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...Inspiring Learners For Their Future
July 2019
Issue 166
All the latest news from The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College
www.ridgewayschool.com
2 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College
A word from the...
Principal
Dear Parents,
As the term draws to a close I would like to thank you
for your involvement in your son/daughter’s
development here at The Ridgeway.
There have been many highlights and successes this
year, too many of which to capture here.
Our Ridgeway Review for the year is currently being
compiled and will be sent out in September.
We are looking forward to celebrating students' exam
successes in August. Our Year 7-10 Achievement
Evening was a wonderful evening recognising
student progress, endeavour and personal
development.
Year 6 students had a very positive couple days of
induction and are looking forward to joining The
Ridgeway family in September.
On 21st June Year 11 had their Prom with the Year
13 Leavers Ball on the 28th June. They were both
wonderful evenings with students looking glamorous,
sophisticated and very grown up.
May I take this opportunity to wish students the very
best for their future who are moving on from The
Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College.
Please keep in touch and let us know your progress.
Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to
welcoming students back on Wednesday 4th
September.
Best Wishes
James Povoas,
Principal
www.ridgewayschool.com 3
Ridgeway Serves Up ...
MATT ADLARD PASTRY WORKSHOP...
On Monday 20th May, Year 9 and 10 took part in an exciting workshop with Matt Adlard, a
social media influencer who has cracked America in the baking world. Students learnt lots of
new skills, received some great tips for their GCSE practical’s and made delicious Mille
Feuilles with Diplomat cream and praline. Matt also demonstrated how to decorate a ‘Swiss
meringue buttercream’ drip cake. A huge well done to all students involved. Mrs Stamp
ROMAN DIETS FOR WILTSHIRE CHEF OF THE YEAR…
THE JUNIOR Congratulations to Katherine Powell in Year 10, who won
the Wiltshire Chef of the Year competition. She was
SCHOOL… given incredible praise by two Michelin starred chefs,
All three classes from Year who couldn’t believe the skills she has for her age. They
4, have enjoyed a recent visit to have highly encouraged her to take up a career within
The Ridgeway School where the catering industry.
they have had the opportunity to She will now have the chance to be mentored by one of
work in a specialist food room. these chefs’ on a regular basis in preparation for the
South West final on 5th October in Exeter.
This year group is studying the
Roman period so what more This is an amazing achievement for Katherine. She has
fitting practical work than to make worked unbelievably hard preparing for this (mum said
pizzas! that she has been making her dish every night for two
weeks).
Using bread dough that was
prepared earlier to shape the
base, the students used a TRAINING FOR FOOD TEACHERS...
multitude of toppings to create On July 4th The Ridgeway School hosted Food-A fact
their own perfect pizza. for life (FFL) twilight training session. The course was
designed to support the training needs of teachers and
Interwoven during the assistants who deliver food in secondary schools. The
sessions was the science of British Nutrition Foundation has been supporting
bread making, nutrition, maths teachers over many years by providing resources, giving
and a lot of literacy. Many willing on line and face to face training, and this occasion
helpers from our Year 10 Child proved very productive.
Development class assisted Teachers were able to work around a variety of well
during the three sessions where planned practical activities, including making cheese,
they interacted with different examining food labels and exploring healthy eating
groups and really made an ideas.
impact.
In addition teachers were able to exchange good
It is always good to welcome our practice tips with others as well as examining the
near neighbours from Wroughton excellent FFL website.
Junior School who are particularly We were very pleased that Roy Ballam for the BNF
talented cooks, if the finished travelled from London for the meeting. All that attended,
results of the pizzas were said the session had been extremely useful in
anything to go by. Mrs R Cairns giving initiative ideas for teaching in 2019/20.
Mrs R Cairns
4 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College
YEAR 8 EAT LIKE AN ATHLETE
COMPETITION...
Nineteen Year 8 students participated in the Eat
Like an Athlete cooking competition on the 12th
The Ridgeway News...
July. We had judges, Mrs Stamp, Miss Blackler,
Miss Collins and ex-student, Megan Leigh, who
were amazed by the talent of young cooks and
standard of dishes produced. Huge
congratulation to the five winners:
First place overall winner: Michael Ukpoju with
Chicken Alfredo
Second place snack: Oliver Szymor with Lemon
Tarts
Second place meal: Jack Tatem with Steak and
Mushroom Sauce
Third place snack: Daisy Allen with Savoury
Muffins
Third place meal: Lewis Gurr with Chorizo Chilli
Well done to all students involved!
Mrs Stamp
FAME VIP CANAPÉ EVENT…
Year 9 and Year 10 students prepared, cooked and served canapés to our VIP guests before
the production of Fame on Thursday 11th July. These students had previously planned their
canapés in Food and Catering lessons and were voted to cook their chosen dishes at the
event. On the evening, these talented students worked hard to prepare each canapé with
support from their chosen sous chef and served these to our guests whilst experiencing what
life is like in a professional kitchen.
A huge well done to the following students for your hard work, creativity and ability to stay
calm under pressure:
Head chefs- Grace Stuart-Brown, Freddie Winters, Maisy Williams, Guy Vickery, Jacob
Canfer-Smith, Daniel Ready and Luke Pancott
Sous chefs- Chelsea Gordon, Owen Wilson, Nicole Tarrant, Abie Blackmore, Ethan Emmett,
Skye Lamb and Charlotte Price. Mrs Stamp
www.ridgewayschool.com 5
SUMMER PIC ‘N’ MIX…
It is the summer pic ‘n’ mix pack selection
for our term 6 Accelerated Reader
competition winners. Student: Miss, is it
LRC News...
really one item from each pile to put in the
bag? Librarian: Yes, it is really is!
