Students and staff welcomed hundreds of parents, carers and pupils to the school’s annual Open Evening this week.
Pupils from local primary schools such as Weeton Primary School, The Willows Catholic Primary School and Kirkham and Wesham Primary School spent the evening meeting students, taking part in subject based challenges and activities and exploring the facilities.
The Head held his address over two assemblies throughout the evening and was joined in speaking by Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 students who shared their experiences as a Carr Hill High School and Sixth Form Centre pupil.
In every subject staff had created a fun and interactive way for visitors to gain an understanding of the subject. In technology guests were challenged to guess the level of sugar in certain items and learn about bridge structures whilst impressive, completed student projects were displayed.
The Health & Social Care room included things such as a CPR compression Challenge and a blood pressure test whilst those visiting RE could play a version of the game ‘Play your Cards Right’, match photos of Jesus with names and identify artefacts.
Year 5 Sophie, who is currently at Newton Blur Coat Primary School, was enjoying the Faculty of English's Christmas Markets, mask making, the sherbet lemon taste (which encourages people to try different foods and describe how they affect their senses). Sophie said: “My first impressions of the school are that it is good. It’s big but it also feels friendly.”
Sophie’s dad Mr Parkin said: “We have an older daughter here and she has settled in well. The mixed year mentor groups and having mentor time at the end of the day is something that has helped our older daughter settle in.”
The teachers of the subjects which fall under the Faculty of Performing Arts had ensured there was plenty to do when guests came to their rooms. In the Dance studio pupils could watch and/or take part in choreographed routines, and in the music classrooms there was the opportunity to try a host of instruments, listen to live performances and sample music lessons.
Year 6 Emily, who is at Bryning with Warton St. Pauls C of E Primary School, visited the Drama Studio which was filled with live student performances for guests to watch. Emily said: “There is loads to do here- it’s brilliant. I loved watching the acting in the Drama Studio. The students were so good and made the performances seem real. I can’t wait to start doing drama here next year.”
The Art and Photography staff let students work do the talking with a large selection of work available to view. Guests also had the opportunity to show off their own art skills via a range of activities whilst there was a giant Carr Hill dove that guests could write comments on about what they had enjoyed about the evening.
Year 5 Peter, from Ribby with Wrea Green Primary School, said: “I like that at secondary school you get to work with lots of different materials in art. I think this is a good school and that there will be lots of people waiting to help me when I start here.”
Over in the Science Blocks the staff were giving guests the chance to meet the faculty’s pet snake! There was also the chance to experiment with food testing, dissect a heart, build a circuit, measure the sound of your voice, re-light a glowing splint, learn about the chemicals in fireworks and much more.
Luke, who is a Year 6 at Ribby with Wrea Green, was particularly impressed with the sports facilities on offer and had enjoyed playing badminton and ping pong with the PE staff. Luke said: “I like that there are so many subjects at secondary school. The sports dome is massive and so cool.”
MFL staff were busy testing people's knowledge of languages with a quiz based on needing help with a medical issue abroad. The activity was designed to help people understand the importance of being able to communicate with others in a foreign country should an emergency occur and it wasn’t’ just the children being tested with a quiz for adults also on offer.
Visitors to the history classrooms could build their own Anderson Shelter, ‘Taste the Blitz’, with the sorts of foods people ate during WW2 available, and try on a range of army gear such as a gas mask and a hardhat. Over in Geography primary school pupils were using their existing geographical knowledge to find out more about the topics covered at secondary school and taking part in the sphere of influence challenge.
Year 6 Megan, who is at Weeton Primary School, enjoyed taking part in air darts and discovering fun facts such as the distance for the world triple jump record whilst in the Faculty of Maths. Megan said: “I’ve really enjoyed myself this evening. The teachers and Carr Hill students have been nice and there’s been loads to do.”
Pupils interested in IT and Business were invited to try their hand at coding and make suggestions for what they would like to see on the syllabus next year. Whilst up in the Hub visitors could browse new books and take part in a six word essay with high street vouchers on offer as the Prize.
Assistant Headteacher Ms McKeon said: “We had a fantastic turn out for this year’s Open Evening. I would like to thank all those who came to see the school. If you have any questions or require any further information about any aspect of the school please do not hesitate to get in contact with the school.
“I would also like to thank all the staff and students who helped to make the event the success it was. Your efforts are very much appreciated.”
Open Evening 2016
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