A message from our Headteacher
As we approach the end of another term, it's time for us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students over the last few months, and to extend our thanks to all of our families who make up our school community for your continuing support.
Although we were able to return to procedural normality following lockdowns and 'bubbles', COVID persisted in throwing obstacles in our way, particularly through high staff and student absence. However, I am proud to say that our students and staff have continued to show dedication and resilience, and as a result we have continued to rise to these challenges and focus on our core business of student learning and personal development. Our Y11 and Y13 students in particular deserve a mention here, as they continue to work hard towards their upcoming exams. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing them every success in the summer exam season.
As the Spring term draws to a close, I thought it timely to share some of the great things that our students have been involved with.
Thank you for your ongoing support. On behalf of everyone at Wickersley School and Sports College, I wish you and your family a restful and enjoyable break.
MATHS
All students in Y7-Y11 are focusing on an aspect of our ‘Money matters’ curriculum in their form period this week. Students are looking at real world examples of credit and debt, where this is useful and why somebody might need credit. They are analysing different household incoming and outgoings to determine the difference between credit and debt.
SCIENCE
This term Y5 students from Aston Hall Junior & Infant School visited Wickersley Science labs as part of Science Week. They made some indicator from red cabbage and then used it to test the acidity and alkalinity of household substances. They’ve also made some homemade indicator paper to use in their own school.
Our second Subject week took place during National Science week and our science department delivered some assemblies breaking the stereotype of what a scientist looks like. They also set up their labs with different science themes and even had a crime investigation scene for students to solve the clues using forensics!
Creative Arts
RE
Y8 students have been developing their Personal Opinion and Debate skills during the Religion and the Media topic. Within this unit of work students have explored what the media is, how to engage critically with the media as a source of information by exploring potential issues with the media and then considered different examples of media reports which contain religious themes, beliefs or ideas. This topic of work culminated with students producing a piece of writing sharing their opinion on whether they think the media should have complete freedom to report on religion or not.
PE
Netball
Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11 and Sixth form all made it through to Netball Finals Day on 2nd April.
Results:
- Y10- Runners up
- Y8, Y11 & Sixth form- Rotherham School Champions
Football
Year 7 boys Rotherham schools cup champions and English schools cup semi finalists.
The year 7 boys footballers topped off an amazing first year of football at Wickersley with a 6 - 0 success in the final of the Rotherham schools cup. A strong display meant that they kept a 4th straight clean sheet in this competition while scoring 17 goals in the process. Year 7 Rotherham schools champions - Well done boys.
English school cup semi finalists
Our year 7 boys footballers also made it into the semifinals of the English schools FA cup. They performed superbly all year to overcome a number of schools to make it into the last 2 schools in the north of England. They were 20 minutes away from representing the north of England in the national finals but unfortunately were pipped by a very strong Thomas Telford school in the final stages of the game.
Year 8 Boys Football
The Y8 Boys football team were extremely unlucky in the recent Rotherham Schools Cup final and despite the cruel way to end a game (penalties) can be immensely proud of their achievements and all-round attitude to extra curricular sport. I continue to be amazed at how they conduct themselves on and off the pitch.
Y11 Football Team
The Y11 boys football team played in the Rotherham Schools Cup Final on Wednesday 30th April. They played Aston in the final on a cold night at Parkgate FC. The lads put up a spirited display against strong opposition and showed great character on the night. They took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Jack Smith and George Walker. Aston pegged them back in the second half but a goal from Alex Brown-Vasilescu sealed the game and Wickersley lifted the trophy for the second time in a row.
Sports Leaders
Our committed sports leaders continue to develop their leadership skills in PE and sport and are working towards helping lead and coordinate in our summer Primary school festivals. So far we have had a number of them help run a BOCCIA event at eth EIS in Sheffield and South Yorkshire sport events. They have also got to experience a brand new sport, Tchoukball which they will eventually help lead and coordinate at up and coming events.