Congratulation to the 20 winners.
Mrs S Day
READING IN THE COMMUNITY…
Year 10 Child Care and Development students
have being doing a fabulous job reading regularly
to the toddlers at Tick Tock Nursery. Giving up
their lunchtime to do so, Charlotte the nursery
manager has been so impressed with their
attitude and commitment that she has offered
volunteering positions to our students over the
summer holidays. Mrs S Day
6 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College
GR8 BOOK DEBATE FINALE... been hard to me a mother to a black son and
to watch him (even as an adult) experience the
After reading 5 books over several months, effects of persistent racism in America. My
aided along the way by break time biscuits, our son advocates for social justice and with my
year 8 book club students were joined by the writing, so do I.
LRC News...
team from LPA for the Finale of The Gr8 Book
Debate. The students were opinionated, and It was extremely painful writing GHOST BOYS
critiqued everything from the cover, the blurb, and for about a year afterwards, I was deeply
the plot, character development and everything depressed. But as schools and students
in between. The joint winning titles are both started reaching out to me to say they've had
fabulous, thought provoking, contemporary significant conversations about prejudice, my
reads that will stand the test of time. Thank you spirit has lifted. I write so youth can have "safe
to BookTrust for providing the books and for spaces" to discuss real life. You are all
Joel Crowley, Programme Coordinator for so smart, brave, and empathetic. Being
joining us for the debate. independent, critical thinkers, you, like Sarah,
can reject biased adult beliefs.
From the author of Boy 87 Ele Fountain –
I was shocked when Jerome didn't leave the
Dear students, story once he figured out that he was meant to
Well done GR8 Debaters – you’re almost "bear witness" like all the other ghost
there! boys. When he (in effect) told Sarah that she
I’m so impressed by your enthusiasm and could condemn her father's actions but still
dedication. Reading five books is a challenge. love him--I was bowled over by his
Reading and critiquing five books takes that compassion. (I'm not sure personally that I
challenge to a whole new level. It requires a could have done the same!) But, you see,
deep understanding of every element of the Jerome was modelled after YOU--students like
book, to develop opinions, and courage to YOU--and his words "Only the living can make
share and defend those opinions. It requires an the world better. Live and make it better" is the
open mind to change those opinions in the wisdom that I've gained from today's youth.
face of compelling argument. I will be in the UK next year but, oh, how I wish
Enthusiasm, dedication, courage and an open I was with you RIGHT NOW. Please know that
mind are great assets, and watching how I will be with you in spirit ---heralding, cheering
you’ve engaged with books and reading will you all on as you discuss books. What a gift---
inspire others to do the same. Thanks to Nicola Brown and Sarah Day for
Congratulations! Whichever book wins the reaching out to me and organizing your
most votes, you are the true winners. I hope debate.
you all feel very proud! Stay passionate! Stay brilliant! Always
Kind regards, believe: YOUR generation is POWERFUL.
Ele
Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes
From the author of Ghost Boys, Jewell Parker Founding Artistic Director, Virginia G. Piper
Rhodes – Center for Creative Writing
Endowed Chair, Virginia G. Piper Center for
Dear Students, Creative Writing
I am so honoured that GHOST BOYS is one of Professor of Narrative Studies
the five books being discussed. It's thrilling to College of Integrative Sciences and Arts,
have Jerome, Carlos, Sarah, and Emmett be and Liberal Arts and Sciences
out in the world sparking and inspiring Arizona State University.
conversations. Racism and racial bias must
end! I do believe that young people like you
are going "to be the change agents" the world
needs.
My generation has made progress but not
enough. I was an infant when Emmett Till was
murdered but every year thereafter on the
anniversary of his death, magazines would
arrive showing images of him alive and
dead. Now as a grandmother, I am still living
in a world the criminalizes the innocence of
black youth. This is so disturbing. It has also
www.ridgewayschool.com 7
THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK ENGLISH WORKSHOP...
DONATION... HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD WITH
Thank you very much to the family who donated THEIR GCSE ENGLISH? WORKSHOP…
a bag of books to the LRC. Super sleuths that On Thursday 20th June the English Faculty
LRC News...
we are, we were not able to identify the donor to staged a workshop for parents and carers.
say thank you personally. There’s not even a The purpose of this session was to provide
pencilled in name in the front of any of them! “take away” strategies to support students in
These books are in excellent condition, are preparing for the demands of the English
really popular texts and will be very well used. GCSE exam.
We are always happy to receive donations of It was a vibrant and interactive evening and
books in good as new condition, especially a pleasure to work so closely with parents/
biographies, autobiographies, and current carers. Mrs H Siebenaller
young adult fiction books.
So feel free to have a spring clear out safe in WELLBEING BOOKS…
the knowledge that your donation will be
gratefully received. We have plenty of books in the Wellbeing
Mrs S Day section of the LRC; these are just a few. If
any student needs to take a minute before
school, break or lunch, there are plenty of
seats in the sun for a moment of quiet
reflection and to gather their thoughts.
