Ermysted's Grammar School

Weekly e-news

Week beginning 15 March

First of all congratulations to all the boys in Years 11, 12 & 13 who received their results from the January examinations. This year, with the possibility of gaining A* at A Level, a number of boys wish to re-sit despite achieving A grades in these exams. It’s a sign of their ambitions and high aspirations that they wish to do this – and I hope thet are successful.

Cross Country
Ermysted’s appeared more than once in the Craven Herald this week. Our Cross Country team did well at the Northern School’s Cross Country Championships held in Stockport last Saturday.  Billy Pinder (Year 12) comfortably won the Senior title and the Seniors won the overall title of Senior Championship winners.

Congratulations to them and thank you to Mr Speak for accompanying them.

Rugby
Some of our senior rugby team players were in action during the week in the Keswick School 7s competition. The ‘invitation only’ competition covers some of the best rugby schools in the north of England and we were delighted when the team won the plate beating Austin Friars (Carlisle), St Bees (Whitehaven) and QEGS (Penrith) en route.
Andrew Cairns (Headboy) was top scorer with 8 tries.
The team is in action at the weekend travelling to Flyde RUFC, Blackpool, to compete in the National School 7s tournament. We wish them every success.

Football
Sadly the Year 11 First XI lost against Rossett School in the Harrogate District Cup but better news for the Year 10 team which beat Harrogate High 4-3 in extra time. The man of the match was Henry Anson. Well done to Henry and the teams for competing!.

Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
We have been invited to London next week to take part in a meeting to discuss second specialisms and ‘High Performing Specialist  School’ status. This is an exciting opportunity for the school recognising the excellent examination results and hard work from students and staff alike. We’ll keep you posted on progress.

Funding
We hope to hear soon on funding bids we have made to the Local Authority to improve some of the older rooms in school. The need for double glazing, refurbishment and repair is a constant issue in some of the older parts of school.

Dates for your diary
The school production, ‘Time’s Up’, is being performed on 25-27 March. It promises to be an excellent production and tickets can be obtained from the school office.

Also the Parents’ Association are running a quiz on Friday 19 March in the school’s Refectory. The price of tickets (£7.50) also includes a fish and chip supper (or suitable vegetarian alternative). All parents welcome!!

 

Week ending 5th March

The Great Shakespeare Debate
This week three Year 13 students, accompanied by Mr Hodgson, attended ‘The Great Shakespeare’ debate in Stratford upon Avon. This is one of the most prestigious debating competitions in the country, drawing high achieving schools from both the independent and state sectors.
The boys, Josh-Ellis Jones, Ewan Bruce and Johnnie Newhouse, competed in four debates over two days and were finally declared the winners with Ewan Bruce being judged the second best speaker in the whole competition!!
An excellent result from three very talented students.
The trophy, a silver plate rescued from the wreck of the Mary Rose, remains in Stratford but they each receive a miniature replica.
As if that wasn’t enough a representative from the English Speaking Union approached the team at the end of the competition and told them they would be invited to Buckingham Palace to receive further recognition!! Clearly these are three Ermysted’s students destined for high places. Well done to Josh, Ewan and Johnnie and to Mr Hodgson for accompanying the boys.

New Prospectus
We are currently writing a new prospectus. Both Mr Hopkins and Mr King have been busy taking photographs of boys in lessons and on trips. The proofs we have received back show it to be a super production showing exactly the kind of school we are. Thank you to all involved.

Football results
On Monday Year 11 played Rossett District but unfortunately lost 4-0 but on Wednesday Year 10 played Harrogate High in the District Cup and won 4-3 in extra time. They march into the second round with Man of the Match being Henry Anson!! Well done to all.

 

Week beginning 1st March

Yet another week where snow threatens and the temperatures remain stubbornly near freezing. The opening of sentence of the last parental newsletter tempted fate when it mentioned ‘snow and ice finally receding’. However, another busy week last week with some excellent news to begin with.

Laboratory Refurbishment
We received notification of our successful bid to the Wolfson Foundation for help in refurbishing S9, the only lab which remains in need of modernisation. The Foundation has generously donated £40,000 towards the project which will begin once Years 12 & 13 have gone on Study Leave. The whole project will cost in the region of £75,000 with other financial contributions from Specialist Status funds.

Oliver Cigonini
Congratulations to Oliver who has been selected to be part of the Under 17 England rugby squad. The selectors have obviously chosen wisely and clearly spotted his talent, speed, strength, stamina and commitment to the game. We wish him every success in his first international match which will be in April.  

