12 Winter 2009 - Greenhead College

NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 12
WINTER 2009
Greenhead
news
The newsletter of Greenhead College
THE HYPOCRITE
OCTOBER 2009
The Hypocrite, the first of three A2 Theatre Studies
workshop productions for this year, is an alternative
title for Moliere’s Tartuffe, a classic French 17th century
French farce, here given a lively contemporary ‘English’
emphasis. The group focused on the centrality of the
family relationships as they are comically and ridiculously
disturbed by the intrusion of Tartuffe, the religious
hypocrite. Performed in the intimacy of the black box
studio, with a traverse audience format, the actors
created a fast-paced, amusing and largely physical
theatre approach using just one table as the ‘set’.
Charity Day Buzz:
Expectations far exceeded! What a success!
Charity Day took place on the 12th November, 2009. The college as a whole managed to
fundraise a fabulous £3,500 to be split between two very worthwhile charities: Action For
Children In Conflict and Meningitis Research.
Action For Children was selected as it is a charity which aims to rebuild the futures of children orphaned
through conflict or disease. Meningitis Research was chosen by Hannah Galloway, a Senior Student, in
memory of one of her best friends and former student (Becki Kaye) who sadly died last year. Hannah
said “All the bees wanted to make the most of the day, to make Becki proud - which they sure did!”
Many busy bees buzzed around college with buckets, collecting contributions. The Senior Student team
liaised with staff members to organise the day and had a primary quest to raise as much money as
possible.
www.greenhead.ac.uk
All students contributed
towards the positive
atmosphere, evidenced by the
diverse nature of fancy dress
costumes. From Lego Men
to Snow White - an array of
‘characters’ were present at
Greenhead on Charity Day.
The Senior Students would
like to thank everyone who got
involved during the day - the
most successful Charity Day
to date.
Sian Green

Greenhead
news
Express Success:
The college recently entered into an agreement with Document
Express Ltd for the supply of its main photocopier equipment.
As part of this agreement Document Express kindly donated a
cheque for £2,500 to enable the college to buy some specialist
equipment for Science or PE. The department who benefitted
was PE and they used the money to buy some equipment to
measure respiration rates. The photograph shows John Blake,
College Business Manager, receiving the cheque from Peter
Bedford and Graham Sims from Document Express Ltd. JBL
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
Close up on
Enrichment:
DEBATING REVIEW
Should drugs be legalised? Should we
lower the voting age to 16? Should the
Conservatives win the next election?
Everyone at Greenhead College has an
obvious opinion on the above questions
– but smart, sharp, serious students at
Greenhead actually want to influence
their view upon others, discuss and
debate the topics and most of all gain
more confidence in public speaking.
During the opening session we
considered our debates, from the ideas
of size zero all the way to the death
penalty. However, this was just a minor
action for certain people. Banning
extremist parties, like the BNP was
the move people began to take. After
careful preparation, four students held
the first motion – and they did so with
pride.
It has been a stimulating, action-packed
and witty start to the first term which
we all hope will continue next term.
By Hannah Bennett
OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD
NOVEMBER 2009
The second of this year’s A2 Theatre Studies
workshop productions was Our Country’s
Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. The play,
based on real characters and events, follows
the journey that convicts took in 1787 from
Portsmouth to Australia. Within a promenade
audience format, the opening scene tellingly
revealed the busy flavour of the streets of
Covent Garden as the audience were then
transported via the horror of the convict
ship hold to the newly established colony of
Botany Bay. Skilfully selected scenes and
clever doubling of roles vividly exposed the
harsh reality of the lives of both Officers,
resplendent in full regimental costume, and
of the Convicts, shabby dirty rags, as gradually, by rehearsing the play The Recruiting Officer, they are
transformed by the redemptive power of theatre. Under a deft awning the strong ensemble created vividly
comic and strongly moving moments as we witness the convicts regain their humanity, pride and individual
and collective identity as they bring their rehearsals to the triumph of the opening night.
