Newsletter April 2010 - Royton and Crompton School

Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterWelcome to the second edition ofour Newsletter. This publication willappear each half term on the schoolwebsite and hard copies will beavailable in the school Receptionarea.We have received some very positivefeedback on the 'new look' whichenables us to bring life to the activitiesand events that our pupils areinvolved in.This edition contains important newson the school's proposal to change itscategory to Foundation status and weare currently in a consultation period.We hope you enjoy reading about ournews in what has been a very busyterm, as follows:* HEADTEACHER WELCOMES...YVONNE BAKER AND PETERSTEVENSON* YEAR 10 MINI ENTERPRISE* KS3 & KS4 CELEBRATORYASSEMBLY AWARD WINNERS* LOCAL PUPIL’S SUCCESS* ALTON TOWERS TRIP* SPORT RELIEF 2010* CONSULTATION ON THEPROPOSAL TO CHANGE THESCHOOL CATEGORY TOFOUNDATION STATUS* ENGLISH FACULTY NEWSMr D. HerlihyHeadteacherHEADTEACHER WELCOMESCHIEF EXECUTIVE OF STEMNETWe recently extended a warm welcome toYvonne Baker, Chief Executive ofSTEMNET.Science, Technology, Engineering andMathematics (the ‘STEM subjects’) areuniversally agreed to be important for anycountry’s economic development andcompetitiveness, as well as its generalwell-being. Encouraging young people topursue STEM is of utmost and everincreasing importance. Aside from theeconomic benefits, STEM subjects helpyoung people to develop their creativity,problem-solving and employability skills,and widen their options and choices.The purpose of Yvonne Baker’s visit on 9March was to look at the school’s developmentsin its new subject SciTech, inwhich Technology lessons are driven bythe content of the Science curriculum, andalso to visit the Oldham Sixth FormCollege to learn more about the planneddevelopment of the Science Centre.Yvonne BakerIssue 2 - April 2010Ms. Baker met with staff and pupils whowere keen to share their views onScience and Mathematics lessons andSciTech, and was impressed with theincreased opportunities for more practical,open-ended creative activities, andteam working. The Specialist ScienceCollege and STEMNET share views onwhat STEM subjects are important, andthe visit will inform STEMNET’s workmoving forward. Ms Baker said, ‘Myover-riding impression of Royton &Crompton is that of a school which doesits very best to serve the young peoplewho attend, and is a happy, positiveplace. It was a genuine pleasure tovisit.’Mr. Herlihy, said, ‘SciTech is a logicalextension of our Specialist ScienceCollege status and we have been invitingprominent figures from the STEMcommunity nationally to look at ourrecent developments in this area whichwe hope will further enhance the positiveatmosphere of learning in school, inwhich there is a high level of achievement.Nick Brown, Principal of theOldham Sixth Form College, is alsokeen to use these networks to promotethe highly innovative development ofthe Science Centre. Nick Brown said, ‘Ithink that the Partnership betweenSTEMNET and the Science Centre willbe really exciting and the discussionwith Yvonne Baker showed how manyaims we have in common. It will begreat for Oldham to be seen to leadsome national science developments.’

Issue 2 - April 2010Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterMiniEnterpriseYEAR 10 MINI ENTERPRISECHEQUE PRESENTATIONEvery year, pupils from our school,convert their Year 10 careers lessonsinto a profit making enterprise byworking together to develop ‘minibusinesses’.The Annual Mini Enterprise project thattook place prior to Christmas was theculmination of their combined effortsand invited pupils from Years 7 - 9 topurchase delicious home-made cakes,sweets and savouries and partake ingames of chance and skill from penaltyshoot-outs to tombolas and raffles, allhaving been devised by our youngentrepreneurs.Whilst this is a fun experience for allthose involved, a serious aspect of theevent is the raising of funds for charity.Over the years more than £12,000 hasbeen raised for organisations includingRNIB, Guide Dogs for the Blind, DrKershaw’s Hospice, BBC Children inNeed Appeal and Age Concern. Theproceeds of this year’s Mini Enterpriseamounted to £1,800.RCS pupils, the Livesey family anda representatives from CRYRCS pupils, the Livesey family anda representatives from SADSThis year’s recipients were chosen inproud memory of Ashley Livesey, aformer pupil of our school and on Friday12 March, representatives from CRY(Cardiac Risk in the Young) and SADSUK (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome)gratefully received the cheques in thepresence of the Livesey family. HayleyHarewood, Fern Madeley and Ellie Stansfieldrepresented the team of pupils thatraised the most through their ventureentitled ‘Mmm Cookies & Cocktails'.Mrs. Barbara Garner, activity co-ordinatorsays, ‘The skills enhanced by this type ofproject are central to the school’s ethos ofdeveloping high achieving pupils in avariety of curricular areas. To be able toraise money for charity at the same time ishighly commendable. Our pupils have agreat reputation for their generosity andare to be congratulated for their efforts.Ashley was an outstanding pupil at Royton& Crompton School and the effortsinvested by our pupils to be able to supportthese charities in memory of him is afitting and touching tribute’.