Blah Blah Blah Theatre Company
The ‘Blah Blah Blah’ Theatre Company will be in school this week working with Years 8 & 9 presenting ‘Stuck’ a drama about conjoined Siamese twins and the ethical issues such cases raise.

Year 11 Revision Sessions
On Monday Mr Brownlee has organised a revision day for Year 11 to improve revision and exam techniques. Time is slipping away – Year 11 need to begin that revision timetable now!!

Work on the new Food technology Room
Tiffany’s, local builders, will be on site from Monday working on our new Food Technology room. By September 2011 the school has a statutory duty to provide Food technology education for Key Stage 3 pupils but we hope to be able to offer some lessons to KS5 in preparation for survival at university!

Week beginning 15 February

Haiti Appeal
Those parents, pupils and staff who attended the fund raising concert on Wednesday were treated to an outstanding display of musical talent, gymnastics and skilful juggling by the boys and girls from Ermysted’s and Skipton Girls’ High School. It was collaboration at its best – and many thanks to Layth Hanbali who acted as impresario and compere for the evening. So far we have raised £1521.87 for the disaster relief funds.

Andy Williams in Year 12 even had his head shaved raising over £100.00 in sponsorship. Well done to Andy – and keep wearing your hat in this cold weather!  

The non-uniform day held last week raised £709.98 which we have split between the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and the Haiti Appeal.

Thank you to all students, staff and parents who have contributed to these impressive figures!

Effort Grades
Boys in Years 8, 10, 11 12 & 13 ought to be bringing home their effort grades at the end of half-term. Years 7 & 9 received their grades earlier in preparation for Consultation Day and Year 9 Options Evening. The grades reflect how hard boys have worked this half term – where effort has fallen below expectations teaching staff will be discussing the situation with individual pupils. If parents wish to discuss the grades canm they please contact their son’s form teacher in the first instance.

New Prospectus
We are currently designing our new prospectus and Mr Hopkins and Mr King have been busy photographing students in lessons to make sure the prospectus gives a real impression of life at Ermysted’s. If parents would prefer their son not to appear in the prospectus would they please let us know.

Big Band Special  
Parents are warmly invited to the ‘Big Band Special’ which is being organised by the Parents’ Association on Friday 26 February in the Memorial Hall. The evening starts at 7:30 and tickets are available form the School Office at £7.50 for adults. Past experience proves this will be a very popular evening – so book early to avoid disappointment.

A* at ‘A’ Level
The exam boards have been a little clearer about the awarding of A* grades at ‘A’ level and Year 13 will be provided with a copy of the details below. Mrs Whittaker, our exams secretary, has attempted to make clear how the A* grade will work;


NEW A* GRADE AT A LEVEL

Summer 2010 sees the first awards of the new A* grade.  It is important to remember that the A* grade will be awarded for the A level qualification only and not for the AS qualification or at unit level.

To be awarded an A* at A Level pupils must achieve:-

There will be instances in summer 2010 where candidates do not achieve an A* grade but who have a higher A level UMS score (which arise from the total units, both AS and A2) than candidates who have achieved the new grade.  The following example shows how this may happen, using a 4 unit A level where 400 UMS are available:-

 

Both students have made the 320 UMS threshold for an A grade for this A level.  However, only Student X would receive an A* grade as he met the requirement to achieve 90% or more of the maximum uniform marks at A2, while Student Y did not.

Half-term
As half-term approaches can I thank all students, staff and parents for their efforts and perseverance over this difficult half-term. The opening words of my newsletter tempted fate when it said ‘With the snow and ice finally receding …’ Hopefully Spring is just around the corner and we can all look forward to some milder weather in the next few weeks.

Best wishes
G Hamilton
Headteacher

Week beginning 8 February

County Cross Country Honours
Under the careful coaching of Mr Speak and Mr Humphreys the school’s cross country team has developed into a formidable force not only in North Yorkshire but in national competitions too.
Therefore it comes as no surprise that 12 students have qualified to represent North Yorkshire, making up more than half of the County team!
Well done to:

Robert Thompson (year 7)

Andrew Cairns (Year 13)

Thomas Blanchard (Year 8)

Will Crisp (Year 12)

Philip Done (Year 8)

Joel Wood (Year 13)

Faisal Ismail (Year 11)

Robbie Swift (Year13)

Billy Pinder (Year 12)

Eddie Newbould (Year 13)

Will Marshall (Year 12)

Alex Sinclair (Year 12)

First XV Daily Mail Vase
Hard luck to the First XV who played Manchester Grammar School on Friday in the last 16 teams of the Daily Mail Vase. Sadly we lost 25-nil but Manchester Grammar were in sparkling form and are tipped as eventual winners of the trophy. Thank you to Mr Dougherty and Mr Douglas for all their hard work with the team and a special thank you to the boys in the First XV who have shown such commitment to the competition.

