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 News from Mr Grady
3rd October 2024
Hello Everyone!
Well, when you receive this, it will be over half way through the first half term. Where has the time gone?
In true RHS fashion the last few weeks have been full – firstly, last week was international week of European languages, and so we’ve had a host of events celebrating our close links with Europe and the importance of learning a language, the freedom and the power it lends to one’s voice. Then we had a visit from the High Sherriff of Warwickshire to launch the “Young High Sherriff Competition,” (details elsewhere in the newsletter!) accompanied by the Mayor of Rugby and other dignitaries.
Friday last week was one of my favourite days of the entire RHS calendar, our Cultural Diversity Day.
This is a day that was driven by our students, and has grown and grown in recent years – it is a massive celebration of the wonderful array of ethnicities and cultures that RHS brings together, and a sign of the great strength of our community. The performances (now so numerous we had to put some on Thursday too, and on Friday breaktime) only add to the discussion and to the sharing of our of different cultures in a day that is a great reflection of the work we do here at RHS. It was simply an amazing day.
I would defy any visitors not to be amazed by our students on this day, nor to visit without leaving with the biggest smile on your face at the warmth, kindness, care and respect shown on this day. It would do your heart good to see it, and hopefully on our social media, and in the coming days you’ll get chance to see the photos of what is now a real fixture of our calendar.
And of course, on Monday this week, we had a visit from Lauren Henry, our Olympian, who spoke to all our students about her journey to success in Paris in the Summer. Staff and students were in awe of Laurens modesty and humility in the face of such outstanding achievements, and I have to say, staff were slightly giddy (naming no manes, Mrs Wallace..) and Lauren was called upon to pose for more photos than one could imagine, and sign just about everything in sight (naming no names, Mrs Wallace…)
Lauren was returning to her training camp that afternoon, and for her to be so generous with her time in visiting us and sharing her experiences, again is simply a reflection of the community here at RHS. We celebrate each other, and we support each other. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Have a great week everyone,
Stay safe and well,
With all best wishes,
Mr Grady
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Young High Sheriff Competition launched
Last week we were excited to launch the Young High Sheriff competition for the Borough of Rugby, which we are hosting this year!
The High Sheriff is offering the opportunity for one young person to become a young High Sheriff for the day! The High Sheriff aims to harness our rich heritage to inspire change in our community, with the goal of making Warwickshire a safer place for our young people. The competition winner will have the opportunity to have their voice heard on crime prevention and the issues that affect young people.
The challenge is to produce a 3-minute video clip or write a 500-word essay, or 200-word poem on why you would want to be High Sheriff for the day and submit it by email.
Visit our website for full details of the competition.
Get your entries in by Friday 18th October 2024!
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The Great European Bake Off
In celebration of European Day of Languages last week we held the Great European Bake-Off! Our creative and innovative student bakers produced a fabulous range of entries this year, from brownies, biscuits and cupcakes to sponge cakes and even a black forest gateaux! The entries reflected different cultures and flavours of Europe.
Well done to all the bakers - house points go to everyone who entered! After the judge's deliberations, Ms Fair announced the winners:
First prize - The French Cheese Board by Zoe P
Second prize - Lithuanian apple tart by Ema L
Third prize - Ikea meatballs by Alice P
Highly Commended - Nessie cake by Evie R, Amelia U and Zoe C
There was a big queue in the hall at lunchtime as the cakes and biscuits were sold off!
We also had a special assembly last week for KS5 students, celebrating the diverse languages our students speak! Sixth formers shared facts about the other languages they speak and treated their fellow students to snippets of Albanian, French, Bulgarian, Polish and Ukrainian.
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Science department request for parents with a Professional Medical interest
The Science department is running its very successful British Science Association Bronze CREST projects with Y9 again in January and early February 2025. The students have a choice of projects, all based around aspects of women's health. We would love to have some professional support in the odd lesson, so students can ask advice in small groups about their projects. If you are a nurse, GP or another professional with experience of women's health, and you would be able to spare some time on one or two occasions to visit lessons for an hour, then we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Mr Stewart Broadbent (Science KS3 Co-ordinator): s.broadbent@rugbyhighschool.co.uk
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Co-curricular clubs
Many lunchtime co-curricular clubs are now up and running, from rock band to Ancient Greek and badminton to book groups.
Check the website for details of lunchtime clubs, as well as looking out for posters and listings around school.
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PTA AGM
The PTA AGM is taking place on Tuesday 15th October, 6.30pm in the main school hall.
Read the agenda on our website.
This will be followed by the PTA meeting.
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Join the 200 Club!
