ConnectNovember 2014 | Issue 15

Oulder HillCommunity School

Connect EXCELLENCE

Developing

ACHIEVINGPotential

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Hudsons Walk, Rochdale, OL11 5EF • Email: info@oulderhill-school.com

Welcome back to an exciting new school year that promises to be even better than the last! First of all a particular welcome to our new parents and families who have recently joined us and who may be reading the newsletter for the first time – I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy putting it together!

Secondly, I hope you are buoyed by the results (as I am) but equally excited by the partnership work we will do this year in our School Improvement Plan (sent via pupil post last month) to develop our ethos and culture by working on our vision and values.

The students all spent their first day back with their form tutors looking at the year ahead and debating key words that they value and they had some great discussions around what is important to them this year.

In addition, the school council led by the Senior Student Leaders have already had some new ideas such as termly reward trips for students working hard and doing their best. I am very excited by the work the student council will do this year to give the pupils more of a voice! Equally the Parent Forum goes from strength to strength and we welcome new members at any time. Do get involved!

Oulder Hill has been celebrating record examination results this summer in many areas including the headline 67% 5 A*-C including English and maths figure. English language was 75% C+ and maths was 77% C+ with a further 82% achieving a C or above in English Literature. Many options subjects faired even better with incredible results in our Specialist Languages faculty where German, Italian and Urdu all achieved 100% C+ and French achieved 88% C+. 44 students achieved an A or an A* in a Modern Foreign Language with nearly 90% of our students leaving with a good qualification in a language.

We are really proud to be a Language college and place a great emphasis on fostering cultural understanding and diversity. Speaking of “Diversity” our dance results were an unbelievable 100% C+ following on the back of some amazing shows last year in our own Gracie Fields theatre which surely contributed towards 92% C+ in Music including 70% at grades A and A*.

The talent does not stop there in Expressive Arts as a record 49 students studied Art GCSE and 96% of them achieved a grade C or above with over a third achieving A/A*.

Oulder Hill’s got talent elsewhere too and our sporting prowess led to 100% C+ in both GCSE PE and BTEC Sport and practical skills led to 100% C+ in graphics, 93% in Engineering and 84% in both Catering and Health and Social Care.

A massive 92% of our students have gone on to further study and they have certainly been helped on their way by traditional pathways performing to such a high standard too. Science results at Oulder Hill have risen yet again despite drops around the country with over 200 students leaving with a grade C or better in science (89% of the year group). To complete the English Baccalaureate 83% of our 57 entries achieved C+ in History with 21 A/A* grades.

The students performed so well but they could not have done it without the great staff we have here and the huge support the students receive from their parents and carers!

Massive congratulations goes out to the

class of 2014 as record breakers and we

wish them all the best for the future!

Mr J. Watson - Headteacher

Year 6

The evening included a number of subject stalls and activities, a welcome speech by us and a presentation from our Headteacher Mr Watson. We feel that the evening went extremely well and students who helped alongside staff represented the school brilliantly.

The Year 11 Student Leaders took visitors on tours around the school, allowing them to view the different departments, ask any questions they had and also receive information on what Oulder Hill is like from a student’s perspective.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the students and staff who participated in this year’s open evening and we look forward to welcoming lots of new students into the Oulder Hill family next September.

During the visit pupils took part in team-building and problem-solving activities and then had a series of study sessions. After the sessions (and of course, some fish and chips), pupils had a talk about careers in the medical profession from Dr. Vance, a Manchester-based GP and a talk from Dr. Lyons, a global executive,about the importance of Science and Language in the world of business.

The evening was rounded off with pupils and teachers displaying their general knowledge in a somewhat challenging quiz. Next day pupils

were able to feed the animals and trekked to find the remains of the Roman Fort. This was followed by a group discussion on study-related issues. The pupils enjoyed the experience of working together in a different setting as well as the residential experience itself.

