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Spring

2009 Beech House News Inside Story page 2

• Success at the Rochdale Music Festival

page 4

• Beech House Honours

page 5 • Jackson runs in

the National Championships

page 5 • Bronze Medal for

Tennis Team Stop Press

Jupiter win the House Swimming

Trophy

The Progress Awards are presented each term to children in the Prep Department who have excelled in attitude, behaviour and performance. This term the honours went to :- Nursery – Rebecca Omojowolo Reception – Maldini Simic Year 1 - Luke Butterworth Year 2 – Joe Noon Year 3 – Harry Hamilton Year 4 - Luke Butterworth Year 5 – Estelle Riley Year 6 – Amy Fryer

In the Senior Department the following pupils have obtained their Bronze Awards:

School Awards .

Year 7- Manal Ahmed, Inayah Ashraf, Paige Leigh Bramley, Harry Hayden, Rohan McCaffrey, Gregory Preston, Ra’eesah Shahid, Bethan Sowerby, Olesia Tomkinson,Year 8 - Ameer Ali, James Booth, Jackson Cowie, Heather Gee, Zeyad Hussein, Navarrah Graziano, April McCaffrey, Bethany Moat, Lydia Nightingale, Year 9 - Faiza Deane and Sarah Idris Only seven pupils have gained their Silver Award. They are:- Issmaeel Ansari, Anusia Battersby, Phoebe Greenwood, Salma Hussein, Joe Smith-Butler, Arifah Tahir and Jessica Timperley. We hope this gives them the encouragement to aim for the Silver and Gold awards next term.

Enterprising Young Brit Who is that with Jason

Scales?

Although still at school Jason Scales, Year 10, is earning a lot more than the average teenager would from pocket money or a paper round! This earned him a place in the last four in the junior section of the Enterprising Young Brit finals, which is supported by the Institute of Directors, The Daily Mail, The Treasury and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Jason runs a web hosting business, VpsWOW, selling hosting solutions to clients in the UK, the US and Australia. The company has an environmentally friendly policy and aims to offer a high quality web service while minimising its carbon footprint. The final was held at the Institute of Directors in London and Jason was the eventual runner up. The awards were presented by Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who said “Some of these Enterprising Young Brits may one day be responsible for big companies. There is a good future out there for them.”

Beech House News

Many thanks to all the parents and families who are

collecting the many vouchers

that are available. These include the Tesco, Asda and

Sainsbury computer and

sports vouchers, the Times book

vouchers, and the Box Top tokens.

Our congratulations go to Lucy Eckersley (Year 10H) who achieved a Bronze Award in the UK Intermediate Mathematics Individual Challenge. The Regional final of the UK Maths Trust Team Challenge took place at the University of Manchester in the Great Hall of the Sackville building. There were teams from all around Manchester competing in four different tasks. Our contestants , Arifah Tahir, Jessica Timperley, Faiza Deane and Jacob Moyneux had to first tackle the team questions which had to be answered as a team, followed by the cross number task. After lunch came the head‐to‐head challenge . Finally, there was a lot of running about in the relay race where the teams were again split up and one half had to answer a question and then take the next question to their fellow team‐mates.

Mathematics Challenge Staffing

Young Enterprise Scheme

Rochdale Festival

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Years 8 & 9 were business people for the day in the Young Enterprise Scheme. Teams of seven were picked randomly, with eight teams overall. The day started off with three team-building games. In game one, the teams had to make a 5 pointed star with a long piece of rope. In game two, the teams had to build a tower of different coloured bricks in a certain order. Each team was given instructions in a riddle for this task. For the third and final game, the teams had to build the biggest free standing tower with only sellotape and small pieces of paper. The main challenge of the day was to purchase and design their own football club. These tasks included: design a kit, team badges, programmes, stadium, merchandise and a mascot. They also had to organise their finance, weekly events at the stadium and gain a club sponsor. At the end of the day, each team had to put together a one minute presentation to promote their club, products and what their club offers to its fans. Presentation Awards were given to each team for their best products and skills; from best mascot to the best stadium design. The overall winners were Team 5: Jack Noon, Venetia Southwell, Zeyad Hussein, Jackson Cowie, Ryan Matthews, Jing Shun Huang and Fahid Arshad.

