New Term

Thank you to everyone for returning so positively to start the new school term. Unfortunately the weather immediately plunged us in to great difficulties. I am extremely grateful to everyone for their efforts in getting to school and to our outstanding site team for keeping the school open.

The website caused difficulties on the Thursday for which I apologise, but I hope parents received the message we were open via the excellent parentmail system (sign up if you are not on this!").

It was very pleasing that so many students made it into school and I totally understand that for some it was impossible, but it is interesting that on each occasion there has been snow etc. the highest attendance has been Year 7 with Years 8, 9 and 10 not far behind (all around 80+%), where Year 11, 12 and 13 have been averaged around 60+%. Surely this should be the other way around?

With Year 11, 12 and 13 exams next week attendance is essential even if the rest of the school is closed as we are not allowed to reschedule these. The Mock result event on Wednesday was a great success and encouragement for students to achieve even better results in the summer.

This term there is a great deal going on and I wish everyone a happy and successful term and 2010.

Mr Osborne, Headteacher

Sixth Form Open Evening Presentation

It was great to see so many of you at the open evening on the 11th November. Click here to download the presentation from the main talk in the hall.

Year 13 Trip to Denmark

After a fantastic quiz night on Friday 2nd October which helped us raise some money for the trip, on the 4th October 16 Year 13 students and 2 teachers set off for Denmark, which is just to the North of Germany. This was to take part in a cultural exchange.

We were all a bit nervous about meeting our exchange partners and staying with them although
we had been in contact with them since August, but when we arrived at Billund airport we
recognised them instantly and there was no awkwardness at all! Then, we had dinner and got to
know them and their families a bit better.

On Monday, we attended their school (Ribe Katedralskole), which is one of the most prestigious
in Denmark. We experienced a day in the life of a Danish student, which was very interesting as
it was very different to our own normal school day. In the evening, there was a formal reception
at the school, and we had all helped our students and their families to prepare some Danish food
for this.

On Tuesday, we visited the island of Mondo, which we accessed through the sea on a tractor. The scenery was beautiful, and we went wading with nets to see what creatures we could find. We also learnt about life on the island and all its difficulties. In the evening, we socialised with each other and with the Danish students.

On Wednesday, we visited the Viking Museum in Ribe, where we had great fun dressing up as
Vikings. Some of us then went to Esbjerg to shop, whereas others stayed in Ribe to explore the
town further.

When we arrived back at school on Wednesday evening, we were all tired, but we all agreed that
we had had an amazing time and were all very sad to leave our new Danish friends. I speak on
behalf of everyone when I say a big thank you to Mr Solomon and Miss Richards because without them this opportunity would not have happened.

Hannah Smith, 13JT

Year 7 Basketball Shoot Out

The Year 11 college students decided to organise a tournament for Year 7. We took responsibility
for every part of the tournament. Every tutor group in Year 7 picked four boys and four girls to
compete in a basketball shoot out. Each student had 30 seconds to score as many baskets as
possible. All the tutor groups played really well and it was a very close competition.

The Results:
7RC - 8 baskets 7KG -7 baskets
7RT - 7 baskets 7NW - 8 baskets
7CA - 4 baskets 7IP - 3 baskets
7MW - 8 baskets 7TL - 4 baskets

On Thursday 1st October there was a playoff between 7RC, 7NW and 7MW. The overall winners
were 7MW. We learnt lots of skills and really enjoyed running the tournament.
By Ben Abdee, Connor Bailey, Aaron Granger, Jade Griffin, Josh Skeet and Garry Smith.

The college students were superb and showed great maturity in organising the tournament for
the Year 7 students. Well done to them all. Mrs Parsons

Black History Week - Monday 12th - Friday 16th October

Wilson Jones are celebrating Black History Week everyday next week by giving you the chance to taste some authentic African/Caribbean food.

Monday -Jollof Rice and Peas
Tuesday - Chicken Yassa
Wednesday - Jerk Beef Kebabs
Thursday - Cornbread with Curried Spinach
Friday - Jamaican Codfish Fritters

Dance Week Assembly Performances

All this week a number of students from Years 7-11 have performed in assembly to promote Dance at Hayes School. They were a shining example to their hard work and commitment to dance and extra curricular clubs. All of the dancers received excellent feedback from staff and students and have worked wonders in promoting all of the dance clubs at Hayes. Any students wanting more information about the clubs should contact Mrs Jefferies. Well Done and thank you! Mrs Jefferies

Year 10 Geography Trip North Downs

Letters will be coming home in regards to the Year 10 GCSE fieldtrip to the North Downs in May 2010. Please return the permission slip and deposit by Friday 16th October. Please ask your Geography teacher for further information.