Autumn 2009 - Boston Spa School

Link
Autumn 2009 Issue 8
The news magazine of Boston Spa School
Warm welcome
Year 7 students settle in at Boston Spa

Latest news
Warm welcome:
Headteacher Christopher Walsh.
Summer camp
success
DURING the first week of
the summer holidays, our
prospective Year 7 students
were invited to join students in
Year 8 on a summer camp.
Fifty young people each
day took part in a wide variety
of sports including football,
hockey, basketball, dodgeball,
cricket, rounders,
climbing and orienteering.
The team-building activities
helped to build friendships
before the students moved
up to Boston Spa School in
the autumn.
On the ball: Bradley Foster
and Bradley Kirsopp.
Exciting
times ahead
Celebration time: Last year’s Year 11 students with their GCSE results.
Team players: Laura
Olbison and Chloe Waite.
I HOPE you enjoy reading the autumn
issue of Link, and I would like to begin
by congratulating our new Year 7
students on winning a place at Boston
Spa School. I am delighted to welcome
them, during what is an exciting time
for our school.
In this edition, we focus on our
students’ successes in their external
exams, and how our school encourages
learning through student leadership
and team-working skills.
Mr Christopher Walsh, Headteacher
Dates for
your diary
School Term Dates
2009
7th September to 23rd October
2nd November to 18th December
2010
4th January to 12th February
22nd February to 1st April
19th April to 30th April
4th May to 28th May
7th June to 23rd July
Some Autumn Term Events
29th September
Year 12 Information Evening
6th October
Staff training day; open evening for
prospective parents
22nd October
Autumn concert
26th November
Drama showcase
15th December
Christmas concert
School contact: 01937 846636
Students excel
in exams
WE are celebrating the third successive year
of record rises in our GCSE results with 80 per
cent of our students achieving five or more
passes at A* to C. This is significantly higher
than all our external and national targets. It
is a good indication of the continuing rise in
academic standards in our school and the
excellent value we add for our young people.
Our Sixth Form have also achieved record
results in their A-level results with 98 per cent
of students passing their exams. Students
achieving A-C grades increased to 79 per cent,
an improvement from last year of seven
per cent. A and B grades increased
Going Green
BOSTON Spa School held its first Green Day
on Friday 3rd July, to raise awareness about
climate change, and how it relates to our school
building and the local area.
Students earned green stamps each time they
made a positive contribution towards the day.
We would like to thank the Go
Green Group who were crucial
to the success of the event, and
who put in a lot of hard work in
terms of organisation, ideas
and help on the day, such as
setting up the Fairtrade
chocolate fountain.
It is hoped that many of our
students will be inspired
to make choices that
will make our school,
our community and
our world a more
sustainable place.
eight per cent to 47 per cent.
Individual successes include Emma Nunn
who is going to study Medicine at Cambridge
and Alaise Ricard who is going to Oxford
to study Languages. They were among 12
students who achieved top grades in
every subject.
It is with the intention of sustaining and
improving this rate of increase that we are
considering adopting Trust Status. More
information on how Trust Status will benefit
the school will be given at our annual Open
Evening for parents and the community on
Tuesday 6th October, at 6pm.
Going green: Students looked at
useful items made from recycled
products.
In training: Ellen
Keag, Katie Magure,
Bradley Kirsopp and
Bradley Foster.
Widening
our horizons
FOLLOWING our work in France, Spain, Germany, China,
South Korea and Bangladesh, the school is celebrating
being awarded an International Schools Award.
We are now keen to build on this work and extend
our links to include Poland, Romania, Sweden and
South Africa.
The development of our students’ cultural awareness
will be supported with international cookery lessons,
sports links, our ‘Included’ project in Bangladesh and
online communication and the study of technology in
South Korea.