 
Join the PTA's 200 Club as a fun way of supporting your child’s through school! By buying a 200 Club share (or more), you get the chance of winning in the monthly and quarterly draws at the same time as raising funds to support your child’s time at RHS. Last year, the PTA paid out over £5000 for extra-curricular “bids” from the school and the 200 Club is a big part of that fundraising! Some examples of things the PTA have supported have been the Digital Theatre Plus Resource, support for the Curriculum Enhancement Week (the activities in the last week of the school year) and many more.
A share costs £12 and you will be entered into monthly and quarterly draws throughout the year – that’s 40 chances of getting a cash prize. And the more shares you buy the greater the chance of winning J
If you’d like to be involved, you can complete the 200 Club online form here or scan this QR code:
Or you can download a printable form from our website. If you complete the printable form please hand this in to reception or email it back to RHS200Club@rugbyhighschool.co.uk. Payment is by cheque or via bank transfer. Deadline for applications is Friday 25th October. All tickets will be sent out by email after half-term.
Best wishes, Tess Juckes, PTA 200 Club Organiser
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National Poetry Day 2024
Since 1994, National Poetry Day has engaged millions of people with poetry through a range of live events and web-based activities for people throughout the country. Such a variety of poetry is written and read that each year the day is given a new theme, in order to highlight particular poets and styles of poetry.
The 30th anniversary of National Poetry Day was celebrated today, Thursday, 3rd October, with the theme of ‘Counting' and we will be celebrating it in school tomorrow. On the board in the school foyer will be a map with clues to poems related to Counting that will be hidden around the school, so please come and take part!
Also, Mr Grady may be bursting into your lesson on Friday to recite a poem to you!!
The Arts Prefects
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Exciting opportunity for year 9s to take part in the SleepCHAMPZZZ study
Coventry University, in collaboration with South African universities, is carrying out an exciting study about sleep and wellbeing in teenagers. A number of students in and around Coventry are already taking part but the university would like as many children to take part as possible. This will really help the research team in making new discoveries about sleep and wellbeing during adolescence.
If your child participates in the study, they will receive a £50 Amazon voucher, their sleep data and small souvenirs as a thank you.
If you want your child to take part, click here.
If you want to see what the equipment looks like click here.
If you are interested in your child taking part, but have a few questions that you want answered first, you can get in touch with the team at sleepandwellbeing@coventry.ac.uk
Dr Brown will facilitate the study in school so please direct questions to her, unless they are specific queries about the study: brownh@rugbyhighschool.co.uk
There will be a meeting in school on Tuesday 8th October for participating students.
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Could you be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate 2024-25?
Warwickshire Libraries has launched their competition to become Young Poet Laureate 2024-25. The search is on for the county's tenth Young Poet Laureate, who will succeed May Vaughan.
It’s open to anyone aged 13-17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire and who’d like to perform their own poetry to an audience. The Young Poet Laureate will take part in events and activities across the county and is offered the mentorship of a professional poet. Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops.
To apply submit three poems; one inspired by Warwickshire; one about or inspired by libraries and the third of your own choosing. You’ll also need to submit a personal statement and explain ‘Why you want to be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate and how you’d promote poetry to a diverse range of people.’
Shortlisted candidates will take part in a Selection Day which includes a workshop with a professional poet, an interview with the judges and a performance in front of an audience. This is on Saturday 9th November, so you’d need to be available on that date.
Apply before 6pm, Thursday 3rd October 2024. The judges will then get to work and shortlisted candidates will hear by Thursday 24th October. Find out more and apply online.
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BCU Writers Competition
Birmingham City University (BCU) has launched a new competition - BCU Presents: Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers and we're keen for our students to enter! The competition celebrates the life and rhythms of Benjamin Zephaniah, a BCU Honorary Doctorate and Brummie icon and encourages all ages to submit poetry and short stories.
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This year’s theme is inspired by Benjamin’s poem ‘People Need People’, encouraging budding poets and writers to submit pieces about their friends, family, peers, and those in their lives and communities who they rely upon and have connections with. The competition has six categories and the secondary school ones are:
• Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9
• Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13
Prizes include Birmingham Literature Festival 2025 tickets, Amazon Kindles, tickets to shows at The Rep, The Heath Bookshop vouchers and more. All winners will also receive a framed piece of their poem or short story, a book of Benjamin’s poetry, and have their winning entries included in the Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers Winners Anthology published by Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal (PBLJ).
The competition is now open and closes at 5pm, Monday 11th November.
Find out more and submit your poem or short story today! 👉
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Writing competition: Year 12 & 13 Essay Competition
Win £100 and boost your UCAS form by writing a close reading of Edward Thomas's poem “Gone, gone again”. The Edward Thomas Fellowship’s principal aim is to keep the poet's work widely read and enjoyed and the Fellowship is delighted to be running the competition for the third consecutive year, with a £100 cash prize for students currently in Years 12-13.
