March is finally here, and we can start to enjoy brighter evenings and the start of Spring. It’s also the month of mock exams, Year 9 Options, our epic Dance and Gym show and preparing for work experience.
A MESSAGE FROM MRS WATKINS, HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we step into another exciting month at Ryburn Valley High School, I am delighted to share some highlights and updates with you all.
Firstly, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our diligent Year 11 students who have been putting in tremendous effort as they approach their mock exams. Their dedication and hard work are truly commendable, and we are here to support them every step of the way on their academic journey.
Meanwhile, our Year 9 students are embarking on a significant milestone as they carefully select their options, paving the way for the next stage of their educational pathway. It’s an exciting time for them, and we are committed to providing guidance and assistance as they make these important decisions.
I thrilled to acknowledge the exemplary behaviour and character displayed by our students on a daily basis, demonstrating our values within and beyond our school community. Their actions are a testament to the positive learning environment we strive to cultivate at Ryburn Valley High School.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to express my gratitude to all parents and carers for your unwavering support in ensuring that our children come to school ready to learn and thrive. Your partnership in fostering a culture of academic excellence and personal growth is invaluable, and together, we are truly making a difference.
Messages from our heads of year
It’s been an incredible year so far, and we have so much to celebrate. This term, our Heads of Year have focused on Inspiring Ryburn and Character Champions.
Inspiring Ryburn is how we celebrate students who are striving to succeed in all kinds of exciting ways outside of school, from budding scientists and to ice hockey stars. We love to hear what our students are up to, if your child is thriving in their life outside of Ryburn, let us know!
Character Champions are our students who quietly make school a better place to be for all students. Through acts of kindness, inclusion, respect and community. It could be helping year 7 students find their way, or raising money for charity.
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Year 7 continue to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them by Ryburn and it has been a joy to see them taking part in sport, drama and academic extra-curricular activities. The library continues to be well used by Year 7 and there is a lovely buzz in the area every dinner time.
Character Champions
Madeleine K is starring in a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Halifax Playhouse during February half term. They have exhibited endeavour in rehearsing for a high profile play and continuing to excel in school. We wish them all the best in the performance and extend a massive well done, firstly for securing such a prolific role and secondly for ensuring that they are remaining engaged and hard working in school –real character champions.
Inspiring Ryburn
Caiden M continues to travel internationally to compete in Ice Hockey, most recently a trip to Slovakia.
Caiden scored a goal in his debut against the Slovakian All-Stars, extremely impressive given that they are the home team!
Year 7, you have made a great start to the year… lets keep up the momentum next term.
~ Mrs Lowe
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Students have made great strides already and I am sure we will progress and grow throughout the year, working together and continuing to embed our school values.
Character Champions
Erin C (8.9) has really stood out as our Character Champion this term, she has a great attitude to school life and an amazing work ethic.
~ Mr Schofield
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It's our pleasure to share some highlights from this half term. Our recent drop down was a success, focussing on essential topics like mental health, healthy relationships , and consent.
During this insightful day, students engaged in meaningful discussions, workshops, and activities designed to foster understanding and empathy.
Character Champion
We are thrilled to announce that Lily C as the character champion embodying Ryburn values. Lily is regularly being recognised as a Star Performer in her lessons.
Inspiring Ryburn
Morgan H has competed at the WUKF European Championships in France, on behalf of the Amateur Martial Association Karate Team.
~ Mr Bashir
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Year 10 sports teams continue to inspire us, and our Drop Down Days have given us opportunities to develop and grow outside of our normal routines.
Character Champions
Charlotte C is our Character Champion this term, she is always smiling when helping out with Parent’s Evenings and events.
Inspiring Ryburn
Ben M competed in the Leeds Open Tennis Tournament.
Riley C-F in 10.10 is jetting of to Dubai in February to represent hi club in an international Karate competition-he really is racking up the air miles, having already been to Belgium and Mexico in previous competitions. Well done and good luck!
I’m immensely proud of Year 10, and have seen a noticeable shift in their attitude and application as they move into the final half of Year 10, they are preparing themselves well for Year 11 and the very short road to their GCSE exams!
Keep up the amazing work!
~ Mr Bradley
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Year 11 have shown fantastic maturity and ambition after coming back after the Christmas holidays. Keep up the good work.
Character Champions
Amazing work from Loelle C for supporting dance students in the school production of the Addams Family. Loelle is always striving to a part of the Ryburn community and it an excellent ambassador for the school.
Inspiring Ryburn
Patrick F has been selected to take part in the national Theatre Connections Programme with Calderdale Theatre School. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Well done Patrick!
~ Miss Platt
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Character Champions
For our Character Champions, we've chosen Max T and Lily S for their outstanding contributions as senior students. They recently presented their ideas to set up Study Hubs in the latest HODS meeting. They impressed staff by presenting clearly and in detail about how they could plan to manage and monitor the sixth forms very first Study Hub across all subjects.
