October has been the time to celebrate Black History month. We talked about Black History in Gloucester, and two talented Sixth Form students put together an assembly about what Black History month is, and why cultural awareness and embracing diversity is so important. The assembly link is below if you would like to view it.
This led us into our current assembly theme of anti-discrimination, where students will hear from both staff and sixth form students over the next few months about different forms of discrimination. We will be looking to raise better awareness within the school community and discuss how we can become more tolerant and understanding of those around us, no matter who they are.
Even though we have been faced with another lockdown, this month has also seen students and staff continuing to work hard together to bridge gaps and build confidence in subject knowledge and skills. Students have been looking for uplifting things to organise and have been busy planning our charity week in November as well as Christmas at Ribston which is a good time to think about how we can support those in our local community.
Before I leave you to read this month’s Ribston Roar, we wanted to share with you some staff news. Mrs Hill, our Drama teacher has welcomed a baby boy named Edward John Hill into the world on Sunday 11th October at 6:24am. Weighing 8lb 3oz. The Hill family are settling in well together.
Sarah Colombini
Headteacher
Since the 1980s, Black History month has been celebrated in October in the UK to draw attention to and highlight the contributions and the experiences of Black people in Britain.
Black History Month can be a starting point for us to explore, discover and celebrate Black history, heritage and culture – both past and today. From the incredible achievements and contributions, to the many untold stories and barriers to progress.
Here at Ribston, we started the month by highlighting local stories of the contributions and achievements of black people in and around Gloucester with students.
We shared with students about how, at the recent Black Lives Matter protest in Cheltenham, 7 year old Nylah, who moved to Cheltenham from Uganda with her parents, wowed the crowd with a poem she had written herself, based on the track ‘Black’ by rapper Dave. The recording of her performance went viral. She appeared on local and national news, and her poem was shown around the world – as far away as Australia!
Two of our talented Sixth Form students, Clareece Saysell and Alicia White also put together this assembly on Black History Month that is both uplifting and empowering.
‘This Girl Can’
You may have noticed that the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign is back, with the aim of ‘celebrating the fact that there’s no right way to get active – there never was’.
So, what better way to celebrate than to recognise the huge array of physical activities that are taking place outside of school amongst Ribston students. Thank you to everyone who has sent in their photo. We hope that they will inspire others to get active in a way that works for them – ‘it’s ok to do what you want, when you want’.
Thank you must go to Amber Meredith-Wilks for putting the montages together.
PE Department
World Mental Health Day
In September's Ribston ROAR, we mentioned we were celebrating World Mental Health Day here at Ribston. Some of our fabulous students from 7.4 said #helloyellow with photo booth props and emailed our Wellbeing department.
Aside from having a bit of fun, all students spent time in tutor with various activities. Positive mental health is something we feel very passionate about at RHHS and it was great to see the students taking part. A big thank you to all who donated to this cause, £158 was raised for the Young Minds Charity.
Crime Scene Investigation
As part of their Psychology A Level- Forensic Psychology Unit, Year 13 have been taking part in a Crime Scene Investigation. Students arrived to class to find a (staged!) murder had taken place. Forensic Officer Mrs Haigh was on the scene to brief the group on this horrific crime!
Their first job was to analyse the crime scene to come up with an Offender profile - this involved looking at the evidence to decide if the killer was an organised or disorganised offender, and examining the bloody scene for clues.
A key witness was also interviewed by the students. There were some very well thought out profiles, with the key witness, Miss Genoa (aka Mrs Williams) being a prime suspect. The real killer was identified and the students are now looking at the explanations as to why he committed the crime, as part of their flipped learning for the unit. The investigation will end when the students have decided which methods should be used to deal with offender behaviour with the highest scoring team being named 'Ribston's CSI Champions'.
The investigation has been a fun, interactive activity to deepen learning and give students a creative way to work.