Issue 2 - April 2010Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterKEY STAGE 3 CELEBRATORYASSEMBLY AWARD WINNERSKEY STAGE 4 CELEBRATORYASSEMBLY AWARD WINNERSKEY STAGE 3 & 4 CELEBRATORYASSEMBLY AWARD WINNERSMerit Draw - Harry Greaves 7LLABehaviour Draw - Ross Wylie 9NBKCitizenship Draw - Hannah Durkin 7SCu100% Attendance - Bethany Wheeler 7TB100% Punctuality - Ashleigh Harrop 9CMkPupil Support Award - Laura Lawson Year 8(A new pupil to RCS who has made excellentprogress)English Award- Harry Greaves 7LLA- Lauren Armstrong 8CMu- Callum Harvey 9NBK(Behaviour / Achievement Points Tally fromIRIS data)Mathematics Award- Michael Brayshaw 7SCu- Ian Fitton 8CMu- Gagan Warinch 9LTScience Award- Alyce Bromley 7LLA- Lauren Eddowes 8SK- James Schofield 9JGChance 1 Draw - Thomas Shaw 8EDChance 2 Draw - Dean Lees 8EDChance 3 Draw - Ben McPherson 8KHCitizen of the Month - Lewis Saunders 7KS(for kindness shown in helping an elderly ladycross a busy main road)Headteacher’s Award- Matthew Shaughnessy 9NBK(Outstanding progress in Cross CountryRunning)Well Done100% Attendance- Stephen Pogorzelec 11RW100% Punctuality- Kristie Staley 10NSBAttainment Award Yr 10- Kieren Percy 10DFAttainment Award Yr 11- Alex Smith 11RWMathematics Award- Alexandra Meuse 10JQ- Noreen Nahid 11DEScience Award- David Beadman 10DF- Blossom Halkyard 11MGMusician of the Month- Katrina Knight 11DE(Katrina is a hard working pupil who isachieving high standards in her courseworkfor Music GCSE. She has worked hardduring lessons, asking and answeringquestions and has attended after schoolsessions for many weeks in order to improveher work)Lexia Award- Tanya Senchenko 11MG (LiteracySupport)Chance 1 Draw- Rachel Henthorn 10GDLChance 2 Draw- Rachel Henthorn 10GDLChance 3 Draw- Megan Green 11ABuPrefect Award- Lauren Atkinson 11RWCollege Award- Mabrur Alam 10VMExceeding the Challenge- Joshua Murphy 11RWEnglish Award- Jessica Graham 10JQ- Simone Quinlan 11MD(Behaviour / Achievement Points Tally fromIRIS data)

Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterALTON TOWERS VISITLOCAL PUPIL’SSUCCESS GOES FROMSTRENGH TO STRENGHFollowing Kyle Mayall’s national callto represent England at Rugby Leaguelast year, our Year 11 pupil has demonstratedfurther progress by beingselected to become a member of WiganRugby League Club’s Scholarshipsquad.The club issues a Study/Revision guidethat provides advice to squad memberswho are in full-time education inrelation to the importance of managingand prioritising their continuing studies.Kyle MayallKyle said, ‘The Study Guide providedby the club is an exceptional tool filledwith advice for upcoming end of yearexams. Managing out of school commitmentsis highlighted as they canoften cause conflict with homeworkand revision. Solutions to address suchissues are stressed in the booklet,including time management regimes tohelp organise priorities effectively.Everyone needs a back-up plan in life,especially those with a chosen sportingcareer. In professional sport injury is ahigh risk and should this occur, aneffective back-up plan will keep thosewho are released smiling in later life.’Mr CampbellAlan Campbell, Head of Year 11 said,‘Kyle is diligent and able pupil whoattends a good school in which there is apositive atmosphere for learning and ahigh level of achievement and he isexpected to achieve good grades thissummer. In addition to his sportingabilities which he uses to support andguide younger children, Kyle is also atalented musician who has developedthese skills during his time at school.Kyle’s increasing success in his chosenfield demonstrates the extent to whichpupils can flourish when in an orderlyand purposeful environment and we willfollow his future successes with interestand pride.’Issue 2 - April 2010ALTON TOWERS TRIPMrs. Lloyd-Higham would like to thankpupils and staff for a fantastic visit toAlton Towers on Sunday 28 March. Mrs.Lloyd-Higham said, ‘The visit provided awell earned break for staff and pupilswho have all worked extremely hard overthe last term. The 28 Year 10 pupils whoattended did Royton & Crompton Schoolproud with their exemplary behaviour. Itwas wonderful to see our young peoplehaving such a great time whilst beingmindful of the fact that they were representingour school. A great day was hadby all!’SPORT RELIEF 2010Our pupils were again very generous inraising a total of £700 to support thisyear’s Sport Relief. A week of sportingactivities began with the staff ‘MuscleTeam’ taking on pupils in a ‘tug-of-war’event. The highlight of the day saw theYear 9 girls’ team proving the victorsover the staff!!Pupils also raised much needed funds ona ‘penalty shoot out’, where they pittedtheir wits against members of staff. Mr.Lui, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Fisher triedtheir very best to prevent pupils scoring 3out of 3 penalties.The cricket event involved pupils tryingto ‘bowl out’ our finest staff batsmen, Mr.Campbell, Mr. Ormsby and Mr. Nuttall,who had the upper hand on this occasionwith only several pupils successfullyreaching their target.The week culminated in an exciting ‘60mStaff Dash’. Mr. Bogan took the malestaff crown and Miss. Wood emerged thefemale victor. This single event raisedover £200!!Well done to all those who helped andparticipated!!