Leadership and teamwork
Students lead the way
Boston Spa students team up for trips and out-of-school
activities, extending their learning beyond the classroom
Science
comes to life
IN May, 22 students from
Boston Spa School attended
‘Operation Montserrat’ at the
Leeds City Learning Centre.
The aim of the morning
was to bring the teaching
of Science to life. Using a
‘real-life’ scenario – the 1996
natural disaster on the island
of Montserrat, which was hit
by a volcanic eruption and
hurricane – the students were
able to put the academic
skills they had learned in the
classroom to practical use. This
involved plotting the path of the
hurricane, monitoring lava
flows and evacuating people
in danger.
The students were also able
to use their Maths, Geography
and English language skills.
They also learned about the
importance of working together
as a team, communicating with
each other and working under
pressure to deal effectively with
the task in hand.
China conjures up
special memories
All abroad: Boston Spa students in China with children
from the school in Guilin.
THIRTY Sixth Form students
have returned to Boston
Spa after spending a month
in China.
During an action-packed visit,
the group travelled to Beijing,
Chengdu, Xian, Kangding,
Guilin and Hong Kong. They
trekked up the north peak of
Hua Shan and climbed to the
top of Emei Shan to watch the
sunset. They also spent time
with children at an orphanage
run by Tibetan monks, and at
a school in Guilin.
Among their incredible
experiences, Greg Hatfield
remembers hot air ballooning
over Yangshuo, Emily Barnes
recalls playing cricket with the
monks and locals in Tagong
and Alex Mathers recollects
camping on a patch of ground
covered in prayer flags and
located next to a blue lagoon,
fed by a waterfall.
Duke of
Edinburgh’s
Award
YEAR 10 students have been working towards
their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since
last September.
In July, they passed their Assessed Expedition
after hiking from the Cow and Calf rocks on Ilkley
Moor to the Harewood estate.
The students had to carry their own kit and, using
their map-reading skills, followed route cards to
Bramhope Scout Camp where they pitched their
tents and cooked themselves a meal. The next
morning, they packed up their belongings and set off
on the final leg of their journey to Harewood.
Star trekkers: The team at the Cow and Calf at Ilkley.
Students
teach French
IN June, 15 students in Year 9 accompanied Miss
Venries to Shadwell Primary School, acting as French
teachers during the school’s ‘French Day’.
Deputy Headteacher at Shadwell, Laura Ridsdale
commented: “The students were all fantastic role
models and superb ‘student teachers’. There was a
lively buzz in the classrooms and non-stop learning all
day. It was lovely to see our children respond so well and
to see your students taking the initiative.”

English and Media in the spotlight
Book bonanza
MORE than 30 students took part in the
Leeds Book Awards and the Carnegie
Awards last term.
The winner of the Leeds Book Awards
11-14 category was Blood Ties by Sophie
McKenzie. Laura Midgley in Year 9 gave
the book five out of five in her online review,
which stated: “Blood Ties really made
me feel for the characters. It has many
unexpected twists and turns, and I would
recommend it to my friends.”
Year 8 student Jasmine Nixon said:
“There were 18 books, but we could read
them at our own pace, so it was a relaxed
environment. We all went to the awards
ceremony, where we met some of the
authors, which was really exciting. I
definitely want to do it again next year
as it’s nice to do something other than
lessons all the time.”
Health and
safety in
focus
GCSE and A-level Media students
were invited by Ian Dalton of
Taylors of Harrogate to produce a
Health and Safety video that could
be used for staff training in the
company’s factories.
The project included planning
the script, filming in the Harrogate
factory, editing, and producing the
final DVD.
As a thank you, the students
were invited to afternoon tea at
Bettys in Harrogate.
Mr Dalton said that the company
was delighted with the results, and
presented the school with a digital
video camera.
The school has now been
asked to produce a Health and
Safety video for the tea rooms
themselves, in the new year.
Successful season
for school cricketers
Sports
roundup
Football
THE school hosted the Partner Secondary
School eight-a-side football tournament in July,
during which local secondary schools played a
series of matches over the course of a weekend.
In addition, 20 Year 10 boys attained the
Junior Football Organisers (JFO) Certificate, and
21 Sixth Formers gained the FA Certificate in
Coaching Football, Level 1.
Tennis
TWO teams entered the Leeds Tennis League
this year, playing matches against Brigshaw,
Roundhay, St Mary’s and Leeds Grammar. The
Under 13 team was led by George Burnel, and
Adam Kettlewell led the Under 15 team. Both
teams performed well, narrowly missing out on
a medal.
Diving
MEGAN Alikhanizadeh competed in the Diving
Age Group Nationals in Leeds over the summer,
winning the age 14-18, 3m synchronised
diving and the age 14-15, 1m individual diving
competitions.
Athletics
HEPTATHLETE Fran Coldwell, who specialises
in the 300m hurdles and long jump, recently
took part in the Yorkshire long jump trials. She
went on to represent Yorkshire in the September
English Schools Multi-Event Competition.
Success in sport
Year 9 mean
business
YEAR 9 students from Boston Spa School were among
students from three schools who were asked to look at
recruitment problems facing employers.
This followed a publication by the Learning and
Skills Network, which showed that 35 per cent of
businesses were struggling to recruit young
people with the right skills for
the workplace.
The Year 9 students created
a Leeds-based documentary,
which included interviews with
staff at the Hilton Hotel in
Leeds city centre, as well as
their peers and school staff.
The students received
training at the Derek
Fatchett Centre in
Woodhouse, and were
supported by Media
teacher Mr Bolton and
Business Partnership
Co-ordinator Mrs Green.
THE Year 9 and 10 cricket teams
enjoyed a great season.
Year 10 won the East Leeds Cup,
and both year groups went through
to the Leeds Cup final.
Sports teacher Mr Colley said:
“Year 10 team captain Harry
Smoothy has been a star player,
leading the team with great
professionalism and maturity.
Watch out Andrew Strauss!”
Cause for celebration
STUDENTS from all year groups
were invited to commemorate a
year of sporting achievements
during a celebration evening held
during the summer term.
Awards were presented for
Team of the Year – Year 7 football
(pictured right), Year 8 basketball,
Year 9 football and Year 10 cricket
– and to 7KS, who won the Year 7
sports day.
‘Sports Personality of the Year’
was nominated by students in each
year group, with awards going to
Jacob Millson and Jessica Ward
in Year 7, Jarrod Dixon and Katie
Toogood in Year 8, India Wilson
and Nick Holmes in Year 9, and Ed
Jowett and Fran Coldwell in Year 10.
Sports Leadership
TWELVE Year 11 students have gained the Level
1 Sports Leaders Award and 14 Sixth Formers
have achieved the Level 2 Community Sports
Leaders Award.
Ticket to
Wimbledon
AS a reward for their work in Sports
Leadership, including running sports
clubs and primary school support, ten
students in Years 8 to 11 were treated
to centre court tickets at Wimbledon.
A warm, sunny day was matched
by some superb tennis, including
Andy Murray and Roger Federer in the
men’s quarter finals and the Williams
sisters in the women’s doubles.
The Schools Sports Community
Officers Pip Jones and Jon Lynskey,
who organised the trip, said: “The
students are a credit to the school and
deserved the opportunity to see tennis
played at the highest level.”