Holiday Dates
May I remind parents of the holiday dates for the rest of this academic year:

Reminders:

School’s Foundation Funds Appeal
I would like to extend a big thank you to the many parents who responded so generously to the appeal for donations to the School’s Foundation Fund.
With exciting developments such as the new food technology block and an extra science laboratory already in the pipeline, it is essential the Fund is sufficiently robust to ensure the continuing improvement of the School.
By asking as many parents as possible to pledge little and often, the Fund will be maintained to provide for that improvement and be in a position to capitalise on match funding opportunities whenever they might arise.
For those who have not already pledged, the appropriate forms are available at the School Office. Should anyone require further explanation of the Appeal please feel free to contact me, again through the School Office.
Yours sincerely,
A.G.Barrett
Chair of Governors

Week beginning Monday 1 February

Oliver Cicognini
Congratulations to Oliver who has been selected to be part of the England Elite Under 16 Rugby Training Squad. Oliver will be training alongside 39  other talented rugby players in the hope of a place in the final squad. We wish him every success!

Haiti Fundraising
Under the leadership and guidance of Layth Hanbali (Year 13) the students are organising a concert to raise fund towards the Haiti earthquake disaster appeal. The concert is scheduled for Wednesday 10 February at 7:00pm in the Memorial Hall. Admission is by donation but we are asking for a minimum donation of £5:00 per adult and £3:00 per child. There will be an opportunity to Gift Aid your donation when you pay for your ticket.

The collection of donations from staff and students currently stands at £534.21. Further fund raising involves a staff coffee morning planned for Wednesday 10 February and Andy Williams in Year 12 has been sponsored to have his head shaved. Watch this space!!

Holiday Dates
An error appears to have been made in the Student Planners regarding holiday dates for the Whitsun half-term break. The actual holiday dates should read:
Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June.
Apologies for this error

Drugs Policy
We are currently reviewing our Drugs and Illegal Substances Policy. We would be very grateful if any parents would like to help by reading it and suggesting alterations or additions to it. If you are prepared to help could you contact the school and request a copy by email or by post. The consultation period will last until the end of March.

 

Week beginning 25 January

Welcome back this week to the Year 9 boys who went to Bewerley Park. Despite the cold and wet conditions every one seemed to enjoy themselves and staff reported excellent behaviour from the boys.

Oxbridge Success

Congratulations and well done to the following boys who have gained offers from Oxford and Cambridge:

Oxford

 

 

Jonny Newhouse

German/Italian

Queen’s

Ben Gannon

History/Economics

Open

Ben Cowley

Economics/Management

Pembroke

 

 

 

Cambridge

 

 

Rory Ellwood

Medicine

Christ’s

Rob Hall

Veterinary Medicine

Downing

Tim Hutchinson

Natural Sciences

Churchill

Matthew Benton

Music

Queen’s

Josh Ellis Jones

Natural Sciences

Peterhouse

Thomas Hillsdon

History

Sidney Sussex

Graham Richardson

History

Queen’s

A further 5 students remain in the pool for Cambridge. We wish them every success!

Daily Mail Vase
The First XV are through to the last 16 teams of the Daily Mail Vase competition after beating Kings School, Newcastle on Wednesday 20 January. The next match is on Thursday when they play Manchester Grammar School

Best wishes for the next round!

Musical Success
Sweet sounds of success for two students have been selected to play for prestigious orchestras.
Layth Hanbali (Year 13) has been selected to play with the Palestine Youth Orchestra and Max Heaton (Year 7) has been selected to play for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. These achievements are a tribute not only to their skills but the considerable hard work that goes into constant practice. Well done.

Specialist Status
Last week the school received notification of its successful re-designation as a Science Specialist College. In order to achieve re-designation the school had to raise £25,000 of sponsorship. We are grateful to the following organisations for their generosity:

Concert to raise funds for Haiti
Boys in Years 12 & 13 are planning a concert to raise funds for disaster relief in Haiti – It is scheduled for Friday 5 February – watch the school’s website for further information.

We are busy collecting students’ loose change during form time and lunch time. Our total collection will be revealed next week.

Events this week:

Dates for your diary