Rishworthian The Magazine of Rishworth School and Heathfield Prep
HIGHS AND GOODBYES
New starters and leavers
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES Christmas video
MICHAELMAS TERM DECEMBER 2021
The Head's Report It is a pleasure to welcome readers to this Rishworthian magazine, a venerable publication now revamped ready to chronicle the next phase in our School’s long journey! The Michaelmas Term 2021 has been uniquely exciting – the chance, at long last, to gather in assemblies, watch plays, participate in productions – or just to hang out together in the playground. There are some 90 enrichment activities to try. Our sports teams have got back into action, achieving fantastic results, and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas concert, a hybrid live and streamed affair. Going online has even proven to be a big positive for events such as parent’s evenings, although the ready availability of online learning has, as one member of Year 8 complained to me recently, ‘really ruined snow days’. Rishworth is a School which has always valued community and to have that community physically reunited has demonstrated what a privilege it is to be a part of this wonderful institution. I hope that you enjoy reading about everything that has been happening since September.
Mr Anthony Wilkins Head
Record breaking open events A huge thank you to all our wonderful students and staff for what has been the busiest and best Open Day and Sixth Form Open Evening the School has seen in recent years. It was great to open the School doors following the COVID pandemic. .
Visitors were very complimentary, commenting on our ‘friendly, wellmannered and helpful’ students and in awe of the sheer range of activities on offer. They also enjoyed the opportunity to talk to our fabulous teaching staff and meet our Head. • 238 - the total number of people who have attended an Open Event at Rishworth School and Heathfield Prep this Michaelmas term. • 259 - taster lessons attended to date • 12 - the date in March 2022 of our next Open Morning! Book your space here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rishworth-school-open-daytickets-219827809897
Sport round up Malachy (Year 9) did brilliantly to qualify for the West Yorkshire Cross Country Championships in February. Well done to all Rishworth students in the team - watch this space for the results in the New Year. Congratulations to cricketers Jasper and Shehroz (both Year 13), who have been selected to train with the Leicestershire CCC U18s squad over the winter. Hard work certainly pays off for these two students. The effort and application of all of our hockey players in the first term has been outstanding. Notable performances were at Bradford Grammar, Westholme and Lytham.
Sport round up Alex (Year 10) attended the British Fencing Cadet National Championships and achieved Bronze medal position in the Mens’ Cadet Sabre event that had 56 competitors. A superb achievement. A huge congratulations to Rishworth Year 11 student Amber, who has been selected to be a British Dressage Youth Foundation Academy Athlete. She will continue her development in 2022. .
Our Beginners Ski Club is thriving, with 16 students from both Rishworth and Heathfield currently attending a beginners course at Chill Factore at Beyond in Manchester.
Senior rugby success
What a start to the year it's been for our Rugby first XV, who claimed the Tom Burrow Cup, beating Silcoates School, Newcastle Grammar School, Austin Friars and Yarm School in November.
A special mention to Ben, Haris, Louis and Jack, pictured here representing the Yorkshire Rugby Academy. They played against their classmate Sam, who represents Lancashire U18s. Well done, lads! Congratulations to Spencer and Jack who have graduated from the Huddersfield Giants scholarship programme and into their academy. As well as representing Rishworth, Spencer played his grassroots rugby at Shaw Cross Sharks, whilst Jack was at Siddal RLFC. Well done to both on this excellent achievement!
Badminton star visits Rishworth
Members of the Advanced Badminton EE group were treated to a visit from Commonwealth Games medalist Peter Mills during the Michaelmas term. The sessions - which are led by former Rishworth student and England international Helen Caverley - have been hugely popular with students with some going on to represent the county! O
Following an impressive training day, Rahul (Year 12) was selected for the Yorkshire U18s squad. A brilliant achievement and one of which the school is incredibly proud of Rahul for achieving. He now trains once a month with the Yorkshire squad as well as his sessions at Rishworth, providing him with the perfect platform to keep developing and improving. Well done, Rahul! O.
