EXCELLENCE FOR ALL Spring 2015

KHS NewsKHS NewsKHS News

Kirkby High School is a member of the Rowan Learning Trust. Company No. 8010464, Reg. Office: Hawkley Hall High School,

Carr Lane, Wigan.

Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 9PP.

T: 0151 477 8710, F: 0151 477 8715

Email: admin@kirkbyhighschool.net

www.kirkbyhighschool.net

Message from the Headteacher, Mr Leyland

During the Easter break Kirkby

High School invited Year 5 pupils

from our local primary schools

to take part in our holiday

school. Over 40 pupils attended

for four days. The children

enjoyed lessons in English, maths

and science as well as some fun

activities including cookery,

drama, music, PE and indoor

rock climbing! We also had a

science dome which is a 360

degree cinema set up in the

school atrium showing the story

of the solar system and when

dinosaurs roamed the earth.

All the pupils were extremely

well behaved and thoroughly

enjoyed the experience.

There will be a further holiday

school in the summer, this time

for Year 6 pupils who will be

attending Kirkby High School in

September 2015.

Welcome to our spring newsletter, I hope you enjoy

reading about the fantastic achievements of our

community during the spring term, one which saw

our students appear on the BBC national news

highlighting excellence in science. KHS is unusual

amongst secondary schools in many authorities in

that we offer triple science at GCSE and have a

number of students with the talent and ambition to

take this exciting route.

KHS Easter School 2015

33 pupils from Years 10 & 11 and 5 staff were given the opportunity to visit New York City, home of hotdogs, pizza and shopping! The 6 day trip took in locations such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, USS Intrepid, The Ride, Natural History Museum, Top of the Rock, Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Apple Computers, Broadway and several shopping locations including Macy’s, Bloomingdales and 5th Avenue. Pupils got up-close with the hidden world of little animals at the IMAX and came face to face with dinosaurs such as ‘Rexie’. They also went to watch Wicked on Broadway where a good time was had by pupils and staff alike. Pupils were also able to fly a fighter jet in a flight simulator on the World War 2 aircraft carrier, USS Intrepid. Evening meals were taken at restaurants such as Guy’s American Restaurant, Planet Hollywood and John’s Pizzeria where pupils got up

close with props and scale models from several films and pizzas bigger than a table! One of the highlights of the trip was Ellen’s Stardust Diner where pupils ate breakfast with performers from Broadway singing songs and dancing around on the tables! Several pupils said the trip had been a great experience for them and they could not wait to come back again. Some pupils even went as far as to decide NYC was a location they would want to live and make a career in. KHS pupils were a credit to our community and it was clear the trip has had a great impact with both pupils and staff asking when they could go again! Mr Hughes is already running the trip again next year and is looking forward to taking the best pupils Kirkby High School has to offer on another trip of a lifetime.

KHS Trip to New York City

Year 10 News

This has been an exciting term for Year 10. Mr

Sharrock has worked with some of our pupils on

public speaking. He offered some great tips to

pupils, who then had the opportunity to try

speaking in front of others. Amber Williams put

in to practice all she had learnt when delivering

her outstanding fundraising assemblies for

Alzheimers.

Student leaders had the opportunity to

work with Belinda Alexander. She

focused on Confidence in Posture, Eye

Contact, Meeting and Greeting,

Conversation and Interview Technique.

Pupils had a great time and gained a lot

from the experience.

Once again, the

English department

have been busy

this term. Our

favourite day of the

year took place in

March: National Book Day. This

year we decided to go with the

theme of Hogwarts. The

teachers dressed up as

characters from the Harry

Potter books and the Key Stage

3 pupils experienced Hogwarts’

themed lessons including:

Muggle Studies, Care of Magical

Creatures and History of Magic.

It was a fun and exciting day

and all the pupils enjoyed it.

Each week we have an English

challenge on the notice board.

How much do you know about

the English language?

Keep your eyes peeled and you

could win a prize. A number of

clubs will be starting in the

department after Easter, see

the English department for

information.

As part of our Thinking Futures

programme, pupils had a second

opportunity to visit Liverpool John

Moores University. During the visit,

pupils focused on future career plans

and what a life at university would be

like. Pupils have also worked with LJMU

staff in school.

In addition to our work with Liverpool John Moores University, Year 10 students will

have the opportunity to experience post 16 taster sessions at Knowsley Community

College. There will be a variety of vocational and academic sessions offered to pupils.

The aim of the visits is to encourage pupils to focus on future education and career

paths. More information will follow in the summer term.

English

Merseyside Handball Championships

Year 10’s competed in the Merseyside Handball Championships in March. They were fantastic and their behaviour was first class.

After some really good games they took the bronze medal which is a fantastic achievement for the lads.

Well done!

Primary Transition Programme

Eastcroft Primary

The pupils really enjoyed the five week block of

handball. The pupils were engaged in the lessons and

they gave fantastic answers to questions relating to the

sport.

