2012 Easter Newsletter

GOT TO DANCE

OUT OF WIDNES, INTO AFRICA

RISING MOTOR CROSS STAR

WHO HAS THE

‘W’ FACTOR?

LIFE CHANGING TRIP TO THE GAMBIA

Wade Deacon High School

EASTER NEWSLETTERApril 2012

www.wadedeacon.com

Easter Newsletter 2012 © Wade Deacon High School. All Rights Reserved02

Foreword

Mrs P A WrightExecutive Headteacher

Mrs J A GormleyHead of School

A Sporting Centre of Excellence!

This time next year, we’ll be getting ready to move into our new school building. As you walk past the school, you can’t fail to see the excellent progress that’s being made on the building. One of the main development areas has been that of the new Sports Hall. We are very excited about the opportunities that this will provide, not just for our pupils at Wade Deacon, but for the community of Widnes. The Sports’ Hall will be “state of the art” with six full size courts available for use – and with the school’s excellent links with Widnes Vikings and our growing partnership with Everton Football Club, the school looks forward to being a Sporting Centre of Excellence for our community.

A Creative Centre of Excellence!

Creativity, outstanding academic success and independent learning to develop life-long skills have always been at the heart of what we do at Wade Deacon. As you browse through this term’s newsletter you will see references to our international work and the many events that are held at Wade Deacon which not only showcase the creativity and outstanding successes of our pupils, but which invite the community to take part in those successes of which we are so proud. Imagine our delight, next year, when we will have the capacity to invite and welcome in 500 parents and members of the community to enjoy and take part in major community events which will be held in our brand new auditorium.

A Community Centre of Excellence!

Before our new building opens next year, we still have many exciting community events to look forward to at Wade Deacon. One of the events that sums up the superb creative talents of our pupils, whether that is dance, technology, music, art, design, theatre or public speaking is our Arts’ Evening in the Summer. So, we look forward to welcoming you into Wade Deacon to sample the fantastic achievements of both pupils and teachers and to be a part of our community’s centre of excellence.

Mrs P A Wright Mrs J A Gormley

Monday 16th AprilSchool Opens

Thursday 3rd MayPSHE Period 5

Monday 7th MaySchool Closed – May Day Holiday

Thursday 10th MayYear 7 Parents’ Evening

Saturday 19th MayGifted & Talented Masterclass

Wednesday 23rd MayPSHE Period 3

Monday 4th – Friday 8th JuneSchool Closed – Half Term Holiday

Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th JuneCitizenship & Enterprise DaysYear 7 Colomendy Residential

Wednesday 27th JunePSHE Period 1

Saturday 7th JulyGifted & Talented Masterclass

Tuesday 10th JulySports Day

Wednesday 11th JulyArts Evening

Friday 13th JulyPSHE Period 1

Monday 16th JulyFoundation Awards

Friday 20th July – Tuesday 4th SeptemberSchool Closed - Summer Holiday

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03Easter Newsletter

Wade Deacon High School celebrated the second successful Saturday morning of Gifted & Talented Masterclasses this academic year on Saturday 4th February. Over 350 excited pupils attended with an additional 100 Gifted and Talented Primary School pupils also attending. The Masterclasses covered a wide range of activities focussing on fun, stretch and challenge for the more able pupils and February’s sessions were a particular highlight.

A group of 50 primary school pupils returned to take part in Circus Performances including stilt walking, plate spinning and Diablo skills. An additional group of 20 Primary pupils attended to take part in the UK Mathematics Challenge. There were French, English and Humanities sessions in classrooms and Design Technology in the workshops, Science in the laboratories and even Fencing in the Gym. One particular session was led by John Findlay who is the 2011 Robot Wars Champion and he taught our pupils how to construct remote controlled vehicles in the first part of two Robot Wars sessions.

The Bridge Theatre and Dance Studio were a hive of activity with pupils from all years rehearsing their performances for Wade Deacon’s Got to Dance, the fantastic three night dance extravaganza. This also included two primary school classes who have been working under the choreography and expertise of Miss Paton and Miss Locker as part of ‘Got to Dance’.

Mr Woan, Director of Foundation Stage and Pupil Engagement said “The provision for our Gifted and Talented pupils at the Masterclasses is getting bigger and better with very exciting activities taking place in every room. The pupil response to the sessions has been excellent and the staff and external providers ensure that the pupils enjoy and achieve throughout the morning.”

Gifted & Talented

Pupils rehearse tribal section for the ‘Got to Dance’ show.

Pupils make and test their robots.

Pupils make their own refugee shelter.

