bw1212 winter 2012 the hollies · the hollies has recently started using stanley head as an...

The Hollies, The Stables Newport Road, Stafford. ST16 1BY

BW1212 Winter 2012

The Hollies

Message from the Headteacher I am always delighted to read the Hollies Herald each term because it reminds us of all the

activities and events that we have taken part in over the term. I especially enjoyed the presentation evening and seeing proud parents watch their children collect certificates of achievement. Well done to you all! And thank you to everyone who

turned up on a very cold, windy and wet night to be there. Can I urge you all to take a look at our website if you haven't already done so. We can keep

you updated on developments and information for you to access.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas break and we look forward to the beginning of another new, exciting term on Monday 7 January 2013

Jane Spensley Headteacher

Diary Dates

• Monday 24th December 2012 - Friday 4th January 2013 - School Closed

• Monday 7th January 2013 - School re-opens to Staff and pupils • Monday 18th - Friday 22nd February -

School Closed • Monday 25th February 2013 - School re-opens to pupils

Website

The Hollies is proud to announce the launch of its website from

October 2012

www.holliesschool.staffs.sch.uk

Herald www.holliesschool.staffs.sch.uk

01785 241784

Your Views Ofsted has created a website to capture parents’ views of their child’s education. You can log on to www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk to give your opinion on the quality of education that your child receives.


Our Celebration and Presentation Evening

On 22nd November at Stafford Town FC we hosted our very first Celebration and Presentation Evening. Our most important guests were our former pupils, parents and carers, but also invited were members of our Management Committee, schools in our area and the Local Authority.

The purpose of the evening was to present certificates recognising our best ever exam success in GCSE, ALAN and Workskills. In addition there were special awards to mark achievements to celebrate the overcoming of personal challenges.

Each pupil was presented with a hand-made personalised card of written comments and memories from staff to mark their time and achievements at The Hollies. Mrs Jane Spensley commented that it was a great evening that made her proud and a lovely way to mark what pupils and staff have achieved over the year and their time at The Hollies.

Hannah, now back at school doing A Levels in English Lit, Psychology and Sociology said, ‘The Hollies has done everything to get me there!’

Macaulay stated ‘ When I was told I was going to the PRU I wasn’t keen at all but I enjoyed it and got my grades. I’m now studying carpentry and joinery at college.’ Parents also had much to say about experiences at the Hollies. ‘After his previous difficulties in mainstream, it was a lifesaver. I needed support and The Hollies provided that support. Now he is

at college and the right learning environment.’ Mr Russ Sheldon, District Education Officer, commented that The Hollies enables pupils to believe in themselves. ‘This is their chance to prove this

with their parents present – just like every mainstream school!’

Last but not least, Matt, now at college doing catering, commented ‘I’ve been booked to do the spread next year!’


Exam success

Students at The Hollies are celebrating our best ever exam results including our highest APS (Average Point Score per pupil) of 138.

Students gained record passes in English and maths but also gained considerable success in RE, Humanities, Science, Art, Adult literacy and numeracy, a range of

vocational qualifications and for the first time a full diploma in Work Skills completed at the centre.

Both staff and students have worked extremely hard to achieve such monumental success.

In the light of this we have recently held our first Presentation Evening as a focus for celebration.

ICT

This year The Hollies has introduced ICT to their list of subjects being taught. Pupils at KS4 are working towards a qualification in Functional Skills and KS3 are completing elements from the National Curriculum.

Some pupils have taken a keen interest in computing and have started using programming tools like

‘Scratch’ in which they have been creating their own games and animations.

New Provision at Stanley Head

The Hollies has recently started using Stanley Head as an addition to our timetable. Stanley Head is an Outdoor Education Centre based in the Staffordshire Moorlands on the edge of the stunning Peak District. It is located to provide a wide range of educational, challenging and adventurous activities.

The centre provides opportunities for abseiling, archery, bouldering, caving, climbing and crate skating amongst other things. There is emphasis on team building and personal development within physically and mentally challenging activities when they are given the opportunity to face their fears in a safe environment. When asked to comment on his experience at Stanley Head Chris of year 10 stated, ‘It’s sick!’

Tom Morris

Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE)

One of the challenges this term was to review a visit to an exhibition. Staff and pupils visited the Shire Hall in Stafford town centre to see local artists work called the “Made in the Middle” exhibition.

An artist and their work was chosen by each of the pupils to look at in detail. Looking at the material used and its properties; was it smooth or rough, circular or square, natural or man-made?

Jennifer Collier works in paper and has made a vacuum cleaner, a sewing machine and a tea set that are on show. In school the pupils have made paper shirts and gloves in her style and have created a fantastic display for all at The Hollies to enjoy.

Chris chose to investigate the pottery of Jon Williams. The creations are made as musical instruments which you are allowed to play.

The visit also included a session in the multi-sensory room which provided us with a relaxing finish to the day.

pupils, parents and carers, but also invited were members of our


History at The Hollies

“The farther backward you look, the farther forward you can see”

Winston Churchill

This term the pupils have been studying the Slimy Stuarts and the English Civil War. Pupils have been looking at what England was like to live in the early 1600s, and the reigns of King James I and Charles I.

We have studied the powerful effects that religion had on how the country was governed, and compared it to

religion in today’s society. Students have used a wide range of resources, from film and documentaries, to the notorious gunpowder plot of 1605 and 17th century letters.

Mr Nation would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students for all their hard work this term in History…. and we aim to keep understanding the past and inspiring the future.

Mr Nation

This term students have been exploring our universe and looking into the far reaches of outer space. We have been looking at how are universe is structured, the Milky Way and, most importantly, our Solar System. We asked the questions ‘How do planets float?’ ‘ Where does the sun get its energy from?’ and ‘Why does earth support life?’