Students saddle up for Bikeability Students from Year 7 & 8 completed their Level 2 Bikeability course in November. The course is an introduction to the road, including: bike maintenance, road position and signalling. It starts in a trafficfree environment and progresses onto cycling on the roads. Well done to all for successfully completing the two-day course.
Learning the value of CPR
Year 9 students took part in the British Heart Foundation's 'Restart a Heart' week in October, learning about the importance of CPR. Each year, over 300,000 people take part in Restart a Heart week by learning how to perform CPR, and the importance of how it can save somebody else's life.
Taylor dancing round the world
In October, Taylor (Year 7) competed in the UK Hip Hop Dance Championships in Birmingham. Taylor and his team came third & have qualified for next year's World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Arizona, USA, where they will be competing against 50+ teams from around the world. We're so proud of you, Taylor. Great job!
Performing arts stars shining
Stan, Isobel, Amber and Isla (all Year 10) have all excelled this term in drama both in and out of school. All have represented themselves and Rishworth at their drama school brilliantly and we are so proud of them. We look forward to hearing more from them all in 2022.
Remembrance events 2021 As is tradition, the School paid its respects on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday with a series of events. Highlights from our Remembrance Day assembly can be found by watching the video below, which includes musical and dance performances from our students, as well as our Head Mr Wilkins laying a wreath on behalf of the School.
Remembrance events 2021
The School also hosted a Remembrance Sunday service at The Chapel. The service was delivered by the Reverend Canon Nick Smeeton and included several readings and monologues from students from across the School. The School choir was also in attendance and provided a brilliant soundtrack to what was a beautiful service. A huge thank you to all parents, governors, staff and students who attended and made the service a truly special one.
Tenner Challenge
Year 9 have been taking part in the Tenner Challenge, an initiative where small teams take a £10 pledge to get their business ideas off the ground and make as much profit as they can. It represents a safe environment for young people to experience the complete process of setting up and running their own enterprise; from creating a product, designing a company logo, working as a team, managing a budget through to trading with the public. Through experiential learning, the Tenner Challenge offers a platform to build and develop key employability skills in preparation for the changing world of work beyond education. They have decided to donate their profits to two great causes: • The Charlie Waller Trust – the mental health charity • Our Student Voice, which has voted to create an exciting new multi-purpose space with overhead shelter and room for outside performances on what was previously a basketball court.
Science trip to Cranedale
Our Biology A Level students have enjoyed a super time on their field trip to Cranedale, North Yorkshire. They have been kick sampling, catching (and releasing safely) mice, plus much much more.
The field trip to Cranedale is a vitally important part of the A Level course for our students, with this further proof that so much learning can take place outside of the classroom. A key cornerstone of the Rishworth curriculum. Well done to all students and staff who attended, representing themselves and the School in a really positive light whilst away from the science labs!
Community Projects
At Rishworth, we love interacting with our local community and making our mark in our surrounding areas. Some of our Year 11, 12 & 13 students have been litter picking in Ripponden, playing their part in keeping our community tidy. .
Our students have been out and about watering plants and flowers as part of their Enrichment activities. Well done to all who have been helping in Ripponden, in line with the Ripponden in Bloom community project which is well established in the area. The Riverside Café in Ripponden is an important part of our community and our students have been providing light entertainment for people attending. The Café at St Bartholomew’s Church is dedicated to welcoming people with dementia and Parkinson’s. .
Community Projects
Our Community Project group have been busy taking part in an archaeological dig on Snow Hill. In true Rishworth spirit the students have been getting stuck in and have loved their experiences so far. .
Students have already discovered the ruins of a summer house from John Wheelwright (our founder), under and by these ruins are remnants of buildings/walls dating back possibly as far as medieval times. It was brilliant to see four of our Year 13 Geography students representing themselves and Rishworth School at the Inter-Faith Climate Control Conference at Halifax Minster in October. Well done to all who attended. .