LRC LATE BREAKFAST…
YEAR 6S BECOME LITERACY
DETECTIVES… Last month in the LRC we had a slightly late
This week we welcomed our Year 6 students breakfast at break-time with the winners
to Ridgeway as they visited for their two of our “Read Around Europe”
induction days. Every student received a competition. These are students who were
literacy pack from the English department, to picked out each week from the prize draw,
help them undertake their role as a literacy which they could enter if they read and
detective. The activities are designed to passed a quiz on a book within their reading
foster a genuine enjoyment of reading, and to level. Bonus entries were given if the book
extend levels of had a theme of travel or alternative cultures.
reading over the We munched our way through croissants,
summer holiday. French bread and doughnuts. No proper
We look forward to coffee unfortunately – orange juice and hot
seeing their work in chocolate were deemed suitable alternatives.
the September and Mrs S K Tonkin
hope they enjoy
performing their SWINDON MATHS LEAGUE
tasks as a literacy
detective.
WINNERS...
A Huge well done to Lucy Walker, Jamie
Mrs H Siebenaller Sheppard, Abdelrahman Mahmoud and Eleri
Owen for winning the Swindon Maths
League. They worked excellently as a team
to solve some really complex problems and
showed what an asset they are to the
8 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College school. Mr L Carney
SPORTS DAY 2019...
PE News...
Wednesday 17th July was our events for Year 7 – 10. All into applause to support and
Year 7-12 sports day, following students were requested to get
encourage those competing
on from our field event day themselves involved in at least
regardless of the position and
earlier this term. All students two events in the afternoon.the new house banners that
came to school in their PE kit Races included: 800m, 60m, were paraded up and down the
and we had a wonderful sea of 100m, 200m, 8x50m, and we track. The atmosphere was so
blue around the building! Each finished with the most supportive, genuine and
year group spent a lesson in anticipated and competitive encouraged those not so
the morning participating in a event of the day the 4x100m!confident to get involved, and
variety of activities. We had Amazingly with over 1200 that’s what it is all about!
the brilliant cheerleading and students out on the track weThank you all for a memorable
football golf which were new ran to time perfectly. It was a
way to finish the school year
activities this year providing fantastic day where once again
and a huge Thank you to the
students with new experiences staff were reminded how Year 12 BTEC Sport students
and a taste of alternative supportive and brilliant ourwho were in charge on
activities. Other morning students are with a standingplanning the day as part of
activities included, Question of ovation for both the staff relay
their course. The effort and
Sport quizzes, watching the and the final 4 X 100m. hard work put into the planning
class ‘Might Ducks’ film and and implementation of event
the Year 9 & 10 students Results are announced in the really paid off and made it an
designed and created their extra special occasion. (Thank
final whole year group
own Rugby World Cup Strips! assembly. – 1st Silbury, 2nd – you Todd Burroughs, Max
Meanwhile the Year 12 Simons, Charles Grayson, Ben
Avebury, 3rd – Barbury and
students took part in the quiz, Hacker, Cameron Harvey and
4th – Kennet. I would like to
team building activities And the support of HSLA students
thank the students for their
their own traditional Sports on the day).
efforts on the day and to the
Day. excellent staff who all helped
in making yet another We look forward to 2019/20
Wayne and the brilliant successful day filled with with many more whole school
catering team ran a very brilliant memories for students house and PE events.
successful BBQ at lunch for to take away with them. My
the whole school – many personal highlight were the Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
thanks to them. Then, we were numerous times that our
into the main event, the track students spontaneously burst
www.ridgewayschool.com 179
CONGRATULATIONS ZOE…
Zoe took up the sport of lawn bowls about 18
months ago. It is one of those sports that
doesn't get anywhere near as much attention
PE News...
as it should in the media (you'd be surprised
how many young people are now playing!).
At the end of February, the finals of the
Wiltshire Indoor EBYDS (English Bowls Youth
Development Scheme) were held in Salisbury.
The bowlers were split into Seniors and
Juniors to play a round robin competition in the
morning and undertake four skills tests in the
afternoon. Each event was marked with the YEAR 9 ROUNDERS…
totals added to find the winners in each Congratulations to the Year 9 rounders team who
section. Zoe won the Junior Section. won their match against Dorcan this week. The
Zoe also reached and played in the final of an score was 12 – 4. A great game in the session
with the team work really well together to get a
indoor mixed pairs competition at her home
fantastic outcome. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
club in Old Town. She played very well and
although she and her partner didn't quite pick
CONGRATULATIONS...
up the winner’s trophy on this occasion, she
We would like to pass on our congratulation to
should be very proud of her achievement in Euan McMeekan who has obtained his second
getting to the final and coming runner-up. degree Black Belt in TaeKwon Do. Fabulous
Zoe has now played in the regional achievement. We look forward to following his
success.
competition. She played very well and came
2nd in the junior section. This means she is in
the top two and will now be representing the SOUTH WEST ATHLETICS…
county at the national finals in the autumn. A Huge congratulations to the following
She is the only Wiltshire finalist. students who represented Ridgeway and
Wiltshire in the South West Athletics; Josh
An amazing achievement of which she's Ricketts, Harry Ricketts, Hannah New, Ayla
justifiably proud, as are we! Tonkin and Frank Harrison. It was a great
Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn event with students all pushing themselves
to compete amongst the best in the South
CONGRATULATIONS TO AYLA West.
