News
Students and staff dress up for Christmas and Summer
Students and staff ready for Christmas and Summer already !!
As part of a mufti day in aid of Aylsham Town Council Christmas lights appeal and The North Norfolk Lifeguards, students and staff have dressed in Christmas and beach wear for the day.
We raised over £550 for the two charities to share between them
We all had a great day it was good fun even if it was a little odd !!!
Students to represent North Norfolk in the Indoor Rowing event.
We are pleased to announce that some of our students have been selected to represent North Norfolk at the Norfolk Indoor rowing event on 3rd July- Emily bowyer[ not in photo], Mollie bowyer, David Johnston, Daniel Johnston and Juliette Kelly.
Well done to all these students. We are thrilled to share ths news and wish you well for the 3rd July.
Jordan May in Year 7 to represent Norfolk
On Saturday, Jordan May 7WGP, took part in the British Land UK Chess championship Megafinal, in Norwich . He came third in the under 14's section and qualified to represent Norfolk, for the sixth year running at the Gigafinal, in Manchester on 13th July.
Jordan, we are really proud to share this news and we wish you well for the 13th July.
Nurture students work with Aylsham Residents
On Friday 26th April some of the year 7 Nurture Group made their last visit for this year to the Friendship Hall in Aylsham. They worked alongside local artist and sculptor Jessica Perry, helping the group of elderly Aylsham residents to finish a self-portrait puppet project. The children have made such a huge difference to Friday afternoons for the friendship group. Many of them comment on how lovely it is to have the students spending time with them, telling them about school life and sharing their energy. It is a fantastic experience for the students, as spending time with an older generation is new to some of them and it has opened their minds to the needs and different challenges faced by others in the community. They have all been outstanding representatives of the school and have been welcomed back anytime the opportunity arises. Thank you to the wonderful Aylsham Friendship Group for welcoming us over the last few months and a huge thank you to Jessica Perry for organising and facilitating such a wonderful experience for our nurture group.
'Class of 2003' Head Boy Dr Ryckie Wade begins his career as a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
Congratulations to the 'Class of 2003' Head Boy Dr Ryckie Wade MB.BS.MClinEd.FHEA who has recently achieved his life-long ambition of beginning a career as a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon. Against more than 300 applicants from the UK and beyond, he secured a position as Plastic Surgeon(Training) at the renowned Unit at Pinderfields Hospital in West Yorkshire. Ryckie begins his new position in August and hopes one day to return & practise in his native Norfolk.
Dr Wade is our Alumnus Ambassador for Medicine
Ryckie, please accept warmest congratulations from all of us here at Aylsham High. We are so proud to share this tremendous news.
Students selected to represent North Norfolk in the Aquathon team
We are pleased to announce that some of our students have been selected to represent North Norfolk in the Aquathlon team at the Norfolk Partnership Games on July 3rd. Congratulations to Elizabeth Cooper, Amy Cooper, Cameron Lindsay and Tom Atkin.
Year 11 Prom Fashion Show
On the evening of Friday 26th April, our Year 11s presented their Prom Fashion Show to a packed audience of over three hundred, who were wowed by outfits from Blossom & Green, Maisie May, Catwalk Fashions & Roys of Wroxham. The students attended rehearsals during which they were trained by a model from the Sandra Reynolds Agency. Prior to their ‘Premiere’ on the catwalk, the models had their hair and make-up styled by the AHS Hair & Beauty students. The results were stunning with each young person demonstrated great style and composure.
Alongside the Fashion Show, many businesses provided a shopping and beauty experience with handbags, scarves and jewellery available together with demonstrations of beauty products. The event was coordinated by Years 9 and 10 students. The Year 9 Camera Crew were responsible for the photographs and a DVD.
With the support of all who joined us, helped or made donations, Year 11s raised an amazing £1730 for their Prom at Wolterton Hall on 6th July. Donations from the sale of photos and the DVD will be made to www.justgiving.com/remember/3487/Ryan-Sweatman
Thank you to everyone who made a contribution, in whatever form.
Thank you also to Mrs Wade for all her hard work to make this event such a tremendous success.
Under 16 Rugby County Final
We would like to congratulate our U16 Rugby Team for their amazing win yesterday afternoon.
We are really proud of your great sportsmanship, team spirit and positive determination.
The First EVER North Norfolk Adapted Games Day 2013
On Wednesday 24th April 2013 The Eagles were lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the first ever North Norfolk ADAPTED GAMES DAY at the University of East Anglia Sports Park in Norwich.