Boarding Life Our boarders enjoyed a spooky end of term Halloween party, which included lots of fun games and carving their own pumpkins. Squad ghouls! A brilliant trip to Blackpool saw the boarders head to the Pleasure Beach to experience the UK's most intensive amusement park. A great day was hard despite the rain and cold weather.
Students and staff headed to Liverpool to watch the hit musical Grease, before heading into the city centre to experience the brilliant Christmas markets. All in all, a busy opening term for the boarders!
Boarding Life
Boarders took part in a jewellery making workshop. They discussed and sketched ideas for making a simple copper health bangle or other brass or stainless steel rings and earrings using cold bending, planishing and texturing techniques. Several of the boarders had not used the DT workshop before, but quickly learned to use a variety of machines, tools and equipment such as the metal guillotine, buffing and polishing machine, pillar drill and dremel. Students then added their own unique features such has engraving designs or adding initials and dates to their work.
Christmas Concert
Congratulations to all of our 80+ dancers, dramatists and musicians from Year 3 to 13 who took part in a superb Christmas Concert. It was such a special event celebrating all the hard work and talent of our performers. Thank you to all our performers' families who tuned in virtually and enjoyed the show as due to COVID restrictions, we had to bring the show to them. A special thanks to the marketing team from the music department for making this possible.
Heathfield Head's Report Heathfield have enjoyed a hugely busy first term. Of course, each day has been packed with a myriad of classroom activities that we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy. Including being dropped behind enemy lines as part of Year 5's Forest School history topic, our children's learning doesn't just take place inside the classroom. We have supported several charities: collecting much needed resources for Smartmove, our continual school charity, sending shoeboxes packed with gifts for local families via the Calderdale Rotary and raising money for Overgate Hospice through a sponsored Reindeer Run, as well as donating funds as part of the annual Poppy Appeal. Heathfield's class councillors joined Heads and Deputies at the Harvest Service at Halifax Minster, where they helped deliver the service alongside Smartmove's Dom Furby. Closer to home, we were part of the excellent Rishworth Christmas Concert and have just performed a 'Wriggly Nativity' in Nursery and Reception and 'Everyone loves a baby' in Years 1 and 2 - much to the delight of everyone who was able to watch via our online video links! Mr David Baker Head of Heathfield
Welcome to all our new starters
Welcome to the 78 new students who have started at Rishworth and Heathfield this term. We are one big family and we're sure you've felt that in your first term with us. With over 90 different Enrichment & Extension activities taking place each week, there is so much on offer for our new students to get stuck into, in true Rishworth style! A special welcome to our new Reception class at Heathfield (pictured below).
Children star in Nativity play
Well done to all children across Reception and Nursery and also Year 1 & 2, who have starred in and performed their own Christmas Nativity plays at Heathfield. The children were simply wonderful, there was tuneful singing, beautiful costumes, realistic sound effects and all round Oscar worthy performances! Due to COVID guidance, parents were unable to attend, but it was recorded via a private video link which has been sent round to parents. Enjoy!
Halloween takes over Heathfield The students at Heathfield were 'creeping it real', as the hall was transformed into a spook-tacular disco for Halloween, as the children Boo-gie'd on down with their friends!
Rotary Club Christmas appeal
A huge thank you to our wonderful students at Heathfield, who have contributed to the Rotary in Calderdale's Community Shoebox Appeal. Students have filled up shoeboxes with toys, toiletries and food for families within our community. They have also decorated their boxes to make them extra special ahead of Christmas. Pictured are our Heads and Deputy Heads of Heathfield; Jasmine (Head), Connie (Deputy), Thomas (Deputy) and Cahal (Head). Well done to all students and their families for their support with this amazing community project.