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www.greenhead.ac.uk

Greenhead
news
Huddersfield Contemporary Music
Festival 2009: The Music of Electricity
During three workshop sessions, sonic artist Duncan Chapman
worked collaboratively with a class of 10-year olds at Spring
Grove Primary and 9 students from Greenhead. The work of
Tim Head’s exhibition at the Library was an essential starting
point – exploring the potential of tiny fragments of sound. The
final performance successfully brought everyone together as
part of the festival programme. SWR
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
Greenhead College Chamber
Orchestra weekend:
Jonathan Townend, Ben Parker, Jack Walker, Jess Mott and Nicole
Morrissey – some members of the project group this year
Fame:
Rehearsals were well underway when this photograph
was taken for this year’s college musical Fame. The
story of high school students training for stardom
in early 1980’s New York energetically explored the
creative, technical, acting and musical talents of over
100 of our students. The shows took place from the 8th
- 11th December 2009.
Ashford Campbell (Tyrone)
and Georgia Clarke (Iris) in
rehearsal
Soloist Matthew Ryan (piano), Conductor Matthew Smith
(former GC student) and Orchestral Leader Katrina Lee
(violin) prepare to make their debuts.
This was an ambitious new venture but Extended Project
students Ben Parker and Matthew Ryan together with
committee members Katrina Lee and Francesca Hardman-
Saiao were determined to make it work. Musicians
worked intensively over a weekend, the orchestra being
supplemented by former students, staff and friends to
produce a concert to be proud of. Ben’s composition
’Sights from Hyde Park’ was a five-movement electroacoustic
piece with a serious message about the
irreparable damage we are doing to the planet. Mozart’s
Piano Concerto in C and Schubert’s Symphony no 5
followed. An important part of the team building was the
sharing of lunch together – special thanks to Francesca
and her volunteers for providing us with lovely food. We
had a wonderfully appreciative audience for the concert
and final thanks and presentations acknowledged the hard
work of a great many people. Sue Roberts says, ‘It was
so rewarding to work with such a committed, reliable and
talented group of students. Bravo!’
Greenhead College Autumn
Concert:
The concert opened with a grand performance of the
overture of Phantom of The Opera, beautifully played
by the Wind Band. This set a high standard which
was maintained throughout. Everyone likes to hear a
toe-tapping tune, and this audience was no exception
reacting enthusiastically to the Jazz Ensemble. The
Swing Band was also very popular, as demonstrated
by the rapturous clapping of hands and smiling
faces. The Greenhead Choirs performed a variety of
pieces. I particularly enjoyed “A Nightingale Sang in
Berkeley Square” from the Chamber Choir. There was
a fantastic variety of performances from piano, flute,
clarinet, trombone and vocals. It was a really good
evening, thoroughly enjoyable!
Molly Anne
www.greenhead.ac.uk 3

Greenhead
news
NEW FACES
The Sky’s the Limit:
Italian and French
teacher, Stefano
Mocci, grew up in
Italy where he studied
Modern Languages and
Literature. He says “I never planned to
move to the UK, I just wanted to improve
my English,” but claims that he loves
working here. Along with interests in
politics, world affairs, literature and
philosophy, he tells us that he is also a
keen swimmer with a liking for parties,
walking around the lakes, going to the
gym and martial arts - we’d best watch
out for Stefano then! Despite his diverse
range of interests and hobbies, Stefano
insists that he doesn’t want to stop
there, so what’s the next plan? He tells
us he’d love to study Psychology and
even do a PhD - proving to all of us that
the sky really is the limit!
By Athena Mellor
Honest, Reliable and
Scouse!
New Biology teacher,
Graham Fiddler, joins
Greenhead College
for his eighth year in
teaching. He studied for his PhD at
Leeds University, before working at
Heckmondwike Grammar School for
four years, and then St Mary’s Catholic
School for three. Although it’s a far cry
from his childhood dream of becoming
a footballer, he is passionate about his
subject, and enjoys A-level teaching
in particular. The best part about the
job, he says, is sharing his knowledge
with his students (“...and the holidays
are great too!”) Outside college, he
enjoys spending time with his wife and
three children, as well as watching
Liverpool FC and reading Sci-fi books.
When asked to describe himself in just
three words, he didn’t hesitate before
replying:”Honest, reliable and Scouse!”
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
Paid to Read:
Anna Shaw’s official
roles at Greenhead
College are teaching
English Language and
Literature to A1 students,
and she’s happy with it. “I love working
and teaching A-level here because all
my students are motivated, enthusiastic
and have chosen to be here.” Besides,
she says, “I like the fact I get paid for
reading.”
