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LIFE AT PGS CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT THE LATEST

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SIXTH FORM

YEAR NINE

BLACK BELT @PudseyGS

Issue 001

CHILDREN IN NEED

NEW BEGINNINGS MEET THE STAFF

NEW BEGINNINGS Before starting Pudsey Grangefield school I was hesitant. Many worries raced through my mind.

I was excited and filled with nervous energy, yet I managed to get up and start the new day.

The first day of school went very well. We started off in assembly and Mr McKelvie introduced everyone I needed to know. Later on in the assembly we were reunited with the form we had been placed in on the transition

"...my nerves had vanished off the face of the Earth!" day, we lined up and looked at our new form room. After many activities that involved learning each other's name's and hobbies we went for lunch. By the end of the day my nerves had vanished from the face of the earth, although I did get lost a few times! A few weeks on and I think it's safe to say I have settled in well and don't have that much of a panic when I have to find the drama and music area.

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I've started year 9 this year and I am enjoying it so much!

One of my favourite lessons this year would have to be drama. Drama has been my favourite because the teachers are lovely and

"...work hard to accomplish your ambitions..." the students are caring,. Everyone in my drama lesson I can trust and overall I really enjoy it.

My favourite thing that we have done so far in drama this year must be when we did 'push hands'. I thought that push hands was fun because when we did it for the first time the teacher chose the groups so that we work with people we may not know all that well. That is what helped us gain the trust we have for one another. Don't forget to enjoy school as well as work hard to accomplish your ambitions!

High School can seem daunting at the best of times.

When everything you have been used to for the past two years has changed completely, it can be a little overwhelming. It’s been exciting and intense trying to make a good impression on all your teachers and trying to get your head down with all your homework. All of a sudden,

"...Every single day is different..." you have to grow up!

So far you're probably thinking, “Oh no what am I going to do?” Well, there are so many good things about Year Nine. First of all, you only have to do the subjects you want to do because at the end of Year Eight you pick the subjects you want and any of the subjects you don’t like, you don’t have to do (you have to Maths, English and science though!). You’re not one of the little kids anymore; you’re one of the older kids. This year we have been given a two week timetable. Every single day is different which does make it that little bit more exciting, but also it makes you more likely to be late for lessons too! However, when a couple of weeks have passed I bet I will easily get the swing of things. So far year nine has been a lot of fun.

Bring on the rest of the year!

TANG SOO DO Not many people believe me when I say that I got my black belt at 12. But I did.

I started Tang Soo Do (a traditional Korean martial art of self defence) at 6 years old as a scared white belt. Now I am a first dan junior and hopefully grading again to first dan senior in a year.

Basically, I have been doing this for over half of my life! It has been a long journey to get where I am today as the belt order is a long one. But in my opinion, it has been so worth it. I have broken some bones along the way (mainly due to falling out of things like trampolines and trees!) so yes; there have also been a few setbacks.

There are 11 belt colours in total; this is not including the 8 dans that you go through once you are at black belt. The belt colours go from lightest (white) to darkest (black). Even though I am a black belt, am I perfect at Tang Soo Do? Honestly......No. Not even close. I still have so much to learn, just like the white belts. Master Joseph taught me Tang Soo Do and will carry on teaching me so much more. He has been studying this art since he was a teenager and now he is 7th dan.

Master Tang is the senior master of our region and he has been on the Great Britain Tang Soo Do team. Master Tang is an inspiration to me and many others. He is always very encouraging and helpful; he won’t get annoyed if you get something wrong, only go through it with you until it is right. I began Tang Soo Do because karate had spiked my interest from a young age so my mum took me along to the local class. To be honest, when I started at 6 years old, I didn’t think I would get this far but now I aspire to become a master. You can start at any age from 6 up. The people in my class range from 6-­‐60 but you can carry on until whatever age you want. I have taken many things from my time at Tang, and not all of it is combat related. I have learnt discipline and control as well as met many new people with the same interests who have grown to become some of my best friends and my Tang Soo Do family. I have stayed healthy doing this hobby that I love and would never exchange the past 7 years for anything.

"...now I aspire to become a master..."

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MEET THE NEW STAFF Name: Mr L Taylor.

Role: Network Manager.

From: Leeds.

2 Truths 1 Lie: 1. I am one of only 4,000 people to have climbed to the top of Mount Everest.

2. I’ve walked 42 miles in 20 hours on the Lyke Wake Walk.

3. I can make a cup out of paper that holds water.

Name: Ms K Nota.

Role: Year 9 Leader.

From: London.

2 Truths 1 Lie: 1.I have a horse at the local stables called Black Beauty.

2. I get very competitive when I play badminton.

3. I love to cook.

Name: Miss E Tsagkaropoulou.