The students participated in Athletics, Table Tennis and Golf as well as communicating and supporting other students from a variety of different schools. Each sport was delivered by experienced adults who taught new skills and knowledge to the students to really enhance both their learning and enjoyment. Our Eagles also had the opportunity to see the University Sports venue and its beautiful surroundings, aspiring them to aim high! Very high!
Well done Eagles on an absolutely fabulous day and a huge thank you to Mrs. Mason for giving us the opportunity to attend.
‘My favourite part was the table tennis because of the cool air hockey like part. Also, the activity where I had to hit the golf ball as far as I could was nice.’ Sasha – Yr7 – The Eagles
‘I loved the athletics because I learnt how to jump higher.’ Katie – Yr7 – The Eagles
‘My favourite part is the table tennis and golf and athletics was all great fun too.’ Cleo – Yr7 – The Eagles
‘Well done to you all today. A credit to the school. Pupils and staff were fantastic throughout. See you next year!’ Shane Brett - North Norfolk School Games Organiser.
Eagles - Well done for representing Aylsham High School so brilliantly at this event. We are really proud of you.
Faneska
On Thursday 18th April an amazing event happened at Aylsham High School in aid of Remember Ryan www.justgiving.com/remember/3487/Ryan-Sweatman meningitis charity. The event was a music festival organised by Year 10 student Beth Bailey, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh project. She worked so hard to put this huge event together. Her first challenge was to persuade Mr Spalding to agree to a music festival being held here at school! She then had to email/contact all the bands that kindly supported this event. She arranged tickets, posters, promotion and publicity for the whole event.
I am immensely proud of her and her whole approach in making this event such a huge success. She raised £455.00 for the Remember Ryan charity.
Well done Beth - Looking forward to the next one!
Mrs Wiseman, Duke of Edinburgh Leader
Visit from Dr Willis, medical physicist
Students to represent Norfolk at the National Schools’ Team Final
We are delighted to announce our latest sporting success, this time featuring our very talented golfers.
Our students represented the school at the Norfolk Schools Golf Association championships held at Eaton Golf Club.
Tom Gomer, a two handicaper, set the ball rolling with an excellent 71 to win the Boys’ Championship followed home by 13-year-old Jasmine Campbell with a marvellous 82, made even more remarkable by her 16 handicap, to win the Girls’ Championship. These two were joined by Harry Gillingwater to successfully win the Team Championship and qualify to represent Norfolk Schools in the National Schools’ Team Final at Woodhall Spa in July.
We are so proud of their achievement and wish them well for the next stage.
For more on this exciting story please read the report on the link below:
Congratulations and well done to Daisy Finch who raised £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Daisy Finch from Year 8, raised an amazing £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support by holding a coffee morning at Aylsham Church on Friday April 12th. After a hard day’s baking there were lots of delicious cakes, cupcakes and scones on sale, together with a craft stall and raffle.
This great achievement is another shining example of the determination and hard work of our young people. The event was planned in great detail and Daisy knew from the outset that she had to strive to encourage as many people as possible to come to the event. Daisy also know from the start that quality and attention to detail were absolutely crucial.
Well done to Daisy, we are really proud of you.
Praise for Crazy for You
We have been overwhelmed with the very complimentary letters and words of praise for our recent production of Crazy for You. Thank you. We are so proud of our wonderful students and staff who worked so hard to make the production such a success.
Please click the link below to see a letter that we received from Susan Dupont from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
We must also sing very loudly the praises of our amazing team, led by Mr Bonnington who built the magnificent set.They have worked tirelessly for many months and we are extremely grateful and proud of their achievements. Thank you so much to David Bonnington,Mike Springall and Lee Wiseman.
2013 Rotary International Technology Tournament
On Friday 15th March 8 students from AHS participated in the 2013 Rotary International Technology Tournament, held at Broadland High School and organised by the Rotary Club of Wroxham Bure Valley.
This event provided an opportunity for budding young engineers to use team-building skills in solving a design and technology problem as well as practising oral, written and graphical communication skills. The teams of 4 were set a task of designing and building a gravity driven vehicle that could roll up an incline in a straight line whilst raising up a flag at the same time. Our teams gave a good account of themselves and were highly commended. At the final testing our Year 7 foundation team beat off all challengers to be placed top of 16 teams(including a Teachers team and a Rotarians team!). This was a truly magnificent feat and the Aylsham team really were the talk of the day bringing home a shield, certificates and Amazon vouchers. Well done to all who took part.
