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 News from Mr Grady
4th December 2024
I am writing this newsletter, still flushed from the excitement of the Young High Sherriff for a Day Competition winners’ event.
Yesterday evening we hosted not one or two but four Deputy Lieutenant’s of the county, the Mayor of Rugby, three High Sherriff’s, a Police Commissioner, a deputy Police commissioner, a gaggle of police cadets and several more dignitaries including local councillors, our own staff, students and families, and our chair of trustees.
What an evening. It was to award the honour of Young High Sherriff to the winner of the writing completion we have hosted here at RHS. Students from across Rugby town schools in years 10-13 were invited to submit entries, and I am pleased to say that beating all the competition, RHS students gained the top prize and both runner-up slots. I was not ever so slightly smug about this. I promise.
The standard of entries was incredibly high and the event, complete with canapes and drinks reception was a very formal affair, with speeches from our dignified guests, and the chance for families to celebrate the amazing work of our students.
The next step is a crime stoppers workshop with the deputy police commissioner, and an assurance from one of our councillors that the plans students bring following the workshop will be taken through and considered at council level. It really is a chance for all the students who have submitted entries, alongside our own school council to have their voices heard in Rugby.
What a wonderful evening, celebrating what we know we do so well here at RHS: Get our voices heard, make sure we’re part of the conversation, and as we say in our vision, understand that our actions have the potential to change the world.
I congratulate Jay, in year 13, the new Young High Sherriff, and look forward to how they will work in the role. I also look forward to seeing them wearing that wonderful robe around and about school, and am not at all jealous that you now have robes of office. Not at all.
Have a great week everyone,
Stay safe and well,
With all best wishes,
Mr Grady
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Festive fun at the Winter Fayre
A festive atmosphere filled the school last Friday as we held our Winter Fayre! The hall and canteen were filled with stalls, enticing smells wafted down the corridor from the sweet treats on offer and our very own rock band entertained fayre-goers!
Fun games were played with snowball throwing, Santa's sack of beads, guess the name of the panda, guess the sweets in a jar and book and soft toy tombola's to try! Having a beautiful henna design painted on hands was very popular and people could also get creative themselves decorating their own Christmas cards.
There was plenty of festive shopping to be done too, with stalls offering jewellery dishes, home-made bunting, baubles, crocheted snowflakes, scented orange decorations, scented incense bags, Christmas cards and fluffy gonks. And there were delicious goodies to be sampled from funky brookies to gingerbread men, hot chocolate, tree treats and cupcakes.
There were even unique calendars to buy with different teachers appearing as the monthly stars and the PTA tombola was overflowing - thanks to everyone who donated prizes!
We'll be counting up tokens from stalls and working out how much was raised for the school house charities! Well done to all the students and staff who worked so hard to create and organise such a brilliant event!
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First Issue of Prism
The Prism Team are a co-curricular school club who edit and produce the school's literary magazine, Prism!
The first issue is out now and the Prism Team cordially invite you to sample the delights of their launch issue. Head to our website to read it as a flipbook!
Enjoy Prism magazine
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Inside you will discover some exquisite poetry, non-fiction writing, photography and art. Do enjoy it: there’s some impressive stuff! A huge shout-out to all the contributors, as well as to the Team (credits at the end of the magazine) for putting it all so impressively together.
And keep a look-out, too, for physical copies in certain places around the school: the printed version of the magazine really is gorgeous!
There are opportunities to be part of Issue 2! More details will be coming soon….
Enjoy exploring, and maybe get creating!
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Christmas dinner coming soon!
Our brilliant canteen staff will be serving up Christmas Dinner on 16th, 17th and 18th December! The cost will be £4.60 and the menu is:
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PTA Winter Draw winners
Our PTA Winter Draw was drawn at the Winter Fayre last Friday, Here are the winners! Congratulations to them all and enjoy your prizes!
£50 prize - Sarah Moore
Dobbies voucher - Mrs Walczynska
Benn Hall tickets - Varinder Bassan
Bloom gin gift set - Mrs Cowley
Granny’s voucher - Ranga Sure Venkata
Norfolk gin - Alwyn Williams
Quality Street - Faye Padfield
Rugby gin - Helen Jago
Advent calendar - Julie Walker
Cheese plates and knife set - Bethan Cullen
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Communication from Warwickshire Local Authority:
As we head into the Winter months, families with children across the county are being reminded of the small steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and other winter specific illnesses in our schools and nurseries. Over the past couple of weeks there has been a rise in norovirus for children, otherwise known as the vomiting bug. Flu is also steadily increasing week-on week too.
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We can all play our part in reducing the spread of these illnesses by taking note of the tips here:
- Please carry on with good hygiene habits in the home, this includes handwashing for 20 seconds and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes.
It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a high temperature keep them off school until it goes.
- Stomach bugs spread rapidly around schools and nurseries. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting – please carry on with handwashing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, along with the following:
- Use bleach-based products to clean surfaces, this will help stop infections from spreading
- Don’t prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after the symptoms stop
- Please avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes
- Please don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
- If you haven’t already had the flu jab, please speak to your GP or your preferred pharmacy. For children, please note the following:
- Primary and secondary school age children are eligible for flu nasal spray vaccine OR the injectable (gelatine free) vaccine via the School Age Immunisations Service (SAIS).
- If you returned a consent form but your child did not have the vaccine on the day, you will receive an email from SAIS informing you why the vaccine was not given and a link to book a clinic appointment. Clinic appointments can also be booked if you did not return a form, or you have changed your mind via swiftqueue
Information about clinics is also available at the school.