It hasn’t always been her dream to
teach. At GCSE Anna wanted to become
a vet - but instead studied a Literary
degree at Cardiff University. Her
previous jobs were teaching English at
a secondary school and also to foreign
speakers, but she much prefers working
at a college. This mum of two’s future
hopes are to continue teaching and she
feels that Greenhead College is a “great
place to work.”
By Louise Swift
The Lure of Computing:
A former pupil of
Greenhead, James
Gregory has returned to
his roots as a member of
the team of Greenhead
College network administrators. A self
confessed ‘computer genius’, James has
always held an interest in electronics,
but his talents don’t just lie with
computers. A daredevil by nature, James
has been known for scaling mountains
with his bare hands - okay, not with his
bare hands but with a harness and belay
partner or at the local climbing wall.
James was offered the job after
working at Greenhead a few summers
ago and impressing the other network
administrators. Working beside his old
teachers might seem strange to some
people. But it’s not a problem, he says.
“At Greenhead there’s small divide
between students and teachers.”
Dr Who?
Dr Paul Burnham has
had a fairly varied life
so far. He didn’t always
want to be a teacher: his
first job was washing
up. Then, having chosen Chemistry as
a career, he found it interesting and
went on to produce compounds that
block lasers, then into teaching and now
metamorphoses into a form tutor as well
at Greenhead. Paul is married and has
two cats. Asked for an interesting fact,
he says, “Well I was married on April
Fool’s Day.” “And why do that, exactly?”
“We thought it was funny!”
By Elizabeth Palmer
Business
Extraordinaire!
After a day of “teaching
smurfs, cavemen, and
cowboys”, the newest
member of the Business
Studies and Economics departments,
Peter Davies, feels Greenhead is
the place for him! With both the
practical experience of Business, as
an accountant and insurer, and the
know-how from Manchester University,
Peter can bring new colourful character
into the department. With his love of
travelling, family and football (he is
an avid supporter of Shrewsbury FC),
Peter is ready for whatever Greenhead
can throw at him. “Three words to
sum yourself up?” I ask. “Positive,
enthusiastic and committed,” he replies.
We look forward to seeing more from
this business teacher extraordinaire!
By Rhyanna Bunniss
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By Pip Merrifield
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www.greenhead.ac.uk

Greenhead
news
PROJECTS & WORK
PLACEMENTS 2010
Following our successful PaWS week in June, staff are
already busy planning activities for June 2010 when once
again all our AS students will be given the opportunity to spend a week
working with and shadowing professionals on a variety of work placements
to help clarify future career plans, or to participate in a variety of projects
designed to develop both academic, life and social skills.
We are always looking for new work
placement opportunities. If you are
able to offer a placement for one of our
students for PaWS week 2010 (21-25
June), Claire Barnes our Placement
Manager, would love to hear from you.
Claire can be contacted by email:
cbarnes@greenhead.ac.uk or
telephone 01484 422032.
CB/HB
Sadie O’Callaghan enjoyed a trip on the
Eurostar to Brussels shadowing Lord Tope at
the European Parliament.
Sam Wilby, Thomas
Goater and Nicholas
Smith in action during
the Calderdale TV
Project held in PaWS
Week 2009. A group
of 11 Greenhead
students scripted,
produced, directed
and filmed a DVD in
one week.
Close up on: Greenhead Careers
A1s have had their first taste of careers, identifying skills required
by employers and applying for their work-shadowing placement:
the main course of careers lessons begins in January. The more
organised have already booked a careers interview.
A2s know all about interviews as recent tutorials have
concentrated on interview skills. Prospective vets, doctors,
dentists and teachers have experienced a mock interview with a
professional and are now receiving invitations for the real thing.