Congratulations to Ayla who took a Bronze The stand out performance came from Josh
medal in the South West Inter – Counties Ricketts who came first in the hammer throw,
Athletics. Ayla has been working hard to with a throw of 52.85m and second in the
tackle a new challenge of the 1500m shot put with a massive personal best of
steeplechase and the commitment and 14.89m. This now places Josh in the top ten
endeavour is clearly paying off. in the country for his age group and he has
been selected to attend the National English
Schools Competition. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
This is a
fantastic
achievement
and we look
forward to
seeing Ayla
progress and
be able to use
these fantastic
results for her
GCSE PE
practical grade.
10 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegePE News...
SWINDON COLLEGE DAY…
On Wednesday 12th June, ten Year 8 Sports Leaders
that have already impressed with their sports leader
application forms travelled to Swindon College for a
Swindon schools sports tournament hosted by Swindon
College’s level 3 BTEC Sports students. They took part
in football, handball, basketball and dodge-ball, but the
overall objective was for the Year 8 sports students to
BRINGING THE GOLD see the planning, confidence and leadership skills
HOME FOR THE SECOND demonstrated by the 18 to 20 year olds. Joseph Liston
wrote the following evaluation and reflection of the day:
TIME…
Rebecca is a Ridgeway Leisure Centre "I thought the coaching for all of the sports was good as
employee and ex Ridgeway Student. the coaches where always encouraging and helping
out, they were also funny. I thought the event was well
Rebecca is a member of Team England
organised. Personally I thought football was the best
Paracheer Freestyle Pom. They have
activity as the coaching and refereeing was really
been World Champions 2017/18 and good."
2018/19.
Mr M Wakefield
It has been yet another golden year for
Team England in the ParaCheer
division of the International Cheer Union CONGRATULATIONS…
(ICU) World Championships. With the Congratulations to Billy who
ICU World Championships being held came sixth overall in the ALL
so close to Disney World there was only BRITISH Motocross meeting at
one choice for the team to celebrate- a the weekend in round three of
trip to Hollywood studios. this seasons events. We wish
Billy luck for the rest of the
season. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
SOUTH WEST
CHAMPIONSHIPS..
Freya represented
Wiltshire yesterday at
Exeter in the South West
Inter-Counties
Championships.
She grabbed Gold in the
U13G 1500m which she
has been working hard at
all season.
Well Done Freya.
Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
www.ridgewayschool.com 11The Ridgeway Trips...
GCSE GEOGRAPHY TRIP… management to Bournemouth’s economy.
On Thursday 23rd May, a lovely sunny day, We then spent time evaluating the transport
125 Year 10 students made their way to management in the town centre.
Bournemouth to complete their Geography Students completed traffic counts and asked
fieldwork. Students assessed the effectiveness their surveys to members of the general public
of the coastal management improvements that confidently. It was an amazing day, students
are costing upwards of £50 million. represented the school extremely well and
The student’s teamwork was impeccable, they collected a lot of useful data which will help
were extremely accurate when measuring them immensely with their GCSE exams.
groyne drop-heights and spent time Thank you to all the staff and students
considering the importance of the coastal involved. Miss A Curtis-Slater
BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM
TRIP…
On Tuesday the 16th, History took 117 Year 8
students to the Black Country Museum in Dudley.
The students have been looking at the Industrial
Revolution, and this gave students a chance to
get a sense of what life was like in this era.
Students were given a tour around the living
museum, which included a trip to the General
Store and a chance to see a chain making
demonstration. Students experienced a trip into
the coal mine and some had a hearty lunch of
drippin’ fish and chips!! Miss J Guilliford
12 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeBRISTOL ZOO
TRIP…
Arts News...
On Thursday 4th July, the
Science Department took year ‘WHERE IS THE LOVE?’ WHF ARTS FESTIVAL
7 to Bristol Zoo. Reviews 2019…
included:
Five stars: Best school trip
EVER!
Students were able to wander
around the zoo at their own
pace with their friends, watch
the gorillas being fed with a
talk from the zoo keepers,
race each other and compare
their speeds to cheetahs, as
well as seeing all the little
animals the zoo has to offer.
The education session taught
them about ecosystems, how
we affect them and how we
can protect them – and
students were even given the
opportunity to hold snakes,
lizards and cockroaches!
Here is Jacob Sweet to tell
you about the day from a
student’s point of view. On Wednesday we took nine Year 7 students to the WHF Arts
Festival. They truly were a credit to Ridgeway, and really got into the
My Trip to Bristol Zoo. experience of the festival.
When we got there we were Their interaction with other school students in the federation was
allowed to roam around for at exemplary; they were kind, courteous and polite to all students and
least 10 minutes then we staff who spoke to them. They all got stuck into the workshops,
would meet up at the creating some great Samba Rhythms as well as creating a car made
aquarium and we would from recycled materials!
explore fish, and many more
animals, then we got to hold a We had to give an award for the student who participated in the
cockroach and that got a bit festival with the best spirit, and this award went to Charlotte Collins
crazy… they were crawling (7S2). She received an art pack for her efforts full of materials for her
everywhere! They were falling to use in her own artwork. Mr S Millard
out of people’s hands and
people were screaming and it
was all chaos!
Then we had lunch we could
eat where we wanted. We
also did activities like: How
long can you hold your
breath?, How long can you
stand on one leg? How fast
can you run? How long can
you jump? Then we had a talk
about animals then we went to
the gift shop and then we got
on the bus ready to go home.