MFL
French
On Wednesday 2nd February Onatti Productions came to Wickersley to perform ‘Mon pere ne me comprend pas. A french play about Hélene who doesn’t get what she wants for her birthday so she wishes for better gifts and family. When her wishes start coming true she regrets being so greedy. Y9, Y10, Y11, a few Y8 pupils studying French were invited to watch the french play. The cast praised the students for their behaviour during the play and in the question time afterwards.
Culture Club
Every Thursday after school in MFL, Y7 and Y8 have been participating in Culture Club to widen their perceptions of cultures and traditions around the world. This half term has been based on the film Encanto, where we have learnt “we don’t talk about Bruno” (but in Spanish!), and appreciated the Colombian culture, learning about their traditions and lifestyle. This week we developed our cultural knowledge in the culinary practices of Colombia, where we had a go at making “arepas” - the famous Colombian snack that is shown to be healing in Encanto. We baked them and added melted cheese as this is also a common Colombian tradition - they tasted amazing! Next half term we will be moving onto more Hispanic and Francophone cultures from around the world.
ICT and computing
Y7
Students have been learning how to create keyframe and tween animations using the wick editor and edit images using photopea. The example from Ewen Escreet shows an original image which has been edited to create a spot the difference game.
Y8
In year 8 students have been using a range of software packages on an environment themed project called “Project Green”. Students created a website using Google Sites, 3D models of eco-houses using Sketchup and audio promotional clips using audacity.
Students then covered spreadsheet skills using Google Sheets, covering a variety of skills and tools such as formulae, functions, conditional formatting, sorting, filtering and charts.
Example work from Cameron Bryan, showing a digital 3D model of an eco-house created using Google Sketchup.
Student voice
The Student Leadership Team
The Student Leadership Team has been assembled and are all working hard on their respective projects. We have the; Community Relations team who aim to build relationships with our community and local feeder Primary schools. The News Journalist team are finalising the first edition of the Student online Newsletter, The Obscurer, and the Wellbeing Team are looking at ways to help create an inclusive club that allows students to open up and talk to our ambassadors in a safe and relaxed environment. Our leaders will be working on their projects for a calendar year - up to the end of 2022.
The School Council
The School Council are, as ever, ensuring our student body are listened to and then they raise suggestions and concerns to our Head. They are in constant review of what is being discussed, suggested and raised in student voice surveys and meetings and conduct these meetings in a professional manner. These are then streamlined and presented to our Head teacher, Mr Hardcastle, termly. Term two review and meeting will take place this week
The Eco Council
The Eco Council are currently planning on designing an Eco sensory garden around the back of D Block. The main aim for this is utilise an unused open space and encourage students with sensory needs to relax when required. They also hope to encourage insects and birds that will enjoy a space of tranquillity. Raised beds with easy to manage fauna and flora will also be explored.
On top of this they have organised numerous ‘litter pick’ afternoons with huge success and continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to ‘Campaign for change’ through the Hope for the Future scheme.
Pledges
In this half-term, selected students across all key stages were recognised for their outstanding effort and actions to complete personal development tasks as part of Wickersley Pledges. Students received a certificate following nominations from tutors and many gathered to be recognised in the beautiful, rare sunshine in the A Block Quad.
Two sets of Wickersley Pledges have been set this half-term.
Students in KS3 have completed 'We Plan for our future' and 'We look after our wellbeing'.
In KS4, students have completed 'We help others' and 'We look after wellbeing'.
At KS5, students have completed "We believe in ourselves and celebrate achievement" and 'We look after our wellbeing'.
We have been immensely impressed with students taking this time in our school setting to complete these important actions to develop positive habits. We expect to see this continue throughout their journey at Wickersley and beyond the school gates.
Excitingly, following our launch in September, we look forward to seeing many students achieving their bronze level at their key stage in the next half-term prior to undertaking silver and gold level Pledges tasks.
All students continue to be able to speak to their tutor to review their progress and catch up on any missed or incomplete bronze Wickersley Pledges set. Taking these actions will support all students in their quest to achieve the full bronze level of Wickersley Pledges and will play another important part in their personal development.
