NewsletterIssue no. 2 Monday, 7th December 2009The Concert Band,
Choir & Choral Society are performing in three seasonal
concerts.Quote for the week: Let us be grateful to people who make
us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls
blossom Marcel Proust (1871 1922)
At a Glance - Events from 7th December 18th December Monday 7th
December Yr 12 Sociology Revision Course Tuesday 8th December Y12
Parents Evening Wednesday 9th December Goldilocks & The Three
Bears pantomime for Primary Phase Thursday 10th December Drama
Showcase Evening Friday 11th December ALL FM Radio Show Monday 14th
December Musical Christmas Celebration Tuesday 15th December
Primary Nativity Play Wednesday 16th December Primary Nativity Play
Friday 18th December Term finishes at 12.10pm
Musical Christmas Celebration
EARLY YEARS & KS1 NATIVITY PLAY Tuesday & Wednesday 15th
& 16th December 2.00pm Main Hall 14th December, 2009 7.30pm -
Main Hall Manchester Cathedral 15th December, 2009 2.00pm &
4.00pm
Tickets available from: Ms J Douglas in the Primary Office or
e-mail [email protected]
Tickets available from the Manchester Evening News
Message from The Principal We have had a very successful term
and hope that after the Christmas break, all students will return
in January ready to do their very best and get involved in the life
of the school. I expect all Year 10 13 students who will be sitting
exams in January to be well prepared and I wish them all Good Luck.
May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a very peaceful
Christmas and a Happy New Year!
School Production 2010 Proudly present.
DRAMA SHOWCASE EVENING th 10 December 2009 7.30pm Performing
Arts Centre
Peter Mulholland
CAKE SALE for
An exciting selection box of various works created by the Drama
students in Years 9 to 13 during lessons this term.
Audition packs now available at Reception. Auditions commence
week beginning 7th December. Further information from Mr Wise or
Mrs Hathaway.
. Raised 202.76! Thank you to all who baked!
CHANGE OF PUBLISHED DATE New date for the Y8 & Y11 3rd HPV
Vaccine Thursday, 11th March 2010
MATHS CHALLENGE NOVEMBER 2009 This year 63,000 candidates sat
the Senior Maths Challenge. Congratulations to all participants and
particularly Warren Moore with an outstanding score of 84! GOLD
> 78 Warren Moore SILVER > 63 Hamza Mahmud Hishaam Javid
Rohilla Maarij Afnan Chaudhry BRONZE > 53 Hannah Fallows Nathan
Brown Adam Caruana Helen Creighton Zara Zaimeche Venice Fielding
Lauren Ashmore William Blackley Khansa Shazadi Michael Kane Usman
Rahman Zohaib Ghani 84 75 70 68 64 63 62 61 60 60 57 55 55 55 54 54
54
The Manchester Book Awards reading group meets every Monday
lunchtime in the LRC, where we discuss, write reviews and are doing
book trailers for the 24 long listed books. Some pupils are trying
to read all 24 books and to be put forward for the prize at the
winning ceremony in March. Last year 2 pupils were nominated for
this and Thomas Jenkinson won. This week the organisers have sent a
book voucher to Gurdas Singh, the other nominee. Well done Gurdas,
it is well deserved! The long list for the Carnegie medal has been
announced and we will be asking for Year 9 pupils to become
involved in that after Christmas, so watch this space!Marie Evans -
Head Librarian
THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starring Connie Fisher at The Palace
Theatre, Manchester on Thursday, 17th December 2009 from 7.00pm.
Tickets still available at 15 per person. Please obtain a letter
from Reception and tickets from the Bursary. Welcome to Erin
Jennifer Ferneyhough
Born: 1st November, 2009 Weight: 7lbs 4oz Congratulations to Mr
& Mrs Ferneyhough!IMPORTANT NOTICE: EXAMINATION CLASHES January
2010 All students sitting public exams have received their
examination timetable for January 2010. Some students may have a
clash where two subjects are timetabled at the same time. You must
check your individual timetable and see Mr Wood immediately if you
think there is a clash on your timetable for special arrangements
to be made in advance.
