would have been a lot moredifficult, however, without the help of various staff: to single one out for specialmention, Miss Griffiths, from the EnglishDepartment: as my assistant director,she’s been magnificent, taking groups ofactors out to polish a scene while I’vebeen busy with other parts of the play;coming up with extra little comic and dramatic touches, and much more besides.

I think the hardest thing is, after a busyday’s teaching, to go in and run a 90-minute rehearsal: But, a lot of the time,this has been very therapeutic and can liftyour mood if you went in feeling down ortired.

Yes: there are a number of excellentcameos: Mr Sanders plays Egeus, aShakespearian “grumpy old man”; also,there are several members of the EnglishDepartment to watch out for: they makeworryingly convincing members ofOberon’s gang of mischievous tearaways!I think there’ll be a few Academy Awardnominations being bandied around thestaffroom before long!

For anyone who has never seen aShakespeare play, this is a perfect introduction. Likewise, for anyone whosuffers from the traditional myth thatShakespeare is stuffy and boring, hopefully this production will be a bit of an eye-opener!

Performances are 7pm on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th March; a few luckypeople will get a chance to sample thedress rehearsal in school time earlier inthe week!

A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s DreamWord Search!Can you find all 20 words below???

Short story - Tying Up a StormHer name meant ‘of the sea’. And so far as I am concerned, it couldn’t have been any more accurate. Marissa was a raging storm with thunder striking and thrashing every-thing in its path like symbols. Swallowing all who dare leave marks on her shores. Heremotions were clear as the water – if she was angry, she would be angry and it wouldshow. When she wanted to cry, she cried. Yet as those dominating moments of happiness– the clarity of it and her deep aquatic eyes pierced you.

My name meant ‘to bind’. I had never really felt much about the pitiful noun ‘Rebecca’ untilI had met Marissa. Continuously I pursued her blindly – never questioning the spray of herwaves. No matter how close I got to drowning in her, I would still follow like a hopelesspuppy. But eventually even I came to the realisation... You can’t tie up a storm!

Anna Considine (year 7)

Haiku is a short, naturalistic form of Japanese poetry, which emphasises a sense ofimmediacy and connection with nature. It first began as a form of humorous light verse,known alternately as haikai or hokku. It was Basho (1644 - 1694), whocombined the two names, namingthe form 'haiku' and giving it thedepth and intimacy the formshows today. The poems consistof 17 syllables in 3 metrical phrases of 3, 5 & 7.

Here are some examples:

Scorching Hot SummerSun Is Sizzling Up HighRed Hot and Shining

Alice Green (year 10)

The Waves of the SeaCalmly Beating On the ShoreOut Again It Goes

Nathan Coy (year 10)

Poem - I am a DinosaurI am a living dinosaurI wander the earth aloneNo-one knows I’m still aliveI like to be on my own

I’m a mini dinosaurI hide in bushes and treesI eat leaves and sleep in muddy ditchesI share with no-one, only me

The life of a dino is boring and shortAlthough it’s not all badAs a special treat I feast on peopleThough, they’re harder to catch than I thought!

Isabel Radice (year 8)

LGBT History Month Essay CompetitionLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History Month is celebrated during February. This is anopportunity to learn more about the history of LGBT people. Merseyside Police are running anessay competition for young people from 11-18 yrs.Prizes will be awarded to winning entries. The essay title is “How has life changed for GayPeople in the last 50 years?” and the closing date for entries to be submitted is February 28th2010. Further information and entry forms can be obtained from PC Lesley Sanderson, the

Positive Action Team on 0151 777 1614 or downloaded from www.merseyside.police.uk.

Featured

Work

By holding an own clothes day we have raised £1410.39 for Children In Need

The Christmas Draw raised £547.15, which isto be match funded by Barclays giving us a grandtotal of £1094.30 towards the second minibus.Many thanks to all that took part and a specialthank you to those that donated prizes:• Rainford Round Table and Fir Tree Farm• Merseyside Paper Supplies• Saints• EFC• Mr Mike Bukata• Geoff and Jackie Edwards, The Red Cat• Costco Wholesale• Bents Garden Centre• Morrisons• Rainford Carpets• Springwood Health & Beauty• Knowsley Safari Park• The Citadel• Beauty & Co• Nik’s Hair Studio• The Co-op, Rainford Village

£398.22 was raised thisyear by Rainford High forthe Poppy Appeal.

The YYeeaarr 88 BBaagg22SScchhooooll raised £96! The next collection is 5thFebruary to coincide with the Year 9 parents' evening on 4th. Can allyear 9 parents please bring your bags along to parents evening.

Get On In School, Get Online At HomeHome Access is a government drive which will helplow-income families to get access to a computer andthe internet to get online at home.

If you are a low income family in receipt of certain benefits you could qualify for a grant tobuy a computer and/or a minimum of oneyears’ internet access. The programme isaimed at those that need it most and targetsfamilies that do not have access to a computeror the internet at home.

If you are a parent and think you are eligible for a Home Access grant visitwww.homeaccess.org.uk or call 0333 200 1004.

NewsReports

College Performance Evening, Wednesday 10th March 2010, 8pm. College Students will be performingin a fantastic night of entertainmentto raise money for the students tripto Ghana as part of the Care andCommunity Project.