Year 7 Geography trip to Kew Gardens
‘After a long journey through the centre of London we finally reached Kew Gardens. We were put in groups and first of all visited the Palm House. The Palm House is a big conservatory full of plants native to rainforests from all around the world. We looked at different types of trees from Coconut and Banana trees to different types of plants such as, black pepper and rubber plants. It really felt like we were undergoing a journey through the rainforest.
The next place that we visited at Kew was the Princess of Wales conservatory which housed Desert plants. Lisa, the tour guide at Kew, showed us around the huge variety of Cactus plants that they have there. We discussed how these types of Desert plants adapt to the hot climate of the Desert. We also saw Carnivorous plants in this conservatory, such as Venus fly traps and many other scary but interesting plants. Going on this trip has made us better understand some our Ecosystems Geography lessons and we had a great day out of school.’
Rebecca Gunton and Daisy Groom - Year 7 students
Fundraising event for a scrum machine for Rugby
Students are trying to raise money to buy a new scrum machine which will help with their rugby training.
Yesterday 35 players participated in the challenge and managed to record well over the target, with a fantastic 1980 tackles in half an hour! They have raised £255 so far but with further money promised, this looks set to rise after Easter.
Well done to everyone involved. We look forward to hearing more news after the holiday.
Year 8 Geography Trip to Gressenhall
On Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th March year 8 students went to Gressenhall Museum and Farm for a geography fieldtrip. We were there to do workshops based around the idea that the Gressenhall farm was losing lots of money and the farmer was tempted to sell to a property developer. There were four characters we met and interacted with throughout the day; Jack – a homeseeker, Steve – the farmer, Mr Nash – the property developer and Rachel – the environmentalist. It was our job to gather as much information as possible before coming to a decision about what to do with the farm.
We were split into groups to visit each character. Steve, the farmer took us on a tour round the farm and talked about needing to make money by selling to Mr Nash but he didn’t want to see because the farm had been in his family for generations. Rachel, the environmentalist told us about the biodiversity of the farm and how changing even a little bit could destroy it all. This was proved by dissecting owl pellets where our group found lots of vole skulls and pelvic and rib bones. Jack, the homeseeker talked to us about house prices. Lastly, Mr Nash was the character we could really argue with and put out views across. At the end of the day we met up with everyone in order to make a decision about what to do with the farm.
Overall it was a great day with lots of fun activities to take part in. We learned a lot about different people’s viewpoints depending on the situation.
By Lucy Maun and Gemma Ridgway (Year 8)
The 29th annual German Exchange
The 29th annual German Exchange returned on 27 February after ten memorable days in the Hessen city of Darmstadt.
The group of 18 Aylsham High School pupils, together with four party leaders (two of whom were former AHS German exchangees), had spent their half term holiday experiencing the culture and language of Germany in the best ways possible – authentically and at first hand.
As well as time spent in German homes, shops, and at school, the Exchange programme included visits to the world-class Speyer Technical Museum, the ancient university town of Heidelberg, and Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt. It was here that admission to the Dialog Museum introduced an international element to team-building activities, and took participants through a thought-provoking simulation of blindness. In addition, the English party was given exclusive tours round the City’s zoo, a significant player in global conservation programmes, and backstage round its vast theatre. There was even time to spend a lively morning at Darmstadt’s own ice-skating rink.
Judging by the comments at the Farewell Party, the trip scored a tremendous hit with those taking part, the general view being that they didn’t want it to end. We look forward to welcoming the German partners back to the UK on 23 June, but it seems certain that many of the friendships already made will last a good deal longer into the future than that.
Thank you to Miss Hebditch and Mr Govey for all of their hard work to make this such a tremendous experience for our students.
Mr Herron entered the Where's Wally Fun Run in London
Well done to Mr Herron who braved the elements at the weekend to take part in a 10km Where's Wally Fun Run in East London, to raise money for the National Literacy Trust. We are pleased to report that he completed the run in 47 minutes and has already raised over £200
See the links below for more information:
http://www.demotix.com/photo/1902651/1200-brave-snow-charity-wheres-wally-run-london
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/news/5283_thousands_of_people_dressed_as_wheres_wally_descend_on_london_park_to_support_literacy
Auction of Promises update
On behalf of the Class of 2013 Prom committee we would like to thank all those who supported the Aylsham High School Class of 2013 Prom Auction of Promises at Aylsham High School on Saturday 9th February. The night exceeded all of our expectations, with bids, donations and refreshments on the evening totaling more than £2,500.
We would like to thank all the business and individuals who donated some fabulous prizes, without their kind generosity this event could not have taken place.