- All children aged 2 years (who have turned 2 years old before the 1 September 2024) and all 3-year-olds are eligible for the flu vaccine. If you haven’t received your invite, please contact your GP.
- Routine vaccinations - did you know that you can also speak to your GP about other childhood vaccinations that can help protect your child and the wider community. These vaccinations include measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio.
If you are unsure of your child’s condition – you can use this handy NHS guide.
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Close matches in Basketball
Our Year 8 and 9 basketball team travelled to play RFSS on Thursday 21st November. Both games had incredible shots scored and the games were closely matched with RHS holding the lead (in both games) until half-time. The score at the end of each game were:
Year 8’s result was 12 RHS - 10 RFSS, with the player of the match given to Melissa.
Year 9’s result was 12 RHS - 22 RFSS, with the player of the match given to Eva.
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First RH6 Football Fixture
On Wednesday 20th November, we had our first RH6 football fixture of the year. It was great to head over to LSS with a mix of Year 12 and Year 13, who have been training together and formed friendships through football. It was a clear day, blue skies...freezing....and we started off well. With some solid tackles in defence, and great link-up play between the midfield and the forwards, at half time it was 3-1 Rugby High.
Unfortunately, we ran out of a bit of steam in the second half. With our one sub to their nine (no limits in school football), it just meant we didn't have the legs to see the game out. It was a battle to the end, but sadly finished 3-5 to LSS. Rematch incoming....
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Another first for RH6!
We had our first ever U18 Basketball match against LSS. With players from both schools knowing each other, there had been a lot of pre-match goading and getting each other hyped up about who was going to beat who. The game started and I think we were taken a bit by surprise, when within the first 5 minutes we were 0-12 down. However, not to be deterred, and to show real composure, perseverance and raw talent...we started to settle in and claw it back.
As the game progressed we managed to even up the points, then take a small lead, then they took the lead again, and it went back and forth like this for the first 3/4. Then, in the fourth quarter, RH6 began to pull ahead, big 3 pointers were increasing the gap and, despite fatigue kicking in, we dug deep and shocked LSS to our 50-44 victory. The boys were delighted, and should be really proud with how well they earnt the bragging rights this time around.
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Netball success
Year 11 have now completed their final 'Rugby Borough Netball League', and they did it with the same level of dedication, hard work and high performance, as in all their previous years as a team. This group has continuously pushed themselves, and each other, to make as much progress as possible. They show up to every practice, they listen intently to coaching and they are a force to be reckoned with in games. They support each other and never lose sight of their ambitious combined goal, to win every game. A goal they achieved with flying colours. The results were:
16 - 5 win against Rugby Free
16 - 4 win against Bilton
17 - 5 win against Avon Valley
25 - 5 win against Ashlawn
This group of players have been an absolute pleasure to coach, and I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of their netball journey at RHS. We will be sure to take this success into Year 12, and see how many more wins they can add to their tally.
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Tae Kwon-Do Champ!
Ivy Cook, Year 10, won gold at the 'British Tae Kwon-Do Championships' in the individual patterns event.
She also picked up a bronze medal, alongside two others, in the team event. A very successful competition and a wonderful achievement! Well done Ivy!
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RH6 Student to selected for International Student Leader conference in Nigeria!
Representing the UK at ITPLC (The International Teens Leaders’ Conference) is one of our very own students in Year 12, Ella Akhigbe.
She has been given the opportunity to attend and represent the UK in the life-changing, International Teens Leaders Conference. This incredible event brings together young leaders from around the globe to grow, learn, and inspire one another to make a lasting impact in our communities.
Having seen her work in the school via her Christian club Ablaze, in her church and in her community, Ella has been specially selected as a delegate. Ella says "This opportunity is going to give me an exposure to be a leader and to better serve others in my community effectively, which I have already learned so much from Rugby High; this has given me a chance to bring it to the next level." Although costs once in Nigeria are covered, flights to this amazing event are not, so if you want to help support Ella in her journey, you can use this link.
And even if you can't help financially, please share with family and friends to raise awareness. Thank you for believing in Ella and helping her represent the UK and Rugby High School proudly. Your generosity makes all the difference!
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Child Exploitation Awareness webinars
We have received details of the next series of Child Exploitation Awareness webinars for parents and carers within Warwickshire.
We are sharing these with you as these sessions are totally free and are a great way for parents/carers to enhance their understanding and awareness of exploitation. The sessions also inform parents of the exploitation-specific support they can access in the Warwickshire area, should they ever need to.
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Free Christmas Lecture
Find out all about Art-Design In The Automotive Industry at this lecture which is aimed at young people, parents and teachers.
Aysar Ghassan, the speaker, will outline the design process for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses and will also outline the history of motor vehicle design. He will describe the design processes used from early1900's to today's advanced methods including AI.
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When: Wednesday, 11th December, 6:30pm until 8pm
Where: Lecture Theatre, Delia Derbyshire Building, Coventry University, Cox Street, CV1 5PH
You can book online here: Christmas Lecture - Art-Design In The Automotive Industry
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Coral Rumble
Street Lights
The town leapt a little, tonight,
As the Christmas lights came on.
Everyday streets became more important
And even the darkest pathways glistened.
Stars and snowflakes
Angels and reindeer
Flashed and flickered a holy-white whisper,
Making our town,
Our ordinary, brick and tarmac town,
Sparkle like a frosted castle
In a far-off, frozen land.
All things Poetry found at Poetry by Heart
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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
3rd December Edition
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The School Newsletter is sent out every other week during Term time.
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