Foundation Stage round up
The children in the Foundation Stage have had an amazing start to the year. We have welcomed several new children to Nursery and Reception and everyone has settled so well. Since we came back, the children have enjoyed engaging in so many different activities. Not only do we have constant learning going on in the provision with our focus sessions and access to all areas including the construction, role play, creative room and reading and writing area but we also have a whole host of specialist teachers. Forest School is always a highlight of the week for the Foundation Stage children. We love exploring the Dingle, cooking up a treat in the mud kitchen or heading down to the river! We have also been weeding, planting and harvesting in our own garden. Growing our own pumpkins for Halloween was a particular highlight.
Foundation Stage round up
We have perfected our acting and singing skills in Musical Theatre and Drama. The children have loved their weekly swimming lessons and it has been fabulous to see the how all children have grown in confidence and skill. Our French skills are rapidly developing with our weekly French sessions. The children love our PE sessions and have really enjoyed using all the different apparatus. Our resident artist who comes to us once a week for Art has enabled the children to produce outstanding pieces of art work including colour monsters, clay tree decorations and superb collage work. We have also had a super time with our Buddies from Year 6. They have been to play and learn with us and we are really enjoying getting to know them. So that is just the first term - we can't wait for the fun of the Lent term already!
Footballers finding their feet As part of their Enrichment & Extension programme, students at Heathfield have been sharpening their football skills thanks to the coaches at Mark Duffy Football School.
Sessions are focused on individual play and learning the fundamentals of football. Players are encouraged to have as many contacts with the ball during the session, with various fun games and small sided matches enabling a high number of touches during the hour sessions which run every Wednesday. Players have also represented the school in a fixture at The Gleddings with further matches planned in 2022.
Super Sam shines on world stage Heathfield Year 6 teacher Sam Barratt made his international football refereeing debut in October as he took charge of England v Italy U20s in Chesterfield. He was promoted to the EFL ahead of the 2020/21 season, and has took charge of a number of League One, League Two, EFL Cup and FA Cup matches over the last two years
In November, Sam refereed at the prestigious Val-de-Marne football tournament in Paris, where he was the sole English referee for the tournament. Mr Barrott took charge of Italy v France and Italy v Belgium, as well as being 4th official at Belgium v France. As always, we're proud of our students and staff who are flying the Rishworth flag around the world!
Chair of Governors Report I'm proud to be Chair of Governors of such a fantastic school with excellent teachers and wonderful pupils. We've all had a very difficult period during the COVID pandemic and many people have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to deliver the best education we can under the circumstances. The academic results speak for themselves reflecting how hard teachers and students worked despite the challenges. As the pandemic slowly subsides, so the Governors are looking strategically to where the School wants to be as we approach our 300th anniversary of delivering education at Rishworth in 2024. We are looking forward in hope and with great expectation for good times ahead as we try to live out the School moto - Deeds not words! With best wishes, Reverend Canon Hilary Barber Chair of Governors
OR's Report
Our next OR 'London Lunch' is booked in for the 2nd April at the East India Club, St James's Square. All ORs are welcome - to book your space or to find out more information, please email: mark.wickham@consultant.com We are mindful that it has been a long time since the last AGM. We are hoping to hold one in the New Year, date to be confirmed - so watch this space.
We are also quickly approaching the 300th anniversary of the School in 2024. Mrs Horbury, Director of External Relations, would love to hear any suggestions of ways of celebrating. She is also looking for exciting or funny tales for a book they are putting together. Please get in touch with her to discuss further at lhorbury@rishworth-school.co.uk.
OR Golfing Society
We enjoyed an excellent AGM and I am pleased to inform you that Richard Butterworth has agreed to continue with his role as President and that Ian Holmes is to be our Captain for 2022. Also, it was decided that there are to be no subs for this coming year! We were delighted to be joined for both the meeting and the dinner by the Headmaster and his wife, who kindly agreed to present the prizes. All welcome, joining details can be found via the link below. https://www.rishworth-school.co.uk/about/external-community/orgolf-society
ORGS AGM at Elland Golf Club (17/11/2021) Back Row (L-R): Bill Butterworth, Robert Powell, Marc Gledhill, Ian Shepley Brook, Mike Portman, Mark Wilcox, Brian Wade, Mike Astin Front row (L-R): Ian Holmes, Richard Butterworth, Anthony Wilkins (Headmaster) Sheena Wilkins.