We wish to thank Mr Hyde for the time he has spent at Beech House over the last two terms. He will be replaced on a permanent basis, a term earlier than originally planned, by Mr Walters.

The Upper Prep Choir took part in the choral section of the “Rochdale Youth Festival of Music, Speech and Dance.” They looked very smart and were runners up, being awarded a Highly Commended certificate. They sang “Si, Si, Si”, an African greeting song, and the adjudicator commented on the lovely dynamic shaping with “some splendid quiet singing.” She also enjoyed the “rhythmic energy” of the contrasting song, “Rainbow Tea.” Congratulations to all involved.

Beech House News Page 3 of 6

The final entries have been made for the external examinations and your child will be issued with a pink candidate statement of entry sheet when these have been received from AQA or Edexel. It is their responsibility to check that the entries are correct AND TO TURN UP AT THE CORRECT TIME AND ON THE RIGHT DAY for examinations. The school internal examinations will take place just before and after half-term. Note that it is school policy not to allow pupils to sit examinations they have missed through absence.

Examinations Extra Curricular Activities

Rachel Hardy after taking her degree in Forensic Science, is half way through her Masters, sponsored by Cambridge University. Alex Saxon, who plays saxophone with the Rochdale Youth Big Band, was selected to take part in a special saxophone masterclass in Somerset after his solo in the National concert Band Festival held in Warrington.

Old Boys

The collections raised at the Lower Prep Christmas concert and the Carol Service raised £202 for the homeless of Rochdale. Mme Vose sold home made Christmas cards which raised £150 for the orphanage that she supports. The Lower Prep pupils participated in a sponsored sing-a-long. This raised £192 for the “Chatterbox” charity which helps children with language and communication difficulties. Year 11 with the support of the Beech House staff raised £419 for Comic Relief. The money was raised by selling official Red Noses and cakes on the day. Special thanks go to the members of staff who went in the stocks, and Zeeshan Ali who participated in a sponsored leg waxing. The elephant’s 75th Birthday was a great success, thanks to all of your help we managed to collect £50 from loose change .

Brecon Beacons Charity

Youth Speaks

It has long been school policy to foster links with organisations from outside the school. The Upper Prep and Senior pupils have enjoyed the drama sessions run by the Helen O’Grady Drama School. Year 1 and 2 had a football training session courtesy of Manchester City FC. Nursery to Year 2 have spent one afternoon a week enhancing their knowledge of Geography and the local environment. Links have been established with our local Park Keeper at Broadfield Park. Years 8 and 9 went to Strike Ten Bowling Alley, Sandbrook Park courtesy of the Friends of Beech House. Beech House pupils went to Hollingworth Lake to take part in a Groundwork environmental project. The pupils studied insects and biodiversity with the park warden. They constructed their own `insect houses’ to use in the school grounds.

An Intermediate and Senior Team of girls took part in the Rotary Club Youth Speaks Competition at the Masonic Hall in Leigh. Both teams performed admirably but unfortunately did not progress to the next stage. Lydia Nightingale, Bethany Moat and Jessica Timperley spoke on children’s rights. Chloe O’Neill –Roydes, Hannah Doidge and Gabriella Wilson compared the pay of footballers with those of nurses. The girls were then invited to ‘speak for their supper’ at a dinner held by the Chadderton Rotary Club. We would like to thank Mr Fryer for his sponsorship.

The Intermediate Team of Lydia Nightingale, Bethany Moat and Jessica Timperley at the Chadderton Rotary Club.

Thirty six pupils from Year 5 to 7 went on an outdoor pursuits holiday to Llangorse in the Brecon Beacons. The Children took part in sailing, kayaking, raft building, fencing, archery, hill walking and team building challenges. Luckily the weather stayed fine for the majority of the time, although the lake was very chilly when you entered the water. The children were also provided with evening entertainment which included a scavenger hunt, the ‘Generation Game’, the Acorn Olympics and a talent show.