Miss L Donaldson
www.ridgewayschool.com 13OUR AMAZING TALENTED ART STUDENTS…
We have been so incredibly blown away by how our amazingly talented and creative students
pulled all of the set and props together for the school production of Fame last week!!! We have
had so many amazing comments to say how professional it looked. A massive thank you to all
of the students involved in KS3, 4 and 5! A special thank you to our Year 12 artists who have
Creative & Performing Arts News...
worked tirelessly for months on designing and creating the set and props. Also to Hollie
Zaccaro, Marianne Stubbs, Ellie Easter, Brad Guilhem & Sofia Field in Year 11 who came back
in to school and gave up their summer holiday to help out. I feel very lucky to work with such
inspirational students!!!! Mrs H Watts
ART AND DESIGN EXHIBITION…
Wow! Wow! Wow! What an amazing display from our talented
Art and Design students. The hall was buzzing with students,
parents and guests admiring the variety of talents from the
students of The Ridgeway School. Well done to them all!
14 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeWell as the smell of the grease paint subsides
and a millions pairs of leg warmers are
consigned to black bags, “FAME” has become a
slightly hazy, but very pleasant memory.
It was an eventful journey, staring with auditions
where we felt a bit like the entire school fancied
themselves as ‘Carmen’, then cast list up and
we started preparing a teaser for The Christmas
Showcase, weekly rehearsals followed, then
weekends, then daily, then “any moment we
could find” rehearsals. We’ve had rehearsals
where we’ve struggled to actually fit the cast in
the Drama Studios, we’ve had many crises of
confidence (from all of us!), we’ve had cast with
no voices, directors with no voices, dancers on
crutches, the odd tantrum, quite a lot of tears…
in fact we’ve had a lot of everything but mostly
we’ve had an incredible journey with the most
talented and motivated group of young people
you could wish to work with and the end results
really proved what hard work, team spirit and a
few threats can achieve!
So for now it’s nearly time for some rest and
relaxation. We will attempt to remove the song
lyrics that are still ringing in our heads, re-charge
our depleted batteries and we will return in
September refreshed and ready to greet some
lovely new performers, welcome back those
familiar faces, launch into the next round of
auditions and All that Jazz…
Mrs S Hodge and Mrs R Jankinson
www.ridgewayschool.com 15A FANTASTIC AND BUSY FINAL The Year 9 day was all about promoting a
better understanding of healthy living. After a
IMMERSION DAY OF THE morning of smoothie making and brain
YEAR... training, students spent the afternoon outside
playing team games.
Year 7 spent the day learning about
relationships, body changes and healthy living.
Immersion Day...
They created role plays and took part lots of
topic based discussions.
Year 10 spent the day in the maths
department. From understanding payslips, to
finding the best mobile phone deal, to finding
out the costs of learning to drive, students took
part in multiple activities teaching them all
about personal finances.
While most of Year 8 were on a trip to the
Science Museum, those staying behind spent
the day learning about water conservation and
were set the task of building a working water
wheel for a Nepalese village using only limited
resources.
The Year 12 progression day provided
students with a fantastic opportunity think
about their next steps. The day included
external speakers and subject specific advice.
16 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College Mrs R AdamsWILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE...
The Ridgeway News...
In May, representatives of the Wiltshire Air decided to make a donation.
Ambulance service visited our school to accept Mrs J Meredith, Faculty Leader of Humanities
a donation of £250. The money was raised by and Social Sciences, said: “It was so selfless
our generous students and staff to support this of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to deliver these
valuable public service and the vital work they training sessions for free. Our students learned
do. life-saving skills and thoroughly enjoyed the
It was the Air Ambulance service’s second visit sessions, so we felt we had to give something
to our school this year, after recently delivering back. Students and staff agreed that raising
a first aid session to our Year 10 students. money to make a donation was a great way to
Their visit thrilled our students and gave them show our appreciation, and we are proud to
an extremely valuable lesson in assisting have raised £250 to support their amazing
people with injuries. work."
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance staff kindly It was great to welcome the Wiltshire Air
conducted the session completely free of Ambulance back to our school, and we were
charge — whereas other providers charge a delighted to raise £250, which will go toward
set fee for the course. In order to thank them sustaining their crucial, life-saving work.
for their generosity, our students and staff Mrs J Meredith
THE HUB STUDENTS SEN STUDENTS CELEBRATE A YEAR OF
HARD WORK…
On Wednesday 10th July, we held our Hub celebration BBQ. The BBQ was to celebrate all
our hard working SEN students at Ridgeway; to celebrate their resilience and tenacity. We
had some fantastic rounders games, we had games such as apple bobbing, Jenga and
tin-can alley. The apple bobbing is always a huge hit with students who begin by timidly trying
to get an apple and by the end of the afternoon; they are fearlessly dipping their heads in the
water! Everyone enjoyed some BBQ food and some well-earned relaxation and bonding time.
Thanks to all the SEN staff for running this event, especially Miss Ornov and Miss Chadwick.
We look forward to another rewarding year next year and wish you all a wonderful summer
holiday break. Mrs D Deery
www.ridgewayschool.com 17Farewell to Year 11...
Year 11 enjoyed a memorable day on Friday 10th
May to celebrate their Year 11 leavers. Students
enjoyed a full sit down meal provided by Wayne
our school caterer, where they enjoyed Nando’s
style chicken and chips followed by an array of
doughnuts. It was a squeeze fitting them all in but
great to see students socialising in their mentor
groups and being served lunch by their mentors.