Preparing for battle in ‘Robot wars’

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Wade Deacon High School04

In order to raise much needed funds for the Geography trip to The Gambia, pupils spent Sunday 22nd January at Morrisons on a marathon bag pack!

Easily fending off the good natured banter from customers joking about school uniform having to be worn on a Sunday, our pupils came through in fine style, collecting a staggering £1100.00 in just six hours! It is testimony to the affection that people in the town have for Wade Deacon that customers were willing to give so generously.

The aim of the fund raising event was to provide financial resources to a variety of schools in The Gambia who are in desperate need of funds as well as providing educational sponsorships for young children living in The Gunjur region.

February saw another highly successful Citizenship & Enterprise Day, where our pupils were given the opportunity to spend a day exploring issues that surround them in the outside world. Both our Year 9 & 11 pupils addressed the topic of Racism, whilst Year 10 focused on the ever-growing issue of Knife Crime in the UK. With outside speakers from The Anthony Walker Foundation, Defend UK, and Anti-Bullying organisations, pupils were able to hear a full range of real life stories first hand. A selection of classroom-based activities were also undertaken, including designing T-shirts, writing songs and performing adverts around the topics. Citizenship & Enterprise Day Coordinator, Mrs Goulding commented: “Yet again, our pupils higlighted their commitment to tackling issues which impact on the world around them. Pupils handled these senstive topics with maturity and received praise from all of our outside speakers on the day.”

Pupils get their bags packed for the Gambia

Citizenship & Enterprise

Daniel Myatt & Louise Chadwick

Paige Tomlinson

Sam Humphries & Emily Barrow

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05Easter Newsletter

The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London were the highlights of the Year 11 trip to London. 56 GCSE History pupils were treated to a coveted tour behind the scenes at the Palace of Westminster arranged by local MP Derek Twigg. The tour included visiting both chambers of parliament, the lobbies where MPs cast their votes, and even the Queen’s Robing Room where she puts on her royal robes and crown before the State Opening of Parliament.

The 3 day residential also included fantastic cultural experiences including a flight on the London Eye and an evening at Covent Garden, famous for its shops, street performers and restaurants. The group also took in the West End’s theatreland, seeing one of the most celebrated musicals on stage today, Billy Elliot.

Kyle Johnson said that ‘It was a wonderful experience and a jam-packed trip that kept you interested every minute. The hustle and bustle of the Underground, the rich history of the War Cabinet rooms and brilliant performance of Billy Elliot, which I definitely recommend, made the trip one to remember.’

Mark Taylor agreed; ‘I really enjoyed the trip to London and learned a lot from it concerning both history and politics. I most enjoyed our visit to the Natural History museum and the almighty dinosaur fossils they display there. Also, I found our visit to parliament quite awe inspiring; to think that we could stand where great British figures like Winston Churchill had once walked. It was an experience that was not to be missed! I would definitely go again.’

Exploring Historic London

Pupils enjoy the London Eye.

Big Ben. Cabinet War Rooms.

Westminster Hall, Houses of parliament.

Ms Judson, Mark Taylor & Kyle Johnson enjoy ‘Billy Elliot’ at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

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Doing the conga with Kajabang Scouts.

Harry, Fergus, Adam, Robert, Oliver & Callum – Sports Day at Gunjur Orphans’ School.

Callum, Rob and Sam visit an ‘outdoor school’ – under a tree!

Paige with a pupil from the Gunjur Orphans’ School after the presentation

of gifts donated from our pupils and parents.

The only way to trav-el: the team set off

on another ‘off-road adventure in Gunjur

Rachel Myler at sports day at an Oprhpans’ School.

Wade Deacon & Gambian pupils team together to play football.

Out of Widnes; Into Africa

Out of Widnes; Into AfricaOver the half term, Year 10 and Year 11 pupils enjoyed a ‘life - changing’ trip to The Gunjur Project in The Gambia, West Africa.

As part of their Geography course, pupils have to complete a case study on eco-tourism and The Gunjur Project fits all of the criteria for this area of study. The Project supports the local community in Gunjur – helping to build schools and provide resources for them, as well as providing educational sponsorships for children which is so desperately needed. It costs just £90.00 per year to sponsor one pupil at secondary school and just £10.00 per year to sponsor a nursery child. One primary school we visited had an annual budget of just £300.00 which covered absolutely everything – including teachers’ salaries and books!

Through our fund raising efforts, we were able to make a number of donations to the many schools and projects that we visited – providing learning resources, financial assistance for the development of The Gunjur Project - as well as sponsoring two children for a year’s education. We will now receive updates on how the children are doing and will receive copies of their school reports each term. The generosity of our pupils and parents also enabled us to make donations to 26 children at the Gunjur Orphans’ School which was a very emotional experience for our pupils and staff.