And our final thanks must go to our Auctioneer for the evening Mr Martyn Fox M.B.E. who was just brilliant.
Callum Hall
Community Captain
Aylsham High School
The Year 11 Prom Fashion Show
Alongside their GCSE studies, the Year 11s are putting together a Prom Fashion Show to raise money for the Prom at Wolterton Hall . Our models Elise Morgan & Guy Salzedo will be the Publicity Models for the Show and today was the initial photography session. Rehearsals have been taking place for a number of weeks.
The models have been trained for catwalk modelling and will be working with local businesses, both on and off the catwalk. The Business Auditorium will be open, where lots of fashion and beauty-related items will be available to purchase, including the fashions on the catwalk from Maisie may of North Walsham, Blossom & Green, Aylsham & Catwalk Fashions of Norwich. This, and the remainder of the Show will be run by students from the lower year groups, including sound & lighting, the Show photographer is a Graphics student, the official Show DVD is produced by a team of Year 9 students and Hair & Make-up is provided by our Salon Services students as part of their qualification
Tickets are £5 to include a glass of Bucks Fizz and will be available from Reception from Monday 15th April. Please join us for a glamorous event & to support Year 11s in their fund-raising efforts.
For further information: dwade@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
U16 Norfolk Badminton League
U16 girls played Thorpe St Andrews in the final of the Norfolk badminton league. - in a very close game they eventually lost by 5 matches to 4.
Congratulations to all team members.
Katie Ellam, Kiesha Rice, Megan Scott, Katie Donovan, Catrina Wooldridge, Becky Hibberd. Reserves who played in local league games- Emily Scott, Lucy Brownsell.
Emily Bowyer excels at the County Swimming Championships.
We are always delighted to report on the achievements of students outside school. This week we are pleased to and proud to say that Emily Bowyer has won 6 events - 50, 100 and 200 Backstroke , 50, 200 and 400 freestyle, and came a close 2nd in the 100 and 800 freestyle at the County Swimming Championships. She has qualified to swim in 7 events at the Regionals in Juneand has also achieved a national qualifying time in the 200 backstroke in a short course pool, she just now needs to swim it in a long distance pool.
Norfolk County Finals, Winter Sports Games. March 2013.
Carrie Last from Aylsham High School along with Sabrina Rayner, Kaytie Dewberry-Pleasance and Hollie Betts from Alderman Peel High School, Wells represented North Norfolk’s Table Tennis under 14’s team at the Norfolk County Games held at U.E.A. Sportspark in Norwich.
They were drawn against South Norfolk, Breckland & West Norfolk in the Group stages where they finished top of the group only losing one game out of the twelve played. They progressed through to the semi-final where they beat East Norfolk 4-0 which then took them into a repeat of last years final against Norwich East.
This again turned out to be a very close contest, and after going a leg behind in the first two matches they dug deep and the North Norfolk girls eventually won 3-1 to re-take the county title. With great team spirit and support from Teachers, Families and their Coach Chris Fuller they fully deserved to be the winners.
This is the Forth time in Six years that the North Norfolk girls have won the Under 14’s County Final and also finished runners up in 2012.
In the Boys event Stuart Hook & William Sutton from Aylsham with Jack Lester & Ben Lester from North Walsham represented North Norfolk . After finishing 2nd in their group behind a very strong South Norfolk team who were the eventual winners, they then were then up against Breckland in the semi-final but lost out for a place in the final. After a 3rd/4th play off match with West Norfolk , they finished a very creditable 4thplace against some top county and England ranked players.
Under 14 girls badminton
We are pleased to announce that the U 14 girls won league 1 of the Norfolk
Badminton league. On Tuesday they played Hethersett Old Hall in the Norfolk
final. They lost this match but are runners up in the Norfolk league.
Well done girls. We are really proud of the achievements of all our great sporting teams and of their tremendous team spirit and respect for other teams.
Norfolk Partnership Games Finals
On Monday the U14 and U16 girls went to UEA to play in the Norfolk partnership games finals. The U16s were placed 3rd and the U14 were 6th.
Well done to all of the players. We are really proud of you.
Crazy for You
The follies have arrived at Aylsham High School for “Crazy for You”. So much luggage, so many costumes & make-up - oh my goodness!!! The show is ready, the cast & crew are like a well-oiled team….. please come & be our audience.
Tickets are still available from the boxoffice@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
or telephone 01263 733270 Ext 207
Goodbye Gray Skies, Hello Blue!