Issue 2 - April 2010Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterOur 3 Principles:Public Service,Community,High StandardsCONSULTATION ON THE PRO-POSAL TO CHANGE THE SCHOOLCATEGORY TO FOUNDATIONSTATUSThe current status of Royton &Crompton SchoolRoyton & Crompton School is currentlya Community school and, as such,Oldham Council employs the school’sstaff, owns the school’s land and buildings,and has primary responsibility fordeciding the arrangements for admittingpupils to the school.What is a Foundation school?In a Foundation school, the governingbody employ the school’s staff and hasprimary responsibility for admissionarrangements. The school’s land andbuilding are owned by the governingbody.The school remains a school maintainedby the Local Authority, and as such, theLocal Authority has a statutory (legal)duty to treat all maintained schoolsequally. The school’s funding arrangementsare not affected.What it means to be a Foundationschool• A greater sense of ownership• Charitable status• Employer statusThe governing body is the sole employerof all staff• Admissions AuthorityThe governing body is the AdmissionAuthority and has the right to determine(establish) an individual admissionpolicy for the school and apply criteriafor entry. The school should be involvedwith the co-ordinated scheme which isadministered by the Local Authority• Owning the buildings and premisesThe governing body will have morecontrol over the use of the school buildings,lettings and the use of redundant(disused) buildings• Representation on Statutory BodiesThis includes the Admission Forum andSchool Forum which play key roles indetermining local policies and procedures• Determining holiday datesThe governing body can determine termand holiday datesIf you wish to make representations,please write to:Chair of GovernorsRoyton & Crompton SchoolBlackshaw LaneRoytonOldhamOL2 6NTAll comments must be received byFriday 23 April 2010Alternatively, you may attend the nextconsultation surgery on:Monday 19 April 2010 2010, 4pm-7pmMain HallRoyton & Crompton SchoolBlackshaw LaneRoytonOldhamOL2 6NT

Issue 2 - April 2010Royton & Crompton SchoolA Specialist Science CollegeNewsletterYEAR 9 ENGLISH OPTIONALTESTSWhilst enjoying their Easter holiday,pupils should set valuable time aside toprepare for the approaching EnglishReading and Writing Tests.To prepare for the Reading Paper, pupilsshould do the following:• Read a range of texts. These caninclude: fiction; leaflets and non fictionsuch as biographies and travel writing• Get used to identifying the Purpose,Audience, Format and Tone of a textquicklyTo prepare for both the Longer andShorter Writing Paper:• Improve spelling and punctuation• Create a revision guide of rhetoricaldevices• Brainstorm a list of connectives• Remember the TipTop (Time PlaceTopic Person) rule for paragraphingGood Luck!GOOD LUCKYEAR 10 ENGLISH COURSEWORKUPDATECongratulations to those Year 10 pupilswho have completed all four pieces ofEnglish coursework and whose overallgrade, so far, matches their baselinetarget. Keep up the hard work! For thosepupils who have missing assignments,you must ensure they are completed assoon as possible and that they are in linewith your baseline target. Parents shouldcontact school if there are any concernsabout your child’s coursework. Pleasesupport us in our aim to consistentlyraise standards and achievement for all.Since the start of the school year, theEnglish Faculty has been delighted toteach a range of new coursework assignments.In particular, our staff haveenjoyed teaching a range of Shakespearetexts including: Hamlet, Othello, RichardII and The Merchant of Venice.Also, the recent teaching of variousMedia assignments has enabled classesto explore topical issues such as: theportrayal of celebrity culture in themedia; the effects of reality television onyoung people and issues surroundingpiracy.ENGLISH REWARDS SYSTEMProving a successful motivator inlessons, English teachers are rewardinggood attitude and effort in class byissuing electronic reward points.Whether they are helping to hand outequipment or completing a good piece ofhomework on time, pupils are given lotsof opportunities to gain reward points.Well done to those pupils who arequickly building up points!EASTER REVISION FOR GCSEENGLISH EXAMTo contribute towards your EnglishGCSE success this summer, pupilsshould take the following advice over theEaster holiday:Paper 1A – Reading Non-Fiction andMediaTips:• Read a wide range of texts and practiseannotating examples of rhetorical devices• Revise the key assessment objectivesPaper 2A – Poetry from other CulturesTips:• Create your own revision guide for eachpoem• Plan and write practice essaysSection B – Writing to Argue / Writingto ExplainTips:• Improve your spelling and punctuation• Practise using the Christmas Tree planfor Writing to Argue and the FishboneSkeleton for Writing to Explain