Year 11 GCSE Skills Day
On Wednesday 9th October Year 11 completed a GCSE and 'Next Steps' Day. Upon arrival students were given a ‘survival’ kit that contained:
2 post-it notes – to help all that knowledge ‘stick’.
1 coloured pencil – to remind them that they have a bright future ahead of them, but it is ok to make mistakes
1 paperclip – to help them keep everything together
1 elastic band – to remind them that this year will stretch them, but don’t stretch themselves too much!
A pack of smarties – because they all are.
A motivational poster/revision timetable grid - to keep them going, and to remind them we are all here for them.
We made use of the Smarties straight away by completing a chocolate meditation to reiterate one of the key messages for the day – to look after yourself and to take time out when needed.
In the morning students received sessions on Revising Smart (stress and time management) and How to Revise (what good and bad revision looks like). As part of these sessions students gave each other advice on different revision strategies to provide them all with a variety of tried and tested techniques. Students were also taught the science behind what revision and management strategies work and why. We then stopped our busy day for a well-deserved cup of tea or coffee to keep everyone’s brains hydrated.
Following breaktime, students completed four, 25 minute taster sessions on a variety of A Level subjects including subjects they have never studied such as Psychology, Philosophy and Ethics, and Politics. Students opted for which subjects they would like to visit and this therefore gave them the unique opportunity to sample the subjects they are interested in pursuing before our Sixth Form Open Evening (which will take place on Wednesday 4th December).
The day ended with a target setting session. Students were given hints and tips on how to create a revision timetable and encouraged to write a to-do list for when they got home. There was also an opportunity for students to consider what careers they would like to pursue via UniFrog (an online system that RHHS subscribes to).
All of the sessions were completed alongside an information booklet so students were able to record their thoughts and make any notes for their future selves.
The students have reported that they found the day very helpful and engaging and I was delighted to hear a real buzz of excitement when they were talking about their futures. I wish them the best of luck for their upcoming mock examinations. Year 11 are working very hard and I am sure this will result in the excellent results I know they are all capable of and deserve.
Miss Erro - Head of Year 11
The young artists come from Years 10-13 with each student being given a piece of the mural 'jigsaw' to paint. It was quite a task to bring it all together but both Mr Collins and the students have worked diligently to produce it.
We opened our “Careers Conversation” in September with Kathryn Steenson, Archivist (Academic & Public Engagement) from the University of Nottingham talking to students about her work as an archivist and the variety that role brings – from looking after letters from Florence Nightingale; assisting in an infected blood enquiry to helping the general public with family history enquiries. She discussed the differences between archiving and hoarding and the responsibility that comes with effectively choosing which voices will be heard in future years. 
speakers throughout the year, representing a broad spectrum of careers including journalism, science, engineering, social care, law and hopefully, criminology. These sessions are open to ALL students and take place at lunchtimes during the school day. They are publicised throughout the school and are on the school calendar. Students can sign up in the library.
Stuart Haile, a Resuscitation Trainer who teaches CPR to clinicians within the NHS, said: “A cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops, so blood is not pumped around the body and vital organs don’t get oxygen. Anyone who has had a cardiac arrest needs immediate help – calling 999 is a great first step, but the chances of survival double if someone then starts immediate CPR. A brilliant skill to have, it’s great to be able to pass it on to young people so that if they find themselves in an emergency situation they will be equipped to help.”
rigorous and exciting Frantic Assembly workshop.
on sequences of movements to create meaning. Students were outstanding with their level of effort and performance skills. Students worked at the level of professional actors to train, devise and choreograph movement in the style of Frantic Assembly's work. There were beautiful moments within the workshop of pupils creating movement sequences which were visually compelling as well as moments of hilarity and fun.