Role: Teaching Assistant.

From: Athens, Greece.

2 Truths 1 Lie: 1. I have a tiny little dog called Conan the Barbarian.

2. I love skydiving.

3. I can speak 4 languages.

Name: Mr J Macrow.

Role: Assistant Subject Leader of Mathematics.

From: Cambridge.

2 Truths 1 Lie: 1.I played saxophone in the Guinness factory on St. Patricks day.

2. I have visited every country in Europe.

3. I completed my A level maths in year 11.

SIXTH FORM AT PGS Earlier this term, year 12 and 13 mathmaticians took part in the UKMT senior Maths challenge.

This is a very difficult challenge of high level questions sat over an hour and a half.

Particular Congratulations go to Cameron and Jacob who were so successful, they have progressed through to the next round of even more challenging questions to be sat in the coming months.

A group of year 12's; Quinn, Jamie, Joe and Kyle went to compete in the UKMT Senior Maths Team Challenge. The Challenge consists of three rounds, the group round where students have 40 mins to work together and answer 10 questions of at least an a level standard for a maths puzzle. The second round is a cross number where teams are divided into the down clues and the across clues and have to work together in order to complete a challenging cross number and the final shuttle round where students must pass answers back and forth in order to complete a chain of solutions. Our boys participated fully and hopefully really enjoyed the evening.

SIXTH FORM EXPERIENCES

The start of Sixth form has been one of collective positivity.

While the workload may feel impossible at times, the overall progress we are making is inspiring and gives us the feeling of accomplishment. The start of Sixth form has been like a marathon: exciting and hard but we all come out winners thriving on our own and other’s success. Sixth Form opens up hundreds of opportunities and the new beginning to Sixth form has made us realise that our whole lives are ahead of us: we just need seize the opportunity.

Being in Sixth form is great in some respects.

The positive aspects are that we are given more independence when we are allowed to go out. However the negative aspects is that the quantity of work given can overwhelm some people.

The beginning of Sixth form has given us the opportunity to be more responsible and free.

Becoming a Sixth former has lived up to it’s expectation with the teachers treating you as respectable and trusted adults. The freedom to wear non-­‐uniform shows how trusted we are, allowing us to be different and showing our identities through what we wear. The new freedoms of studying where we want and to be allowed out to have long lunches feels liberating. While the workload at times feels impossible, the final feeling of success inspires us to work even harder.

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EVENTS During school in October a number of students took part in 'Restart a Heart day'.

This was a nationwide event that was aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of young people regarding CPR. Students from the 6th form, year 11, year 10 and year 9 took part in the training. The St Johns ambulance volunteers were very positive in their feedback of how mature the students were with the content and also how well they demonstrated the CPR skills.

GCSE Drama and A Level Drama & Theatre students recently visited The Playhouse, Leeds.

They went to see International renowned Kneehigh's Production of 'Tin Drum'. The students were stunned and inspired by the eclectic mix of Drama, Singing, Physical Theatre and Puppetry that resulted in a uniquely surreal performance.

It was a performance they will never forget.

"...we raised a whopping ÂŁ1736.51!..."

Children in need is a fantastic cause and we put on lots of activities to raise money.

One of the highlights of the day had to be the staff netball game. Who knew that staff would be so competitive! It was great to see staff coming out of their classrooms and donning their sports gear. There were some fantastic matches but one player really did stand out. He scored with every shot. He moved with the grace of a swan, but had the sting of an angry wasp! Mr Brigden was by far the best player and delievered a performance we won't forget!

All together, we raised an whopping ÂŁ1736.51!

A Trip to Bradford's Alhambra was arranged for the GCSE Dance students.

This was to provide them with the opportunity to see Ramberts showcase of Christopher Bruce's most celebrated Contemporary Ballet piece 'Ghost Dances,' the hilarious performance of 'Goat,' and the Samba inspired piece 'A Linha Curva.' The students were mesmerized by the skill and complexity of the choreography, as well as being entertained by the live Nina Simone songs and moved by an inspired and emotive duet.

ACHIEVEMENTS Jasmine and Ellie will be competing in the forthcoming British National Championships in Gloucester for the City of Leeds Synchronised Swimming Club. Both girls have been doing this for the past 6 years – their week consists of getting up at 4:30am some mornings for training prior to school and also evening training some days. Here’s wishing the girls well in their future endeavours. “And all this whilst revising and doing trial exams” – You Go Girls!

On Friday 10th November PGS Cadets held a brief remembrance service in school which consisted of 2 wreaths being laid at our memorials in school and also a short verse being read. As always the cadets did a fantastic job at recognising our soldiers both past and present.