On Wednesday 6th March students and staff of Aylsham High School were able to attend a unique opportunity to meet the one and only Arthur Fonzarelli aka The Fonz!
Author and actor Henry Winkler has been visiting the UK, working in conjunction with First News to promote Achievement for All.
Henry was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 31, after his son Jed was also diagnosed with the learning difficult. Dyslexia impairs a person’s fluency and comprehension ability to read. Currently 10% of the UK population have been diagnosed with dyslexia; with many unable to fulfil their potential as they have to overcome so many barriers in their learning and day to day life.
Henry talked to the assemble crowd at the Jubilee Centre in Aylsham about his life and acting career. The son of Jewish emigrants, Henry's parents fled 1939 Germany for New York and a new life. They were vocal in their disappointment when he scored in the bottom 2% of US educational tests. Henry then went on to earn a place at the esteemed Yale School of Drama, before earning the role which would make him a global house hold name.
To promote social understanding of dyslexia Henry created a series of books about a 4th grade boy who has the learning difficulty. There are now 14 books about Hank Zipzer, the 'world’s greatest underachiever'.
The event was organised by the North Norfolk Children's Book Group and was well attended, Henry didn't even mind posing for photos with some of our staff.
For more information about the group please visit www.nncbgc.co.uk and the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre www.ncbc.co.uk or more information on dyslexia www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Matthew Norfolk - Clark selected to attend national rugby training camp
We are proud to announce that Matthew Norfolk-Clarke has been selected to attend an England Colleges - Under 19 - training camp at Telford College this Saturday and Sunday.
Easton College through coach Nick Greenhall and Course Tutor Jonny O'Brien, put five boys forward for the initial Trials. Over a period of several weeks punctuated by bad weather they first attended a regional trial at Cambridge Rugby Club with players from all the colleges in the Eastern Counties area.
This was followed by the East of England selection trials at Southend Rugby Club and at each trial the numbers where being whittled down.
The final two trials took place at Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club at which they represented East of England and were involved in games against the North of England and the South West Region, both of which were won.
This weekend's training camp will involve up to 40 players which will eventually be reduced to around 25-30 for National selection.
Year 11 Master Class visit to Gonville & Caius College Cambridge
Going to Gonville & Caius College was a really helpful experience. We feel inspired to perform well and achieve outstanding grades in both our GCSEs and A Levels so we can reach the high expectations at Cambridge and other universities in The Russell Group. Talking to undergraduates helped us to understand that being at university is fun, alongside the hard study. Gonville & Caius College is an extremely beautiful college with excellent facilities and a magnificent library. We really hope to become students there, one day in the future.
Isabel Snell, Iona Stevenson, Elizabeth Rusbridge Year 11 Master Class
The visit to Cambridge University on Wednesday 27th February has really opened my eyes to the possibility of attending one of our country’s top universities. The history and architecture of the colleges is amazing and the collegiate system, very interesting. I learnt that it will take hard work for me to achieve the best grades to allow me to apply to such a competitive university, but I intend to try my best.
Jacob Brader Year 11 Master Class
1st Aylsham Junior Chess Congress
On Saturday 9th February 2013 twenty-six enthusiastic young chess players met at Aylsham High School to play in the 1st Aylsham Junior Chess Congress. The players, from a wide range of Aylsham, Broadland, Sheringham and North Walsham Cluster Schools, faced each other in 5 rounds of 50 minute games.
For many of the 7 - 14 year olds involved this was their first opportunity to play competitive chess. Everybody seemed to enjoy the experience irrespective of their final scores.All the players taking part received certificates of participation and there were prizes for the most successful players.
Under 8s:
Best result by an Under 8: Freddy Cansick from St John’s Primary School, Hoveton.
Under 9s:
Winner: James Day from Bure Valley School, Aylsham.
Runner Up: Nathan Norfield from Sheringham Primary School.
Under 11s:
Winner: Jack Evans from Sheringham Primary School.
Under 14s:
Winner: Jordan May from Aylsham High School.
Runner Up: Finnian Wheeler from Broadland High School, Hoveton.
The event was organised by members of Broadland Chess Club with support from Aylsham High School colleagues.Following the success of the 1st Aylsham Junior Chess Congress it is hoped that the event will become a regular fixture of the chess season.
For more details about Broadland Chess Club activities for junior and adult chess players please contact Paul Badger Tel: 01603-737572 or Jonathan Reeve Tel: 01263-733744
Quotes
Julie Cox from Sheringham - 1 of the parents
"My daughter was a little nervous as it was her first chess tournament but she had a lovely time and it has really boosted her confidence. I think it's a super way to encourage children to use their creativity and critical thinking and problem solving skills."