The pupils looked at all the major skills relating to

handball including passing and receiving and the skills

needed to become successful. We then looked at

control and dribbling and finally how these can be

applied to a game situation. The final week we played a

tournament which was a huge success and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. Their behaviour was a credit to both their class

teacher and the school on a whole. The pupils really enjoyed the block of handball and really enjoyed the games in particular.

Northwood Primary

In the run up to Christmas, Year 5 (Zebras) from Northwood Community

Primary School worked for four weeks with Mr Walker and Miss Gill at

Kirkby High School exploring their talents in acting and performance.

The sessions explored the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelyn. Pupils

brought the story to life with everybody performing and creating pieces of

theatre within the sessions.

The pupils and staff of Northwood, along with Mr Walker, all enjoyed the

sessions so much they didn’t want them to come to an end, asking for four

more weeks!

Millbrook Primary

Millbrook Year 5/6 took part in a block of gymnastics at Kirkby High

School. All the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and made

great progress. We started learning basic gymnastic shapes and skills

on the floor and progressed to displaying these shapes on the

trampettes.

Due to the group progressing really well, we then started to look at

the vaulting technique and how to use boxes when vaulting. By the

last two sessions most pupils were displaying over vaults, through

vaults and straddle vaults. One pupil even produced a fantastic head

spring. All the pupils behaved excellently throughout and were a

pleasure to teach.

During the block the attitude, effort and manners of the pupils was

excellent and they were a credit to their school.

Westvale

The new year saw Westvale visit the Drama Department. Pupils began

to look at Shakespeare. The pupils were brilliant at bringing to life

Shakespeare’s language through insults! We explored the play Romeo

and Juliet and pupils were excellent at interpreting the work and

staging the scenes. The sessions were running at the same time as this

year’s Oscars and there could certainly be some future winners from

Westvale!

Personal Development:

the Spring Term Many things have been going on across the whole

school in terms of personal development at KHS.

Georgia Roughley in Year 9 designed the winning

entry in the anti-bullying poster competition.

Every form group voted for their favourite from a

shortlist, and her excellent creation is now up in every class room and corridor in the building.

Meanwhile, classes in Year 8, 9 and 10 enjoyed

participating in workshops led by a representative

from LGBT North West which promoted

tolerance and taught pupils how to access local

and regional support services. They also

challenged myths and looked at ways to help

others. Subsequent lessons have developed the

messages further, and raising awareness of the

International Day against Homophobia and

Transphobia which takes place on 17th May.

Other classes have been focusing on the

half-termly theme of Anti-Semitism and

commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day,

including developing their understanding of the

story of Anne Frank.

We have also had a busy term getting Year 11

ready for the upcoming Preparation for Working

Life exams. After the department got our best

ever results in 2014, we again wish the pupils

all the best in May and when they get their results

in the summer!

News from the Music Department

Jamie Boyd (Year 10) took to the stage at The Black-E and The Picket this

week, and performed TWO brand new songs that she had written – one

song entitled ‘No Understanding’ is about life as a Young Carer, and the

other song entitled ‘Spot A Shooting Star’ was written in memory of Miss

Doyle. The songs were performed brilliantly and confidently, and Jamie

made her teachers and school very proud! Well done Jamie!

GLEE Club has moved from Fridays to Tuesday lunchtimes – all singers welcome!

Ukulele Club is on Thursday lunchtimes – if you would like to take part in any lunchtime activities,

you must get a lunchtime pass from Mr Shaw.

COMING SOON - Kirkby’s Got Talent 2015!!! Follow the Music Department on Twitter

@KHS_Music1 for latest news and views.

Year 11 Maths and English Revision Trip The maths and English departments took 28 Year 11 pupils on a residential weekend to The Barnstondale

Activity Centre, on the Wirral. The pupils participated in maths and English revision sessions all weekend,

aimed at maximising their full potential in their forthcoming GCSE examinations.

The pupils were an exceptional group. Their behaviour and attitude towards the revision work was outstanding and the Barnstondale site staff

commented on how polite, well mannered and charming the pupils were.

The staff who

supported the pupils

on the trip were

overwhelmed by the

thoughtfulness of

the pupils who, not

only wrote them a thank you letter and a poem, but designed hand-made thank you cards on their

return.

An extremely memorable experience for all those

involved and another example of how fantastic the

pupils at Kirkby High School are.

Over the last term our gifted mathematicians have been busy taking

part in the United Kingdom Mathematical Trust (UKMT) challenges.

The UKMT arrange national awards and competitions which

challenge and stretch young, gifted mathematicians.

In February, ten Year 9's and ten Year 10's took part in the

Individual Maths Challenge for Years 9, 10 and 11. Congratulations

should go to Jake Wood and Anthony Sweeney in Year 9, who both

achieved Bronze Awards (this puts them in the top 40% of those

entered nationally!)

