TIME TRAVEL RULES

Be amazed as Hetton School pupils prepare themselves to take a trip back in time to save the future of music! This year’s school production, ‘Back in the Day’, is an epic tale of good versus evil which takes us back to the days of Elvis, Diana Ross and the Supremes and even Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’!.

52 Hetton School pupils from years 7 – 11 have been rehearsing all year to make this the best and most enjoyable production yet, so hang on to your hats and come with us on our journey back in!.  At the time of going to press, all performances will have been made.  Hope you enjoyed it!!

SNAKES, SKINS AND DRAGONS

As part of the GCSE Textiles course, Mrs Dickinson and Mrs Hall will be taking 40 Year 10 pupils on a visit to Middlesbrough Football Club on Friday 4th April.  They will then be set a challenge to research, plan and design something that could be manufactured and sold in the Club Shop.  The football club will visit Hetton School on 24th April and 15th May to support / assess the pupils’ work and then judge the best idea in a ‘Dragons Den’ style session on 12th June with prizes being awarded to the winners. 

Staff from the Hancock Museum will be bringing live snakes and other small reptiles on 1st May to spend a day with Year 4 and 5 pupils from Hetton Primary School.  This will act as a stimulus for a Textiles project that will focus on patterns and texture of reptile skins.

Artists from Gateshead’s Baltic Arts Centre will be working with Gifted and Talented Year 5 pupils from our Primary Partner schools to start a Textiles project that will involve pupils designing and making fabric fashion garments or accessories that will be modelled in a fashion show to be held at Hetton School towards the end of the Summer Term.

Year 6 pupils who will be attending Hetton School from September 2008, will be taking par tin our Technology / Enterprise Days which will be held during National Technology Week 23rd – 27th June.  The dates for the event are Tuesday 24th June and Wednesday 25th June.  This challenge will be Technology focused and based on the theme of ‘Dragons Den’, offering a variety of exciting, demanding and fun activities.  Representatives from industry will be invited to set a challenge that will involve the pupils in working as a team, analysing, planning and problem solving to manufacture a product.  They will then present their solution to the challenge to the panel of judges from industry for assessment.  Winning teams will be rewarded with prizes.
LIFE SKILLS – PREPARING FOR LIFE!!!

Previously known as ASDAN – which is the name of the examination board(Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network) and before that the XL Club (chosen by the Princes Trust), the Life Skills Group (the new name for this course in the Year 9 options booklet) has continued to go from strength to strength.  Whatever name this group works under, the course ethos has always been the same – help under performing pupils to develop their motivation, confidence, leadership, determination, creativity and ability to learn by participating in activities outside the normal curriculum.  The awards that are completed are called the Wider Key Skills and the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness.  All have an equivalent point score to GCSE’s on the National Framework.
The present Yr11 have passed their Wider Key Skills Level 1 in Working with Others and Improving Own Learning.  They are presently working with an outside agency called Youth in Action.  Having enhanced their qualifications, they are now enriching their life experiences by participating in coastal steering at Marsden Rock, South Shields.
The Year 10 have, as part of their CoPE award, worked on team building activities with the British Army for one week; participated in the British School of Motoring (BSM) Ignition Course over 5 weeks; built balloon powered cars out of everyday household items and researched with Connexions the role of Connexions in school.  Future activities include a 2 day course at the Mines Rescue Centre, Houghton le Spring in May and an environmental project in June at Hetton Lyons Country Park.

PRAISE FOR STUDY SUPPORT PUPILS

Hetton school has had the fortunate opportunity of working with the Foundation Centre at the Stadium of Light for the fifth year running.  Eleven pupils were chosen to attend a ten week course that would address Mathematics and English using the Stadium of Light as a back drop.  The fortunate few were given challenges such as measuring the size of the changing rooms, counting stadium seats and ‘guesstimating’ the size of the pitch to stretch their brains.
Joe Puech, the centre manager for the foundation, stated that ‘Hetton School always produces top-quality groups of pupils, but this particular group have been a sheer delight to work with’.
The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work in the Stadium of Light and have been a credit to Hetton School.  The most memorable experience would surely have been bumping into Niall Quinn, who hasn’t been the same after meeting our loud lot!!.

SCIENCE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

1. Year 9 Enrichment classes – Rocks and Sports Science which included a visit to Sunderland University organised by J. Harland. 
2. New KS3 Club set up by Miss. O’Donnell – making short science films and podcasts to help pupils with key areas for revision.  The finished films are to be placed on school websites.  This club commences on Wednesday 2nd April. 
3. Science Booster Classes and Masterclasses arranged for Easter holidays to help pupils prepare for SATs.
4. Primary and Booster Classes also arranged for Saturday 26th April 2008.

So…… What goes on in Physical Education Department ?