Taya, Cameron , Kallum, Jake, Mitchell, Alex, Tilly, Liam, Imogen, Alex. Thank you all for your contributions – Mrs Pennock

"...lest we forget ..."

During his spare time Harrison is heavily into his scootering. He has been doing this for approximately three and a half years.

Harrison practises this hobby at The Works and also Hyde Park, both in Leeds. Some of his routines are uploaded onto Instagram and he often attaches ProXtreme Sports into these. ProXtreme Sports is where he purchases all his parts from and they often give him stickers etc to advertise for them.

“Xtreme routines”

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Jake is an Air Cadet at 2387 Pudsey Squadron and he is also in the ensemble band -­‐ Meantime. Jake sings and plays guitar.

The band entered 1st stage wing competition and won, they then won the regional competition. The next stage for the band is to represent their region at the National Competition in Suffolk on 26th November 2017. Following an open mike gig the band have now been asked to do a paid gig – Great News!!!

Lucas and Connor have recently been invited along to do trials for Leeds United Academy. They were 2 out of 36 players chosen in this age group to take part in the trials over last half term. As yet they are still waiting to hear back from the club.

An amazing effort lads!

Tino is to make her West End Debut in the ensemble of 'Strictly Ballroom' which is showing at the Piccadilly Theater in early 2018. Tino graduated from PGS in 2012 after studying BTEC Performing Arts and GCSE Drama; she performed in school productions: Oliver-­‐ playing Nancy, Grease-­‐ playing Rizzo and was a founding member of PGS Dance society. Tino went on to study Performing Arts at Leeds College and earned a place at the prestigious Bird College of Dance and Theater Performance in London, recently graduating with a 1st degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theater. Mrs Wood and Miss Wray met up with Tino whilst on the PGS London residential to congratulate her.

SPORTS AT PGS At Pudsey Grangefield, we like to recognise those students that go above and beyond in sport outside of school.

This standard requires a high level of commitment and motivation in order to thrive in their particular sport, which is something these students perform consistently and successfully. We are lucky enough to have a number of students performing at a high level in a wide range of sports, the aspirations and achievements of every one of these students should be celebrated together as a school with the hope that these talented pupils have a positive impact on others aspiring to succeed in sport and wider school life also.

In football, there are a number of students that participate at different age ranges: Alexander is on the books at Sheffield United’s academy while Hayden is currently playing at Hull City’s academy. Haroon & Jack along with Lois all play football at academy level while Lois has been selected as part of the England Talent Pathway and Ellie is currently playing in the Leeds United Ladies team. Matthew was picked for the West Yorkshire Schools FA County team as a result of his performances in football for both school and club.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS Swimming & synchronised swimming Emily & Rachel (City of Bradford).

Jessica, Ellie & Jasmine (City of Leeds).

British Triathalon Lucy (City of Leeds) Yorkshire talent squad.

British BMX representative Jacob is ranked 16th in the nation.

British Show Jumping & Dressage Tyler

British Catamaran Class Sailing Harriet

County Cricket Bethany (Yorkshire)

Muai Thai Jamie

British Aikido Eddie

British Gymnastics Abi

"...the girls are looking to defend the cup this season after bringing it back to PGS ..."

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YEAR 7

The boy’s football team has had a successful start to life at Pudsey Grangefield, winning 5 out of their 6 league games so far. They are also through to the next round of the cup after beating Carr Manor comfortably, 4-­‐1.

There has been a massive turnout from the girls at practice every week giving the PE staff the opportunity to create more than one team and they have made a positive start to sport at PGS winning a couple of games against other schools.

YEAR 9

It has been a strong start from the year 9 boys so far winning 4 out of their 6 opening league games.

They have beaten Crawshaw & Farnley Academy, along with a thumping 4-­‐0 win over Leeds West Academy.

The girls have won a number of matches across different sports.

YEAR 8

The year 8 football team have a number of students attending football practice consistently and they have made a positive start to year 8.

In netball, there has also been a big turnout to practice and they have made a good start to the year winning a number of games.

YEAR 10

Just like the younger year groups in Netball, there is a high turnout from the year 10s on a regular basis to practice. The team has had a successful start going unbeaten so far with the most recent result being a win against Priesthorpe.

YEAR 11

It has been a very positive start from the year 11 boys as they have won 3 from 3 league games scoring 17 goals so far. They have continued their good form from last season beating Farnley 7-­‐0, Leeds West 5-­‐1, and Lawnswood 5-­‐1.

The year 11 girl’s netball team have also had a successful start to the year.

GCSE ART & PHOTOGRAPHY