WEAVERS SCHOOL

raising aspirations…raising achievements

Dear Parents and Carers July 2012

Thinking back through this year, I am again struck by the enormity of the changes and improvements that we have made.

In terms of student achievement, this summer’s GCSE and A level results will definitely be the best ever in the school’s history (again!) and this trend will continue.

In terms of the physicality of our school, September 2012 sees us with a new dance studio, refurbished music and drama rooms, a learning café for upper school students, a modernised maths learning area complete with interactive whiteboards plus remodelling of stairs and corridors and access points to improve student flow and safety. We couldn’t achieve this without our excellent site team.

In terms of success in competition, our under-16 basketball team reached the quarter finals of the National Schools Cup. Also our team of Year 9 entrepreneurs, “Round One”, successfully saw off competition from Northampton School for Girls, Guilsborough, Huxlow, Lodge Park, Northampton Academy and Sir Christopher Hatton School, to win the Northamptonshire County Schools Challenge – Business Dragons competition, scooping the overall winners award and two out of the three top prizes. Their “One punch can take a life” t-shirt, poster and beermat campaign has already taken off and the police report that it has already secured a measurable reduction in low level violence in Wellingborough. Well done Yasmine Burton, Kate Nelson, Shannon Unsworth, Eden Rochester and Megan Churchill.

And then there was Ofsted – we were the first secondary school in Northamptonshire to secure a ‘good’ rating under the new, more rigorous, Ofsted inspection regime. This followed an inspection of our English department by Her Majesty’s Inspector Martin Cragg. Have a look on the Ofsted website – it’s worth a read!

Have an excellent summer break. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone safely back for another year of Going for Gold in September. The journey goes on…

Best wishes

Jon Davis

EXAM RESULTS

AS / A2 results day in M14

Thursday 16 August from 9 am

GCSE results day in M14

Thursday 23 August

Year 11 at 9 am

Year 11 Leavers’ Prom

Hilton Hotel, Northampton. Friday 6 July

Cleverly planned to coincide with the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, a certain cross section of the students were happy to share the hotel with the Sky Sports team, especially as it included presenter Georgie Thompson!

The night was another opportunity to say goodbye to our Year 11 team. They have come a long way since they began life at Weavers School 5 years ago. Students were able to dance to whatever tunes they are ’into’ these days whilst staff looked on mostly with hands over their ears! Many had formal photographs taken as a memory of how amazing they looked.

Always an emotional time for both students and staff; to be witness to the crossover from childhood into adulthood is a special experience.

Thank you to all the staff who came and supported. Dan Gay - Key Stage 4 Leader

Library News

Website of the Month:

www.balirai.co.uk

Following his recent visit, find out more about the author and his books.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls is the story of 13 year old Conor who is running from the knowledge that his mother is dying from cancer; and of his encounter with the monster of his nightmares.

Also winner in the UKLA Book Award 12 - 16 years category

—————————————— A Diamond Jubilee Competition was held in the Library during May. Students were invited to

answer questions about

Queen Elizabeth II and to write an

acrostic poem using the word

DIAMOND.

The prize winning entries

were:

Overall winner: Cara Nimmo 9PR Runner up: Annamarie Horwood 10EB Best acrostic poem: Amy Grant 7OB Poem runner up: Sammie Allen 9JA

Prestigious Author visits Weavers School

On Thursday 12 July Weavers School had the privilege of a visit from the famous author Bali Rai who came to speak to our students about his life, his books and the importance of reading for pleasure. His stories were a particular hit with Year 9, who asked some very sensible questions and then he gave some fantastic advice about writing to a selected group of Year 8 and 10 students. During break Mr Rai spent time speaking with our students and signing autographs.

A selection of his books, which include (Un)arranged Marriage, Dream On, Killing Honour and Rani and Suki (which is on the GCSE specification for English Literature) are available in our library, freshly signed). But hurry they’re suddenly very popular!

“...a good experience to get people into reading more…he didn’t treat us like children” “It was out of the norm” “I enjoyed it very much” “I really liked the extract he read”

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Picnic

The four counties of Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Rutland celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by holding a Diamond Jubilee Picnic at Burghley House on Wednesday 13 June 2012. Her Majesty the Queen visited this Grand Jubilee Picnic during the day.

Weavers School was one of only 7 schools in Northamptonshire to have been invited by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire to attend the picnic as one of the several schools to represent the county.

Throughout the day there were aerial fly pasts, musical entertainment, a bandstand with military bands and numerous static displays.

Fifteen students joined Miss Ryle, Mr Frater and Mr Jackson to represent Weavers School at this most auspicious event. They were selected in recognition of their excellent attitude, behaviour and work.

Attendance

To be able to deal with all calls confidentiality, please be aware if you call the school regarding your child’s attendance you will be put through to the attendance line. Alternatively, you can call direct on 01933 278103 where you can talk to a member of staff between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm or leave a message out of school hours 4 pm to 8 am.

Are you moving house? Changing your telephone number? Don’t forget to tell us. We might need to get hold of you in an emergency.

