|
May 2023
As our Year 11's and Year 13's head into what can sometimes be a stressful few months with exams starting in May, we take the opportunity after the Easter holidays to celebrate how much our students have achieved and share their success alongside their biggest champions and supporters - all the Ribston Staff and you, their parents.
Exams can be a very specific measure of success, and do not give us the opportunity to see the holistic view of our incredible students. Every month when I take a look through Ribston Roar and all the student achievements we share with you, I am reminded of just how far every one of our students has come since their very first day in Year 7, how amazing they are and how much they have achieved before they even walk through the doors to the examination rooms.
The Cathedral Service at the beginning of this month for Year 13, is a beautiful rite of passage for students. We are very lucky to be able to hold the event at such an inspiring venue that celebrates our Year 13 students and their achievements. Our Year 11 Celebration of Success Event also held this month was also an opportunity for our Year 11 Students to celebrate all their hard work and dedication over the past five years before they start their GCSE's.
We recognise that achievement is not just about the examination results our students gain as each individual is so much more than that! We celebrate their passion and enthusiasm and commitment to their community and each other. We are very proud of all of our students and this is also reflected in the Ribston Roar.
Once Ribston - Always Ribston!
Mrs Sarah Colombini
Headteacher
|
|
|
|
|
|
Religious Studies
As part of GCSE Religious Studies students learn about the beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam. In April, to support their learning students visited Masjid-E-Noor and St Barnabas Church, to deepen their understanding of these faiths. In Masjid-E-Noor students enjoyed an information session with Imam Hassan and a tour of the Mosque. Students also had the opportunity to have their names written in Arabic.
At St Barnabas Church students had the opportunity to see many religious artefacts and listen to a presentation about the Church and the beliefs of Christians. Students also had the opportunity to take part in a fictional baptism with Revered Todd.
Imam Hassan and Reverend Todd were wonderful hosts, and we were very grateful for such enjoyable and informative visits to the Mosque and Church.
|
|
|
|
English
In their Extended English lessons, Yr 8 spent last term writing and drafting their own children's books for Reception/Year 1 pupils from Linden Primary, Finlay Community School and Robinswood Primary Academy. They were partnered with a pupil, found out their likes and interests, and crafted them a personalised book centred around these.
At the beginning of the month, after all their hard work, the books were delivered to the primary schools ready to be enjoyed by their students!
|
|
|
|
Primary Partnership
Ribston is committed to ensuring there is fair access to our school for all students who live locally, and our Primary Partnership work plays an important part in forming strong ties with local primary schools. Through this work our students act as ambassadors for the school, inspiring younger students and helping them experience what it is like being part of the Ribston Community. There has been a lot of fantastic Primary Partnership activities happening since Easter. Well done to everyone involved!
The Performance Team welcomed 75 pupils from 5 partner Primary Schools to Ribston Hall on Monday 24th April. Primary Students were treated to an inspirational performance from Ribston's talented musicians and dancers. These talented performers then turned their hand to teaching, and running a series of instrumental, singing and dance workshops for our Year 5 visitors.
|
|
|
Ribston Hall Swimming Leaders supported the Gloucester School Sports Network (GSSN) in the running of their annual Primary Swimming Gala.
Cheryl Stennett, the GSSN Manager said: "It is only with your school's support that we can give our local Primary Schools this great opportunity. Your girls were encouraging and supportive of the Primary pupils, one even needed to be talked into getting in the pool. Your students were such positive role models for the primary pupils and wonderful ambassadors for your school. The professionalism and confidence shown by all was a credit to them all. We really do appreciate your schools support of the Gloucester Schools Sport Network events."
|
|
|
Our Year 9 leaders gave KS1 pupils the time of their lives at the Gloucester School Sports Network Easter Themed Multi-Skills Event at the end of March. Over 500 pupils participated in the event over the course of the day. A huge well done to all our outstanding leaders.
|
|
|
In May, students from Years 7, 8 and 9 volunteered to lead at the Gloucester School Sports Network (GSSN) SEND Festival of Sport.
Cheryl Stennett, GSSN Network Manager said: "Please pass on my sincere thanks to your wonderful sports leaders for supporting our SEND Festival of Sport last Friday morning - you must have been so very proud of them! What was commented on the most by the Primary School teachers was the 'one to one' attention and involvement they gave to so many unsure pupils. Whether they were sitting on the floor with them playing the beaker stacking game, on the table tennis playing with one boy for so much time, or simply getting down to their level and being by the children's sides - it was a magical sight to behold. Your girls are such positive role models for the school, and I thank you for allowing them to be part of this great opportunity."
|
|
|
|
Business A level
Yr 12 Business A Level students have been learning about methods of production and got to test them out for themselves in their lessons this month, when they created biscuit designs and then practised icing them using each production method. They quickly realised that whilst job production takes longer, it allows for a much more specialist product, that they could create many identical biscuit designs using flow production, and that communication is very important for batch production!
Job Production: individual products are made one at a time to meet specific customer preferences, e.g. wedding dresses or personalised items
Batch Production: making a set quantity, or 'batch', of identical products. Then switching production to make a new batch of a different product.
