Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

RELIGIOUS STUDIES
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
The Religious Studies Department continues to work closely with the
Chaplaincy Team and, in particular, Mr Michel and Fr Ted Mullen,
in order to provide a solid basis for religious and spiritual growth.
In September, all students in Year
7 spent a day working with the
Department. The students were
given the opportunity to reflect
on the Rosminian ethos of the
School and were invited to explore
how the Mission Statement, Living
and learning in the light of the
Gospel, is at the heart of school life.
Students found out about the life
of Blessed Antonio Rosmini and his passion for education.
Fr Ted Mullen spoke about the role of a priest, as well as
taking questions from students, and brought the day to an
appropriate end by celebrating Mass.
Classes in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 celebrated class Masses
throughout the Year. The Masses were celebrated by Fr Ted
while Mr Michel assisted with the preparation. During Lent,
students in Years 7-9 walked and prayed the Stations of the
Cross, led by their Class Teachers.
Religious Studies
has continued to
attract a good
number of students
to the AS course.
In September, 18
students started the
course, studying
Ethics and Philosophy. In Ethics, students study different
ethical theories and consider how these may be applied to
issues of medical ethics as well as sexual ethics, business
ethics, environmental ethics and war and peace.
In Philosophy, students have studied
arguments concerning God’s existence
as well as the Greek philosophers,
Aristotle and Plato. The new course,
starting in September 2016, will
focus equally on Christian Theology,
Philosophy and Ethics.
At GCSE, students have continued to
study philosophical and ethical issues,
focusing on Catholic teachings, other Christian teachings
and other viewpoints. On 10 th June, Year 10 students were
fortunate enough to visit the Holocaust Centre, near Newark,
Nottinghamshire. The students developed their awareness of
the events of the Holocaust and were invited to reflect on the
tragedy of these events as well as the heroic efforts of many
individuals. In the afternoon, the students listened attentively
to Janine Webber, a survivor of the Holocaust.
Mr N Walsh
Head of Religious Studies
ATHLETICS
Area
The Ratcliffe Athletics team excelled at the Area
Athletics meet that was held at Wreake Valley School
on Tuesday 24th May 2016. From the 30 students
who attended the meet, 22 qualified for the County
Finals. 13 of these 22 had won their event at the
Area meet. This was an excellent achievement.
The 13 individual event and relay winners in their
respective age categories were as follows: Annie
Rose Reddin and Wilson Lee in the long jump,
Rajen Gupta in the 800m, Owen Lloyd in the javelin,
Will Westwood in the 300m, Harry Culpin in the long
jump, Mimi Khan in the shot, Ellie Gallacher in the
discus, Mia Atkinson in the 1500m, Emily Grimmett
and Henry Wells in the 100m, Ellie Gallacher in
the 200m, and the Year 7 4 x 100m girls and boys
relay teams consisting of Annie Rose Reddin, Ella
McNeeney, Freya Smith and Sophie Wilson, and
Wilson Lee, Roman Carpenter, Rajen Gupta and
Temi Abiodun.
The 22 students who qualified for the county finals in
their respective age categories were as follows: Girls
- Year 7 relay team including Freya Smith, Annie
Rose Reddin in the long jump, Annie Bridgwood,
Ella McNeeney and Emily Grimmett in the 100m,
Mimi Khan in the shot, Ellie Gallacher in the discus,
Dalila Watson in the high jump, Mia Atkinson in the
1500m and Sophie Wilson in the 800m. Boys - Year
7 relay team, Temi Abioun, Josh Wong and Henry
Wells in the 100m, Wilson Lee in the long jump,
Roman Carpenter and Connor Foster in the 200m,
Rajen Gupta in the 800m, Joe Collier in the javelin,
Will Westwood in the 300m, Harry Culpin in the
high jump, Krishan Gupta in the 400m and Alfie
Thompson in the 3000m.
County
22 students qualified for and competed in the Leicestershire
Schools’ County Athletics Finals which took place at Saffron
Lane Athletics Stadium in Leicester on Saturday 11th June.
All the athletes acquitted themselves very well, with some
excellent individual performances.
Ella McNeeney, Henry Wells and Emily Grimmett all qualified
for the 100m final and Will Westwood qualified for the
300m final. All four ran very well in the finals and either
matched or beat their heat times. Emily and Will medalled,
with very creditable third place finishes. There were some
strong performances in the middle distance events where
Mia Atkinson, carrying an injury, finished second in the
1500m as did Alfie Thompson in the 3000m. In the field
events, Wilson Lee and Annie Rose Reddin finished fourth in
the long jump, as did Harry Culpin in the high jump. Dalila
Watson medalled in the high jump, finishing third, as did
Ellie Gallacher in the discus, also finishing third.
Medal winners from Leicestershire School County Athletics Championships 2016.
From top left: William Westwood, Ellie Gallacher, Harry Culpin, Emily Grimmett,
Mia Atkinson, Dalila Watson.
SPORT
Feedback gained from the students showed
that they were humbled by the experience,
as the following statements indicate:
‘The main lesson would be to be
respectful and just to reflect on
what people had to go through
for many years.’
‘It teaches us that people
should do something about
discrimination before it is
too late.’
‘I was shocked at the extent to which the Nazis
went, to punish Jews for doing nothing wrong.’
‘Hearing a first-hand account of what happened under the Nazi
regime proves the depravity of their actions. It was fascinating to
learn about the tales of survival and rebellion against the Nazis.’
‘I found her (Janine Webber) story fascinating
but it also made me feel upset as she was
only a child during the war and had to
watch her family be separated and she didn’t
know if she would see them again.’
‘In total, 1.5 million
children died during
the Holocaust.’
Henry Wells powering
his way to victory in the
100m at the Area Athletics
Championships 2016.
Well done to all the Ratcliffe athletes who competed with
such effort and determination, and particular congratulations
to all the finalists and six medallists.
On Wednesday 15th June, Harry Culpin and Dalila
Watson both competed in the Pole Vault County Final at
Loughborough University and won their events, with Dalila
breaking the County record. Unfortunately, both narrowly
missed out on qualification for the National Schools
Championships but they are to be congratulated for their
achievements.
Special congratulations to Mia Atkinson on being selected
to represent Leicestershire and Rutland Schools Athletics
Association in the 1500m at the National Schools Athletics
Championships to be held at Gateshead International
Stadium, on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July 2016.
Mr M Kaye
Head of Athletics
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