Learning today for our tomorrow

Oakfield High School & College

Newsletter Issue One: Autumn 2016 - 2017

English National Ballet Workshop Year 9 learners took part in a workshop with the English National Ballet. The workshop was based on Akram Khan’s Giselle which premiered in Manchester in September. Some of our Year 9 learner s were even lucky enough to see previews of the show. Learners accomplished a variety of ballet exercises which included the Plié, a slow exercise where learners tried to keep their back nice and straight and Tendu where they used their feet a bit more, by slowly sliding them along the floor. Learners were able to learn choreography from the show and created their own performance pieces. A musician played the guitar and piano whilst the learners danced to the rhythms. The ballet workshop was a new experience for our learners, they were engaged throughout the workshop and they all thoroughly enjoyed it.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of our newsletter.

This is a busy newsletter which reflects yet another very productive term! It has been a fantastic beginning to the school year, with all the learners enthused and working hard in all aspects of school and college.

We have heard great things from the learners, staff and Brathay Trust staff about the Low Bank Ground residential. I am very proud that all the Key Stage 3 learners who took part completed The Discovery Award from the John Muir Trust.

The term has ended with learners making fabulous artwork for display around school and learning about different countries and how they celebrate. It was great to see so many of you in school recently for our parent’s evening, concert and planning live events. I hope you have a very Happy Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year.

Mrs S Allen

Head of School

2

Exploring Coniston! Y8 and Y9 learners set off on an intrepid adventure to the wilds of Coniston in the Lake District. It was the annual school residential to Low Bank Ground and makes up a large part of the John Muir Award which we completed for the first time last year. Learners were split into four groups: North, South, East and West and meeting our instructors for the week: Chris, Charlie, Sarah, Lorna, Stig, Dave and Lauren. They explored different areas close to the site. Some went badger tracking in the back woods, whilst others went foraging in the woods. Another group went to Tarn Howse on a nature walk and the final group went orienteering. On Monday evening we carved pumpkins for Halloween and the site was decorated with spooky lamps and glow sticks. Tuesday learners went out onto the lake for water/boating activities. It was Records week out on the water so learners got to see some really big powerful boats going really fast! Wednesday learners went out onto the pond in kayaks to practise their skills rowing. Other groups went orienteering or nature walking. Some groups even practised their map reading skills and did a self-led walk. On Thursday there was even more water activities with ghyll scrambling, kayaking and canoeing as well and Friday left us enough time to have a quick shop in Coniston before returning home – slightly delayed, exhausted but happy. A massive thank you to all of the Oakfield and Low Bank Ground staff for their dedication, support and care throughout the week. Roll on next year!

Year 7 went to Clitheroe castle to explore different types of castles. They experienced what types of armour and weapons the armies went to war with around 1066. They also had a fun game of egg armour where they had to protect an egg with recyclable materials, but then had to throw them off the top of the castle to see which armour protected the egg the best. To top the whole day off all year 7’s overcame some of their fears and walked around the curtain wall to experience first-hand what it would take for a rival army to attack a fortified castle. The views from the top of the castle were spectacular, even on a cold and crisp wintery afternoon. All learners were a credit to Oakfield and everyone enjoyed the experience.

Visit to Clitheroe Castle

Learning today for our tomorrow 3

Fantastic Teamwork Year 7!

Year 7 learners had the opportunity to build character, confidence and friendships across their year group as they completed an action packed activity week.

Learners completed Bush craft activities which included building a fire and toasting marshmallows. They also developed their creativity skills as they completed a Pottery masterclass lead by Mr Hayes, team games with Miss Wallwork and Art Therapy with Miss Campbell.

The most frightening but inspiring day for our learners was when they had the opportunity to overcome their fears and climb the extremely large climbing wall run by Mr Jameson. All year 7 learners showed great mental toughness, self-motivation and a desire to succeed.

Learners completed a TV challenge which started with Miss “Phillip Scofield” Wallwork holding her own version of ‘The Cube’ where learners had to work together to complete a variety of physical activities and a “Ready Steady Cook” challenge lead by our own Ainslie Harriot, Mrs Dutton. Learners had to prepare, bake and decorate their own Halloween themed cupcakes which they took home at the end of the day.

Finally, the week was completed on Friday with year 7 going offsite to the Challenge4Change Indoor Urban Activity Centre at Trafford Park, Manchester. At the centre learners had the opportunity to complete the obstacle course which included zip wires, rope climbing, wall climbing as well as other activities based over 12 feet in the air.

We would like to thank Miss H Wallwork, Mr Jameson and all staff involved for organising and running an outstanding programme for our learners. The experience had a huge impact for our learners and all staff are proud of all of their achievements demonstrated over the course of the week.

4

On Friday 14th October 7.1 ventured out of this world with a visit to Jodrell Bank Observatory, Macclesfield. We saw the huge radio telescope and watched as it was adjusted to take pictures of different things in the sky. We met our presenter Jamie for a workshop all about gravity and we tested the strength of gravity using a coaster and a light gate. Our results were interesting and a couple of the groups got some very good answers. After lunch we met our second presenter Jen, who took us inside the Inflatable Planetarium, a huge indoor igloo where we were shown all of the stars that we can see across the planet. We identified some of the horoscope star signs and picked out the well-known constellations. Jen was able to zoom in on some of the clusters of stars and show us them close up, as well as Mars and Jupiter which can also be seen. Big thank you to Mrs Conway, Mrs Deyes and Mrs Saunders who supported the learners with their experience. It meant that the entire group had a fantastic day and hopefully we will be back again soon.