L Sharp 23/11/09
TAFALTEACH A FRIEND A LANGUAGE 12.40 1.10pmClassroom Z16 Monday:
Tuesday: Wednesday: 1.10pm 1.40pm Thursday: Yoruba Arabic Urdu
Dutch Mandarin Snowman Congratulations to Iram Raja 7J whose
Christmas design has been chosen to be printed as the schools card
this year
Grade One-a-Thon!The Music Department is organising a sponsored
Grade One-a-Thon after Christmas to raise money to buy new
instruments A Grade One-a-Thon is where people who already play an
instrument take their Grade 1 on a different instrument after a
very small number of lessons. All the Music Department Staff are
taking part as well as some of the older students and some other
Very Important People. If anyone (Staff/ Students/ Parents/ Carers/
Governors) would like to join in and learn a new skill then please
contact the Music Department ASAP! All proceeds will be used to buy
new instruments Where possible the Music Department Staff will help
out with the odd free lesson and advice on aural tests and exam
nerves etc The Music Department will provide music and loan of an
instrument for a short while if possible. You will need to pay the
exam fee There will be a prize for the person who collects the most
sponsorship money There will be a prize for the highest mark in the
actual exam
NURSERY TRIP TO MANCHESTER ART GALLERY
The Nursery class recently visited Manchester Art Gallery to
join in with the 'My First Visit' session. The visit began with a
look around the gallery at some of the paintings and sculptures.
The children did some sketching in crayon as they looked around.
Then it was back to the studio to produce their own painting to
take back to school. We have displayed some of the work in the
cloakroom area of the Nursery, please come and have a look!
CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU16th December 2009Cream of tomato soup with
croutons & warm roll ******* Halal Roast Norfolk Turkey with
Sage & Onion stuffing, with optional trimmings Roasted English
Rib of Beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish Fresh Mozzarella
and Baby Tomato Strudel with Garlic and Basil (V) served with
Roasted potatoes, batons of carrots, Brussels sprouts and
cauliflower cheese ******** Christmas Plum Pudding with White Sauce
Sticky Toffee Pudding Mince Pie and Satsuma
Young Sports Leaders Course
Joke of the Week
Kids Corner
What do elves do after school? Gnomework
Puzzle of the WeekALPHA-CROSSThe first letter of each answer
appears next to its clue in alphabetical order. All the first
letters have been entered into the grid. Can you complete the
puzzle?
Year 10 students are seen here working towards their Young
Sports Leaders Awards by organising a PE session for Nursery
children in the Primary HallA. Fruit of the oak tree (5) B.
Something to read (4) B. Insect (3) C. Taxi (3) C. Desert animal
(5) D. Sand hills (5) E. The night before (3) G. Type of antelope
(7) G. Precious stones (4) I. Ice hut (5) I. Writing fluid (3) J.
Type of music (4) J. Fruit drink (5) K. Tap on a door (5) L. Jump
(4) S. Unhappy (3) S. Brief periods of rain (7) S. Snow runner
(3)
PLEASE NOTEDuring term-time our School Reception is open from:
8.15am 6.00pm Monday - Friday
BAKE - WELLSWEET AND SOUR CHICKENIngredients: 3 chicken breasts,
1 small pepper (optional) 1 small can pineapple chunks, 1 tsp
tomato pure, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp cornflour, 1 tsp soy sauce, 2
tbsp sugar Equipment: Chopping board, vegetable knife, chefs knife,
measuring jug, tablespoon, plastic spoon, medium saucepan/frying
pan, container to serve
METHOD Chop the onion and pepper into small pieces Dice the
chicken into evenly sized cubes Open can of pineapple and drain
juice into a measuring jug. Make up to 250ml with cold water. Add
the following to the mixture in the jug: tomato puree, vinegar,
cornflour, soy sauce and sugar. Stir with spoon. Heat 1 tbsp oil in
the pan on a medium heat. Add the onion and chicken and fry until
chicken is white. Dont let the onions burn! Add the pineapple
chunks and pepper and stir Add the jug mixture and stir. Turn the
heat up until the mixture boils. Turn the heat down to the lowest
setting and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. Transfer sweet and sour
chicken for serving.