Once the meal had finished the Year 11s were
asked to leave to take a group photo.
terms certificates were followed by some fantastic
and hilarious year book awards.
Then came the staff video with an Avengers theme
which caused much hilarity for the students and
some embarrassment for the staff. Then came the
emotion with students receiving emotive and
heartfelt letters from home which gave our
students the encouragement they deserve for their
exam chapter. It was a fantastic day to celebrate
as a year group and as a family as some of the
students finish their Ridgeway journey whilst
others look forward to returning in September.
Unbeknown to them the whole school was out on
blue court waiting to cheer them across to the
back field in a Ridgeway first line-up. Years 7 – 10
clapped students and wished them congratulations
and good luck for their final exams. This was
followed by a whole year group photo from the
skies with the drone. Into the final assembly we
went through a sea of emotions from laughter to
tears. Messages from staff and student of the
18 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeYEAR 11 LEAVERS PROM…
On Friday 21st June Year 11 students had their final
farewell at The Year 11 Prom at STEAM museum. 202
students and 60 staff attended and enjoyed an
LRC News...
evening of celebrations, well wishes and lots of
dancing. The students looked fantastic and arrived in
style in their formal wear. Transport included a yellow
mustang, The Ridgeway School minibus, the famous
Swindon 153 bus and even an ice-cream van. Awards
were given out to those with the most nominations for
best-dressed boy and girl and the Prom King and
Queen. It was great to have all students together for
one last time and a great evening was had by all.
ARRIVING IN STYLE…
Nineteen students decided they have come
to school for the last five years on the bus,
and it would be perfect for their trip to the
prom on the same bus.
They approached Swindon Bus Company
and with the bus driver, Chris Pullen
volunteering his time, the company said yes.
Chris has been driving students to The
Ridgeway for the last 12 years and he was
delighted when he was asked to drive the
students to Prom.
All the students contributed and raised
£160, which has been donated to Prospect
Hospice.
www.ridgewayschool.com 19MFL News...
YEAR 5 LANGUAGES DAY whether to make a poster, choreograph a
performance or build a replica of a famous
The Day had been an amazing experience and foreign building or landmark.
everyone had a great time. At the beginning
we were assigned groups and throughout the There were lots of great contributions such as
day we learnt the story of Goldilocks and the multiple Eiffel towers, the Brandenburg gate
Three Bears in French, Spanish, German and and fact files about Italy. However in the end,
Portuguese. a hilarious performance of Goldilocks and the
Three Bears by some of the students won the
We did fun activities such as snakes and prize of “€2000” (fake money). All in all
ladders, find the odd one out and some of the everyone had a wonderful time and it was
languages leaders performed the story in massive success as well as an enjoyable
German. After lunch, there was a competition experience for the language leaders.
in the hall and the Year 5s could choose Mr J Robertson
20 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeMFL News...
GERMAN EXCHANGE VISIT… school in another country, where another
On the 8th of June a group of thirty Year 9 and language is spoken. Everyone from The
10 students set out for Frankfurt to take part in Ridgeway School coped admirably making lots
the first school exchange between our school of new friends and speaking German along the
and Kopernikusschule. They spent five days in way. They should all feel really proud of
sunny Germany taking in some famous tourist themselves.
attractions, but also going to school with As well as the delicious food, students enjoyed
German partner students and taking part in visits to medieval Gelnhausen, Frankfurt old
their lessons. town, the zoo and much more. We very much
The students themselves deserve a lot of hope that this will be the first of many
credit, as it takes a bit of courage to put exchange visits between our two schools.
yourself in a situation where you have to go to Mr J Robertson
VISIT FROM
JAPANESE
TEACHERS…
On Monday 29th April we had
a visit from twelve Japanese
teachers, who came in to work
with Year 9 Language
Leaders. Students were
dressed in traditional kimono
costumes, practised eating
with chopsticks, learned to
paint traditional Japanese
character and wore Kibuki
theatre masks. See some of
our wonderful photographs in
the gallery below.
It was a wonderful and
exciting experience that made
students want to travel to
Japan and experience more.
The Language Leaders are a
big group of forty students this
year, which meets every
Thursday and they have been
fantastic ambassadors in
school and real advocates of
language learning. Well done
to you all.
Mr J Robertson
www.ridgewayschool.com 21MEET THE NEW R6 LEADERSHIP TEAM…
Head Girl – Sky Shortridge
R6 News...
Hello, my name is Skye and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to
become head girl. I have been at the Ridgeway School since year 7, and
am approaching my 7th and final year at the school and am excited to see
what this final year brings. During these teenage years I changed and
developed massively in my confidence and work ethic, with the assis-
tance of the endless opportunities and positive atmosphere which the
school has provided me. I am honoured to now have the opportunity to
participate in creating this same atmosphere for other students, and hope
my ideas can have a positive impact. I am currently studying history, poli-
tics and maths and hope to attend university to study politics further.
Deputy Head Girl – Emily smith
Hi, I’m Emily and I am Deputy Head Girl of The Ridgeway School; I have
attended the school for the last six years, and now heading into my final
year, I’m extremely honoured to be a part of the Student Leadership
Team. I study English Literature, Geography and Psychology at A-level,
and also love to get involved with PE and intervention sessions for other
year groups. From gallivanting around in rural Ecuador to playing round-
ers matches with my peers, I’m grateful for every experience Ridgeway
has offered me and now strive to encourage younger years to do the
same. Although Year 13 will prove to be challenging, I’m determined to
make it the best one yet!