The Sky’s the Limit!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL On Friday 16th December the Pick ‘n’ Mix Theatre company came into Oakfield School and College. All staff and students were treated to a brilliant performance of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ We immersed ourselves into the Dickensian classic which proved an enjoyable start to this festive season. The action packed show was educational and fun. As well as learning a piece of classic literature, learners experienced an exciting performance that included plenty of audience participation and music. Mr Jameson was particularly impressive in his impromptu role as Tiny Tim – this may be the start of a whole new career for him! We hope there will be no “Bah humbug” from anyone and wish you all a Merry and Peaceful Christmas.

Learning today for our tomorrow 5

MEET CHAT SUPPORT Parents and Carers of Oakfield learners are invited to attend our meetings for Meet Chat support. These meetings are held each half term 11 until 12 noon on Fridays.

If you need any further information about MEET CHAT SUPPORT, please contact school and ask to speak to Mrs Gough or Miss Whittaker. We hope that you can join us and we look forward to seeing you there!

Planning Live This year all Year 11 and Year 14 were involved in ‘Planning live’. This event is where learners discuss what their aspirations are for their future and it also gives us some vital information about what they like in school and college and also out of school and college. Some of our learners know where they want to move on to from Oakfield and some are still thinking about it.

Year 9 will take part in January 2017. Providers from Pro-co and Wigan and Leigh College attended along with some parents and representatives from the S.E.N.D team. Once again this was a very successful event.

A BIG THANK YOU!

Oakfield would like to thank every-body that kindly made donations during our annual Harvest Festival week. All contributions were donated to the Atherton and Leigh Foodbank. Each donation was kindly received and will make a real difference to local people in crisis.

6

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES On Wednesday 9th November all learners

and students were invited to listen to a Band called ‘The Tailormade’.

The band included examples of how they made good life choices when they were offered alcohol, tobacco, and some of the illicit drugs. They talked through how these situations arose, their reaction, what they did, along with the risks and consequences of the situation, also discussing the best ways to tackle peer pressure at school. The main message of the presentation was "to make the right decisions in life", and “to live a healthy lifestyle.”

It was a thoroughly engaging, informative and enjoyable afternoon for everyone.

homelessness.

Oakfield Celebrations As part of the 10 years of Oakfield celebrations learners have been producing a range of imaginative, fascinating and creative crafts. Guest Artists offered workshops in ceramics, drawing, wicker and weaving. Learners were highly motivated, enthusiastic and created impressive art pieces. Tuesday was another day of exciting activities at Oakfield, with learners taking part in a range of workshops. They made very tasty gingerbread biscuits, explored the flags of the world and had global food tasting experience. We also had a guest artist who inspired the learners to make their own Christmas bauble.

Wednesday learners continued to work with an international theme, working collaboratively to create an International Book, including traditions and culture, from countries such as Argentina, Lithuania and Sweden. Thursday whole school took part in an innovation challenge to produce inventive solutions to global problems. Learners showed a good understanding of inequalities around the world and produced some amazing creative solutions, including a teaching robot and housing pods to tackle

Learning today for our tomorrow 7

Oakfield and Landgate floristry students took part in the Christmas Floral Extravaganza at Arley Hall Stately Home. Students planned and prepared what they wanted to design in their floristry lessons and decided to create a pantomime theme in which each student would design and construct 3D floral arrangements. The Pantomimes included Jack and the Beanstalk where the students created the beanstalk, the egg and the beans. They also created the madhatters tea party from Alice in Wonderland, The glass slipper, mice and the pumpkin from Cinderella and The magic carpet, magic lamp and a turban from Aladdin.

To keep within the budget the learners decided to carve the shapes out of jumbo blocks of oasis foam, this takes a lot of determination and skill to form all the shapes to the correct scale. Each learner had to decide on what flower varieties and sundries to use and order the correct amounts.

On Wednesday 7th December the floristry students went to Arley Hall to see their work on display which was located in the small dining room off the main stair case. It was absolutely stunning and the room came to life with a pantomime scene.

We would like to thank the students for all their hard work and dedication in preparation for Arley Hall and yet again fantastic feedback was given from the public and staff of the stately home.

Well done everybody I’m so proud of you all. Mrs Skellon.

Arley Hall Extravaganza!

Learning today for our tomorrow 8

School starts

Monday 9th January

at 8.25am

Have a happy and safe Christmas!

Oakfield High School and College ¦ Long Lane ¦ Hindley Green ¦ Wigan ¦ WN2 4XA Tel: 01942 776142

Email: enquires@admin.oakfield.wigan.sch.uk

Do you follow us on Facebook and Twitter? Facebook is excellent for school to connect with families and to share information rapidly about what is happening in school. Search for Oakfield High School and College.

@OakfieldHigh

Spring Term 2017

Start Monday 9th January

Finish Friday 17th February

Half Term Holiday Monday 20th February - Friday 24th February

Start Monday 27th February

Finish Friday 31st March

Easter Holiday Monday 3rd April - Monday 17th April

Summer Term Start Wednesday 19th April

Finish Friday 28th April

Bank Holiday Monday 1st May

Start Tuesday 2nd May

Finish Friday 26th May

Half Term Holiday Monday 29th May - Friday 2nd June

Start Monday 5th June

Finish Friday 21st July

Thank you to everyone who took part in our wonderful Christmas Jumper Day! We raised an impressive £164 to help children. We would like to thank everybody for their support, we appreciate all of your help in supporting our chosen charities.