The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Welcome to issue 10 of the Whickham Leader. In this issue you will read about the progress of some of our fantastic sports leaders, the exciting opportunities they have had in the last academic year and how Whickham School has again been recognised as a front runner in Leadership and Volunteering.

The first ever Gateshead Leadership Summit was held last year at Gateshead Leisure Centre. The event was aimed at developing the talents of the borough’s gifted and talented leaders from year 8. Whickham sent along 20 hand-picked students who had shown leadership potential during PE lessons and extra-curricular sport. The Sports Colleges involvement didn’t end there though! Whickham were very proud to provide a group of young leaders from the CSLA cohort to assist the Gateshead SSP with the delivery of the event. Additionally Beth Pringle and Frazer Lillie, the Young Ambassadors for Sport at Whickham, co-delivered a teacher’s workshop at the event alongside representatives from Sports Leaders UK. Both students spoke passionately about their role at Whickham and described (to the listening audience) the benefits of their school being involved in such leadership programmes. This years summit will see Level 3 Higher Sports Leaders from Whickham play an integral part in the organisation and delivery of this event that will surely be part of the sporting calendar in Gateshead for years to come.

With the success of the Paralympics at London 2012 and the up and coming Rio Games, disability sport has never been so popular. Last year’s Level 3 Higher Sports Leaders delivered Intra School disability events at three of our cluster primary schools. Boccia at Fellside, Goal Ball at Front Street and Sitting Volleyball at Gibside challenged students in ways they couldn’t have imagined. The YR13 students were given no support by Whickham or primary school staff and were 100% responsible for the organisation and delivery of the three challenging events. As usual our leaders were fantastic and were praised by staff and students alike for their enthusiasm, professionalism and organisation – well done! Molly Jenkins (YR13) with students

from Gibside School

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Another inaugural event last academic year saw Whickham’s Leadership Pathway celebrated. The Gateshead Schools Sports Awards is designed to recognise high quality work and innovative practice in primary and secondary schools within the area of physical education, school sport and the School Games. It acknowledges member schools who are working collaboratively with other organisations, or within their own school, using PE and school sport to make a real difference to their pupils.

Whickham applied for and were successful in being awarded the Leadership and Volunteering Innovation Award for having a ‘formalised sports leadership structure in place that goes beyond the standard practice and holds tangible value in terms of whole school improvement’ and ‘being able to demonstrate and evidence the benefits associated with in-school leadership programmes such as Sports Leaders, Young Ambassadors, and School Sport Organising Committees’ Miss Gainford and Mr Haigh attended the evening on behalf of the school and Mr Haigh commented “Our team of dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to develop programmes and opportunities that engage and encourage participation. Students show determination and resilience, even when they do not regard themselves as ‘sporty’. They are encouraged to excel and inspire others to follow their lead. The award is deserved not only for individual aspects of outstanding practice, but for the range and depth of everything they do for our students and the young people within our cluster.”

The latest group of Level 1 Sports Leaders from YR10 were only too happy to officiate and marshal at this year’s Go Run For Fun event in Saltwell Park. The success of this event is clear to see as this year saw its 65,000th competitor. Two lucky Whickham students donned the mascot outfits for the day (pictured left and right) and entertained the masses at this primary school event.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

A helping hand at an event of magnitude!

Megan Gates, Olivia McGregor, Milly Ati and Charlotte Warne (YR12 CSLA Students and Dance Leaders) couldn’t believe their luck when they were asked to assist at the Gateshead Dance Festival, a two day event at the Sage, celebrating dance across our region. The girls went the extra mile however and impressed everyone they came into contact with. Yvonne Hoyland (Strategic Manager GSSP) commented “The girls maintained a professional approach, great enthusiasm and concentration throughout two very arduous days with us and this alone is commendable. Never once did they flag even though they were on the spot the whole time. They are the best group of young leaders we have had at the Dance Festival and they should be very proud of this accolade bestowed upon them.” Alex Perkins (GSSP) added “Their attitude, energy and enthusiasm provided a genuine boost to us all when we were feeling a little ‘jaded’ and they very quickly became valued members of the team.”