Beech House News Page 4 of 6

School Detention

“Four-thirty in the morning! You must bejoking!” Such was the reaction when the partywas informed that we would be meetingoutside school at this time. Our first full dayof activities was made up of survivaltechniques, the obstacle course (hugelypopular), abseiling and rifle shooting.Although it was windy and cloudy, we all keptwarm, either around a camp fire or climbingup the obstacles. On the second day we had planned our excursions. Thursday’s activitiesincluded archery, camp craft, initiativeexercises and, the most challenging, the raftbuilding. The pupils loved the scavengerhunt. Beech House then took over one of thedining areas for its now traditional prizegiving.

French Trip Honours Science Trip

A detention is given to a pupil who has broken the rules on behaviour and conduct or for gaining three demerits. A note of this is made on a pupil’s record card and this will be included on the school report. A number of pupils do not seem to appreciate the seriousness of this punishment. In addition, detention slips are being given out and not passed on to parents. A pupil is supposed to attend on the date given; if he or she is unable to attend, they must bring a note of explanation from the parent and it is their responsibility to find out when the next detention is being held. A home detention will be given to pupils who do not follow this instruction. Pupils who receive a 7th

detention in an academic year will be suspended from school for three days.

Nicole Jackson has been awarded an Olympic Silver Passport and a TASS (Talented Athlete Sholarship Scheme). Congratulations to Anusia Battersby who has had her poem ‘My Favourite Things’ published by the Young Writers in their current publication.

Jack Brook and Daniel Matthews were selected to represent Rochdale Lacrosse Club, in the English Lacrosse Association, National under 12’s Lacrosse Tournament, held in Bath.

Year 11N attended a lecture at the medical school, University of Manchester. The subject being “The heart – not just any old muscle: how does it work: why does it break and how can we fix it?” given by Professor David Eisner (British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiac Physiology at the University of Manchester). They foundthis quite interesting as it developed their prior knowledge when they dissected the heart earlier on in the term. They found out about how the heart contracts by electrical impulses and where they are made in the muscle. The professor also explained how a heart attack forms and ways the industry can rectify the electrical imbalance and treat the patient. They also enjoyed the way he explained the difficult chemistry and were pleased when they understood it. They found the experience of visiting the university and having a lecture most rewarding and now cannot wait to go to university themselves.

The Seniors enjoy the snow this term

Painful Lessons

The Seniors in France

Children must get use to bumps, bruises and cuts to teach them how to cope with pain, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Supported by a grant of £1.6 million, it is looking at ways to teach children how to take calculated risks.

Beech House News Page 5 of 6

Soccer

Sport

The under 11 soccer team sponsored by LFTS Fork Lift Trucks

Friendlies v Clarendon Cottage (h) won 4:2 v Clarendon Cottage (a) won 5:4 v Hulme Court (h) lost 4:5 ISA North of England Championships Beech House A v Hill House lost 1-19 v Kingswood College lost 0:5 v Argle House `B’ won 4:0 Beech House B v St. James lost 1-12 v Preston Prep lost 0-5 v Firwood Manor lost 0-9 v Argle House `A’ lost 0-9 Girls U16

League – third v Oulder Hill won 1:0 v Siddal Moor drew 0:0 v Whitworth drew 0:0 v Siddal Moor lost 0:1 v St. Cuthbert’s lost 0:4 v Balderstone drew 0:0 v St. Cuthbert’s lost 0:1 U14

League v St. Cuthbert’s lost 0:4 v St. Anne’s lost 1:2 v Siddal Moor lost 0:5 ESFA Cup v St. Cuthbert’s lost 0:4 v Hollingworth lost 0:4

Cricket U12 Springhill 209 Beech House 179

Boys U 16 League – runners up v Waterloo Lodge (a) won 20:4 Champions League v Dale Grove (a) won 3:5 U14 Rochdale Cup Rd 1 - bye Rd 2 v Cardinal Langley (h) lost 0:9 League v William Henry Smith (a) won 5:1 v Belmont (a) lost 2:6 Champions League v Southern Cross (a) won 11:5 ESFA Cup v Siddal Moor won 3:0 v Middleton lost 0:7 v Siddal Moor won 3:0 v Middleton lost 1:5 U13 Rochdale Cup v Hollingworth lost 2:4 v Holy Family lost 1:4 v Siddal Moor lost 0:3 U12 Rochdale Cup Rd 1 v Springhill (a) won 3:0 Rd2 v Middleton (h) lost 1:9 U11 Rochdale Cup v St Mary’s lost 1:2 v Ashfield Valley won 1:0 v Sandbrook lost 1:3 v Woodbank lost 0:1 League v Lower Place (h) lost 0:4 v Holy Family (a) lost 0:4 v Kentmere (h) lost 3:4 v Castleton (h) won 5:4

