JRS Express Christmas Edition 2014

WELCOME TO THE JRS EXPRESS, YOUR SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION MAGAZINE

Christmas Card Competition

This year’s winner is Carrie Glaister with a photograph of winter

berries.

Runners up were Jess Reed (Snowscape) Josh Lamb-Wood (Robin)

Robert Albion (Italy)

Winner

JRS ROCK NIGHT

Full report and more photos on page 14

Dear Parents, Carers and friends of John Ruskin School

It has been a term of celebration on so many levels. We started our school year with the best set of exam results ever – it’s official – 63% A*-C including English and maths! The national average has declined, but we have gone against the trend and improved once again. Our formal celebration of those results and the other achievements of our students over the last academic year was Awards’ Evening in October. We had two special guests; Peter George who is funding our new GCSE as well as Tim Farron who took time out of his busy schedule to attend.

Our students and parents have been endlessly generous towards the many fund-raising activities that have centred around school. Staff and students filled over seventy shoe boxes full of gifts to be sent to Romania to help Christmas celebrations along.

In the year when the country marked the start of the First World War, the head boys and girls and their deputies co-ordinated the village Poppy Appeal, collecting a magnificent £628.35. Alan Whitmore, the Poppy Appeal fund-raising co-ordinator for Cumbria and The Isle of Man says that this is the best collection ever from Coniston, so many thanks to the community as well.

After a very informative assembly from Brantwood Elms, leading up to World Aids Day on Monday 1st December, red ribbons were sold and students paid to wear something red for the day. Over £100 was raised for this charity!

On Saturday 6th December, we held our famous Christmas Bingo night in the school hall, when we fundraise for the school itself. Local businesses and members of the community contributed generously to the prizes for the games and the raffle and for that we are extremely grateful. As a result of that and a fantastic turnout on the night, we raised over £1200.

On Friday 12th December we had a ‘wear a Christmas jumper day’ to raise funds for Save the Children. We haven’t had time to tot up the amount raised yet but when we held this event last year and students and staff raised about £140. With a mixture of home decorated and ready-made Christmas jumpers it helps everyone’s involvement with the Christmas spirit, while raising money for such a worthwhile charity.

All of these causes for celebration have taken place on top of every day school life, and for such a small school, that is a huge achievement.

Once again, as we head for the end of an extremely hectic and busy term, I would like to thank the staff and students for all their hard work and the contribution they make to this small but vibrant school community. I hope that they, and you, are able to enjoy the festive season, celebrating with family and friends and we look forward to the start of 2015, working together and looking forward to future successes and celebrations.

Yours faithfully Miriam Bailey Headteacher

VISITING STUDENTS FROM GHANA

It was great to have the opportunity to work with a small group of exchange

students and teachers from Ghana. They joined our Art lesson where we were

decorating our Islamic flags. Then we went to Maths, where we looked at the stars on the Ghanaian flag and the patterns on our Cumbrian flag. We enjoyed

drawing optical illusions using a star and a circle.

It was really interesting meeting people from a different country.

Jessamine Hamilton (Year 7)

JRS once again took part in sending boxes of hope out to

Romania. We managed to send over 70

boxes filled with lots of essentials and gifts for children of all ages.

Thank you to everyone who sent

in gifts.

POPPY APPEAL JRS Poppy Appeal organised in

Coniston John Ruskin School's Head Boys, Girls and their deputies were happy to give up their lunchtimes to deliver to and collect from local businesses, the boxes for this year's Poppy Appeal. When the school was contacted with a view to taking on the distribution, we were delighted to be able to help. With a reliable team of senior students who enjoyed the responsibility given to them and with parental permission, they were allowed offsite to visit local businesses and leave the collecting boxes. The students are always supportive of charities and are involved in a range of fund-raising activities throughout the year. Young people understand the need to support them, and particularly the Poppy Appeal which supports those service men and women affected by conflict. The school hopes that this will set the trend for the future and that it will be asked to help in years to come. Students in photograph — Left to right Niall Cameron, Emma Rogers, Ethan Silcocks, John Barr, James Postlethwaite, Georgia Howard and Amy Hambly.