Never Stop Leading

Life long skills were put into practice by ex student

and Young Ambassador Hana Bartle (far left) who

together with fellow students from the Northumbria

University Sports Management course arranged and

delivered a Zumbathon at the Sage, Gateshead. Of

course no event would be complete without the help

of Whickham students and Hana knew exactly who

to contact when looking for budding volunteers with

enthusiasm and drive. The event was a huge success

and will help the former student attain her desired

grades at uni.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Fundraising for Uganda 2016 is going well and the students involved have been working tirelessly over the summer to raise the much needed funds for such a venture. As well as raffles at various awards evening and shows

the students have been involved in tuck shops, sponsored bike rides, summer fetes and car boot sales to name but a few.

A special mention must go to Clover Hill Primary school who arranged a non uniform day to help with our fundraising. Five of the students involved in the Uganda programme are former students of Clover Hill

and they were only too happy to oblige when Head Teacher Mrs Easton asked them to come in and deliver an assembly to the Clover Hill Students. In September there will be two colleagues from our partner school Lango College in Lira, Uganda visiting our school and the students are very excited about this visit. We look forward to welcoming them to our school and hope they can learn a lot from everything we do at Whickham School and Sports College. (pictured right Lucy McLeod and Charlotte Maggs)

Beth and Frazer’s Busy Year Being a Young Ambassador for Sport at Whickham School and Sports College is an honour, however it does mean you are in for a busy year as two year 12 students soon found out. Beth Pringle and Frazer Lillie applied for the post in September and have literally never stopped since … read their story overleaf.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

The Young Ambassadors programme supported by Gateshead SSP continues to develop and grow. This year Frazer Lillie and Beth Pringle (pictured below) were chosen to represent Whickham as Young Ambassadors for sport. After an initial training session and launch with ex

international gymnast Craig Heap, the two students were set some challenging goals. They decided the primary INTER school festival/event that they were tasked with running would be the Primary Mini Games which is now part of the transition programme for our cluster of primary schools. The event was a huge success and over 300 students took part in sporting activities led be the YR12 CSLA students. Organising a secondary INTRA school competition proved a little more challenging and for this they enlisted the help of other YR12 students who formed an organising committee to deliver the 6th

form sports day as part of rich experience week—again, another success! Engaging Bronze (Primary) Young Ambassadors was easy! All of our primary cluster of schools are fully supportive of the YA programme and encourage all their students to develop leadership skills that can be used in the future (picture on previous page). Perhaps Beth and Frazer’s biggest challenge, and indeed success was evident at this years Leadership Awards Evening. The two students independently (well almost!) organised and hosted a night of celebration at Whickham School and Sports College. The night was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Gateshead, Senior Leadership Team and Governors from Whickham school, representatives of the Gateshead SSP, members of PE teaching staff from other secondary schools in Gateshead, parents and students. Beth and Frazer should be very proud of the role they played in delivering this evening and have certainly set the standard for future YAs.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Megan and Katie Shaw (YR13) were recognised by Fellside Primary School for all of the help they have given them over the

years.

YR7 Learn 2 Lead Club—starting their journey on Whickham’s Leadership Pathway.

YR9 Girls Active Leaders celebrating the another successful year in girls sport.

Level 1 Sports Leaders Award students proud of their achievements.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Food Leaders—an every growing pro-gramme that takes lessons from sport and develops them in another curriculum area.

Gateshead Leadership Academy 2014/15 being recognised for their achievements.

Frazer was joined on stage by former professional footballer Mick Martin who described the skills needed to be a good

leader in sport, business and life.

Level 2 Community Sports Leaders who, with others volunteered for over 4,600

hours last academic year.

The Whickham Leader Leadership and Volunteering Newsletter (Issue 10 November 2015)

Level 3 Higher Sports Leaders at the end of their leadership journey at Whickham.

‘The Hosts’ Beth and Frazer—Young Ambassadors for

Sport at Whickham School and Sports College.

Olivia McGregor winner of the prestigious ’Kerry Dunn Leadership and Volunteering Memorial Award’. Olivia has volunteered for over 800 hours in sport since joining

Whickham School.

‘The Olympic and Paralympic Values Award Winners’

From left to right; Rosabella Edwards (Friendship)

Connor Richardson (Determination) Arthur Keepin (Equality)

Kaleb Whitfield (Respect) Samantha Jackson (Courage) Leah Greenwell (Inspiration)

Chloe Lowes (Excellence)