Final week of term is packed with achievements, events and activities

This term has been packed with achievements, events and activities and the final week has been no exception.

The week begun with the news that the school’s Public Speaking Team had been crowned runners up at the BPW national public speaking competition. Sixth Form students Kieran, Ayse and Miranda represented the North West and West Midlands regions and delivered a high quality performance which landed them the coveted position in the competition. In addition to this victory Ayse also won an award for the best speech of the competition.

Year 13 Miranda said: “We were pleased with how well we did as the other teams were amazing.”

The competition was the last the team will participate in together as they come to the end of their time at Carr Hill. Fellow team member and Year 13 student Kieran said: “We are kind of sad that it is over as we have been rehearsing together twice a week, every week, since October but it was great to end with this competition.”

The school were also victorious at a local JamPackedUK Hack jam competition. The competition, which brings together IT enthusiasts who enjoy Raspberry Pi challenges, was won by Year 10 students Fraser, Chris, Louis and Johnathan.

In addition to celebrating achievements our students have been working hard ahead of the summer exams. This week two groups of Year 11 students have been at Ribby Hall taking part in a Maths revision day. The two day event focused on topics that had proved to be challenging during the Pre-Public Exams. Pupils took part in a range of games and exercises during the days and covered topics such as area, angles and problem solving.

The revision days gave students the opportunity to learn in a different environment and in smaller groups. Maths teacher Mrs Taylor said: “The revision days are about building the confidence of our students in the areas of the subject they may find challenging. As with previous years we’ve had some very positive comments from our pupils about the sessions; the students really feel that they learn a lot and improve their subject knowledge.”

Meanwhile, back at school the Year 13 Health and Social Care students finished some impressive posters having been set the task of researching the factors that could lead to suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse. This task was part of the course unit ‘caring for children and young people’. To complete the task students had to identify factors of abusive and exploitive behaviours that young children may be subject to. They were then asked to produce a factual poster that could be used as part of an informative display in a health or social care setting.

Health and Social Care teacher Mrs Coulthard said: “The posters the students produced were outstanding both factually and as a display item –well done Year 13.”

Outside the classroom Year 7 students were treated to a visit from X Factor singer Danny Dearden, who is currently on an Online Safety and Cyber Bullying awareness tour. Danny, who has performed alongside artists including Ellie Goulding, The Saturdays and Connor Maynard, sung a number of songs before speaking to students about the importance of Online Safety. The singer also opened the floor to questions about his time on the X Factor.

Danny was not the only visitor to the school this week as Alter Ego Creative Solutions, a not for profit social enterprise dedicated to using drama to educate, inform and entertain, came in to deliver an Applied Theatre Play based on raising awareness around the sensitive issue of child sexual exploitation. The production was watched by students in Year 8, 9 and 10. The group travel to many schools to deliver productions about issues that can impact young people. The play, called Chelsea’s Choice, was hard-hitting and humorous in turn. At the end of the production students were invited to ask questions and find out more about Chelsea’s story.

There were lots of positive comments following the production. Year 9 Lewis said: “I think the production was well put together and great to watch as it made you aware of what could happen to anyone, at any time, in any place.”

Finally, generous students, parents, carers and staff have donated 400 items for the Fylde Food Bank this week. The school has boxes and bags filled with numerous items including bags of pasta, tins of soup, cereal boxes and much more.

Assistant Headteacher Ms McKeon said: “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by our students, their families and our staff. It is wonderful to be able to donate so many items to the Fylde Food Bank Easter Appeal. I would like to thank everyone who has made a donation and helped to make the school collection such a success.”