Both year groups are welcome to attend the Employer and Gap
Year Fair on February 25th. Watch out for more details! RB
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
Important Diary Dates
DECEMBER
15 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
(7.30pm Holy Trinity Church)
18 College closes
SPRING TERM
JANUARY
4 College opens
11 A-level, some AS and resit exams
begin (until 2nd February)
12 AS General Studies exam for all A2
students (1.30pm)
18 AS General Studies exam for all A2
students (9.00am)
26 Term 2 Enrichment Enrolment
12.05-1.05pm (6 period day)
FEBRUARY
12 College closes
HALF TERM
22 College opens
25 Employer/Gap Year Fair
MARCH
11 Results from January exams
15 Governors’ meeting
18 AS Parents Evening (L – Z)
19 AS Assembly (period 3, 4 and 5)
22 AS Parents Evening (A – K)
23 AS Assembly (period 5)
Spring Concert
24 Oxbridge Afternoon for those interested
in applying in 2010/11
25 AS Assembly (period 4 and 5)
26 A2 Assembly (period 3, 4 and 5)
27
30 A2 Assembly (period 5)
APRIL
1 A2 Assembly (period 4 and 5)
College closes
16 British Colleges’ Sports Finals in
Loughborough (until 18th)
SUMMER TERM
19 College opens
www.greenhead.ac.uk 5

Greenhead
news
World Challenge
Tanzania
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
International Aid:
S
During the summer,
14 students
took part in a
World Challenge
expedition to
Tanzania in Eastern
Africa. The focus of the trip was community
work in rural villages, which included the funding
and construction of a new building for a school.
The team also trekked in intense heat through
forest, mountain and desert before relaxing with
a well deserved safari and swim in the sea!
Paul Holden
Young Achievers from
Huddersfield Celebrated
at Lord Lieutenant’s
Garden Party
The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr
Ingrid Roscoe (pictured), held her third garden
party at Bramham (Wetherby) Bowcliffe Hall on
Sunday 21st June. Themes in the past have
been veterans from the armed forces and, in
jubilee year, carers. This year the theme was a
celebration of the county’s young achievers –
where Huddersfield, as part of the contingency
from Kirklees, was among the best represented.
Among the Huddersfield group were six
youngsters from Huddersfield’s New College
and twelve from Greenhead College, and a star
athlete and promising footballer from Salendine
Nook High School - all being recognised for their
various achievements at local, county, national
and international level.
Welcome to Greenhead’s Language Assistants who
will work with our Modern Foreign Languages students
across the academic year. Estelle Chopin, Vincent Perne,
Julie Marty and Sandy Viot provide additional tutelage
to French learners alongside Robert Otto who provides
German input. Spanish tuition is offered by Maria Perez
and Gema Iniguez Ruiz. Monica Estienne demonstrates
Italian expertise. The college is highly appreciative of
their invaluable assistance.
Hannah van Rooyen, an Enrichment Journalism student,
caught up with Estelle Chopin to find out more.......
A Chopin who likes Country:
Estelle Chopin is one of the newest additions to the team
of Language Assistants and is thoroughly happy here.
She loves the “good friendly atmosphere” and feels lucky
to help students improve their French.
Having initially studied Sciences at Baccalaureate level
(equivalent to A Level), Estelle changed track and went
on to study English at University in Besancon. Coming
from Jura, on the border with Switzerland, and having an
“it could be worse” outlook on life, she actually doesn’t
find our weather too bad.
Living up to her surname, Estelle enjoys music, although
she prefers country to classical! In the future, she hopes
to become a French teacher here and plans to return to
University to get her PGCE.
The Lord Lieutenant, accompanied by guest
of honour Christa Ackroyd of BBC Look North,
spent the afternoon chatting among over 500
young achievers drawn from across the county.
The sunny celebration was drawn to a lively
conclusion by the similarly young Bradford blues
band NYK - and some even livelier dancing by the
Army Cadet Force.
Young achievers from Greenhead College
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www.greenhead.ac.uk

Greenhead
news
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
SPORT NEWS SPORT NEWS SPORT NEWS
e,
nt,
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s
TRAMPOLINING
On Wednesday November 4th Greenhead
College hosted the regional qualifier for the
British Colleges’ National Finals at Loughborough
in Easter 2010. Our students were extremely
successful and secured the Women’s Advanced
College team place for the North East. This team
comprises Laura Atkin, Kelly Booth, Lucy Dellow
and Hannah Plunkett. A special mention must be
made of Laura’s consistent high standard in this
sport having been ranked first in our region for
the second year running. Emma Law and Alex
Cheetham also qualified in the novice regional
competition. Well done everybody for qualifying!
