Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back to Term 2!
I hope that your young people had a good October break and are recharged for the term ahead.
Year 11 have made a fantastic start to their mock exams displaying a really positive work ethic and attitude which is so important to help us support them as they prepare for their GCSEs in the summer.
Huge congratulations to the Music Department for the award of the Music Mark (more details below). This rightly recognises the incredible work of our teachers and peripatetic teachers in the opportunities they offer for our young people to get involved with music in so many ways during their time at Hardenhuish.
Successful Lives Day yesterday was a wonderful opportunity for our young people to work outside of the traditional curriculum and explore wider themes. Year 7 and Year 12 exploring enterprise, Year 7 with the iconic Smoothie Day (an experience that Hardenhuish Alumni talk about for many years after they have moved on to new adventures!). Year 8 had a STEM based day exploring waste, rubbish and recycling, Year 9 had WW1 Day where they explore the challenges of the war and the impact this has had on their lives and Year 10 had a Work Experience and Study Skills day, setting them up for success as they begin this important year in terms of their future opportunities.
These days are a really strong element of our curriculum and help our young people to see all they are learning from a broader perspective.
In addition, please see linked below our extra-curricular offer for Term 2. Please encourage your young people to get involved in these amazing opportunities.
Term 2 Extra-curricular Activities
School Parliament have been very busy planning their fundraising for the year and have chosen The Rise Trust as their charity of the year. We will be holding a non-uniform day next week where we will share the money raised between Children in Need and The Rise.
As it is Remembrance Day on Monday (11.11.24), those young people who are members of uniformed organisations are able to wear their uniform to school if they choose.
Lisa Percy
Headteacher
News Items
Raising Awareness About Sextortion
During Term 1, Mrs Burgess and Mrs Glossop (Designated Safeguarding Leads) led a series of assemblies for all pupils and students from Year 8 through to Year 13 raising their awareness about sextortion.
You may already be aware of the growing global that Sextortion has become and that there has been an increase in cases, over the last year, cases of children becoming victims has doubled.
Below are points we discussed with pupils regarding the topic and linked is the presentation for your awareness:
-Pupils were shown video clips to explain Sextortion: Online Coercion and Blackmail and what to do if they need support Report Remove: removing nude images online.
-We shared how perpetrators can coerce, manipulate and threaten young people to aid their awareness so they can keep themselves safe online.
– What to do if they become victims of this crime including practical advice, safe adults to talk too and ways to report the crime.
Please review the clips that were shown to the young people so we can collectively support them in and out of school. Here is an additional link for parents if you would like to find out more What is sextortion? Guidance for parents | Internet Matters.
Please note that Year 7 will have an age-appropriate version of the assembly later on this term.
Friends of Hardenhuish School Christmas Raffle 2024
Tickets for this year’s Christmas Raffle are on sale now! This year’s star prize is a Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, retailing at more than £300, generously donated by the James Dyson Foundation.
We also have numerous other prizes that have been kindly donated by local businesses and parents that can be won. Tickets cost just £1 each and are available on Arbor. All proceeds will go to the Friends of Hardenhuish School, which raises money to buy additional resources and provide experiences for our pupils and students.
The draw for the raffle will be made at our annual Christmas Fayre on 13 December. We look forward to seeing you all there!
A SPOTactular Non-uniform Day!
On Friday 15th November 2024, we have a non-school uniform day with an optional spotty theme, to raise money for Children in Need and our school charity of the year – The RISE Trust. We would be grateful if you could support these important charities by providing a voluntary donation of £1 available to pay on Arbor or by sending your child into school with £1 which will be collected at tutor time.
The Music Department is pleased to announce that we are now a Music Mark School. Thank you to Wiltshire Music Connect for putting us forward to become a Music Mark School in recognition of our commitment to Music education and the value that we place on Music in our school. Music Mark members are leaders in music education and collectively form a national network of organisations and individuals providing high-quality music education, championing and supporting access to music for all children and young people. We are delighted to be part of this team.
Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub Insight Day
Year 13 Business students had the opportunity to visit the Business Cyber Center for a Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub Insight Day. The day started with a guided tour of the office premises, during which students had the chance to engage in Q&A sessions with several businesses operating from the space, including cyber security companies, space engineering, and catering. These interactions provided valuable insights into different sectors.
Following the tour, students were introduced to the Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub team, who explained their roles and the key characteristics necessary for their work. During lunch, students completed a working styles questionnaire, which helped identify their individual working preferences. Based on their results, they were divided into groups and tasked with addressing real-life business scenarios. Each group worked collaboratively to develop advice for new businesses starting out.
The day concluded with students presenting their ideas to the team, providing them with practical experience in consultancy and business strategy. Overall, the trip was an enriching experience, giving students valuable exposure to the business world.
Cyber Security Competition
During the final week of term 1, nine teams from years 11 – 13 took part in a range of cyber security challenges as part of a competition. The competition was run by UWE Bristol and saw pupils/students working in small teams to solve a variety of cyber security-based challenges, using their own problem-solving abilities and various digital tools available to help crack the codes. I was really impressed to see the pupils/students working together in their teams, solving challenges, delegating tasks and supporting each other to succeed.
Well done to all those who entered, and good luck as we await the results to see if any teams have made it through to the next round of the competition.
Tim Phillips – Curriculum leader for ICT and Computer Science
Hygiene Product Donations
Throughout November, School Parliament will be collecting hygiene product donations for Re:Fresh. Re:Fresh is a local schools-based charity that provides toiletry and sanitary items to young people in need. They would be very grateful to receive any shower gel, soap, flannels, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, sanitary towels, hairbrushes, and combs. There are collection points by Hardenhuish Hall and in the Sixth Form Foyer for any donations to be left by pupils and students. Thank you in advance for your kind donations.
Swimming to Success
Another massive weekend for Year 8 pupil Isaac Wheadon swimming at the national qualifiers.
Isaac competed in 8 races placing 1st in one event, 2nd in 2 events, 3rd in 1 event and 4th place in the remaining 4 – so an amazing performance, knocking a total of 23 seconds off his personal bests in total. He was completely shattered but had a day off and before heading back in the pool first thing to prepare for his next competition!
Our Community – Hardenhuish School