Jonathan Reeve - 1 of the organisers
“It was great to see so many young children enjoying their chess. Hopefully the experience will encourage them to play in more tournaments and possibly join a local club. Broadland Chess Club is very grateful for the support provided by Aylsham High School in hosting a tournament and for allowing us to run a junior chess club there.”
In early February, we reported that Jeremy Goss, representing the North Norfolk Association for the Blind, and Mr Adamson, representing the Mardler Newspaper, had visited the school to talk to Student Council representatives about their respective charities.
The students were really inspired by the visit and were determined to raise money for the charities.We are very proud to announce that the students have raised nearly £850 to date through a special fundraising day on 15th February.
Well done to everone involved with this very successful day and to the Student Council. We are really proud of your efforts for good causes.
Lily Wilson "astounds" judges
Lily Wilson attended an event at Norwich Millennium Library recently, as part of a project called “Writing Britain – The Broads Effect”. The event was partly a teenage poetry event and there was also a photography competition with over 80 entries. Lily's photograph won first prize in the 11-13 age group and she was presented with £75 worth of vouchers.
Lily's father, Teucer said that the EDP photographers on the judging panel were “astounded” by Lily's entry in the competition and is hoping that this will be the start of a real interest in photography for Lily.
For more information about the competition please see the links below.
http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/events/view/writing-britain-the-broads-effect
The photograph above is the winning entry.
Well done Lily, we are really proud of your achievement.
Three members of staff completed their Basic Expedition Leaders Award during the half term holiday.
Congratulations and well done to Mrs Heys, Mrs Jones and Mr Bonnington, for braving the elements and giving up their half term holiday, to complete the Duke of Edinburgh, Basic Expedition Leaders Award.
Thank you to all of them for showing such a brilliant commitment to Aylsham High.
Crazy for You
Ssshhhh - Don’t tell Mr Spalding, but the cast and crew of Crazy for You have gone “Crazy”; they have a car parked up on stage!!!
There are only two weeks to go before the first dress rehearsal. Have you got your tickets? They are on sale from Mr P Reeve in the print room on 01263 733270 Ext 207 or boxoffice@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
We look forward to seeing you all for another amazing performance from the students of Aylsham High School.
Tanya Wiseman
On Friday 8th February five of the Eagles from the Nurture group made their way across a very wet Aylsham for another visit to the Friendship Hall. The elderly members of the group and local artist Jessica Perry welcomed us back after the break. They are always extremely delighted to have the students in their company and many members comment on how the children brighten their day and they always remark on the polite manners of the students, a credit to Aylsham High School. This week saw us starting a project that will span over the March visit too. Jessica taught the students how to make the base of a puppet which will eventually be made into puppets of the group members. There was lots of laughter surrounding who each person will design their puppet on, some of the members choosing the students, whom over the weeks they have developed a good rapport with. It is an invaluable experience for our nurture students to interact with a great mix of people that they would not usually have the chance to spend time with, broadening their social skills whilst making a positive difference in the community and learning a new craft skill. We look forward to progressing with our puppets next month!
Physics students learn about light and lenses
Year 11 triple physics groups welcomed Mr Mike Ling to their lessons. Mr Ling is a retired optician. He very kindly gave his time to the groups to help us link our work about light, lenses and eyes from the first topic of the extension units, to the real world. Mr Ling had prepared answers to a range of questions raised by the students before the visit. He included information about things like advances in equipment, torn retinas, glaucoma, cataracts and contact lenses. He brought a range of interesting exhibits for us to handle including a very early pair of rather uncomfortable looking contact lenses!
Thank you so much Mr LIng for your support. We really enjoyed your visit.
Students in Years 8 and 9 take part in the Ogden Physics scheme
A group of students from Years 8 and 9 have been selected to take part in the Ogden Physics scheme. The group will be involved in joining other students from across Norfolk hoping to widen their knowledge of physics. The Saturday morning sessions are being supported by the Ogden Trust and are being hosted by Norwich School. The core of the scheme involves the group attending Saturday morning sessions at the science
laboratories at Horsefair House in Norwich. The events include materials science, discovering asteroids & other web-based citizen science projects, eye-catching demonstrations: a taste of sixth form physics, and waves &
quantum mechanics. The students will also get the opportunity to attend two sky watching evenings. All the students are looking forward to the first session this Saturday 6th February.