SEPTEMBER SAW THE GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AND ITS TWO YEAR 11 CLASSES VISIT HOPE VALLEY CEMENT WORKS AND QUARRY, AND THE TOWN OF CASTLETON IN ORDER TO COLLECT DATA FOR THEIR GCSE CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT.

The day started with a visit to the Cement Works. Here we were shown around a working quarry and had the opportunity to see first hand what goes into the making of cement. To help with their work pupils were able to ask the workers

probing questions in order to find out whether the quarry has any negative impacts on the surrounding area.

In the afternoon we visited the popular Peak District town of Castleton. Here pupils were able to roam around the area asking people questions about the Quarry while also surveying the environment and traffic.

All in all it was a highly enjoyable and successful day, here’s looking forward to next year.

Our Geographers Visit The Peak DistricT Mr Cowen

OPEN EVENING

Molly WilliamsHead Girl

Devon FordenHead Boy

A REVIEW BY OUR HEAD BOY & HEAD GIRL.

On the evening of Thursday 18th September, the school opened its doors for year six students and their families to experience everything Oulder Hill has to offer.

castleshaw gifted & talented

Mr McStockerOn 19th September, a group of the Year 11 Gifted and Talented pupils, accompanied by Mr McStocker and Miss Lindsay visited the Castleshaw Centre in Delph for a team-building and study skills residential.

As GCSE Dance students we had the pleasure of taking part in a Rambert Dance workshop on Wednesday 1st October. 

We then went to the theatre to watch Rooster and the Strange Charm of Mother Nature performed by the same prestigious company on Friday 3rd October.  These two experiences fitted together very well and it was a great way for us to develop our understanding of the company.

In the workshop our technique was tested, which we always benefit from.  We learnt a section of the Ruby Tuesday choreography from Rooster. Personally, I loved the workshop as the teachers from Rambert pushed us to the best of our ability; much like Miss Bold. Furthermore I enjoyed going

to the Lowry Theatre as it was educational and watching other people perform gives me ideas for my own work.

I especially enjoyed watching Rooster as the dancers were so captivating and the humour in the dance made us thoroughly enjoy it.

Opportunities like these are extremely useful as they widen our knowledge in dance.

RAMBERT DANCE GWEN

RABYYear 11

The weather was dry and sunny so we were able to make the most of viewing all the outdoor sculptures. We focused on Henry Moore’s abstract bronzes and Barbara Hepworth’s figurative work outside.

There was a temporary exhibition in the Underground Gallery by Ursula von Rydingsvard who uses cedar wood for her large scale textural sculptures. Also on show were artefacts and objects that had inspired her as well as her sketches and plans. Students had a number of activities to complete including sketching their favourite sculptures and making notes on their personal observations.

They also took photographs to record first hand observations and made rubbings as well as collecting leaves to use in their own art work.

They are currently creating art work based on the visit and researching their favourite sculpture artist in more detail for homework.

The students worked in groups of 11 or 12 and were perfectly behaved and displayed an excellent attitude to their learning. The department is grateful for the additional staff who supported us on the day due to the large numbers of students on the visit.

I was immediately made to feel very welcome as the staff were friendly and approachable. A lot of information was available about the range of extracurricular activities that are on offer and about the Parent Forum. There was an organised timetable of workshops including supporting your child at school, the pastoral system and information about target setting and reporting.

I found all these sessions very useful and the main message that I got from the evening is that the staff at Oulder Hill care a lot about each individual child’s progress and attainment.

There was a lot of emphasis on encouraging parents to work in partnership with the school to enable each child to achieve and feel secure in their new environment.

The evening was a great opportunity to ask questions and to meet the key staff that will be working with my child in Year 7.

THE YEAR 10 GCSE ART STUDENTS VISITED THE YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK ON 1ST OCT 2014.

Year 7 Parent

MATTERS EVENINGYear 7

A Parent’s ViewVikki Anson

I attended the evening as I wanted to find out more about supporting my daughter during her time in Year 7.