ORs pay Sixth Formers a visit
It was great to welcome back Old Rishworthians Dominic Friedrick and Sam Ackroyd to Rishworth, as they gave a talk to Sixth Formers about University life. Since leaving Rishworth in 2019, Dominic is now at Christ Church College in Oxford whilst Sam is at Aberdeen University, with both studying Law. Both hailed Rishworth School for building their confidence in and out of the classroom, as well as providing them with a platform to succeed in life after Rishworth. Dominic said on the visit: "It was great to return to Rishworth as I miss the Sixth Form life so much. Thank you to Rishworth for preparing me for University by providing my flexibility in my lessons and allowing me to explore what I'm interested in."
Highs and Goodbyes A special Rishworth welcome to Mr Algar, who joins us in January as our new Chef Manager. Mr Algar joins the School with an excellent pedigree, having led the catering team at Fulneck School for nearly 7 years. Prior to that, he worked at ITV in Leeds, catering for the cast and crew at Emmerdale. He prides his food on home cooking, using locally sourced ingredients which is fresh, tasty and looking great. Congratulations to Miss Sutcliffe, who is getting married this month in Heptonstall, owing to its literary connection with Ted Highes and its thoroughly wuthering heights! Mr Barrott, Mrs Bannerman, Mr Brass, Mr Stone & Mr Hirst have all welcomed a new baby to the world recently. Congratulations to them all and their families. Congratulations to Mrs Ranson who got married this term and another special mention to Mr Hirst who - as well as having a baby boy called Arlo - also got married during the last term.
Highs and Goodbyes Farewell to Veronica, who departs the catering team after over 30 years dedicated and loyal service. Good luck for the future you'll be missed by staff and students at Rishworth. Good luck to Heathfield Teaching Assistant Mrs Pritchard who leaves us after 13 years with the School. We wish her all the best for the future. Goodbye and good luck to Mrs Murrell, who is retiring at the end of term after over 38 years service in the School's catering team. She's been a huge part of the team for so many years and will be missed by students and staff at Rishworth. Everyone at the School wishes her all the best for the future.
Getting to know our new staff Introducing Mr Lewis, our new Chemistry teacher. He joins Rishworth having taught for over 26 years across Yorkshire, Surrey and The Midlands, as well as three years in Africa. Mr Lewis has previously held senior roles such as Head of Science, Head of Key Stage 3 & 4 and Deputy Head before joining the Rishworth family in September. "I've loved my time at Rishworth so far. The staff have been so welcoming and it's a real pleasure to be teaching students who have such high aspirations. "The students at Rishworth are engaged, focused and ready to learn - a perfect combination for any teacher to have at their disposal! "I love science and enjoy doing all the experiments and making things blow up and set fire to things. Also, if I had a super power it would be to walk through doors - they're a little boring and it would be good to surprise my classes."
Getting to know our new staff Introducing Miss Lloyd, our new Head's PA. She joins the School having worked at Wellington School in Altrincham for over five years and is the most recent member of the Rishworth family, joining the team at the end of November. "Despite only being here for a really short time, it's already struck me what a beautiful place Rishworth School is. Everyone here has been so welcoming and I feel like I've fitted in really well. "Part of my day to day job is ensuring the smooth running of the diaries of Mr Wilkins, Ms Sheldrick and Mrs Horbury, as well as collecting briefing notes and attending SLT meetings. "My interactions with the students have been really nice. They're all lovely and even helped me put the Christmas Tree up in Reception! "I have a real interest in interior design as I'm quite a creative person and whilst in my previous job was in charge of posters and noticeboards, so hopefully I can get stuck into that too. "My super power would be easy - an invisible time traveller!"