As we aim to achieve the Government target of providing two hours of high quality PE and Sports to all of our young people on a weekly basis at Hetton School, the PE Department works hard to ensure that there is a full and varied range of Out of School Activities on offer both during lunchtime and after school.  Here is just a flavour of what has been going on this year ……

In February we had a visit from Street Surfing – a skateboarding company who came into school to work with our pupil’s during their PE lessons.  As pupils donned the essential gear of helmet, gloves and protective knee pads, they could be seen balancing on their skateboards along the bottom yard (never to be seen again!!).

School Teams

As the Winter sports season nears to an end, Hetton School has had representation in a number of sports, including boys and girls football, hockey and rugby.
Many of our teams have done really well, in particular our Year 8 and 9 girl’s hockey team, finishing high-up in the Sunderland Schools League.  Four of the Year 9 girls are now playing at club level for Broom Hockey Club.  Lauren Whitehead, also from year 9 has been selected to represent Durham County at U16 Level.
We have also had representation in the Sunderland Schools Girls Football competitions this year, proving that our new Multi-Use Games Pitch has really made a difference to school sports provision.  We are delighted to report that Shannon Smith and Katie Barrass from Year 9 and Kayleigh Fahey from Year 8 have been selected to play for the Sunderland Girls Team.

Laura Hepple from Yr11 has achieved her Level 1 Refereeing badge and she has officiated at a number of our school games ….. watch out boys , our Laura is very handy with the Yellow Card!!
In addition, Laura represents the Durham County Ladies Football Team.

BOYS FOOTIE PROGRESS

At the time of writing the Year 10 boys are a very credible second in the league – a big improvement on last years performance, when they finished last !  they are also in the quarter final of the County Cup and are due to meet St. Aidans School, having beaten teams from Consett and Darlington to get to this stage.  Year 9 stand a very good chance of winning the league this year, and once again, at the time of writing, we were able to report that they have reached the Semi-Finals of the County Cup, when they will meet Spennymoor on the 26th March.

RUGBY COMES TO HETTON

Many of our boys have taken to playing rugby this year, with the Year 9 boy’s team playing three matches, winning two of them.  The Year 7 team took part in their first competition last week and put up a good performance.

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS

Following on from our participation I n the West Wearside Cross Country competition late November, a number of our pupils were selected to compete for West Wearside Area Team at the Durham County Championships, they included Laurin Wardle, Rhett Parnaby and Bradley Brown from Year 7 and Daniel Gibbons from Year 11.  Laurin Wardle did so well in the competition that she has earned her Durham County running vest ……watch out Paula Radcliffe, Laurin is following in your footsteps!!!

DANCING GIRLS

In partnership with the University of Sunderland , girls form Years 9, 10 & 11 have had the opportunity to take part in a number of dance projects, both during curriculum time and as an extra-curricular activity.  A number of them took part in a production of Down Our Street last Summer, and then followed this up with a Christmas production at Sunderland University.  Some of our Year 8 boys even took part in break-dancing sessions and thoroughly enjoyed them.  There is more dance planned in September when we embark on a partnership with the highly acclaimed Dance City in Newcastle.  This project which is worth £5,000 in terms of training for staff, pupils as well as resources, will enhance our dance provision both within the curriculum as well as offer opportunities after school.

BOXING CLUB LINKS – PUT YOUR GUARD UP!!!

Our pupils have recently experienced boxing taster sessions with Hetton Amateur Boxing Club’s coach Paul Quarmby.  Not only is boxing an excellent sport for self discipline training, it is a great way to keep fit.   It is hoped that Paul will take an after school club after the April holiday and work with interested pupils on gaining a valuable boxing qualification.

SCHOOL SPORT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

We are now in our fifth year of the School Sport Partnership Programme.  This Government driven initiative is intended to increase the time that young people spend taking part in school sport and physical activities.  The intention is for all pupils to take part in two hours of statutory PE every week and a further three hours of after school and community activity.  As part of this programme we have successfully linked up with our partner primary schools to ensure that quality and provision is happening with the younger children. The School Sports Co-ordinator and the PE Primary Link teachers meet on a regular basis to plan and monitor developments.
Also, as part of this programme, we have been running the Sports Leader Level 1 Award at Hetton School.  Our Year 10 pupils have been going in to the local primary schools to coach activities such as fitness, football, netball and tag rugby.  Following their coaching sessions they then organise festivals of sport for the primary school pupils.  We have just had the Coalfields Cross Country Festival at Hetton Lyons Country Park; the Year 10 pupils took on every aspect of the organisation of the event including Team Manager, Marshalls, Publicity Officer, First Aider, Starter, Timekeeper etc.  They are now working with the ex-Sunderland footballer Gary Bennett on their football skills, ready to go back into the primary schools after the Spring holiday to do some football coaching.