Flow Production: continuously making identical products; usually a heavily automated process.
|
|
|
|
Food Science and Nutrition
In April our Yr 13 Food Science students visited Godsell Cheese, Church Farm in Leonard Stanley an artisan cheese producer. The trip was a great opportunity for students to apply their theory knowledge of Hazard analysis and critical control points to a real life situation and taste some amazing products, (HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.) It was fantastic to have Liz Godsell share her depth of knowledge and passion for farming and cheese.
|
|
|
|
In May in their last lesson before exam leave our Yr 11 Nutrition students did some fantastic active revision of technical terms prior to their GCSE's.
|
|
|
|
Jazz It Up
At the end of April the Ribston Jazz Band took to the Main Stage in Montpellier Gardens as part of the 'Jazz It Up' programme at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
The band played an impressive 30 minute set to a full crowd, which included a mixture of Jazz classics and popular songs. All the students played brilliantly throughout and it was an incredible experience. Congratulations Jazz Band!
|
|
|
|
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
This week our Yr 10 students visited the University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus to learn more about life at university. Students heard from members of the Outreach Team (including a former RIbstonian!) and Student Ambassadors, and were able to tour the university, take part in a Law taster session, dispel some myths around university and most importantly ask questions to find out what student life might be like for them.
Students left feeling more informed about university study and lifestyle: “The questions with student ambassadors and myth busting helped clear up things I was unsure of” commented one student and another said “They made it seem less daunting and more exciting to go to university”.
Thanks to the University of Gloucestershire for having us and for all their support this year!
|
|
|
|
Year 9 PGL Liddington Residential
Our Yr 9 students had a fantastic time at PGL, Liddington in April. They were kept busy all week with all the different activities on site, from high ropes, abseiling, and climbing to the giant swing, raft building and kayaking, they also got to try out fencing and built their own ‘buggy’ using only the materials provided and competed against other teams in a series of challenges and obstacle courses.
|
|
|
|
|
Eco Committee
The Eco Committee have been busy over the last couple of months. In April, they were planting wildflower seeds around the school grounds. The aim is to increase the biodiversity around the school so that more pollinating insects are able to thrive. These are essential for farming and food production.
|
|
|
|
In May the committee ran a Clothes Swap Event which went fantastically. With an estimated 92 million tons of textiles waste being produced every year, clothes recycling is a fantastic way to have a positive impact on the planet. There was a real buzz as word went round about the event, and lots of students wanted to know more. Most of the clothes were swapped, so a great day for the environment! We are hoping to do this again next year. Well done Eco committee students for all your hard work.
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to the amazing Gracie Janes in Yr10 who competed in the British Rowing Junior Inter-Regional Regatta last month. Gracie was representing the West Midlands in the WJ15 single sculling category. There were 11 regions represented and Gracie managed to win her heat by 13 seconds and in the final came second overall, winning her the silver medal.
But it did not stop there, training continued and Gracie and her doubles partner, Phoebe won a bronze at the beginning of May at the WJ15 Junior Sculling Regatta in Eton Dorney. This was the first race as a double for the pair, and they took on and beat some phenomenal schools and clubs around the UK for the medal!
|
|
|
Congratulations to Penny Steele in Yr 9 who has participated in a number of performance divisions at Cheltenham Performing Arts Festival this month, gaining fantastic experience and recognition, she won 7 awards: 1st in Folk Song; 1st in Verse Speaking; 1st in Trio; 1st in Group Scene to Song;
1st in Choir; 2nd in Trio; 3rd in Reading at Sight and highly commended in Songs from Shows.
Penny has also been selected to play the role of ‘Shonell’ in ‘School of Rock, the Musical’, which will be performed at the Everyman Theatre over the half term break.
|
|
|
Olivia Parker in Yr 9, achieved Grade 6 for her cello performance through the Trinity College London music examination board this month. Grade 6 is regarded as an advanced level in the graded music exam system and takes a high degree of commitment and musicality.
Olivia is an active member in Orchestra, Jazz Band and Chamber choir, Huge congratulations to such a multi-talented musician!
|
|
Four of our fabulous students, Abigail Dermody (Yr 13), Abigail Claridge (Yr 9), Hannah Freestone (Yr 9) and Naia Brown (Yr 7), represented Ribston in the South West Schools Ski Championships 2023 earlier in May. Huge Congratulations to Abi Dermody who came second in her age category!
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to Romans who kept their top spot on the leader board in the house competition this month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent Voice Questionnaire and Focus group
Last month we updated you about our plans to put in place a Communications Engagement Framework. The aim of this work is engaging with our parents and other stakeholders for you to share your ideas and expertise to support our school strategic development. It is an opportunity for parents to regularly share feedback with the school that will support the improvement of our student's school experience.
Our first questionnaire will focus on Progress Reporting and the Ribston Hall Cognitive Qualities (RCQs) and we will be sharing the questionnaire with all parents in June.
Thank you to parents who have already volunteered to be part of the Focus Group that will be run following the questionnaire feedback. We would love to have more volunteers to ensure the group is representative of our whole school community.
If you would like to support impactful change at Ribston Hall and become part of the Focus Groups please get in contact with us. This can be on an on-going basis or just attend one focussed topic such as Progress Reporting and RCQ conversation. If you would like to know more please contact Sara Hassen - SMH@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk
|
|
|
