Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

PSHCE & ANTI-BULLYING
PSHCE
As in previous years, the PSHCE provision
has been developed further, ensuring that
our students receive sessions that are both
informative and edifying, covering a myriad
of topics including student well-being,
diversity in the community, charity initiatives
and topical issues, to name but a few.
Whilst most sessions
are tailored towards a
specific age group, topics
of significance have been
delivered across the whole
school, with individual
sessions being adapted
to ensure that they were
age appropriate. Student
well-being is paramount
here at Ratcliffe College.
Consequently, the programme allowed for a whole week to be
devoted to emotional health. Expert speakers and specialist groups
were invited into school to educate and enlighten the students within
this area. Many of the sessions were collaborative and afforded
the students the opportunity to get involved and fully appreciate the
importance of their emotional health.
The whole school
also participated
in a debate and
vote on the EU
referendum,
which was kindly
overseen by
Mr Benjamin,
who chairs
the Debating
Society. The
session was a
great success
and the final
outcome
deemed that
we should remain within the European Union! Future sessions
will allow the students to deliberate this further as the impact
of Brexit unfolds.
The photographs above demonstrate the vast array of topics
that the programme covers. It is evident from student feedback
that the increase in interactive sessions and outside speakers
has undoubtedly enhanced their enjoyment of PSHCE and
comprehension of several issues.
Miss T Spencer
Head of PSHCE
Year 8 session on Drugs Awareness
A PSHCE session on Anti-Bullying
BEYOND
BULLYING
AWARD
Ratcliffe was extremely honoured to
receive an award from Leicestershire
County Council which demonstrates
the school’s commitment to
Anti-Bullying.
The celebration event
took place at the National
Space Centre on 29 th
June 2016. Miss Tiffany
Spencer, our school’s
Anti-bullying Champion,
was accompanied by
Sophie Pole, Emily
McBallantine, Archie
Heaney and Jade
England, Year 8 and 9 students who had previous
won first prize in Ratcliffe’s internal Anti-bullying
Competition last November. The students enjoyed
the Celebration Event immensely and were afforded
the time to tour the Space Centre and take part in
Anti-Bullying activities.
The award is only accredited to schools which
continually exhibit their commitment to anti-bullying.
To this end, Miss Spencer will be launching an
initiative whereby students can be part of an Anti-
Bullying Committee, in which they are invited to put
forward any concerns or ideas for implementation
at school. Students will be offered the opportunity to
become part of the committee during the first term
of the 2016-17 academic year; these students will
receive a school badge denoting their individual
commitment and support of such an important
matter. After consultations with the students on the
day of the award, it was agreed that the committee
would be titled, The Anti-Bullying Committee -
abbreviated to ABC. Future initiatives and updates
will be included in the School’s newsletter and next
year’s Ratcliffian.
Miss T Spencer
Emily, Jade, Archie and Sophie enjoying
a tour of the National Space Centre.
CAREERS
There have been a number of exciting events
in the Careers Department this year. Year 11
students have had the privilege of receiving
support from established business men and
women, and independent advisors.
Having received their Morrisby profiles
and guidance on writing CV’s and job
applications, they had an excellent workshop
on creating a positive first impression at
interview and advice on interview technique.
Year 10 hosted an excellent ‘Market Place’,
turning the Senior School Square into a hive
of activity as they enticed students from all
age groups to buy their products. Each
group was given a small start-up loan of between £5
and £20, and as a year group they managed to raise nearly
£300 for the Year 10 Charity, MENCAP. Cooke’ s Cookies
won the award for the best Marketing Campaign and the
Popcorn stall was the most successful trading company,
making over 200% profit.
THE LIBRARY
It has been another busy year in both the
Emery Library and the Sixth Form Centre
Library, as we strive to ensure our provision
continues to provide a relevant and effective
resource which enriches teaching and
learning, while reflecting changes in the
curriculum and technology.
The Sixth Form Centre provides excellent preparation for
the demands of independent study at ‘A’ level and beyond,
and the resources available have been enhanced this year
by the addition
of more on-line
subscriptions,
and additional
Higher Education
support
materials, all of
which are now
easily accessed
via the school
VLE. At Key
Stage 3 and
GCSE level, the
Emery Library
has been used extensively for coursework and extended
projects in all subject areas, with students and staff welcoming
the range of resources available.
Year 7 students relaxing with their free books
The younger years have spent time
exploring the world of work and possible
future careers. Year 9 investigated
the qualifications needed to begin on
various career pathways, following their
attendance at the Higher Education Fair,
the GCSE Options Evening and receiving support from their
Tutors and subject teachers.
Miss C Papadopoulou
Careers Co-ordinator
To encourage a love of reading, highlights have included:
new projects for Key Stage 3 library lessons; book-talking
sessions from a visiting speaker for Year 9; participation in
the Bookbuzz scheme, whereby all Year 7 students chose a
free book to encourage them to try something new; extracurricular
book clubs for all year groups and the highly
successful participation of some of our talented readers
from Years 8 and 9 in the Carnegie Medal Shadowing
scheme. As always, World Book Day provides a real focus
to the enjoyment of books and reading. Activities this
year included tutor time quizzes, bookmark competitions,
matching the teaching staff to their favourite childhood
book, and the lunchtime event, Would I Lie To You, where
students had to decide which of their English teachers was
giving them a true fact about a book or author, and which
ones were lying! It was a real pleasure to see so many
students getting involved and having fun with fiction.
Mrs M Williams
Librarian
The ‘Would I Lie To You?’ activity on World Book Day
CAREERS & LIBRARY
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