News round-up week ending 24th September 2011

Details

Created on Saturday, 24 September 2011 12:57

Year 7
The Year 7 enjoyed their residential at Bewerley Park this weekend. Having left school on Friday afternoon the pupils were given some time to settle in before being launched into the task of night orienteering. They thoroughly enjoyed this as they were able to run around the grounds of the centre with torches.
On the following day they were split into two groups and they spent the rest of the weekend rock scrambling, gorge walking, raft building and completing team work tasks. These activities ensured the youngsters were soaked through on more than one occasion.
The highlight was on Saturday evening when they foraged in a wood for sticks, which we then used for a camp fire. We sat around singing songs, toasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate.
The students came back thoroughly exhausted but happy and I am sure many new friendships have been established by this weekend.
Thanks to Mrs. Bassi,Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Wilkinson, Miss Boyd, and Mr. Thomas for accompanying the pupils on this trip.

Sponsored Walk
At Midnight on Saturday 24 September, following a vigorous aerobic warm up, 23 female staff and Sixth Form girls began their 10km sponsored walk to raise money for Wheatfields Hospice. Many parents will already be aware that Mrs Sandra Dixon, a member of the Junior School staff has been in the hospice since the end of July, receiving palliative care. Sandra is terminally ill with a brain tumour and the Dixon family feel that Wheatfields and the Sue Ryder nurses have done everything possible to ensure that she has the best possible care and support during this very difficult time.
Many of Sandra and Nigel’s colleagues at Fulneck who were unable to participate in the sponsored walk have shown their support by making donations to the walkers. We are hoping to raise as much money as possible over the year for this very worthy cause and the Midnight Walk has got the fundraising off to a good start.
If any parents would like to contribute to our fundraising, any contributions will be gratefully received. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Sue Ryder’ and given to your child’s form tutor.

Staff
As a consequence of Sandra Dixon’s illness, her husband Nigel Dixon, a Maths teacher in senior school is on compassionate leave. We have engaged the services of a well qualified and experienced temporary Maths teacher, Mr Basharan, to cover Mr Dixon’s classes until he returns.
Mr Harrison, Head of Science, is away for the next two weeks following surgery. His classes are being covered by a well qualified physics teacher, Mr Emsley. We wish Mr Harrison a speedy recovery.

Business
Under the direction of Mr Robinson, Head of Business and Economics, the Business Academy is making a  positive start to the year with a mix of students ranging from Year 7 to Year 10. Each participant has developed their own portfolio of shares and were allocated a budget of £10,000 to  buy shares in a maximum of 10 businesses. This will form part of a competition throughout the year during which the students will increase their knowledge and skills of high finance.

Street Dance
Earlier this week, all senior school pupils had the opportunity to participate in a Street/Break Dance session with Jaron Joiner, a professional Street Dancer. Pupils were inspired by the sessions and many have now signed up to join the class on Thursday evenings after school. There are still a few places available so parents should return the reply slip sent last week with a cheque in order to enrol their sons and daughters for the classes.

Library
Mrs Gray, Junior Librarian, would like to thank everyone who contributed Tesco for Schools vouchers. They have helped to purchase new furniture for the Junior Library Resource Centre.