The essay competition is an excellent opportunity for you to explore a poem by one of English Literature’s most celebrated poets and thereby deepen your understanding of early twentieth century poetry.
Key Entry Details
The Poem: Read “Gone, gone again”
Word count: 500 words minimum, 800 words maximum
Deadline for submitting entry: 5pm, Friday 29th November 2024
Submit entries by email: to Robert Woolliams
Results announced: Monday 3rd February 2025
Prizes:
- First: £100, publication in Edward Thomas Fellowship newsletter, one-year free print and digital membership of Edward Thomas Fellowship
- Two Runners up: £50
- Shortlist: shortlisted students named in Edward Thomas Fellowship newsletter and on social media pages
- All candidates: one-year free individual digital membership of Edward Thomas Fellowship and one-year free print membership for your school
Find out more before entering.
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Poetry published
Congratulations to our Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Dermott-Bond, whose poem ‘Ophelia’s head is finished’, from Frieze, published by Nine Arches Press, has been Highly Commended in The Forward Prizes for Poetry!
Read it in The Forward Book of Poetry 2025.
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Jenny joins National Youth Orchestra
Year 10 student Jenny M has made it through a tough process involving thousands of musicians, culminating in a final 9-hour audition day, to gain a place in the National Youth Orchestra!
The NYO is an orchestra made up of talented teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. A huge achievement!
Over the next 10 months Jenny will take part in multiple events including three residentials and 11 full-orchestra performances across the UK including concerts at London's Barbican Centre, Warwick Art Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Snape Maltings and the Royal Albert Hall.
Jenny has been playing the violin since the age of 6 and currently studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London every Saturday. Being a part of the NYO has been an ambition of Jenny's for many years and she is looking forward to playing in one of the most highly respected young orchestras in the world. Congratulations Jenny!
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Rounders Golden Tickets
In July one of our Year 11 students, Jesse Humphreys, was recommended to do a 'Player Development Day' with Rounders England! While there, she received a Golden Ticket to Rounders England Talent Pathway. Jesse was asked to attend a training session in Burton on Trent in September, with the Midlands section of Rounders England. During this session they looked at specific techniques for the game and then applied it to some coached gameplay. As a result of Jesse's performance, she has been offered a contract to play for 'Rounders England Talent Pathway' for at least the 2024/2025 season, and she is hopeful that after this initial season it will be extended further.
Ms Brady, English and Drama Teacher here at Rugby High, also got a golden ticket given to her at a regional championship she played in. Ms Brady has been offered a contract for the senior team on the talent pathway where Jesse is on the juniors.
What fantastic achievements!!
PE Dept.
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Netball Round-Up
Year 8 Netball Success
Last week’s opening netball match was very successful. It was our Year 8's first match of the year, played away against Rugby Free Secondary. Our team today included Lara (C), Melisa (GA), Blossom (GS), Niha (WA), Adhya (WA), Pranusha (WD), Hannah (GD), and Kaiya (GK). Everyone played brilliantly and demonstrated great teamwork, especially considering we had not had much time to practice together.
For our first quarter, we lost the coin toss, but after their decision of first centre pass we got to choose which way we were shooting first. We scored three goals, and did some amazing defending, not letting Rugby Free score any goals.
In the second quarter, we switched sides, and we were now facing the sun, making it much more difficult to see. We conceded a few penalties to Rugby Free, because of some contact and obstruction. During this quarter, our opponents scored 2 goals, and we scored 1.
In the third quarter, we were back out of the sun and playing much better. We worked on our signalling and had the first of many toss ups between the two centres. We scored 3 goals, Rugby Free scored one, bringing the score to 9-3 to us.
Finally, in the fourth quarter, we were back in the sun, meaning we unfortunately did not score any goals, while Rugby Free scored 3. We had many toss ups, particularly between the centres, wing attack and goal defence.
So our overall score was 9-6, and both teams played a very good game and showed great sportsmanship. Our player of the match, chosen by the Rugby Free team, was our centre, Lara.
Year 9 Netball Success
On Tuesday 24th September our Year 9 netball team played a match against Avon Valley. It was a close start, as Avon scored a couple of goals to take the lead but we quickly recovered and took control of the game, stopping Avon Valley scoring at all, in the 2nd quarter. Throughout the game, we worked tirelessly and had many vital interceptions that kept us in possession of the ball. The attackers listened to feedback, held their space well and dominated their end of the court, with great pieces of play. When the final whistle blew, it was 28 - 7 to us.
Avon Valley chose Erin Khaira (C) as our player of the match. Well done to everyone who played, and thank you to all the umpires and coaches for all the help and support!