One Punch Can Take A Life The team: Shannon Unsworth (yellow t-shirt) Financial Advisor, Eden Rochester (blue t-shirt) Fundraiser, Yasmine Burton (red t-shirt) Team Leader, Megan Churchill (green t-shirt) Fundraiser and Kate Nelson (purple t-shirt) Design and IT Manager.

Weavers School wins the Violence Reduction Challenge The culmination of the Finals of the Schools County Challenge took place on Wednesday 4 July at the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering, where students from seven schools across the county showcased some excellent and innovative ideas to help to tackle low level violence in Northamptonshire.

Teams, ranging from Year 7 to Year 11 students, presented their ideas to a group of ‘Dragons’ (made up of Adrian Lee - Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, Andy Frost - Assistant Chief Constable, Martyn Emberson - Chief Fire Officer, Sarah Stoute - CEO of Full Support Healthcare, Keith Kruger - CEO of KPK Associates, and David McCahon - Barclaycard General Counsel) who ultimately decided which idea would be taken forward and awarded with the Stuart Martin Trophy.

Shaun Johnson from the Arson Task Force said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in this initiative. The dedication of the students, teachers and schools that made this event happen was astonishing. I cannot thank them enough for their support and hope they will take part in next year’s challenge.”

The initiative was launched to over 4,000 pupils in secondary schools across the county during January 2012, which included the screening of a short film based on the tragic consequences of a single violent act that changed the lives of those involved forever.

Stuart Martin from Wellingborough, was tragically killed as a result of one punch in June 2010. His family and fiancé were at the event and Stuart’s mother, Joyce Martin, gave an emotive and heart warming speech to explain how pleased she was to be supporting this very important challenge.

Students from Lodge Park Technology College, Sir Christopher Hatton, Northampton School for Girls, Guilsborough School, Huxlow School and Northampton Academy were also involved in this initiative.

At the end of the second evening of the Finals Sarah Stoute, Full Support Healthcare, presented the ‘Innovation Award’ to Weavers School.

Martyn Emberson then announced Weavers School as the overall winners of the competition. Their strategy included the promotion of people, such as staff in pubs and clubs or those responsible for selling alcohol, to wear t-shirts with the words ‘One Punch Can Take A Life’ displayed on the front, and ‘Be alert. Don’t get hurt. Think’ on the reverse, to signify their involvement in the battle against violence. T-shirts are available to purchase for £8.00 each or two for £15.00.

Brickhill Road Wellingborough Northants NN8 3JH

Telephone: 01933 222830 Fax: 01933 276347

E-Mail: mainoffice@weaversschool.co.uk

Please note the school will close to students for summer on Friday 20 July at 3.10 and re-open

Wednesday 5 September. Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 September are Teacher Training Days.

Term Dates 2012 Summer 2012 Close at 3.10 pm Fri 20 July Autumn Term 2012 Teacher Day Mon 3 Sept Teacher Day Tues 4 Sept Re-open to students Wed 5 Sept Autumn Half Term Close at 3.10 pm Fri 26 Oct Re-open Mon 5 Nov Christmas 2012 Close at 3.10 pm Wed 19 Dec Teacher Day Thurs 3 Jan Teacher Day Fri 4 Jan Re-open to students Mon 7 Jan

WEAVERS NOTICE BOARD…

Lost property-

Please may we remind parents that all items of uniform and equipment must be named. This will help us to return items to their rightful owners straight away if mislaid.

Illness-

If your child is unable to attend school due to illness please telephone the absence/illness line

01933 278103 every day your

child is off school. There is a message recording facility on this line should you call outside the hours of 8 am - 4 pm.

Medical appointments-

If your child has to attend a medical appointment during school hours please ensure he/she brings an appointment card or note from home to the Student Office before leaving the school site. from Road.

Change of details-

Please let us know if you are changing your address / telephone number so that we can update your child’s records.

Sports Day 2012

We beat the rain! This year we were able to complete Sports Day for the first time at Weavers School, and it was a fantastic spectacle for all involved.

First of all a big thank you goes to all the students who took part and showed high levels of endeavour, sportsmanship and support throughout the course of the day.

Secondly another thank you to all the staff and Sixth Formers who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of such a prestigious event.

And finally a massive thank you to the PE department who without their organisation and attention to detail Sports Day would not have taken place.

THE RESULTS… Year 7 boys - Griffin Year 7 girls - Phoenix Year 8 boys - Dragon Year 8 girls - Phoenix Year 9 boys - Unicorn Year 9 girls - Phoenix Year 10 boys - Dragon Year 10 girls - Unicorn

OVERALL RESULT…

1st place - PHOENIX

2nd place - UNICORN

3rd place - DRAGON

4th place - GRIFFIN

Sixth Form 2012

Congratulations and Best Wishes

Congratulations go to our new Head Boy Kris Ardle, Head Girl Puja Mulgi, Deputy Head Boy Jack Dimmock and Deputy Head Girl Lorna Mashonghamende.

We would also like to give our thanks to our outgoing Head Boy and Head Girl, Joseph Szablowski and Katherine Collins, as well as all members of the Sixth Form Leadership Team for their hard work and dedication.

We wish all of our departing upper Sixth Formers all the very best for the future as they move into the next chapter of their lives and on to university, higher apprenticeships or employment. Do us and yourselves, proud!