On course to succeed in the Sixth Form
Expert
advice
STUDENTS in the Sixth Form had the
opportunity to try something new in
the final two weeks of term.
Experts came in to school to provide
training in first aid, sculpture and film
production. The Royal Marines put
students through their paces in an outdoor
fitness session, and students could also
try yoga, Pilates and paintballing.
Student Chloe Hirst said: “Each day, an
expert came in to school to give students
a basic understanding of a different
discipline. This meant that one day I was
part of a human pyramid supporting the
head cheerleader, and the next I would be
practising Tai Chi. It was great to get an
insight into each of these sports, and the
whole experience was great fun.”
Goodbye and
good luck
AFTER an emotional Leavers’ Assembly, students in Year
13 were given a sensational send-off at the annual Leavers’
Prom which, this year, was held at Superna in Leeds.
Mr Young, Year 13 Achievement Leader, said: “As a really
academic group, the celebrations were well deserved. It is
telling that over 80 per cent were offered conditional places
at university.”
He added: “Of course, the students will be sorely
missed, but we wish them all the very best of luck as they
proceed with their studies and careers.”
The school looks forward to welcoming back students at
the annual Sixth Form Awards Evening, which promises to
be a particularly special event.
Where’s Jack
AS you may know, Mr Walsh is an
avid art collector, spotting talented
students’ artwork and putting pieces
in his office. Imagine his surprise when
he returned to his office last term to
find a large rectangular space on
his wall.
“Where’s Jack” he demanded
of Art teacher Mr Boulton. He was
reassured with the fantastic news that
Year 11 student Sophie Hardcastle had
achieved full marks from her GCSE
Art exam and coursework and her
work had been chosen by the Area Art
Moderator as an exemplar standard
of very high quality work from across
the country. Her portfolio, including
her portrait of Jack Nicholson, will be
touring throughout the UK to enable all
edexcel Art teachers to view it.
Mr Walsh is delighted that Sophie
has achieved this honour and is
carrying on her studies in the Sixth
Form: “This reflects an incredible
amount of hard work from Sophie, as
well as an outstanding talent, that we
hope to see flourish even further at
AS-level.”
Boston Spa School
Clifford Moor Road, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 6RW
Tel: 01937 846636 Fax: 01937 841069
Website: www.bostonspa.leeds.sch.uk
Produced by Words&Pictures. Tel: 01943 854800.