Food Technologist of the Week' award goes to Alix Stiles in Form
9H
7Hs TRIP TO HARRIS HOUSEWhen we set off to Swaledale, Mr Hardy
told us a story about pot holes and how the people who lived in
Swaledale would take their dairy products to Wensleydale to sell.
If they did not sell them, they would put them in 40 ft deep pot
holes to keep them cool for the next time they went to the market.
When we arrived in Swaledale we walked for about 6.5miles (at least
it felt like it!). At the end of the walk everybody was up to their
knees in mud! back everyone had a shower and got ready for dinner.
Whilst the meal was being prepared, Mr Hardy, six students and
Jamie (6th former) went to view the biggest drop waterfall in
England. For dinner we had jacket potatoes with different fillings
(except Kenan who had toast!)
fter we arrived
By Annie Rogers 7H
Puzzle Challenge Day: Tuesday 24th NovemberBy Miriam Midi 7H On
Tuesday, 24th November we had a puzzle day in the Main Hall,
working in groups with other people in our year. The activities
were explained to us by a member of staff from the Happy Puzzle
Company. As a starter we were shown a puzzle of two crossed-over
metal loops with a hoop inside it. The aim was to separate the hoop
from the metal loops. At first it looked really difficult and
challenging but it seemed easy in the end. After that each group
began their challenges. The puzzles were more complex as you went
along, from balance games to mapping activities and model
construction. You needed to work together as a team to solve them.
They made you think more than you would normally and it was
thoroughly enjoyable. I would love to do it again!
1 4 2 1 9 6 6 3
6 2
3 9
8
SUDOKU5But how do I do it?
7
9 4The object is to insert numbers in the boxes to satisfy only
one condition: Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits
1 through 9 exactly! It could not be easier!
2
3
8 3
1 2 5
7 4 6
4
VIKING DAY!In Year 3 we had an exciting day when the Visiting
Vikings came to spend a day with us. After Ms Lebihan sold Year 3
to the Vikings for 38 pieces of silver we found out about everyday
Viking life and we had a chance to dress in Viking clothes. We
learnt how to make Viking clothes, grind grain for bread and even
plough a field! We went on a longship voyage and raided a monastery
on Lindisfarne. After the voyage we learnt about battle tactics and
as one of our Viking friends was sadly killed we found out about
Viking funerals! We had a great day and now know how to wash our
clothes in urine to get them sparkly clean!
On Monday, 30th November the school held a careers fair which
was attended by 36 companies, over 70 exhibitors and over 500
students. The school is very grateful to everyone who gave up their
time to attend this event. The feedback from the students has been
fantastic. Here are some photos from the event.
CAREERS FAIR
C C FOn Saturday, 7th November, 2009, Company Sergeant Major
Warren Moore and I left Manchester to visit Northern France and
Belgium. The trip was organised by Greater Manchester Army Cadet
Force and is an annual trip, now in its 11th year. For the duration
of our stay, 44 cadets including ourselves stayed in the French
Army barracks at Valenciennes, about 100km from the Belgian border.