Cross Country ISA Senior North of England Championships Individual – U13 –Jackson Cowie – 6th Team : U13 boys - 6th U13 Girls – 9th ISA Senior National Finals Individual – U13 –Jackson Cowie – 9th Team : North of England – 1st

Tennis U9 Rochdale Cup v Elmwood won 3:1 v St. John’s won 3:1 The team of Amaar Hasan, Mahirah Hasan, Vienna Simic and Rhys Stone were placed third in the event. This was the school’s best performance in the event.

Jackson Cowie who finished 9th in the National Finals held at

Rugby

U16 League v Siddal Moor (a) lost 2:20 v Springhill (a) won 2:0 v Wardle (a) won 3:2 U15 League v Springhill (a) won 19:2 U13 League v Springhill (a) won 2:0 v Wardle (a) drew 3:3 Rally – third v Springhill won 2:0 v Oulder Hill won 1:0 v St. Cuthbert’s lost 0:8 v Cardinal Langley lost 0:16 Friendly v Oulder Hill (a) won 8:7 U12 Friendly v Oulder Hill (a) drew 7:7 U11 League v Healey B (a) won 6:1 v Healey A (a) lost 0:21 v Holy Family (a) lost 2:20 v Alice Ingham (a) won 4:1 Friendly v Huddersfield (a) won 9:2 v Bamford (a) drew 4:4 v Meanwood (a) lost 0:24 ISA North of England v Hillcrest lost 0:7 v Forest Park drew 2:2 v Abbotsford lost 0:3 v Abbeygate College won 5:1 v The Firs lost 0:1 U9 Friendly v Huddersfield (a) won 4:3

Water Polo U16 North of England Play Off v Bishop’s High (a) lost 0:16 The team qualified for the English Schools’ Plate Tournament but were unable to accept the invitation due to a majority of players being on the French trip. .

The Senior House football competition have been run this term. The results are as follows :- Senior 1st Neptune 2nd Jupiter 3rd Mercury 4th Saturn The House Cross Country Competition produced the same outcome as last year.. Upper Prep Senior 1st Neptune 1st Mercury 2nd Mercury 2nd Saturn 3rd Saturn 3rd Neptune 4th Jupiter 4th Jupiter

Beech House News

House Competitions

Page 6 of 6

Netball Day

Hockey

Swimming Beech Heathfield House & Rishworth Year 5 18 42 Year 6 24 36 Year 7 33 27 Year 8 21 39 Year 9 34 26

Indoor Athletics Years 7, 8 and 9 participated in the Greater Manchester Indoor Athletics event held at the Regional Sports Centre. In addition Year 7 participated in the Rochdale Championships.

The Year 7 Team for Greater Manchester Indoor Athletics Finals

U11 Rochdale Cup v St. Mary’s drew 0:0 v St. Michael’s lost 0:4 v Healey lost 0:3 v Our Lady lost 0:3 The House Swimming Gala produced a new

winner this term. In total four school records were broken. 1st Jupiter 2nd Neptune 3rd Saturn 4th Mercury

House Points All pupils are to be congratulated on the number of house points they have achieved so far. It equates to an average of 88 house points each. The combined Lower Prep and Upper Prep House Point totals are as follows :- 1st Saturn – 2443 2nd Mercury – 2019 3rd Jupiter – 1929 4th Neptune – 1899

Rugby U13 Girls Lancashire Finals v Wade Deacon lost 0:6 v Holy Cross lost 0:4 v St. John’s Fuller lost 0:3 v Deanery lost 1:3 It was the first time that the school had entered this event. Although not winning any games, they performed well against schools far more experienced in rugby league.