Getting to know our new staff Introducing Mr Pitchforth, our new Teaching and Learning Manager. He joins the School from Calderdale College, where he was Assistant Head of Department for Higher Education. He previously was an Advanced Teaching and Learning Coach at Kirklees College, where he worked for over six years. "I work directly with staff and students to review and evaluate the teaching and learning offering at Rishworth and Heathfield. "It's been a crazy start to life at the School with an inspection and two progress weeks - so lots has happened already and I've loved it. "The staff and students have been so welcoming to me and that's what makes Rishworth and Heathfield such a special place to work and to learn each day. "Away from work I'm a committee member at my local running team - Slaithwaite Striders - I'm not running as much as I'd like but each week I aim for between 25-30 miles. It's great socially."
Friends of Rishworth School Friends of Rishworth School Sports We are delighted to announce that the total amount of money raised at the Sporting Dinner was a whopping £6,500. Guests enjoyed a fun-filled, glamorous evening hosted by John Williams of Halifax Town including stories and insights into representing England by speakers George Ford, Daniel Kelly and Eorl Crabtree.
PTA After school events being curtailed by Covid, the PTA is back with a bang with our inaugural meeting at the Malthouse with over 25 parents in attendance! We have held some really exciting events – the Halloween Disco and Christmas Party at Heathfield and have lots in the pipeline including the School Ball for the Spring time – Save the Date: 19th March 2022.
In Memoriam Roger Howes Roger was Head of Modern Languages for many years. A very accomplished and well respected teacher, by students and colleagues alike. He was Housemaster of Governors House, one of the two main boys boarding houses for many years. The School and the students that he taught and had pastoral responsibility for always came first. Whether running the Boarders' Bar or organising boarders trips to places such as Alton Towers, Roger was the epitome of an organised, reliable and conscientious teacher who well reflected the Res Non Verba Rishworth approach. He was genuine and honourable man and a good friend who those that worked with him and those who had the benefit of his teaching have many fond memories of. Rest in Peace Roger and thank you for all that you did and accomplished at Rishworth.
Geoffrey Moss Geoffrey Moss died on 2nd October. Geoffrey was approaching 91 and passed away at his home in Richmond-upon-Thames. He was at Rishworth from 1941 through to 1949 and was a frequent participant and a cheerful character at the Old Rishworthian London Lunches in recent years. We'll drink to his memory when we meet again this coming April. RIP Geoffrey.
In Memoriam David Cockroft David Cockroft was President of the ORGS at the time of his passing. He was a very charming and humorous individual - he will be missed. RIP David.
Rose Mawer We are very sad to announce that Rose Mawer, who has worked in the kitchens at both Heathfield and Rishworth since 1986, died on 8th December after a long illness. Rose will be greatly missed by the whole school community.
The Rishworth Bursary Fund
Through our bursary fund, we give gifted and talented children the opportunity to realise their potential through an outstanding education, irrespective of their families’ ability to pay fees. As part of our 300th anniversary, our vision is to be able to support an increased level of students – who without a bursary would be unable to access an education at Rishworth School. This will require significant financial support and can only be realised with your continued generosity and endorsement. Increasing the number of bursaries we offer to exceptional students will make a huge difference, not just to those individuals, but also to our wider school community. Previous recipients of bursaries have contributed greatly to school life, providing leadership and mentoring, and their talents have added enormous value to the school. Rishworth School is a unique and iconic institution – one of the greatest independent schools in the North. Our ethos derived from our school motto ‘Res Non Verba’ has helped generations of Rishworthians over the last 300 years realise their talents and succeed in their chosen field. We believe this is an ethos worth preserving. If you feel the same way, please consider supporting us and give to the Rishworth School Bursary Fund. For more information or to donate, please contact Mrs Lydia Horbury, Director of External Relations, by email at lhorbury@rishworth-school.co.uk.
Merry Christmas Please find below a mini Christmas Concert Video, to get you in the festive spirit! Wishing all of our Rishworth family near and far, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!