The visit enabled our pupils to understand the way that ethical eco-tourism can operate, as well as making comparisons between the Gunjur Project and more main stream tourist locations in The Gambia. They also studied the local environment seeing first-hand how people use natural resources to sustain themselves and their families.

Pupils had many opportunities to sample the culture of The Gambia – in terms of Music, Art, Dance and Food making the trip an unforgettable one for everyone. It goes without saying that our pupils conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion throughout the trip typified by the way they interacted with the Gambian children at every stop we made. They truly were inspirational. According to The Project, we were the best group they have ever hosted.

Sophie Cain said of the trip ‘I think I speak for all of us when I say that this has been a life changing experience. We have seen children who have absolutely nothing and who are desperate for an education. It was very humbling for us and will certainly make us value the things we have and not take those things for granted. That’s the message that we will be bringing back. The Gambia is a wonderfully friendly place that we will never ever forget’.

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07Easter Newsletter

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Year 8 pupils’ poetry flew thousands of miles over Christmas in the form of a celebration booklet sent to partnership schools across the world including: Serbia, Slovakia, India, China, Germany, Japan and Oman. After studying celebrations and traditions in other cultures, all pupils had the chance to create their own poetry representing these celebrations. From the Hindu celebration of Holi to the Cheese Rolling Festival in Gloucestershire, our pupils captured the spirit of these events using carefully chosen words, rich in connotations.

Miss Griffiths, who collated the booklet said, “I’m so proud of the work our pupils have produced. It’s a fantastic, well-deserved achievement to see their work sent across the globe.”

Pupils across the year group impressed all English staff with their commitment to perfection and enthusiasm for learning about new cultures.

CELEBRATION BOOKLET

DRAMA WORKSHOP

As part of their GCSE Scripted study on Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, our Year 10 GCSE Drama pupils have been working with professional actors who have played lead roles both in London’s West End, and the National tour. Pupils undertook a two hour workshop session, helping them to portray lively 7 year olds and develop their movement on stage, before sharing their work in progress and gaining helpful feedback from the professionals. Workshop leader, Jamie Evans was full of praise for our budding thespians: “It was great to work with the students. It was exciting to see in such little time how they progressed!” Leader of Standards & Achievement in Drama, Mrs Goulding, added: “Our pupils relished the opportunity to show off their work to a professional actor, and really valued the feedback they received.”

Jamie Evans gives Leon Hough & Elliot Dennett a few tips.

Annie Kinsella seeks advice from actress Emma Knowell.

Beth Blakemore and Beth Fogharty

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09Easter Newsletter

MOVE OVER DAVID CAMERON

Wade Deacon’s first Debating Society is up and running with an argumentative and opinionated group of Year 9 pupils! The society, which meets every Monday are being mentored by Sarah Harding from Manchester University who coaches our pupils in the etiquette and structure of debating, as well as providing a range of motions that are ‘put to the house’.

Wade Deacon is being supported by ‘Debate Mate’ – a London based organisation which seeks to develop all aspects of public speaking in young people.

The Debating Society will be taking part in rounds of The Urban Debate League through the year and will be competing in The Debate Mate Cup at Manchester University on the 27th April. If successful, we will go on to represent The North West in The Debate Mate Grand Final in London in June. Fingers crossed! Results so far are encouraging with the team already having won three debates in the first Urban Debate League held at Loretto High School, Manchester on 15th March.

Mr Mealey who coordinates the Debating Society is clearly impressed: “Debating is a key skill for our pupils to learn. Being able to think on their feet, listen to arguments and offer rebuttals that are relevant and well-articulated are skills that are vital if pupils wish to advance in their academic careers. I think we have some budding politicians in the making and, who knows; maybe the next PM!”

DRAGONS’DEN

Brave year 7s faced fierce Dragons in the WOW room before Christmas, presenting ideas for new inventions. The panel consisted of members of our local community: Andrew Roberts and Edward Burke, including School Governors Eileen Jones and Linda Scott. Finishing off the panel was Mr Mealey, who was hugely impressed by a Sky Cam remote control plane.

Our guests were impressed with the business acumen demonstrated by our pupils as well as their confident rhetoric speaking and listening skills. Miss Bird, who transported the clients into the Den, was immensely proud of the pupils. “Their professional, complex and imaginative ideas could definitely give Lord Sugar a run for his money. It was fantastic to see the pupils react so professionally under such intense scrutiny.”

Over twenty groups took part and the Dragons found it difficult to decide on just one winner. Each Dragon therefore selected a winner, with Mr Kirkham providing prizes for all involved.