Using evidence the students collected, they put their science thinking caps on and used their maths skills to work out the size of the planets in our solar system, and the distances they are from the sun.

From their hard work the students have created a scaled display of the earth and our neighbouring planets, whilst also looking at gravity, the moon and the stars.

Mr Nation

Stafford Town FC

Congratulations to Rory (Year 10) who has started training for Stafford Town FC under 15’s at Rowley Park. Rory was first identified by Mr Simpson and Mr Nation as having potential to train and compete at a

high level. Rory has settled into the club making some new friends and performing extremely well on the pitch.

Pupils who are interested in joining Stafford Town FC, please approach Mr Price.


Safeguarding Against Aggressive Antisocial Behaviour (SAAAB) Through Sport SAAAB Through Sport LTD provides an alternative education for The Hollies School that encompasses sport-based qualifications together with conflict management lessons.

The Programme has been specifically designed to meet the needs of all students so they all have an opportunity to achieve.

It is based predominantly around sport with specific areas of conflict-management based scenarios that allow the young people to reflect on the best way to deal with the particular scenario. This then allows them to reflect on situations they may have been involved in.

SAAAB Through Sport Staff also transfer this training into practical situations using some of the methods they use in The Hollies School.

It was therefore decided to host to a football event on Friday 16th November against Jigsaw School. The main outcomes that staff focused on were for pupils to adhere to rules on the pitch, to accept the referee’s decision and to be good sportsmen. Mr Simpson

Maths Puzzle! Can you solve the pizza dilemma…

Using only 4 straight lines can you cut a pizza into 11 pieces?

After School Activities Monday 2.15pm - 3pm

Table Tennis See Mrs Plant for further details Tuesday 2.30pm - 3.15pm

Nail Art and Hand Care See Mrs Clayton and Mrs Leake for further details

Maths Puzzle Answer

Hollies' Nail Club

Did you notice Olympic athletes' patriotically painted nails?

One of the most popular venues in the Athletes' Village for athletes and gamesmakers alike was the Nail Bar.

Now The Hollies has our own after-school club especially for nails and manicures.

The first session was introduced by a relaxing hand massage followed by a manicure. The most popular part was applying the varnish together with a

base coat and top coat

Mrs Leake remarked, ''I think choosing the colours and building up layers was brilliant and we all especially liked the little diamante sparkles added at the end.''

A professional nail technician has been invited to come and give a demonstration at the Hollies,

pupils and staff also hope to visit the new Beauty facilities at Stafford College and visit a local

hairdresser and training establishment.


This November members of the Hollies staff, Mr Nation and Mr Price, completed a 14km Cross Country Assault Challenge to raise money for the Katharine House Hospice in Stafford.

The event had over 200 people running in it, including members of the armed forces, and was held over 10 miles of farm and woodland just outside of Stafford.

After a wet and cold start both staff managed to face the elements, including a 30 metre river swim, and finish in the top ten!

This was a great achievement and with support from students and other staff at the Hollies, Mr Nation and Mr Price were able to raise over £150 for the Hospice.

Both staff are going to be back in training for next Scorpion Run which is due to take place in March 2013…are you tough enough to take the challenge?

On Sunday 3rd December, staff, pupils and parents put on their walking boots and

completed a 5 mile walk in aid of Katharine House Hospice.

It was a frosty, but clear morning, and the group were in high spirits. The walk started on Milford Common, took them through the Shugbrough Hall estate, alongside the canal and back to Milford.

The weather was on our side, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

The walk was an opportunity not just to raise money, but was a perfect occasion for everyone involved at the Hollies to spend some time outside of

school with the pupils and parents, and get to know them better.

We raised just under £200 The School Council is already planning the next one.

Thank you to everyone that took part and helped make the day so special.

Mr Nation-Head of School Council


Hollies Cookery Corner

Each week we try to cook interesting healthy food at the Hollies during our Cookery lessons. This term we have made a variety of things for you to try such as chocolate cakes, chicken curry, pizza, chicken burgers, meat and potato pie, special sausage rolls and cookies.

All of the things that we cook during our lessons at the Hollies are made from fresh ingredients, using back to basics cooking skills. We are always willing to try out any new recipes that you may have which you think the pupils at the Hollies would enjoy cooking! Any old family favourites? Please contact Mrs Ringland at the Hollies with your ideas, we are always happy to receive any suggestions. Maybe you would like to try one of our recipes over Christmas?

Sparking Vanilla Christmas Cookies

Method • Tip the icing sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter into a mixing bowl, then stir together with

a wooden spoon (or pulse in a food processor until well combined). • Add the flour and mix to a firm dough. • Shape the dough into two flat discs and wrap in clingfilm. Chill for 20-30 mins. • Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper. • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about the thickness of two £1 coins. • Cut out Christmassy shapes (use a cutter if you like) and place on the baking sheets. • Using the tip of a skewer, cut a small hole in the top of each cookie. • Bake for 10-12 mins until lightly golden. • Lift the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool. • Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with a few drops of cold water to make a

thick, but still runny icing. Colour with edible food colouring, if you like. Spread it over the cooled biscuits, decorate with edible balls and thread with ribbon when dry.

Just the things for the Christmas tree – if they make it that far!

Ingredients * 140 g icing sugar, sieved * 1 tsp vanilla extract * 1 egg yolk * 250 g butter, cut into small cubes * 375 g plain flour, sieved

To decorate * 200 g icing sugar, sieved * Edible food colouring * Edible gold and silver balls * Approximately 2 m thin ribbon cut into 10 cm lengths


The Hollies

[email protected] www.holliesschool.staffs.sch.uk

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