On 25th March, we went to the regional finals of the UKMT Junior

Maths Team Challenge. This is a team competition made up of two

Year 8's and two Year 9's. Our school was represented by Megan

McDermott and Annie-Mae Greer in Year 8 and Anthony Sweeney

and Jake Wood in Year 9. It was a fantastic day full of challenging

and difficult questions for pupils and teachers! Although our team

didn't progress to the national finals they should be congratulated

on their achievements and how well they represented the school.

In April it will be the turn of our gifted mathematicians in Years 7

and 8 to undertake their Individual Maths Challenges, where we

have high hopes for some more individual awards.

School

After our successful Year 5

holiday school at Easter,

plans are being made for

our annual Summer School.

It will take place on the

27th July to 7th August 2015

and it is planned to invite all

the Year 6 pupils who are

going to start here in

September.

We believe this gives our

new pupils the best possible

start in their

Kirkby High School career.

SAFE Productions has been working with local

schools and community groups across Kirkby to

celebrate the establishment of Kirkby as a New

Town between 1951-1961. The aim of the

programme was to work with all age groups to

gather, share and celebrate memories of the birth

of the new town - exploring and sharing the

people of Kirkby’s experience during this decade.

This programme of work, funded by the Heritage

Lottery Fund (HLF), is now in its final stage,

culminating with the premier of the film created

with pupils from Kirkby High School, with the red

carpet being rolled out for this star studded

community event. Special guest stars included

ex-Liverpool footballer Phil Thompson, older

generation of Kirkby and school pupils.

The film and the artworks installed have brought

back to life the stories told by the older residents

and gathered via filming and the creation of public

artworks by the local school children from

All Saints and Kirkby High

Schools, Northwood,

St Laurence’s, Kirkby C of E,

Eastcroft Park and Millbrook

Primary Schools.

Phil Thompson’s family were

among the early arrivals in

Kirkby who moved into new

homes built by Liverpool

Council. He was interviewed

earlier this year contributing to

the making of the film, sharing

his and his families’ experiences.

During the interviews, many

older residents remembered

how there were lots of new

homes in 1950s Kirkby but no shops or pubs.

Others recalled the old village of Kirkby, with its

cottages, farms and original railway station.

Over the past two years the programme has

successfully met all major outcomes – the

installation of two major pieces of public of

artwork – “Kirkby New Town” mosaic sculpture

& “Kirkby a New Community” a ceramic

photographic mosaic (sited at the entrance of

Kirkby High School).

Jonathan Dawe of Periscope productions said:

Working with the children from Kirkby to produce this film over two years has been brilliant,

all the schools pupils have been so enthusiastic and

the residents have got right into the spirit of

things.

The film premier of Home from Home

CALENDAR DATES:

Summer Term (Monday 20 April 2015 – Friday 22 May 2015)

Monday 20th April – Staff Training – School Closed

Tuesday 21st April - Pupils return to school

Thursday 23rd April - Year 10 Parents Evening 4-6.30pm

Monday 4th May - Bank Holiday

Friday 22nd May - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Half Term

Summer Term (Monday 01 June 2015 – Tuesday 21 July 2015)

Monday 1st June - Pupils return to school

Wednesday 8th July - Year 6 Intake day

Friday 17th July - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Summer

Monday 20th July - Staff Training – School Closed

Tuesday 21st July - Staff Training – School Closed

Advanced Calendar 2015 – 2016

Autumn Term (Tuesday 01 September 2015 – Friday 23 October 2015)

Tuesday 1st September - Staff Training – School Closed

Wednesday 2nd September - Pupils return to school

Friday 23rd October - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Half Term

Autumn Term (Monday 02 November 2015 – Friday 18 December 2015)

Monday 2nd November - Pupils return to school

Friday 18th December - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Christmas

Spring Term (Monday 04 January 2016 – Friday 12 February 2016)

Monday 4th January - Staff Training – School Closed

Tuesday 5th January - Pupils return to school

Friday 12th February - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Half Term

Spring Term (Monday 22 February 2016 – Friday 01 April 2016)

Monday 23rd February - Pupils return to school

Friday 25th March – Good Friday

Monday 28th March - Easter Monday

Friday 1st April - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Easter holidays

Summer Term (Monday 18 April 2016 – Friday 20 May 2016)

Monday 18th April – Staff Training – School Closed

Tuesday 19th April - Pupils return to school

Monday 2nd May - Bank Holiday

Friday 20th May - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Half Term

Summer Term (Monday 06 June 2016 – Thursday 21 July 2016)

Monday 6th June - Pupils return to school

Tuesday 19th July - Non Uniform Day – School Closes for Summer

Wednesday 20th July - Staff Training – School Closed

Thursday 21st July - Staff Training – School Closed