MSH
BASKETBALL
The boys’ basketball team have had a busy
season so far playing in the BCS league and cup
competitions and also the U19 National Schools’
competition, not forgetting a couple of friendlies
squeezed in too! The team, captained by Alex Kiy,
are chasing their title from last year as BCS NE
league winners having beaten Thomas Rotherham
and Notre Dame with one loss to York. In the
National Schools’ competition it is one win one
loss so far, having played the toughest team in
the pool already. The team show a dedication to
training on Mondays 4-5 at the Sikh Centre and
would always welcome any newcomers. MSH
1st XI Football:
The 1st XI have made an impressive start to the
season, losing only once in the league, when an
understrength side went down 3-2 at York due to
missed chances. In the National Colleges’ Cup a
thrilling win on penalties at Ashton was followed
by a 4-2 defeat to a very strong Academy from
Lancaster and Morecambe. A number of players
have represented the West Yorkshire Schools’
County team, and Captain Alex Kemp has been
selected to represent the North of England in the
National Trials. RF
RUGBY UNION
Ross Thornton and Joah Bradley
have qualified to represent the
North in the finals trial. PS
HOCKEY
Greg Moorhouse, Rosie Tootell, Katie
Dyson and Hannah Garside have
qualified for the British Colleges’ team.
The Girls’ Hockey team have qualified to represent
the North East region at the National finals in
Loughborough. ASW
TENNIS
The Boys’, Girls’ and Mixed teams are working
their way through the Senior Students’
Competition hopefully qualifying for the finals held
in March in Bolton. KLU
BADMINTON
Estelle Bill and Joanna Brown have qualified
through to the National Finals in Loughborough.
MSH
NETBALL
The Netball season has continued to be frustrating
with several colleges cancelling fixtures.
Nevertheless, both the First and Second teams
remain unbeaten in the league and look set to be
confirmed league champions!
The First team led by Ashleigh Metcalfe were
unlucky to miss out on the National Finals at
Loughborough losing in their final qualifying game
after extra time.
The Second team continue their superb run of
victories, made more impressive by the fact
they have to organise themselves when the First
team play at different venues. At these times
Captain Amy McGivern and Vice Captain Kayleigh
Hirst play an important and difficult role in both
coaching and making substitutions. They find
the support of Team Manager Julia Musoke
invaluable. SY
www.greenhead.ac.uk 7

Greenhead
news
Scholarship Success:
Congratulations to Jasmine Baker who
has been awarded an RAF 6th Form
Scholarship. This is a superb achievement
as Jasmine has had to demonstrate
“strong academic ability, but more
importantly evidence of participation in
outside activities.” Jasmine, an A2 student,
certainly meets these criteria as she is
currently excelling at Rugby captaining
the England Students’ Ladies team. Other
responsibilities Jasmine has held include
Head Girl and School Prefect alongside
achieving Duke of Edinburgh Gold. It is also
notably impressive that Jasmine has ranked
amongst the top nine candidates nationally
who are offered a military scholarship of this
nature. We wish her continued success.
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 WINTER 2009
Football Honours:
Congratulations to Alex Kemp who has achieved the sporting
accolade of playing for the North of England Under 18
Football squad. On going to press Alex is “still awaiting news
if I have made it into the England Schools’ Under 18 side.”
Alex is currently playing football for Salford City Football Club
alongside the contributions he makes to our Greenhead squad.
Beyond Greenhead, Alex intends “to stay involved with sport
and hopefully study Sports Science at University.” He is also
“currently considering a football scholarship to go and play for
Michigan Wolverines in America.”
Thank you to Fred Lodge for his excellent range of
photographs which have featured in this edition of
Greenhead News.
8
www.greenhead.ac.uk
Wine Tasting Fundraiser
World Challenge Expedition:
Project Work in Peru
In Summer 2010, thirty Greenhead
students will be going to Peru for four
weeks. They will be undertaking charity
work in one of the local villages, to be
able to assist residents as much as they
can. Money is therefore being raised
to buy building materials and other
necessities. Students need to fund raise
before departure and many events are
planned in the future to make this happen.
Recently, a wine tasting event was hosted
by Mr Brodie-Browne in which students
organised food, wine and provided table
service during the evening. There were six
different wines to taste and each came
with interesting facts about the vineyards
and vintage history. The students raised
over £800 to support the people of Peru.
Next on the students’ agenda
is a collection of foreign coins.
If anyone has any loose change
please bring it into college
because, although it may be
worthless to you when back in
England, it may mean a lot to
people in Peru.
By Samantha Shaw
Design & Production by Marketing for Education 01282 612222 (ref 01028 - 12/09). Produced on site in the UK.