Netball County Development
Alice has been in the Satellite Academy -England Netball Pathway for a couple of years and
was accepted into the Satellite Development- England Netball Pathway this time last year. As lockdown restrictions eased and sports started up again we both received an invitation to trial for the County Squads. On Sunday 4th of October I attended the first of two trial days which was an elimination process. You had to get through in order to attend the final trials on Sunday 11th October.
Alice Holder and Evie Warwick
We both attended the 3 hour trials at Plock Court. We were both very nervous as it was this or nothing. If you didn’t make it you were out of the whole programme. We both signed in and warmed up. We were put into teams with different bib colours and an ID number. In our teams, we did one and a half hours of drills and progressed into match play.
The competition was fierce as there were 18 girls to be cut from a total group of 40 which included year 9 & 10’s. The coaches wanted to see what skills we had remembered over the lockdown period. We then played short 10 minute matches.
The coaches would put us all over the court in different positions to see what our ability was. We were told the decision, if you had made it or not, would be by email in the next 3 days. On Tuesday we both got the email saying we got into the County Development Squad! We were both very happy.
House and District Cross Country event
Just before we broke up for half term our girls took part in the House Cross Country event. Every student that took part received a House point. The run also doubled up for the virtual City Cross Country Competition that would normally take place at Plock Court. The top 3 runners from each year group had their names and times submitted and we eagerly await the results of this District competition.
Well done to all that took part. The results for the school event were:
Year 7 (2000m) Sophie Dodwell 8.41, Ella Mangan 8.51, Jessica Sanders 8.54
Year 8 (2000m) Ruth Brook 7.2, Poppy Done 8.23, Rosa Jolly 8.24
Year 9 (3000m) Eloise Bulpin 13.47, Sophie Fudge 15.08, Katy Hughes 15.48
Year 10 (3000) Seren Jones 10.57, Freya Howell 11.28 Alicia Albright 11.45
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award
Despite our assessor saying he hadn’t assessed a Silver DofE in worse weather conditions, our DofE expedition was a great experience!
We started with two training days where we were taught key canoeing skills that we would need for the expedition. On the second day we were introduced to the lock in Tewkesbury which was a new and exciting experience.
On the third day we did our first 9km journey down to Pershore along the River Avon.We were given trangias to cook a hot meal every lunch time where Uncle Ben's rice was definitely a favourite food to cook! Our three day expedition in terrible weather conditions such as fierce rain and wind still took place and we eventually canoed approximately 47km in total! Although the weather wasn't ideal, we had some brilliant laughs and felt like we had achieved a lot by the end of the 6 days.
Written by Maia Stewart, Olivia Bennett and Bethan Rose (all in 11S)
Food Science and Nutrition
Some high level practical skills from our year 12 Food Science and Nutrition students - puff pastry mille-feuille with feathered icing and a selection of Fruit Tarts.
Gloucester Food Bank and Homeless Shelter
We are once again collecting donations for the Gloucester Food Bank and Homeless Shelter. Items could include canned, dried or cartons of food and drink/tea/coffee. Toiletries, warm hats, gloves and scarves are also welcome.
Please bring in any (in date) donations to T3 (Food room) or pass them on to Mrs Stoner. Thank-you all. It is so important to think of others less fortunate at this time of year.
Roar, we wanted to share with you some staff news. Mrs Hill, our Drama teacher has welcomed a baby boy named Edward John Hill into the world on Sunday 11th October at 6:24am. Weighing 8lb 3oz. The Hill family are settling in well together.
Two of our talented Sixth Form students, Clareece Saysell and Alicia White also put together this
A key witness was also interviewed by the students. There were some very well thought out profiles, with the key witness, Miss Genoa (aka Mrs Williams) being a prime suspect. The real killer was identified and the students are now looking at the explanations as to why he committed the crime, as part of their flipped learning for the unit. The investigation will end when the students have decided which methods should be used to deal with offender behaviour with the highest scoring team being named 'Ribston's CSI Champions'.