Mrs Abraham & Mr Galway

YORKSHIRE

SCULPTURE

PARK

YORKSHIRE

SCULPTURE

PARK

7th November Year 9 Business Studies Trip to Manchester Airport14th November Year 8 Slavery Museum Trip18th November Year 9 Art Trip to Manchester Art Gallery27th November Celebration of Excellence Evening 18:00pm – 20:00pm28th November Inset Day (school closed to students)3rd December School Production 19:00pm – 21:00pm4th December Review Day8th December All Week - Year 11 Mock Exam Week11th December Parent Forum 18:00pm – 19:30pm17th December Christmas Fair19th December School Closes 1:30pm22nd December to 2nd January inclusive Christmas Holidays

November 2014 onwards

Year 8Boy’s Football Oulder Hill 1 - 1 Holy FamilyOulder Hill 0 - 7 Middleton Technology CollegeNetball Oulder Hill 22 - 1 Beech HouseOulder Hill 16 - 0 Falinge Park

Year 9Boy’s Football Oulder Hill 1 - 6 St Cuthbert’sRugby Union (Emerging Schools’ Competition) Oulder Hill 4 - 1 Bury Church (Group Match)Oulder Hill 2 - 1 Up Holland (Group Match)Oulder Hill 1 - 2 Cheadle Hulme (Group Match)Oulder Hill 5 - 1 Broad Oak (Third Place Play-off)

SportsResults

Forthcoming

@OULDERHILL

Forthcoming

EVENTS

Year 7Boy’s Football Oulder Hill 1 - 3 Middleton Technology CollegeOulder Hill 0 - 2 Hollingworth HighNetball Oulder Hill 7 - 5 Falinge Park

Year 10Boy’s Football Oulder Hill 13 - 0 Matthew Moss

Year 11Boy’s Football Oulder Hill 1 - 1 St Cuthbert’s

Key Stage 4Rugby Sevens Oulder Hill 2 - 2 Loreto High SchoolOulder Hill 2 - 1 Altrincham College of Arts

SEPTEMBER2014

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH OVER THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR. YOU HAVE SHOWN TREMENDOUS COMMITMENT AND MANY EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD Mrs McCarry

This year’s Silver Final

started on Sunday 13th July.

World Cup Final night!

After assuring the boys that it wasn’t on purpose (expeditions are

planned 12 months in advance) we decided that, for some, it was

important enough to watch and as they didn’t officially start their

expedition until the following morning, we took the necessary

equipment to set up a viewing station at the camp site. So after a fish

and chip supper, the TV was set up. Unfortunately that didn’t work so

the students settled down in the mini bus to listen on the radio.

The students were up bright and early the following morning and

after eating a hearty cooked breakfast made by the staff they set off

on their 3 day Yorkshire Dales adventure. With decent weather, and

experienced navigational skills, they made camp in good time. This

time however they had to prepare their own food for supper and the

following breakfast.

Over the course of the three days, the student’s covered a very

impressive 48 km, keeping very good time. Starting in Austwick,

through Stainforth, taking in breath-taking scenery around Malham

Tarn and finally heading on over to the finish at Grassington.

After the awful weather conditions the students encountered on their Practice Expedition,

it was a relief to see that the weather forecast was for a better two days. This however, did present its own problems. With sunshine, comes sunburn and dehydration. Despite applying sun tan lotion, most students returned a little pinker than they

started, this is definitely a first for us! All groups were taking on water at every opportunity along the route, so much so that we had to go and buy more water bottles after one group had 6 litres at one check point!After a long first day’s walk, all groups arrived at the camp site in good time, set up camp and were cooking their evening meal ahead of schedule. Camp craft skills were a great improvement on the Practice Hike and behaviour was exemplary. The second day, although a little hotter, went without any major concerns. Again all groups arriving at the finishing point in plenty of time for an ice cream treat, then all on the coach for our journey home and a well-deserved rest.

59 Students completed the Bronze level

12 Students completed the Silver level