Head Boy – Max Allen
I have been at Ridgeway all the way through since year 7 and being cho-
sen to be Head Boy is an opportunity, I am very honoured to have been
given. I will grasp the opportunity with both hands and aim to give back
as much as I can to the school that has helped me so much along the
way. I am delighted to have such an amazing student leadership to
spend the next year working alongside helping with all things school and
6th form related. A-Levels are a very challenging time for everyone, and I
will strive to make everyone’s time at the R6 as enjoyable and rewarding
as possible. In terms of A-Levels I am studying Physics, History and
Maths as well as a BTEC in Music Technology with the end goal being
joining the RAF as a Pilot or Weapons Systems Officer.
Deputy Head Boy – Harry Lowe
Since joining Ridgeway in Year 7, I have always been extremely grateful
for all of the opportunities to develop new skills and gain new experienc-
es that it offers the students. I believe that these opportunities for posi-
tions of responsibility have prepared me well to fulfil this new role. I am
honoured to represent the students as Deputy Head Boy and greatly ap-
preciate the opportunity to give back to the school, as it has done so
much for me. I look forward to working with the Leadership Team to help
improve the School and the Sixth Form, ensuring every student’s voice is
heard. I have many ideas in how we can do this, involving the develop-
ment of R6 Committees & Events and the transition period of Year 11 in-
to 12. I am currently studying Maths, Chemistry and Biology with the
hope of going on to study Medicine at university.
22 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeYEAR 13 PROM…
On Friday 28th June, we all said goodbye in
style to our Year 13 students. Over the last few
weeks the students have all studied and
revised so hard, so it was lovely to see them
relax and enjoy themselves.
The ball was in Chiseldon House, and the
sunny June weather meant that we could make
full use of the grounds. Both teachers and
students danced the night away and it was a
perfect last hurrah for everyone.
The next time we will all see each other again
will be on results day, Thursday 16th August,
and we wish all the students the best of luck,
and hope they get to the destinations they want
to. Miss E Launchbury
www.ridgewayschool.com 23THE RIDGEWAY SCHOOL
PROMOTES...
Dementia Awareness The Ridgeway School
and Sixth Form College is the first secondary
Other News...
school in Swindon to invite us to give a
Dementia Friends assembly to Year 7 pupils.
Standing in front of over 300 Year 7s was
daunting, but the pupils were great, they
listened and concentrated on what we were
saying. Our presentation was shortened to
meet the school timings and adapted to make HOUSE REWARD TRIP…
it age appropriate and interactive. The pupils In July the House team took 96 students to
engaged well and responded to our questions Thorpe Park for their end-of-year reward trip.
thoughtfully, showing a clear understanding. The weather was looking dicey on the way
They had a range of impressive and mature there but the sun soon broke through the
questions for us too. clouds and the sun was shining all day –
A week after the session, we delivered action ideal for drying off after getting drenched on
slips for the pupils and Dementia Friends the log flumes!
badges. The action slips were optional for The students were far braver than us
them to fill in but the pupils were keen to teachers and we were egged on by Year 7 to
complete them. try the 0 – 80 mph in 1 second rollercoaster
We are looking for more schools, primary and – terrifying! Safe to say those students are
secondary, to contact us about having a far braver than I.
Dementia Friends assembly, or classroom The students did themselves proud and
sessions. Many of the pupils we have met behaved beautifully throughout the day – I
know someone living with dementia, and it’s was very proud of them all.
important to educate young people so it raises Miss L Donaldson
awareness and reduces the fear and stigma
of dementia within our communities.
Please HOUSE NEWS…
contact: susan.lambert@swindon.gov.uk , Term 5 and 6 has been exciting for our
Dementia Friendly Coordinator, if you would students as we have all taken part in the
like to discuss this further or arrange a annual Sunflower Competition with each
session. mentor group received a seed and plant pot
and some soil. Each group had a free rein
on how they wanted to nurture and grow
CALLING ALL UNIFORM & their sunflower and we had some fantastic
EQUIPMENT… results.
If you have any of the following items in good, Congratulations to the winning mentor
clean condition, would you please consider groups who have received a Pizza
donating them to the school? We are always celebration lunch as a reward for all of their
in need of these items. You would be hard work.
surprised how many trousers are split and 10A2 - 9S2 - 8B2 - 7K1
uniform spoilt during the day! The staff prize goes to Miss Blackler.
Students were also asked to create a guide
All school uniform on how to grow and look after the perfect
sunflower. The winners of the sunflower
PE Kit guides were:
Scientific Calculators 10S1 and 7S1
Pencil cases and equipment, you no longer A huge congratulations
need to all students who
took part and show
Thank you for your help with this. Please fantastic teamwork
contact Sarah Hill on 01793 846111 if you and leadership skills.
have any questions.
Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
Mrs S Hill
24 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form CollegeEXTERNAL EXAMINERS AT THE RIDGEWAY SCHOOL AND
SIXTH FORM COLLEGE...