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Rebecca's sporting success
Over a successful summer, Rebecca E, Year 12, finished 11th in her age group in the British Triathlon Super Series; then represented West Midlands for Triathlon at the School Games Finals in Loughborough (finishing 12th in her age group out of around 30 competitors from across the UK and Ireland.) She had the great experience of being mentored by Olympic triathlon medalists Alex Yee and Sam Dickinson. Rebecca was also selected to represent GBR in the French Aquathlon championships; and competed at the British National Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
Rebecca has now been invited to undertake a Diploma in Sporting Excellence for Triathlon hosted by Loughborough College to run alongside her A Levels. This qualification is the equivalent of an A Level and will introduce her to lots of topics to support her development as an elite athlete. Congratulations Rebecca!
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Jessica’s Yaughting success
In the summer, Jessica P, Year 10, headed to Spain for the Topper World Championship. It was a tough week against a strong fleet of 178 sailors from 8 nations, and Jessica finished 10th overall.
Jessica then went on to compete in the Topper GBR Nationals with over 120 sailors from across the country racing. Jessica won the event for the second year in a row and her highlight was never finishing out of the top 5 positions in any race and having a 10 point lead in the end. As a result of this, Jess has been invited to attend the Endeavor trophy weekend.
The Endeavour Trophy is a unique event in the UK dinghy sailing world. Held on the tidal waters of the rivers Crouch and Roach, it’s an invitation only three day event, with the guest-list hand-picked from National Champions of selected fleets. The RYA recognises The Endeavour as the pinnacle of that year’s dinghy sailing achievements which will hail a ‘Champion of Champions’.
The following week was the ILCA4 Nationals; Jessica’s new class and some will have seen this class being sailed at the Olympics. This week gave a full range of conditions. Jess finished 3rd overall and is Female National Champion, Female under 16 National Champion and the highest placed female for 5 years. Jess also received an amazing trophy for winning overall 2024 the ILCA4 Youth series. Congratulations Jessica!
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Next free webinars for parents / carers
Elevate Education will be hosting a series of parent webinars this autumn on motivation, time management, exam success and more.
Sign up for the sessions you are interested in:
How You Can Help Your Child Set Up for Success in Exams
15th October, 6 - 7pm
How You Can Help Improve Your Child's Memory
19th November, 6 - 7pm
Click here to register for any of the webinars for free
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Imtiaz Dharker
How to Cut a Pomegranate
Never,' said my father,
'Never cut a pomegranate
through the heart. It will weep blood.
Treat it delicately, with respect.
Just slit the upper skin across four quarters.
This is a magic fruit,
so when you split it open, be prepared
for the jewels of the world to tumble out,
more precious than garnets,
more lustrous than rubies,
lit as if from inside.
Each jewel contains a living seed.
Separate one crystal.
Hold it up to catch the light.
Inside is a whole universe.
No common jewel can give you this.’
Afterwards, I tried to make necklaces
of pomegranate seeds.
The juice spurted out, bright crimson,
and stained my fingers, then my mouth.
I didn't mind. The juice tasted of gardens
I had never seen, voluptuous
with myrtle, lemon, jasmine,
and alive with parrots’ wings.
The pomegranate reminded me
that somewhere I had another home.
All things Poetry found at Poetry by Heart
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Jobs
Teacher of Science: Maternity Cover – 1 Year fixed contract
Full time (part-time also considered)
Start date: November 2024
M1:UPS3
We are delighted to offer the opportunity for an enthusiastic Teacher of Science to join our thriving department from November 2024. Science is one of our most popular subjects; our students are bright, engaged with their learning and want to make the most of the opportunities available. We welcome applications from Science specialists able to teach Science at KS3 and KS4. A willingness to teach KS4 Chemistry would be desirable.
All of our students are expected to pass GCSE Chemistry at the end of KS4 with well over 73% achieving grades 8/9. In 2023, we achieved a progress 8 score of 0.78. A large number choose to continue to study Chemistry and Biology to A Level. Over 50% of our students gain places at Russell Group Universities.
We welcome applications from teachers at all stages in their career including those returning to teaching and ECTs. We offer a full induction programme, extensive professional development opportunities and a rich menu of extra-curricular activities.
- Would you like to teach able, polite, motivated students who want to learn?
- Would you like to be part of a highly successful Science Department?
- Are you passionate about your subject?
If so, then we might have just the job for you.
Key attributes include:
- a good degree in Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology)
- being passionate about your subject
- being eager to teach in a school in which students have a genuine love of learning
- ensuring the progress of highly motivated high achieving cohorts
- supporting the strategic direction of the department in line with the school’s ethos and values
Please contact Mike Sherwin on the details below for further information and an application form:
Tel: 07525 889925
Email: rugbyhighschool@hays.com
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 7th October 2024
Interviews: W/B Monday, 14th October 2024
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Please find below information that has been passed to us that may be of interest to you and your family.
Warwickshire Family Information Service Newsletter
1st October Edition
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The School Newsletter is sent out every other week during Term time.
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