Y8 Literacy Ambassadors Visit Colby Primary School
On the 24th January 2013, five year 8 students from Aylsham High School (Lucy Maun, Jordan Filby, Sam Goddard, Stephanie Howes and Florence Bates) visited Colby Primary School in their role as Literacy Ambassadors. The AHS pupils led an afternoon session to help children in year 6 improve their English and Literacy skills. We focussed on “sixafying” which is the term we use to improve writing to a level 6.
The children were co-operative with the tasks at hand and were very creative when we gave them a paragraph to improve. We were impressed with the ideas they came up with and the level of work they produced.
Towards the end of our class we took out a small group of students chosen by Mr Frost, the Y6 class teacher, to explain to them what we do as Literacy Ambassadors at AHS. They seemed very eager to carry on the role as Literacy Ambassadors with younger children in their school.
Following the visit, Samuel Goddard said, “I enjoyed my trip to Colby School and I thought it was very successful.” Flo Bates concluded from the visit, “I think that the trip was a great success and we should continue to visit other schools in the future.” Everyone found the visit extremely fun and exciting, and all the students learnt something from the experience.
By Florence Bates and Stephanie Howes
School Council members learn more about local charities.
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On the 1st of February 2013, Jeremy Goss and Mr. Adamson came in to Aylsham High school to talk about their organisations for the student council team. Jeremy Goss was representing the North Norfolk Association for the Blind, a non-governmental local charity for the blind that offers activities, advice, and people to talk to and also offers a care home in Norwich specifically for visually impaired people from all age groups. Mr. Adamson was representing the Mardler Newspaper, an audio newspaper set up in Aylsham that records local news and sends out the recordings on memory sticks for the blind or partially sighted people. It was a great opportunity for the Student Council to meet them and learn about what their charities do.
Thank-you to Mr. Goss and Mr. Adamson we really appreciate your time and effort.
We are hoping for the next school mufti day (Friday 15th February 2013) the money raised from this day will be split between these two very worthy charities.
Emma Hales Year 10 (Student Council team)
Norfolk Cross Country Championships
Congratulations to the19 Aylsham High students that represented North Norfolk at the Norfolk Cross Country Championships.
The following were selected to represent Norfolk:
Amy Cooper- 2nd, Elizabeth Cooper- 4th, Cameron Lindsay- 6th. Juliette Kelly- 13th
Others in Team were:
Carrie Last, Charlotte Cooper, Jessica Flahant, Ellie Folkard, Olivia taylor, Emily Bowyer, Megan Scott, Max Hunter, Tom Ritchie, Tom Wright, Oscar Evans, Alex Prentice, Craig Goodrum, Cameron Tolbart and Ben Wright.
Rehearsals for Crazy for You are now fully underway.
This Saturday we started with the dance to “Naughty Baby” and then we ran the whole of Act 1 including dances. These have all been set by the very talented choreographer, Helen Batch.
Singing rehearsals are taking place after school three times a week with our new Musical Director, Stephen Richards. We are very fortunate to have both of these people on board this year. Tickets have been on sale since December and are selling very well.
Tickets are available from Mr P Reeve in the print room on 01263 733270 Ex 207 or via email at boxoffice@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
Catherine Ruff, Future-Chef 2013
Aylsham High School’s Catering Captain, Catherine Ruff, found herself at the County Finals of the Springboard UK Future-Chef Competition at City College, Norwich last weekend. In a very cold kitchen, which sucked the heat out of the ovens as well as from the competitors fingers, Catherine had 90 minutes to compose and present her main course and dessert for two covers, all within a budget of £7. After the dishes were tasted, all competitors were summoned back to the judges to discuss the inspirations behind their dishes; how they worked out their costings and a discussion on how they presented their dishes.
Catherine had already beaten off 20 other students at AHS to earn her place. This year over 8000 students nationwide had been involved with the program, resulting in the regional heat in two week’s time and the finals on the 18th March at Kingsway College, London.
Daniel Wilkes, Regional Youth Programs Manager for Springboard said:
‘Catherine Ruff of Aylsham High School was a highly commended runner up as was George Watson of Sir John Leman High School, but the competition was won by Joe Eames-Bayton of Bungay High School, with his winning menu of a deconstructed fish pie in a crisp tartlet and rich chocolate fondant.
Judge, Paul Bray of Jamie’s Italian said “Having judged this competition for many years, the standards were very high indeed, it was a very close call and decision we did not take lightly” Paul was joined in the judging by Martin Ng Executive Chef of Marriott hotels, John Phillippo of City College and John Robson MIH, of Babcock International.’