It’s at this time of year, when students GCSE and A level students have left and completed
their exams, that everyone perhaps takes a moment to breathe. Consider however, the many
Other News...
external examiners in the school for whom this is the busiest time of the year. Not only are
these external examiners able to use their expertise to support students and develop staff
throughout the year, they are integral to ensuring accurate results for students all over the
country on results day in August. Huge shout out to them! Mrs F Williams
Gina Moody: OCR GCSE Economics. Examiner / Team Leader.
Ruth Davies: AQA English Language Paper 1
Megan Humphries: AQA English language paper 2
John Robertson: AQA GCSE French, AQA French and German A level
Grant Mitchel: OCR GCSE Computer Science: Paper 2 - Algorithms & Programming
Helen Buttery: History Pearson (Edexcel), Politics Pearson (Edexcel)
Shanti Francis: A level Statistics for Cambridge International.
Josie Meredith: AQA GCSE Geography
Dawn Blackler: Assistant Principal Moderator GCSE PE (AQA), Assistant Principal Examiner
GCSE PE Paper 2 (AQA)
Fiona Williams: Senior Marker GPS (Pearson), A level English Cambridge International,
Assistant Principal Examiner AQA English paper 1
Georgina Albrook-Dunn PE paper 2 for AQA GCSE.
Sarah Stewart: GCSE Religious Studies - Islam for AQA
Jess Mowat: AQA GCSE 8035 Paper 1 this year for Geography
Helen Buttery: Pearson(Edexcel) as an Examiner for both A Level History and A level Politics
Inga Beaurain: Edexcel 1FR0_4H which is the French Higher writing paper
PARENT GOVERNOR VACANCY…
We presently have a vacancy on the Local
Governing Body (LGB) and we would welcome
parents of students at Ridgeway School and Sixth
Form College to express an interest in joining us.
The LGB plays a central role in the management
of the academy, with its main aims to drive up
standards of achievement for all students and to
make sure that resources are used well to give
every student the best possible education.
The LGB is made up of a mixture of staff, parents,
and co-opted governors to provide a balance of
skills, expertise, and stakeholder representation.
For example, parent governors are vital to the
LGB as they ensure that highest priority is given
to the concerns and issues which are most
important to our parents and ensure that the LGB
is kept in close touch with parent opinion.
More information can be found on the LGB pages
on the school website https://
www.ridgewayschool.com/about/local-governing-
body or contact can be made with the Chair of
Governors by email
Governors@ridgewayschool.com to find out
more about the role. The recruitment process will
begin in Term 1 of the new school year .
www.ridgewayschool.com 25CONGRATULATIONS TO LEAH…
A huge congratulations to Leah Hearn who spoke in front
of a hundred students and parents from across Swindon
as part of her completing her Villiers Park programme.
Other news...
Lean has taken part in the Villiers Park programme for the
Every year thousands of animals last two years and has held an employee event where a
suffer from neglect, cruelty and local district nurse came into
abuse. With your help, we can school to speak to and inspire
end their misery. RSPCA rely on younger students, mentoring with
voluntary fundraising and a team leader from Villiers Park.
donations to carry out our vital She also attended the residential
work. Thank you for your trip to Oxford University and has
donation of £311.79. It is now
already on its way to changing set her sights on her post 16
an animal’s life. accomplishments. We were
extremely proud of Leah and
her confidence and passion
throughout her speech.
Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn
GREATWOOD PRESENTATION DAY…
Each Tuesday morning for eight weeks, a group of six
students from Ridgeway ASC and SEN set off for a
Confidence-buliding course at Greatwood, near
Thank you so much to
Marlborough; a charity set up to look after retired
The Ridgeway School & Sixth
racehorses that also runs educational courses. The
Form College, thank you for your
course involved learning how to respect, care for and
£261.44.
interact with animals of all sizes. Ridgeway students
Your donation will help
learned how to muck out horse stalls and groom Shetland
Macmillan to be there for people
ponies. They became confident at rounding up and
living with cancer and their
performing health-check on chickens and goats. They led
families, giving them all sorts of
full-sized retired racehorses around the exercise enclosure
support when they need us
and had a go the “Equicisers” on which jockeys train to
most. This could be anything
ride racehorses. For autistic students unfamiliar with farm
from a chat with someone who
animals and horses this was a huge challenge to which all
understands, to providing expert
rose brilliantly! Having had the relevance of the written
cancer information they can
work instilled during face-to-face interactions with the
trust.
animals concerned, no student failed to complete their
workbooks to show their understanding of animal welfare
and every Ridgeway student passed the course. At the
presentation day, each student went forward to collect
their certificate with proud parents watching
on. Afterwards, parents and students had the opportunity
to go and greet some of the horses in the stables where
elderflower cordial drinks were being served along with
cakes. A local ice cream van turned up, providing
“complementary ice creams”, which provided a great
Many thanks from all the staff at
opportunity for vocabulary building (What? It means
Wiltshire Mind for your kind
free?). There was also an opportunity for a Ridgeway staff
donation of £261.44.
member to give a short speech summing up the benefits
Wiltshire Mind is a Mental
of the course, which was
Health Charity providing much
very well received. The
needed services to mental
presentation event was
health sufferers across the
a superb end to the
county of Wiltshire. Our
students’ Greatwood
support groups provide a
experience, providing
friendly place where anyone
fun, closure …and ice
can find support and friendship.
cream! Janet Georgiou
26 The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form Collegewww.ridgewayschool.com 27
The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College - Proud to be part of The White Horse Federation Multi-Academy Trust.
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