Inspiring Ryburn
Oliver S plays Ruby for 1st team Rhino's youth team. Amazing work Oliver!
Jake T has been accepted for a place in the RAF. Congratulations Jake!
You find more about Ryburn Sixth in the main section of the newsletter.~ Miss Swindell
What we’ve been up to
This term has been busy with all kinds of exciting events and activities, from extra curricular excellence to spooky (and kooky) performances.
The Addams Family
Our production of the Addams Family was a smash hit, with tickets being sold out on both nights. We are immensely proud of our cast, and all of the student and staff who gave up their time for months to prepare. We couldn’t have done it without Mr Butterfield, our Head of Drama, who was an inspiration in bringing this show to life.
BOOK SPEED DATING
Book Speed Dating - Year 7 students got to experience ‘Book Speed Dating’, where students read a book for a couple of minutes before reviewing it and moving on to the next.
It was a great way to expose students to literature they wouldn’t necessarily choose if they had ‘judged a book by it’s cover’! A lesson to be learned for all of us.
Year 10 COMPUTER MUSEUM TRIP
Year 10 Computer Science students visited the North West Computer museum for their curriculum day alongside year 9.
This was a fantastic curriculum enrichment opportunity that allows students to learn about how technology has developed experiencing a tour of the museum, learning BASIC language using the BBC computers in the Education suite and also spending experiencing Virtual Reality and interacting with an AI interface.
RYBURN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
The results are back from our Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 competition. Well done to all of our amazing photographers, it was a really tough decision this year. Congratulations to our winners.
Y10 CONSTRUCTION VISIT
Wates Construction Project Director, Leigh Deakin & Lloyds Banking Group visited Year 10 Construction students to give an overview of the £65million refurbishment of Halifax HQ, a Grade II listed building in Halifax town centre.
We learned about the planning stages, the project management process and were given an overview of the roles within the management of such a large scale project.
Wates Construction are one of the biggest construction management companies in the UK, with an annual turnover of £1.8billion, what an inspiring opportunity for our Construction students! The image shows the original plans for the iconic building from 1974.
Computing in space
Our Computing club had the opportunity to have their code run in space!
Students wrote a simple program by taking readings from the colour and luminosity sensor on an Astro Pi computer on board the International Space Station, and used it to set the background colour in a personalised image for the astronauts to see as they go about their daily tasks. What an incredible opportunity!
Ryburn Sixth
Our Ryburn Sixth Charity committee raised money for The British Heart Foundation by delivering roses as part of a ‘Cupid Delivery Service”.
Year 12 students will attend the UCAS Discovery 2024 event at the Manchester Convention Centre on Tuesday 5 March where they will be able to speak to experts to help them to decide their next steps. All options will be under one roof and will include information about traditional degrees, apprenticeships, careers, and more. Students will be able to:
Chat to universities and colleges about their courses and uni life.
Speak to employers and apprenticeship providers about what an apprenticeship is like and the options available.
Speak to qualified careers advisers about their future.
Listen to talks from experts in their fields.
Hang out with our UCAS experts to get dedicated support.
Interviews for Ryburn Sixth will take place Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 March.
External applicants will be invited to Ryburn on Monday 18 March.
SPORTS
Congratulations to all the Ryburn students who took part in the Calderdale Cross Country competition this afternoon.
Everyone put in 100% and we came out with a great set of results! Special mention to the Year 7 girls who all came within the top 20 runners in Calderdale, Year 7, Beck H and Year 10, Josh C who both placed 2nd overall in Calderdale in their age categories and Ryburn Sixth student, Jayde McG who placed 1st.
The Year 9 girls rugby team played their first competitive fixtures of the year, with a number of girls making their rugby debuts. The girls dominated throughout and scored some spectacular tries to book their place in the Yorkshire Schools Tournament.
The Year 10 rugby league team continue to have success, with six of its squad deservedly signing scholarship contracts at professional academies:
Harry Sproson - Wakefield Trinity
Tom Burns - Wigan Warriors
Connor Hanson - Huddersfield Giants
Josh Cooke - Huddersfield Giants
Brady Bottomley - Warrington Wolves
Jack Ingham- Bradford Bulls
This is an outstanding achievement by an outstanding set of players. Well done lads
The squad will look to continue to dominate the Yorkshire Cup with a home quarter final tie against Colne Valley - date TBC.
Upcoming Dates:
Y9 Taster Day Tuesday 5 March
Y9 Parents Evening Wednesday 6 March
Y11 Art and Photography Exams W/C Monday 11 March
Y12 Assessment Week W/C Monday 11 March
Y10 Parents Evening Tuesday 19 March
Dance and Gym Show 21 - 22 March
Y9 Options Deadline Friday 22 March
If you have any feedback or suggestions for this newsletter, please feel free to email comms@ryburn.tlt.school
You can also keep an eye on our social media channels for more frequent updates and stories.