Magnetic Car:Bradley WilsonDavid Stulberg

Ellie Taylor makes her point forcefully during our weekly Debating Society.

Who has the ‘ ’ Factor?www.wadedeacon.com


When I auditioned, I was hoping that I would get through, because I love singing and performing. When I saw my name on the list, I was ecstatic. I was so thrilled I couldn’t stop jumping up and down. Every day and night I would practice, just hoping to see my name on the list once more.When I auditioned again my heart was pounding; I was so nervous, but when I sing I am not at all. Singing makes me happy. When I finally found out I got through, I just wanted to let out a massive SCREAM.

Soon enough all my friends heard and were cheering me on. Before I knew it the big day came. When we were waiting behind the curtain, I was so nervous because I was first, but when I started to sing in front of my friends and family, all my nerves went away. It was such an amazing experience.When they called us out to the front, to announce the results, my heart was pounding and I just hoped I did enough. When they called my name out as joint 2nd place I was thrilled. Even though I didn’t get 1st place I was still happy. I was happy for Beth who came joint 2nd with me and Dan who came 1st.

Lucy Heyes

When I heard about the W Factor I was extremely excited as

I have a passion for singing. Although I really didn’t think I

would get through, I decided to give it a go. Despite the fact

that I was nervous, I went for my first audition. I sang ‘Make

you feel my love’ by Adele who is one of my favourite artists.

I was unsure whether I would get to the call backs however I

was very shocked and pleasently surprised to see that I had.

I immediately started rehearsing for the call backs. Everyone

who had got through was fabulous and the competition

was very tough. I sang ‘For Good’ from my favourite musical

Wicked. The pressure was increased as we all had to perform

in the school’s Wow Room which was fully equipped with

microphones. When I heard that I had got through to the final

I was absolutely thrilled and I really couldn’t believe it.

All eight acts that got through were of an amazing standard

and it was really great to get to the final. We all had to

practice and work hard but it was definitely worthwhile.

On the evening of the final the atmosphere was electric.

Everyone was really encouraging and it was great to know

that lots of people were supporting me. Backstage it was very

nerve-wracking. Everyone was absolutely brilliant and the

standard was so high. It was also very interesting to hear all

of our guests performances too.

When it came to my turn to perform I was very nervous but

when I began to sing I really enjoyed it. It was great fun and it

really boosted my confidence. When the results were revealed

I was absolutely overwhelmed to find that I came second

place. I was really elated.

It was such a great opportunity and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was so proud to be part of it and I would definitley love to

do it again.

Beth Lindop

Who has the ‘ ’ Factor?Wade Deacon’s new ‘X’ Factor-style competition brought new singing talent to light, and could be the beginning of something very big for one lucky contestant.

After weeks of auditions 39 contestants were whittled down to 8 for the grand finale, performing before a packed audience in the Bridge Theatre. The standard of the performances was very high and the expert judging panel deliberated for some time before announcing the winners.

The overall winner was Daniel Sinnot-Davies for his moving rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ which captivated audience and judges alike. The joint runners up were the very talented Lucy Heyes and Beth Lindopp.

Daniel’s winning performance caught the attention of ITV’s X Factor production team who invited him to audition for the show. The auditions were held in the Liverpool Echo Arena, where Daniel got through to the third round!

Daniel’s prize will see him booked in to a professional recording studio in the summer term, and he will receive coaching from Music staff to prepare for this opportunity. Perhaps with this experience behind him, Daniel could go even further on the X Factor in the future!

Leader of Music Miss Butterworth was very proud of the pupils who took part; “The W Factor was a hit with contestants and the audience. All the judges were very impressed with the performances, and we have already started planning for next year!”

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11Easter Newsletter

Daniel Sinnot-Davies with three W Factor judges, Ms Butterworth, guest judge Laura Harrison & Mr Annable

The Vox Pops give a sterling performance.

Daniel Sinnot-Davies performs the winners

song!

Beth Lindop (left) & Lucy Heyes (right) with winner Daniel Sinnot-Davies .

Building Project on Target

Building work is continuing in earnest on the Lower Wing of the Birchfield Road Campus, with much of the structure of the new building now in place. The building contractors are delighted to report that the project is exactly on target.

The new sports hall frame has been constructed, with cladding to 3 sides and all internal block work completed. The waterproof membrane is being added to the roof and the external brickwork is being constructed. The ground floor is completely constructed on the new sections to the rear of the site, and at the time of this newsletter going to print the columns and stairs up to the second floor were in progress.