On Sunday we paraded in the small village of Iwuy. Even though it
was our first march with a pipe band, we managed quite well! The
rest of our day was spent in their town hall drinking champagne and
talking to the Mayor of Valenciennes. The next day was spent at a
local primary school. We marched for the pupils and they returned
the favour. They sang our national anthem then theirs, albeit with
a lot more effort! Again nibbles and champagne were the order of
the day. Later that night we made the 90 minute coach journey to
Ypres in Belgium. We marched dressed in greatcoats, possibly the
heaviest piece of clothing ever made, to the Menin Gate. The gate
is impressive with its marble walls and high, barrel-vaulted
ceiling, but when the Buglers sounded the Last Post, the only
feeling present in everyone was respect. Respect of the men and
women who gave their lives for our freedom. Wednesday, for me, was
the most humbling, sobering experience of my life. Since we were in
the Somme area, a visit to various monuments and memorials was
necessary. The Welsh monument at Mametz Wood; the South African
memorial at Longueval, the Canadian memorial at Beaumont-Hamel, the
Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle and the Franco-British monument at
Thiepval were all very impressive. They gave us a greater
understanding of how many soldiers fell just in the Battle of the
Somme alone. It was at the latter memorial where I placed a cross,
remembering those who died at the Somme who were Old Hulmeians. The
final day consisted of three parades and two marches in and around
the city of Valenciennes. This was particularly enjoyable as
literally half the city came and watched! At the Town Hall food was
again served but sadly no champagne was on offer! It is hard to sum
up the trip in just one word: the feeling of enjoyment in marching
in front of a French General, the respect for those who made the
ultimate sacrifice and sadness when you see the headstone of a boy
of 19 years from Manchester who died in the War. Both Warren and I
thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, making some very good friends in the
process, and would definitely go again. We would like to thank
GMACF, Mr Mulholland and our CCF officers for their assistance. By
Markell Williams
C/Sgt Markell Williams
CSM Warren Moore
Forthcoming Literary Events 2010take 11th March 2010: Manchester
Book Award Ceremony. Ten Y7 students will take part in this event
12th March 2010: Author Visit from Manchester Book Award Finalists
15th March 2010: Author Visit, Joe Craig, will visit our school
YEAR 1 Visit from the Owls
As part of this terms science topic on 'Light and Dark', Year 1
have been looking at the book 'The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark'.
We invited Michael and Margaret from Lancashire Hawks and Owls to
come into school to talk to the children about some of their large
collection of owls. These included a large European Eagle owl
called Jammu, who flew around the hall, showing off his enormous
wing span and silent flight, Brambles the Tawny owl, who is a
rescue bird and Purdy who is a barn owl, just like Plop in The Owl
who was Afraid of the Dark. Purdy even did a little dance for the
children when they clapped! The children all enjoyed having their
photograph taken while holding an owl. The owls proved to be a
major attraction for many other staff and pupils in the school and
a truly WOW experience was had by all!
DOCTORS WANTED!A number of our students are currently applying
to University to study Medicine. We would be very grateful if any
parents who are Doctors would be able to assist the students by
undertaking some Mock Interviews. Please e-mail
[email protected] if you can help in any way.
Please note that the Year 11 Trial Exam Timetable and the Year
12 & 13 Exam Timetable and Study Leave information are now on
our website: www.whgs-academy.org.uk
E X A M S
A Very Cheeky Dog!Like many people I have a pet dog. Mine is a
three and a half year old Rhodesian Ridgeback and his name is Yogi.
The reason he is called Yogi is that when he was a puppy we thought
he looked just like Yogi Bear! Rhodesian Ridgebacks are South
African dogs and were originally bred to hunt lions! The hunters
used them because they could run all day if needed and they were
the only dogs that could keep up with the lions and then keep them
at bay until they arrived to kill them. Although this makes them
sound very fierce this is not true at all and they are very good
natured and loving pets who will protect their owners but not in an
aggressive way. Yogi is quite a character and is very cheeky, he
will try to get away with the naughtiest things. One day when I
went to answer my front door, he stole some raw sausages from the
worktop and ate them all! He has also eaten a full packet of Rocky
biscuits complete with wrappers! He likes nothing more than to laze
in the sunshine in the garden in the summer or to snuggle on his
quilt in the kitchen when it is cold. He is always ready to play
games especially football which is his absolute favourite the only
problem is that everytime he gets hold of a football he pops it! He
now has a favourite ball which if you saw it you would think it was
just a bit of rag, but he loves it. If you look at this photograph
you can see the 'ridge' down the middle of his back - this is fur
which grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the fur on
his back and is why they are called 'Ridgebacks'.