USB pen drives are available from the ICT office for £5.25!

Brazilian Soccer Skills CourseFrom 3rd Feb initially for 10 weeks till28th April we will be holding aBrazilian soccer skills course for years7 and 8 students. Year 7s will be from3.30 to4.30 andyear 8 willbe from4.30 to5.30 inthe gym.The costwill be subsidised by ourextended services budget and will be£1.00 per student per session.Only 10 spaces available per yearavailable on a first come first servedbasis.

Breakfast Club 8:00-8:45 in E101/ 121.

On the menu is: Hot Chocolate, Orange Juice, Milk, Bagels, Toast, Muffins & Fresh Fruit.20p per item... Up to 3 items each

What’s On

Dodge ball Tournament!!

Wednesday 3rd Feb atdinner in the Sports Hall!!Min only £1 to get in!

See the staff go head to head towin and keep their reputations!!!

This event will help raise moneyfor the College to get new chairsfor the common room, so comealong and help us out!! The morepeople there the better!!

Dont forget it might be you in theCollege one day!!!

EXTRACTS FROM ‘RAINFORD HIGH SCHOOL - A 50 YEAR HISTORY’

By Robert Hodgson

1940 World and National Events 1940 School and Local EventsChurchill becomes Prime Minister Lord Derby opens Rainford Senior SchoolDunkirk evacuationBattle of BritainGermany invades Norway, Belgium School disrupted by air raids on LiverpoolHolland and France

Rainford Senior Council School, opened for the first time at 9am on Wednesday 7th August1940. There were present 127 children and the following teachers: The Headmaster – Mr Frank Lees, Miss Muriel Walsh, Miss Ruth Brindley and Miss Dean. “In the beginning,God ... “ was the theme of the lesson in the first morning assembly. Immediately afterwardsthe children were placed into three houses: Derby, Muncaster and Holland.

County Officials from Lancashire Education Committee visited in the morning and observedthe arrangements made for the running of the school. The Headmaster registered the formation of a National Savings Group.

As there were no male teachers in the school, due to the war, Miss Brindley taught physicaltraining to both boys and girls.

Another consequence of the war was that everyone arrived at school carrying a box containing a gas mask strapped over their shoulders. This had to be carried around all thetime and at regular intervals practices were held to make sure that every gas mask waswell-fitting and each person knew the correct way of putting it on and adjusting it.

Pupils and staff were always on the alert in case of an air raid warning, when everyonewalked quickly to the air raid shelters built some distance away from the school. There theywould remain until the all-clear was sounded and they could return to the building again.

“In 1940 the school had just opened and we had to write on scrap paper with a pencil. There were four teachers and Mr Lees, the Headmaster. The teachers were very strict andwe were frightened of them so I tried hard not to step out of line. Being a farmer’s son, Iwas allowed to stay at home as the war was on. All the children like me were expected tostay on the farm during war-time. I only spent about one month in school, coming in when itwas raining or when there was no work on the farm. On the day we left we had to attendschool!”

William Blackburn 1940

In response to a national appeal, many secondary pupils in rural areas such as Rainford were asked to take time off school to assist on the farms with the ‘Food Drive’. At the timea squad of sixty pupils from the St Helens area were working in the fields at Bickerstaffe.They were said to have developed huge appetites and a healthy tan. There were paid 1 shilling and 2d (6p) for picking a 40lb bag of peas or 6d (2 1⁄2p) an hour for other work.

Well Done To Our Students With 100% Attendance Last Term

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Attendance

Congratulations to Lauren Duggan(yr 7) on her fantastic achievement in winning thegold medal in the Wrexham & Cheshire SchoolsU12 Foil competition. Lauren has been involved invarious sporting activities since age four, and isparticularly competent in riding, judo and fencing.She fights all three fencing weapons (foil, epee,and sabre), and was a member of the North WestRegion Team 2008 in the Cadet Winton Cup, theannual inter-regional fencing competition. That’sLauren on the far left sporting her gold medal, we areall proud of her success.

Get Involved - Students, parents and staff can provide feedback and news stories by emailing the new address

HighNotes@rainford.org.uk

Emily Williams and Christopher Hibberd are both members of St Helens youth BrassBand and have been heavily involved with busking/bag packing etc and playing concertsover the Christmas Holiday to raise money for their Ohio trip with the band in April.

Congratulations to Brad Steward & Christopher Hibberd for being invited to JoinLiverpool St Helens RUFC Centre of Excellence for the year 2010.

Job Vacancy – A Kitchen Assistant is required immediately to work in our busy school kitchen.Hours are 12.15pm - 2.15pm, Monday – Friday. Please contact GillFoster on 01744 678081 for further details and an application form.

Students: Olivia Colquitt, Isabel Radice, Anna Considine, Alice Green, NathanCoy, Sophie Thow and Pierre Botcherby.

Staff: Mrs Hill, Mrs Crinigan, Mrs Burrows, Miss Smith, Mrs Aylward, MissHoey, Miss Swift, Mrs Hibberd, Mrs Cryan, Joyce McDonald, Miss Burgess,Mrs McFadden, PC Lesley Sanderson, Mr Hughes and Mr Dunning.

Thank you to all the students and staff that contributed to this edition.Arron Harrison

Achievements

Other Features

Thank You