School Calendar 2009 - 2010

Year 7 Skipping for Fun, Health and Fundraising!

At the end of last half term, the boys and girls from Year 7 took part in a Skipping Event as part of their Health Related Exercise Unit of Work. As well as reaping some of the main benefits of Skipping as a form of Cardivascular exercise, they also decided to do the activity as a fundraising event and get sponsored for their efforts. Appropriately the chosen charity was the British Heart Foundation.

I am sure that we have all heard of someone who has been affected by Heart Disease; it is still the biggest killer of people in the United Kingdom.
We all know that two of the most important ways to prevent heart disease are through eating and drinking sensibly and in moderation, and to exercise regularly - our Year 7 pupils can tell you all about this if you ask them!
Money raised by the BHF goes towards treating people who have been affected by heart disease, research into heart disease and equipment such as defibrillatot machines. A couple of years ago we were able to raise enough money to buy such a machine for Sunderland Hospital.
It is with an almost sense of disbelief that even in these hard economic times, when money is tight, people have managed to support the pupils and through their generosity we have managed to raise the staggering amount of £1200!
Four of our pupils, Jordan Munro, Emma Turnbull, Rachel Watson and Georgia Penny raised over £50 and will be rewarded with special prizes from the British Heart Foundation. Well Done!

Just to say a very big THANK YOU to all who sponsored the Year 7 pupils - your kindness and generosity is really appreciated!

Summer Disco

Pupils from Yr6, Yr7 and Yr8 put on their dancing shoes for the Summer disco.  As always this was a success.

Shining Through Awards – Stadium of Light

Lauren Spooner 10B3 attended a presentation at the Stadium of Light to receive her award for personal achievement.

Anti-Bullying Awareness DVD “Speak Out”

Funding from Hetton Community Chest and Extended Services have made it possible for a professional DVD to be made by MCC Media working with pupils and staff from school.  The aim of the DVD is to raise awareness and encourage pupils to speak up. 

Style Patrol

14 pupils took part in a fashion activity creating mood boards and having professional photographs taken.  Afterwards parents / carers were invited with pupils to choose a photograph of their choice which they will receive in September free of charge. 

Action Research Moorsley and Peat Carr

Pupils from Moorsley and Peat Carr have been working with Barnardo’s on a project about the area; further activities will be arranged in the future working with Connexions and the School. 

PE and School Sport Report – Summer 2009

PE and School Sport remains high profile at Hetton School – even though we are not a Sports College!

The summer term has been as busy as ever with our involvement in a variety of competitions and events.  Back in May, the Junior and Intermediate Girls took part in the West Wearside Athletics meeting which was held at Monkton Stadium.  The Intermediate girls finished a credible 2nd position and the Junior girls followed in 5th position. 

It was then the turn of the Year 7 boys and girls to take part in the West Wearside Athletics meeting.  The Year 7 girls finished in 2nd place and the boys 3rd.  Georgia won her javelin competition.  Well done to all athletics!!

Cricket

The boy’s cricket teams have continued to do well in their competitions.  This season the U15 team finished as County Cup winners.  In the Telegraph 20/20 competitions they came in as runners up. 

Sports Day

The format of our Sports Day changed slightly this year, with the intention of increasing participation, as well as the number of events.  We managed to achieve both aims instantly with many of our pupils taking part in a range of events such as Dance mats, Triathlon, Airball and Dodgeball; this was as well as the more traditional sports of football, hockey, cricket, rounder’s and athletics taking place.

Because of the nature of the two days and the numerous events, scoring was a little complicated.  However, Mr. P. Hutchinson came to our rescue and kept the scores fairly and accurate.  The results were as follows: The winners of the games competitions on Day 1 were the pupils in Lambton House.  The winners of the Athletics Competitions on Day 2 were the pupils in Neville House.  Overall, when the points were totalled up the eventual winners were Lambton House.  Congratulations and very well done to all participants.  A good two days was had by all. 

County Representations

Former pupil Ryan Pringle, who left last year, has signed a contract to play for Durham County Cricket Club.  Ben Whitehead from Year 7 has been selected to play County Cricket Team. 
Elliott Woods has been selected to play for the County Football Team, with trials being held in September. 

Sports Presentation

We are delighted to have had the pleasure of the company of former Sunderland AFC Captain Kevin Ball at our Sports Presentation this year.  With so many awards being presented it was pleasing to have a good sporting role model in attendance. 

UKMT Maths Challenge Team Event

In our best tradition, Hetton School once more excelled in this prestigious event.  The challenge was held at Durham University on 24th April.  Rachel Biott and Kieran Burrell from Year 9 accompanied by Harianne Errington and Liam Massam from Year 8 represented the school. 

Our pupils rose to the challenge, displaying their intellectual powers across a range of tasks in an event which lasted from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  30 Teams competed, Hetton School finishing a very creditable 9th.  The four young mathematicians were a credit to the school. 

Intermediate Maths Challenge

The end of this term signals the sad departure of several long serving and distinguished members of staff.

Mrs. Thomas, Deputy Headteacher, joined the school on the 1st September 1975.  Mrs Thomas has been a major player in the development of the school, her many responsibilities touching every facet of school life.

Mrs. Hall, Subject Leader in Technology and Senior Leader, arrived at Hetton on the 1st September 1977 as a young and enthusiastic teacher of ‘Domestic Science’.  She has overseen many great changes in the direction of her department and has contributed significantly to may areas of school life. 

Mrs Hart, SENCo and Subject Leader for Learning Support joined Hetton School on 1st September 21980.  Her caring attitude towards pupils and staff will be sorely missed by all those who have worked with her. 

Mrs Tomkin, Head of Lambton House and Teacher of English joined the school on 1st September 1988.  Her dynamic presence in the classroom and her patient and understanding support of all pupils will be hard to replace.

Mrs. Haddon, Teacher in charge of Language Provision joined us on the 1st January 2001.  she has been a pivotal figure in the expanding role of the department within the school and will be missed by colleagues and pupils alike. 

Mrs Seccombe, AST, Modern Foreign Languages and International Dimension joined the school on 1st September 1996.  Mrs Seccombe has worked hard to raise the profile of MFL, not only within the school, but in the authority as well.  She leaves with our best wishes to take a post in Primary Education.

For Mrs. Thomas, Mrs Hall, Mrs Hart, Mrs Tomkin and Mrs Haddon – it is time for retirement – we say thank you to 123 years of commitment and experience and a happy retirement to you all!!

Keep Safe

My key message in the final assembly of the school year is always about keeping safe.  Your children are precious to us as well as to you and we want to see them back safe and well in September.  In that regard I would ask you to be particularly vigilant about the use of computers by your child when accessing any social networking type sites.  What may appear an innocent contact could be something more sinister.  For more advice and guidance there is a link from the school website (www.hetton-school.co.uk).

It is my sincere hope that you all have a very enjoyable and restful summer holiday. 

S. Haigh