By Mrs Lockett (Reception Office)
PRIMARY PHASE NEWS!The Primary Phase has had a really busy,
action-packed term with lots of visits and visitors. Visitors to
assembly have included a brass ensemble from Year 8, some sixth
formers playing flutes and fifes, a fencing demonstration and a
visitor from our linked school in India. Classroom visitors have
included two Vikings who spent the day with Year 3 and recreated
life in a Viking village, Lancashire Hawks and Owls who brought a
selection of birds to show to Year 1, a variety of minibeasts and
insects brought by Zoo Lab to visit Year 4, a teacher from the
Manchester Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths project who
helped Year 2 to make some dancing jitterbugs, a dentist and a
model maker in Year 3, and parents and friends who visited Year 3s
very successful sandwich caf. Year 4 have spent the day dressed as
children from World War 2 and Year 5 as Victorian children in order
to get a feel of what life was like during those times. Year 6
launched their topic on the Greeks by holding a mini-Olympics
afternoon. Year 1 and Year 4 have investigated the local area
around school and Reception have been out for Road Safety training.
Year 1 and Year 2 have taken part in multiskills sports afternoons
at Whalley Range High School. Years 5 and 6 have both visited the
Museum of Science and Industry, Year 2 have visited Cheadle Mosque,
Year 5 have been to the Silk Museum in Macclesfield, Year 4 have
been to the Imperial War Museum and Year 3 have been to the Roman
Experience at Chester, as well as having lunch at the Northern Star
deli in Chorlton. Reception have been to Chorlton library for a
story telling session, and Nursery have been to the City Art
Gallery. In addition to this, all children in KS1 and KS2 have
visited the Aquatics Centre for at least one swimming session this
term, and all children in Year 6 can now swim at least 25m. A
travelling pantomime company will be presenting to us Goldilocks
and the Three Bears, and our KS1 and Early Years children will put
on two performances of the nativity play The Grumpy Sheep. We held
a Cake Sale in aid of Children in Need and raised over 200, and
more than 1,000 worth of books were sold at our Book Fair. Our
harvest assembly was very well attended and we were proud of the
amount of goods we were able to send to the Wood Street Mission.
Extra-curricular activities this term have included Cross Country,
Netball, Football, Choir, Recorder, Fencing, Weaving, Wildlife
Explorers, Arts and Crafts and Textiles: thanks to the staff who
give up their time to run these. Please do look at the school
website to see lots of photos of the events that have taken place
this term. Thank you to all parents and carers who have supported
them and an especially big thank you to the teachers and Ms Douglas
who have organised everything. We have had lots of WOW experiences
this term, and we look forward to many more next year!
Mrs B Schouten Head of Primary Phase
ECO-WARRIORS MEET FORTNIGHTLY - WEDNESDAY 12.35PM IN S1
My Review of SkelligOn the 6th October we went to the Lowry
Theatre to watch Skellig because we were reading the book and we
wanted to see how they act it out. The Story of Skellig was scary.
It was about a boy called Michael and the baby was born early and
was ill. Michael found a man in his garage. The man had wings and
ate with his hands. This man was called Skellig and at the end he
saved the baby. I enjoyed the show because it was really fun to
watch. My favourite part was when the baby was in hospital. My
favourite character is Mina because she had a loud voice and her
acts were fun and funny. The play and book had the same words. The
actors matched my imagination. Something that was different was
that the people who were playing the violin were telling us what
was going to happen. There was no music in the book. I really
enjoyed visiting the Lowry Theatre because its fun watching the
people acting. I would like to go on more trips to the theatre in
the future because it helps you understand the books when we read
in class. By Hanadi Dadah 8J
SCHOOL YEAR 2009 2010Autumn Term 2009Term Ends: Friday, 18th
December, 12.10pm (approx) Tuesday, 5th January Monday - Friday,
15th - 19th February Friday, 26th March, 12.10pm (approx) Tuesday,
13th April Monday Friday, 31st May 4th June Friday, 9th July,
12.10pm (approx) Friday, 3rd September Monday, 6th September
Spring Term 2010Term Starts for students: Half Term: Term
Ends:
Summer Term 2010Term Starts for students: Half Term: Terms
Ends
Autumn Term 2010Year 7 & 12 Induction Day: Term Starts for
students: