10th February 2023
A Message from the Head...
This week saw the completion of mock exams for U5 and U6 and results from these will follow pretty quickly after half term together with valuable advice from subject staff on smart working for the remainder of the GCSE and A Level courses.
Also after half term, a second round of offers will be made to potential L6th applicants as the deadline expires for first round applicants to accept or decline their places.
This week we have seen lots of activities in school for Children's Mental Health week including the annual Prep skipping day (see the article below).
High School also enjoyed a visit from author Chris Priestley, more about which also follows in an article below.
With 5 weeks of the Spring term now behind us we can finally take a deep breath and relax for a week!
Well, some can - not the 80 pupils and 8 staff departing on the much anticipated school skiing trip which makes its return after a 2 year COVID absence though! Follow us on Twitter at @gatewaysskitrip to see what we get up to!
The trip is so large this year we are having to travel in 2 groups! The first group are due to meet in the Gateways Car Park at 1.15am - yes you read that right - 1.15am. And, as I am in that group and have yet to finish my packing, I'll sign off and wish everyone a fantastic half term - see you all on the 20th February. Resort photo from this morning below ... :-) Not bad at all!
- Dr Tracy Johnson -
Visit from author Chris Priestley
On Monday we were delighted to welcome the renowned author Chris Priestley into school. Chris presented talks to Upper 3, Lower 4 and Upper 4 pupils outlining how he writes his creepy and atmospheric tales, where his ideas come from and what elements from his childhood influence his writing.
Chris also spent a considerable amount of time signing copies of his books for individual pupils to take home to add to their own library collections, with queues snaking out through the library door at one point! Pupils very much enjoyed the chance to ask their own questions and take away a specially signed book.
The Lit Society kindly organised and hosted Chris for a delicious lunch and were able to ask more in-depth questions and exchange views on reading, books and the importance of continuing a life-long habit of reading for pleasure.
Pupils are now using Chris’ tips and inspirational ideas to create their own short stories about the events an ancient tree might have witnessed over a period of several hundred years. We are looking forward to presenting some of these intriguing stories for World Book Day in March.
- Mrs Marlene Sharrock -
Prep skipping day
As part of Children's Mental Health Week, Jodi from Skipping Schools, joined us in Prep School on Thursday for a day of skipping fun! The skipping day is designed to inspire and engage children to get active as well as building self-esteem, resilience and confidence.
Each class in Prep had a workshop with Jodi where they learned a variety of new techniques including individual skipping (double bounce, speed bounce, hopping, side swing, crossover), partner skipping and group skipping with a long rope.
We then gathered together at the end of the day to celebrate and share our skills. The children did incredibly well, and we were so proud of everyone’s efforts. Special mention to those who presented their skills in front of the school and to Mr Arnold who also joined in to show the children his super-fast skipping skills (some of the other teachers are aiming to practise and compete next year)!
It was a fantastic day enjoyed by all and it was great to see so many of the children choosing to skip outside at playtime. Keep up the super skipping everyone!
- Mrs Heather Hallam -
Pupil news
Lottie stars in Opera North's Cunning Little Vixen
Upper 2 pupil, Lottie Gray is currently appearing in Opera North’s Cunning Little Vixen at the Leeds Grand Theatre playing the part of a fox cub (pictured far right). Sir David Pountney's enchanting production was last seen at Leeds Grand Theatre 39 years ago!
After Leeds, the show then moves to Manchester on the 7th March before touring in Nottingham, Newcastle and Hull.
Lottie has been rehearsing since September and in addition to her role as a fox cub she is also the understudy for the young vixen. Well done Lottie, it sounds like a fabulous experience.
https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/the-cunning-little-vixen
Photo credit : Opera North/Tristram Kenton
Harper nominated for two Yorkshire Choice awards
Congratulation to Lower 2 pupil Harper Harding who has been nominated for two Yorkshire Choice awards : the 'Young Achiever' of the year and the 'Local Fundraiser' of the year.
This is in recognition of all of the outstanding and inspirational work Harper has accomplished over the years including her fundraising for the children on the oncology ward at Leeds General Infirmary. This year alone she managed to raise an incredible £14,000, taking her total over £50,000 for the ward and families over the last few years!
During lockdown, Harper made, decorated and delivered cupcakes to the staff and residents of care homes. She has also organised Valentine's fun runs to raise funds for the Candle Lighters charity as well as participating in Swab parties for Delete Blood Cancer for Blood Stem Cell donors in local communities to promote awareness of the need for ethnic minorities to register as donors.
These are just a few of the amazing things she has done at the age of 9! Well done Harper - we are all very proud and the nominations for these two awards are very well deserved.
If you would like to vote for Harper, please click the button below.
For more information about the awards click here
PFA Spring Chocolate Fair
Calling all junior bakers...
Applications are open for the 9th series of Junior Bake Off; a Channel 4 programme that celebrates the culinary talent and ambition of the younger generation in Britain.
They are looking for young budding bakers between 9-12 years old. Filming takes place from July 2023, but applications close on Sunday 12th March 2023.
