Spring Newsletter 2019

March 2019

Hope High

Head Teacher message Hello and a very warm welcome to our spring newsletter. We have had lots going on this term, many pupils have been involved in a residential at Tower Wood, football matches, Forest School and Duke of Edinburgh. Well done to all the pupils who took part, they were a credit to the school and did us all proud. I would like to thank all the staff who have given up their time to allow the residentials to happen for our children.

We continue to grow as a school, and we are full for year 7 in September. The school continues to have a positive and calm atmosphere. Over summer we will be redesigning the dining hall due to the increase in numbers and we are creating a sensory garden in the quad to support Hope High’s therapeutic interventions.

We have raised money this term by organising events and raising money for red nose day, pupils and staff have also took part in World Book Day and safer internet day. I would like to thank pupils and staff for all their hard work in organising and helping to make these events a success.

Holiday schedule for next term Summer Term 201 9 School reopens Tuesday 23 April 2019 May Day Bank Holiday Monday 6 May 2019 School closes Friday 24 May 2019 Half term: Monday 27 May - Friday 31 May 2019

December 2018

Hope High Head Teacher message continued..

I would like to recognise the efforts of all staff throughout this term. We have a team who work hard to support the school and all are dedicated to support each learner to achieve. I would like to thank each of our fantastic children who attend Hope High School; all are progressing very well due to the effort that they put in every day at school. Our Key stage 4 pupils have been working hard completing functional skills exams and mock GCSE exams. They have all been a credit and behaviour has been outstanding.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated. It was wonderful to see many of you at the recent progress meeting and at the military afternoon.

I hope to see you at a future event being held at Hope High. Next term we will be having a “Hopes Got Talent’ and also our annual amazing BBQ in July. If you need any information about school, please visit our website www.hopehighschool.co.uk. If you would like to put your views about our school please visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk. You can also follow us on twitter @HopeHigh_Skem.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable Easter holidays and we look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 23rd April.

Mrs Dunbavin

Hope High Our school celebrated Red nose day on the 15th of march, Students took part in activities such as , find the red nose, baked cakes sale, art painting in red and of course , wear red to school.

With the sale of red noses our school raised an amazing ÂŁ162

We Are On Twitter Hope High School has its own Twitter feed now, which can be found on the home screen of our website, as well as Twitter itself. At the moment we have 20 followers, but it would be great to have more staff, parents, carers and pupils on board to engage in this medium of communication.

Why not some and follow us?

It’s a great way to share news of events happening in school, read interesting articles shared by the school or simply to comment on or like posts on our feed. You can join us by downloading the twitter app on your phone and following us at HopeHigh_Skem. Get tweeting about Hope High!!!!

Knife Crime Skelmersdale Artz centre were asked to put together a short film a few years ago by the Community safety partnership, they produced a film called Crossing The Line, it tells a story of a young lad who is faced with choices in relation to drug dealing and carrying knives.

“Crossing The Line �

West Lancashire police and a member of the Artz center will be delivering a session to both KS3 and KS4 on Tuesday 26th March, with knife crime being so prominent in the news, we feel the need to deliver sessions on knife crime prevention.

World Book Day Staff and students at Hope High school celebrated world book day on the 7th march, students came dressed in costumes from their favourite books, characters ranging from Harry Potter, Boy in the striped pyjamas too Boy in the dress ( David Walliams). It was a great day, enjoyed by all.

“Great day enjoyed by all�

Learning Resources Pupils continue to access Accelerated Reading and over the last 12 months we have seen a 70% increase in the pupils reading age. The pupils earn points when they have finished a book and taken the quiz these points are then converted to the pupils bank fund, which helps to support engagement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support with home school reading.

“calming Influence�

Lola, Mrs Griffiths dog continues to support the children on a Thursday. Lola has a calming influence that helps the children at times when they need it.

Food Technology This term in Food Technology, students in Key Stage 3 have prepared and cooked a range of dishes, celebrating Chinese New Year by cooking a vegetable Stir-Fry and baking numerous sweet treats including Victoria Sponge Cakes and Viennese

“Chinese New Year�

In Key Stage 4, the focus has been on pasta dishes in line with BTEC assessment guidelines. Students have prepared and cooked several dishes, including Classic Tomato Spaghetti, Macaroni Cheese and Tuna and Broccoli Pasta.

Computing & ICT During the first half term, Pupils across KS3 and KS4 have been studying and improving their Excel skills. KS3 was introduced to using the application and shown its main features and how and why we use it. KS4 worked on developing their knowledge of the application and shown The second half term KS3 worked on coding. We looked at Scratch and Python to show examples of two different coding styles and languages. Pupils were successful at making useable "Clicker" games using Scratch. Whilst using Python pupils learnt key aspects of coding such as variables, functions and loops. Due to the success and interest in Coding, we plan to introduce an after-school coding club at Hope High.

“after-school coding club �

Key stage 4 students continue to work towards their ICT functional skills. An emphasis has been on Excel skills and controlled assessments.

Art

This half term we have been looking at Aboriginal Art. The students have represented animals using dot painting and patterns. The KS4 students used pieces of wood and stones to show different Aboriginal symbols.

“Animals using dot painting�

Art Competition Hope High students have been participating in this year’s 6 week Art Competition. The students have been submitting art work relating to each weeks different creative theme.

With themes from Cute to Creepy, the students have produced some amazing pieces of Art work. Each week there are two winners who receive a small reward but all students are hoping to win the Shuttle Art Sketching and Drawing Pencil Set

History This term in History, key stage 3 pupils have looked at the medieval times. Pupils have mainly focused on the rise and fall of kings during that time period.

The main focus for this term was the Norman conquest and its impacts upon Britain during this time. We looked at the key battles, the change of kings, and the introduction of the feudal system.

“accuracy of different sources �

Towards the end of the term, pupils researched Richard the Lionheart and his reign. Pupils were introduced to the concept of analysing the accuracy of different sources. Students watched a film that introduced Richards brother becoming king and the role of Robin hood during that time. Pupils will next term look at the accuracy of these accounts.

Tower Wood Trip

Pupils from years 7 and 8 went to Tower Wood on Windermere this term for the residential trip accompanied by Mr Downes, Mr Mawdsley and Miss Thompson. It was an exciting chance for pupils to engage in some outdoor activities and push their own personal boundaries.

The activities included mountain walking, canoe rafting, low ropes and quarry walking. Both pupils and staff had a great time and have taken away many memories from the residential.