Historical artefacts will be integrated into the new buildings to celebrate the heritage of the school. As part of this project, the engraved marble foundation stones were carefully removed from the entrance hall, revealing a surprise package.

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Building Project on Targetwww.wadedeacon.com

13Easter Newsletter

A copy of the Widnes Weekly News from May 1930 was discovered parcelled up with school papers and hidden beneath the foundation stone. The papers included the programme for the foundation stone laying ceremony and a beautifully handwritten document outlining the history of the school in its various incarnations since its foundation as Farnworth Grammar School in 1507. The original building on Birchfield Road was completed at a cost of £60,000 and accommodated 550 ‘scholars’, with provision for extension to 700.

The current building project will create a school for 1500 pupils at a cost of £24 million. The new buildings will open in April 2013. Scanned copies of the historical documents and the latest photographs of the building are available on the school website; www.wadedeacon.com/bsf

DVD available to buy from school now!

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Find more images from ‘Got To Dance’ at: www.flickr.com/photos/wadedeacon

Clare McDermott performs in Horror on the dance floor.

Our spectacular ‘Got to Dance’ event was bigger and better this year, with more routines, more dancers and more special effects. Over 140 Wade Deacon pupils across all years took part in this fantastic celebration of dance talent. There were also performances from Lunts Heath Primary, Moorfields Primary and Cronton College pupils.

Pupils delivered performances in a wide range of different dance genres including musical theatre, jazz, tap, contemporary, street as well as other variations. Superb costumes, makeup, sound, lighting and the introduction of a smoke machine added a little polish to the beautiful routines perfected after many hours of practice.

Dance teacher Mrs Locker was delighted with the shows; “The standard of the performances were outstanding and all 3 nights were a great success. We are looking forward to ‘Got to Dance 2013’!”

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15Easter Newsletter

Ben Jumps to Victory

Ben Atkins, Year 9, participated in the National Schools final for Trampolining in March this year, representing the school he finished an incredible third place winning a bronze trophy.

After a fantastic year last year finishing in ninth place at the World Championships in November, Ben is now in training ready to compete in the forthcoming European Championships in Russia.

The year 7 performance of Olly Murs.

The year 9 Tribal performance.

The year 10 hairspray performance.

Millie Kilshaw & Lauren Smith perform a duet.

Ben with his Bronze throphy for the National Schools Final.

Nicole Hulme & Elin Peters perform a duet.

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Sport

Jacob Ryan was selected by the National Motor Cross Academy to go and train with them in Spain and Portugal for a 2 week intensive period. This enabled Jacob to work on regaining his fitness after weeks off due to a motor cross accident. Having become involved in motor cross four seasons ago Jacob has come on leaps and bounds and will now represent the National Motor Cross Academy in one of the most highly recognised motor cross competitions in Britain, the ‘British Red Bull Championships’. Jacob’s first race is on April 28th in Landrake near Plymouth. We wish him good luck in all of his upcoming competitions.

Callum Johnson has been playing basketball for the last 9 years. For 7 of these years, Callum played in Portugal for his county team and for the last 2 years he has played for Everton. He is now playing for the Merseyside Tigers in the U17 British Basketball league. He currently trains twice a week in Liverpool and is preparing for some key games and competitions within his league.

The year 7 Rugby team have had a very successful season so far, reaching the Semi Finals of the North West Championships. Wade Deacon faced St Peters, Wigan, in the semi-finals where they were beaten 34-10. The Wigan team then went on to be the overall champions, beating St Peter & Paul 34-8 in the final. At the time of going to print, the year 7 team are travelling to Hull to meet Sirius Academy in the Carnegie Schools Cup Nationals.

We took 4 teams to the Halton Sports Hall Athletics competition, where our year 7 boys team and our year 8 girls team both won the event. This means they have qualified for the Merseyside finals. We wish them all the best for this event.

On January 14th we took 15 pupils to the Cheshire cross country trials at Whitby High School in Cheshire, after they had successfully qualified from the Halton round. This day was especially cold and pupils performed exceptionally well given the weather conditions. Kiera Grady came in 8th place which is a fantastic achievement. She will now represent Cheshire in the next round. Kiera is the first Wade Deacon pupil to ever get to this stage.

The year 10 football team has made a tremendous start to their season. They are currently undefeated and top of the league and are hoping to retain the Halton League cup. They also reached the Quarter finals of the Schools Cheshire Cup where they were unfortunately beaten by Poynton High School. The team played extremely well and dominated the game for the majority, but unfortunately they could not find the back of the net.

Rugby

Athletics

Cross Country

Football Basketball

Motor Cross

Jacob Ryan

Documents

2012 Easter Newsletter