Daniel backed up his comments on twitter, saying ‘@AHS_hotcats thanks so much I'm incredibly proud of Catherine she did great!’
As we say, #veryproud!
Auction of Promises
Auction of Promises is on Saturday 9th February
Click here to see the fantastiic range of 'promises' that you could bid for. Please come and support this brilliant event organised by one of our students to raise money for the Year 11 Prom.
Junior Chess Congress
Junior Chess
Aylsham Cluster Chess Club meets at AHS on Wednesday afternoons from 3.40pm to 5.00pm.
On Saturday 9th February AHS is hosting a ‘Junior Chess Congress’ for Under 9s, 11s & 14s who want to try playing competitive chess. The tournament will run from 9.30am to 3.00pm. There will be trophies for the winners and certificates for all taking apart. Entrance is £5.
If your child is interested in playing chess and you would like to find out more about the club or the tournament please contact Jonathan Reeve for details Tel: 01263-733744, e-mail: thefamilyreeve@btinternet.com
Thank you to Mr Reeve and his colleagues for giving up their time to organise and run the chess club and the Congress in February.
North Norfolk Swimming and Badminton Competitions
North Norfolk Swimming and Badminton Competitions - held at Aylsham High.
Swimming.
The following pupils were selected to represent North Norfolk at the partnership games finals on 8th March -Chris Haslam, Louisa pike, Molly Bowyer, Tom Wright, Hannah Cooper, Sam Cooper, Luke Clapham, Amy Cooper.
The following are reserves- Charlotte Cooper, David Johnston, Shakira Clifton, Lewis Cooper, poppy Arnold, Sam Midgley.
Badminton.
The U16 boys and U14 boys were both placed 2nd in their tournaments. The U16 and U14 girls teams were both placed first and now go on to represent N Norfolk at the Partnership finals on Monday 4th March
U16 Katie Ellam, Keisha Rice, Megan Scott, Becky Hibberd. U14 Gemma Ridgway, Freya Giles, Megan Roberts, Lucy Maun.
Well done to all the competitors and a huge well done to all the teams that have represented the school in 2012. We have received many positive comments about your behaviour, your sportsmanship and about your support for each other. We are really proud of all that you have achieved.
Well done and thank you also to all of the PE staff and trainees who have worked so hard to encourage and inspire our students.
North Norfolk Table Tennis and Sportshall Athletics competition
Some of our students recently represented the school at the North Norfolk Table Tennis and Sportshall Athletics competition held at Fakenham High.
In the Table Tennis event -Stuart Hook won 1st place, Carrie Last was in 2nd place and Will Sutton came 4th.
In the Athletics Competition, Year 7 Boys, Year8 boys and Year 8 Girls were all placed 3rd.
Year 7 Girls were placed first- Amy Cooper, Charlotte Cooper, Carrie Last, Anna Marques, Juliette Kelly, Mollie Foss, Ella Bayne, Indie May Butterworth.
All of the named pupils go on to represent North Norfolk at the Norfolk partnership games on Friday 8th March.
The photo is of the trophy that the Year 7 girls won.
Well done to all the students who took part and worked so hard in one of the last competitions of 2012.
The Tony Greenfield Memorial Public Speaking Competition Final
The Final of the annual Public Speaking competition was held on the evening of 6th December and saw two finalists from each year group Heat compete against each other by speaking for three minutes on the subject of ‘Olympic Legacy – Fact or Fiction’. The judges, Mr Keith Simpson MP, Mr John Longhurt, President of The Rotary Club of Aylsham and Mr Lee Todd, Proprietor of JustAylsam had an extremely difficult choice is selecting the winners . In First place was Victoria Ing, with Juliette Kelly in Second place and Alex Cabre in Third place.
Many congratulations to all who entered and to George Wilson for his musical interludes.We would like to express our appreciation to The Rotary Club of Aylsham for kindly sponsoring the event and judging the Heats.
Dianne Wade
CEIAG/Competition Co-ordinator
Thank you to Mrs Wade for encouraging and supporting the speakers and for her tireless efforts to provide aspirational experiences for so many students.
Student Council Christmas Jumpers & Onesie day, in aid of Save the Children, Christmas Jumper Day
Aylsham High School Student council raised over £200.00 for Save the Children charity. We also had unofficial school photos taken in our Christmas jumpers & onesie’s. We all had a tremendous fun day and in true Aylsham High School style, we all pulled together to make it another huge success.
Have a wonderful Christmas from all the students on the School Council and a Happy New Year.
Finn Morgan & Tom Wilkes
Well done Student Council for another fabulous day.