DANCE MACHINES COME TO HETTON

As part of Hetton School’s commitment to increasing opportunities for our young people to access a wide and varied experience in sporting activities, we have just purchased a state of the art set of Dance Mats – the latest craze to hit physical activity uptake in schools.
Also linking in with virtual sport and information technology, all of our young people have recently been rowing for a place in the Concept 2 Rowing Challenge.
This is a national competition we are entering – online!! Each year group will have a team of 4 boys and girls ; they will get on the rowing machines and aim to record their fastest times over a set distance.  These times will then be entered online and we will see how we go! Did Sir Steve Redgrave start his rowing career this way ?

HETTON SCHOOL HEALTH & FITNESS CENTRE – WORKING ON WATER !!

In spite of having two major flooding incidents in our brand new building (not our fault!!), which, by the way, caused a considerable amount of damage, our health and fitness centre, including state of the art fitness room, dance studio and MUGA, is thriving, both during school time, where our youngsters are using the facility during their lunchtime in droves, as well as after school, where members of our local community are realising what we have onsite, and are utilising the facilities during the evenings and weekends.  We have an extensive range of activities on offer – please contact the school for information.

SPORTSMARK AWARD AND CHARTERMARK AWARD

In recognition of our commitment to providing a programme of high quality sport and physical activity both in school and out of school, as well as working towards developing links with our local community sports clubs, we were awarded the highly acclaimed Sportsmark Award this year, as well as the Football Chartermark Award.

HETTON SCHOOL PARENTS FORUM

The Parents’ Forum was begun in October to increase communication between home and school.  We want the opportunity to listen to parents and give them the chance to ask questions. Hetton School wants to move forward in a positive way and speaking to parents enables progress.

There is a meeting every term and new members are welcome to join us.  Many important issues have been raised and discussed including school uniform, contacting parents via text, changes to the school day and the new curriculum for Year 10 pupils.  The agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the school website in the Parents information section.  The meeting is also attended by members of the School Management Team to respond to any issues raised. 

The school extends its thanks to those parents who are already supporting the school by attending. The next meeting is Monday12th May at 5pm.  If you wish to attend leave a message for Mrs McKeown at the office and I will send you an agenda near the time for the next meeting. 

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL DAY

The school is looking at a change in the timing of the school day.  Proposals have been made to the Governing Body aimed at shortening the lunch period and finishing the school day at 3.15pm.  A formal consultation process will be implemented which will acknowledge the views of all stakeholders.  The Parents Forum would provide an excellent opportunity for parents to air their views. 

ZOOLAB VISITS YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHERS

All pupils in Year 8 were introduced to the animals of the rainforest this term.  Zoolab came to school with a selection of animals including tarantulas, snakes and giant millipedes.  Pupils had the opportunity to feel these creatures under close supervision of a zoo ranger.  This provides pupils with an interesting introduction to their new topic of work on the Amazon Rainforest.  The pupils loved it!!

LEARNING IS FUN

Sam Wilson and Andrew Dodds are taking part In the organisation of this years ‘Learning is Fun’ Conference at the Stadium of Light.  This also involves a weekend visit to Derwent Hill - Friday 28th – Sunday 30th March.

Army Activity Day – Wednesday 18th July 2008
This is a fun and interesting day out for all who attend.  A wide range of displays to watch and military equipment on show throughout the day. 

Friday 4th July – Sunday 6th July 2008

Learning Mentors trip to Derwent Hill with 40 pupils.  This is a fantastic weekend enjoyed by pupils and staff.

CLUBS

Pupils who attend the Girls Group and After School Club enjoyed making decorations to decorate the hall for the Valentines Disco.  

Breakfast Club is still a huge success and appreciated by pupils of all ages.  Pupils had the opportunity to take part in a ‘STOP TEXT BULLYING’ questionnaire.

Anyone coming to ‘The Drop-In’ on Thursday lunchtimes (Mrs. Keep’s room) can now speak to the School Nurses (Michelle & Judith) in confidence.

Application Packs have been distributed to Year 10 pupils.  Training days will be held at The Hetton Centre on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th May 2008.

Advertising / Sponsoring the Year 11 Yearbook

The pupils at Hetton School are creating a Yearbook for the school leavers in 2008.

The yearbook will contain photographs and comments to help them remember their school years and be full colour, glossy and long lasting.

The cost of producing the book is higher than the charge to the pupil (set at £5) and to allow us to do this we are currently trying to raise sponsorship money by donations and selling advertising space in the book.

The committee would like to offer you the opportunity to use some of the space in their Yearbook for some direct, low cost and effective advertising.  These pages are going to be viewed by the parents, friends and families, so a small investment in this project could prove to be of huge benefit to your business.  (all donations are welcome however to place an advert a minimum donation of £20 is required, the size of the advert will depend on the donation amount).

If you are interested or would like more information please contact Mr. Howey, Mrs. Clark or Mrs. Hood.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY