Year 11 and 13 West Yorkshire Playhouse Theatre Trip
On Wednesday 21st March, we took our Year 11 and 13 Drama students to watch The Turn of the Screw; the original inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black and adaptation of Henry James’ novel.
Set in 1840, the play tells the story of a young governess who agrees to look after two orphaned children in Bly, a seemingly idyllic country house. But shortly after her arrival, she realises that they are not alone. There are others – the ghosts of Bly’s troubled past. The Governess will risk everything to keep the children safe, even if it means giving herself up to The Others. Later, confronted by the past she is compelled to revisit the terrifying events at Bly and account for what actually happened to her and the innocents under her protection.
This thrilling performance was thought-provoking and terrifying. There were many jumps and even the occasional involuntary scream! A great evening had by all!
On Friday 23rd March we hosted a non-uniform day in aid of Sports Relief as well as a Sponsored Mile Run event in which all students and staff could participate if they wished. We raised a fantastic £3182.62. Thank you to everyone who donated and joined in the various fund raising activities. Any outstanding sponsor money should be handed in directly to the business office as soon as possible.
Congratulations to the 68 students in Year 11 who were presented with their Bronze DofE Certificates and Badges in assembly on Friday 16th March. Over the past 12 months they have all worked hard in a wide variety of volunteering activities from helping at Rainbow Groups, Charity Shops, Care Homes and Sports Groups. They have completed physical and skill activities and last summer they all completed a very successful expedition in the Yorkshire Dales.
Well done to all pupils involved and thank you to Paul Bateman from the North of England DofE Award for joining us in assembly and helping to present certificates.
The school was represented by Partha Khanna, Akhil Maddula, Ellis Speight and Rutwij Patel in the regional final, taking place at Bradford Grammar School.
After an excellent first three rounds the team was performing well in comparison to other high scoring teams from Bradford Grammar (last years winners) and Ermysteds Grammar. After a tense final round, we discovered that we had finished second having been pipped at the post by the strong team from Ermysteds Grammar. The team thoroughly enjoyed the day and acquitted themselves admirably against strong opposition – congratulations and well done to them all.
On Tuesday 14th March some student from year 8, 10 and 12 took part in the Rotary Technology Tournament. The tournament involves teams of students interested in engineering and science compete in a one day event to devise and build a solution to an unseen technical task. Solutions are tested and judged against competing teams. Our students took part in the foundation (year 8), intermediate (year 10) and advanced (year 12) competitions. Well done to all students who took part, especially our advanced and intermediate teams for winning their events.
Year 8 Foundation Team
Students Hamza Mahmood, Yusha Jeena, Qasim Abbas and Sienna Bond demonstrated outstanding concept generation and exemplary build quality.
Year 10 Intermediate Team
Year 10 Design & Technology GCSE students Jay Patel, Megan Taylor, Isabel McNulty-Senior & Yusuf Mohmed. Teamwork and planning proved to be one of their strengths along with hard work and persistance. Adapting their design after testing proved to be the right decision and they came first in their group challenge.
Year 12 Advanced Team
From A Sixth Form Perspective: The Rotary Technology tournament is a competition run nationally across the UK, headed by Rotary International. It was a fun way to compete with local schools in the area by creating a product to carry out a scenario set externally by the Rotary charity. Students had to design and construct a crane which had an actively working pulley mechanism which worked both clockwise and anticlockwise (using the idea of polarity), controlled at a set distance from the track. The crane had to have a system which would allow it to lower the arm, picking up a so called “package” placed under a bridge.
The older students where set the “advanced” challenge, which was the most difficult, where the jib of the crane had to have the ability to lower, placing down the package upright, and also detaching the hook from the jib.
The “advanced” team consisting of; Adam Patel, Hollie Smith, Mohammed Karolia and Joe Speight used their knowledge of materials, physics and mechanics to put together a perfect product which resulted in Heckmondwike Grammar winning the competition, in both the advanced and the intermediate events. A special well done to the foundation team for their ingenuity and creativity during the task.
We would like to thank Rotary International for allowing us to present the skills of Heckmondwike Grammar in an exciting way, and bringing this once in a lifetime opportunity to us.
By Adam Patel & Mohammed Karolia
The Year 13 Information Evening scheduled to take place at the school this evening, Thursday 8th March, has been cancelled. This will be rearranged and a new date will be communicated once confirmed.
The HE+ visit to Cambridge has now been cancelled. The coaches are making their way back to Greenhead College. Students have been asked to contact parents if they are dependent on a lift home and advise of estimated return times. Miss Grimes and Mrs Sheard will stay to supervise students awaiting a lift. We will look to re-arrange the visit.
Having spent two years fundraising, planning and preparing for an expedition to Sri Lanka, and spending an incredible two and a half weeks travelling through the country, I really didn’t want to stop working with World Challenge. The time building up to expedition was amazing, with fundraising balls, Mirfield show and the bonfire helping all 18 of us reach the money goal, so ending all that after a whirlwind in Sri Lanka seemed so disappointing. The best thing about the company, obviously aside from the opportunity to travel the world, is the positive, inclusive attitude of everyone working there, and that is something I have felt since becoming an ambassador.
Being an ambassador for World Challenge basically involves presenting and talking about my expedition in different schools whose expedition planning is just beginning (I think my family are thankful for it mainly because they’ve had enough of hearing about Sri Lanka!). I work with Sally and Suzy (school account managers for World Challenge) and present with them in schools across the North of England meaning I am able to meet so many new challengers and teachers who are excited about their expedition. The World Challenge Summits have also provided a chance to chat to teachers and leaders about my experience and their destinations. Being one of 15 CATs (challenger ambassador team) across the country, I have been able to meet yet more likeminded people when down at the main offices in High Wycombe: a long way, but definitely worth it.
The way I became an ambassador, and got onto World Challenge originally, was by taking the opportunity, despite not really knowing what I was letting myself in for! The whole process of applying, being interviewed, travelling across the country and presenting in front of students, parents and teachers has been so enjoyable and meant I have become more confident and comfortable, talking about something I am so passionate about. I hope the relationship I have with World Challenge will continue after my ambassador time is over, and if not, it has encouraged me even more to travel as much as I can. The chance to do World Challenge at school really started this off for me and I would say it was the best opportunity I got from Heckmondwike Grammar. So grab it when it comes around!
Bronwen Brown – Head Girl
Our Year 8 student, Asish Chittamura, recently competed in the Yorkshire Badminton Championships. He won silver medals in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions.
What a fantastic achievement. Congratulations and well done from all at Heckmondwike Grammar School.
The sixth form consultations, due to take place on Wednesday 28th February and Thursday 1st March, have been cancelled owing to the continued poor weather conditions. All appointments due to take place on 28th February will now go ahead on 14th March. Appointments originally scheduled for 1st March will be held on 21st March. All students attending these consultations will receive a new letter detailing the rescheduled appointment information. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.