Salters’ Chemistry Camp, University of Manchester

21-23 July 2014

Salter’s Chemistry Camp: It’s undoubtedly

been the best thing I have done this year so far. The camp was to last two nights and

three days, but little did I know that what would occur during my time there would be

so informative, intriguing and entertaining.

On the first day I was quite nervous as there were at least thirty other people

attending, but they were all welcoming and friendly and soon everyone started to know

each other. Not so long afterwards we started our first practical, which consisted of

equipment and compounds that I have never

had the opportunity to handle before in a school.

After more exciting and new experiments, plus an interesting lecture on various

materials it was time to go home, and many

didn’t want to leave!

My favourite part of the camp was the

lecture on materials, we experienced hands-on the fragile, the light and the expensive,

including 50g of metal worth £5000.

It was a great experience I would

recommend to anyone.

Myles Hennelly

Chemistry camp was not only a great chance for learning and doing experiments not normally possible in most schools, but also a fantastic opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds as there was a mix of private

school pupils and state pupils.

On the first day we arrived, we were assigned groups and had an icebreaker activity. After lunch we started an experiment/challenge to create a chemical clock called a Landolt clock using potassium iodate solution, sodium metabisulphide and distilled water that reacted at a given time and an oscillating clock that ‘ticked’ at a given time. After this we were taken to the halls of residence where we were staying and had our dinner. In the evening we had a lecture on materials and a quiz. Next morning after breakfast we walked to the Chemistry building where we tested Paracetamol that we made using vacuum filtration against unknown substances. After lunch we embarked upon the task of investigating the colours of different complex ions for three different metal salts in solutions using concentrated hydrochloric acid. We were also tasked with discovering the amount of copper in coins using titration. That evening, after eating at the halls of residence, we walked back to the Chemistry building to watch ‘The Flash-Bang demonstration’ which not only showed some amazing explosions but also showed how liquid oxygen is magnetic and what happens if you tip liquid nitrogen down the lecture theatres stairs (you are able only to hear a splash before the liquid vaporises). On Wednesday morning we used chemiluminesence for chemical detection in contaminated tablets using the substance siloxene. Afterwards we had a debriefing session in the lecture theatre. We were given a bag with information about Manchester University. We were also given a Chemistry Camp T-shirt. We said goodbye to our campmates and headed home following an enjoyable experience which I would recommend to anyone with an interest in science.

Ethan Silcocks

On 11th September the new Environmental and Land-based Science group set off early with 35,000 others bound for the Westmorland County Show. The day was glorious and students enjoyed watching their fellow classmates showing cows and hounds, watching sheep dancing and completing their exam questions by talking to exhibitors and trade stands. Maybe next year we will all be showing!

ELBS STUDENTS AT

WESTMORLAND COUNTY ELBS WORK IN THE GARDEN

During half term students, staff and parents gave up a day of their holidays to help plant bulbs donated by SLDC and

fill raised beds for the Environmental and Land Based Science course.

Spirits were high and energy was maintained by regular cake breaks!

Turning over the raised beds.

Planting tulip bulbs.

Filling the raised beds.

40 wheelbarrows of soil and still not full!

Mrs Mallett

On the 15th October we set off to the hub at Coniston Sports and Social club to volunteer for the Care of the

Fells day organised by Friends of the Lake District. We were greeted by Ruth Kirk the organiser and introduced to Andrew Wilkinson a LDNPA ranger who was in charge of the walling for the day. We travelled

to Torver by minibus where we had to take down a wall in need of repair and rebuild it. This looked quite a daunting task, but proved to be one the students rose to and by 3pm we had rebuilt half the wall.

I hope you can see by the photographs we were suitably impressed by our efforts and the volunteers who

we were working with were impressed by the enthusiasm and conduct of the students.

It is great to see young people learning traditions that have been around for centuries and that give the lake district its characteristic landscape. Hopefully we can return to finish the job we started!

ELBS GROUP - STONE WALLING

Evie and Alisha learning the finer points of walling

John and George levelling off the

foundations before we

all started walling

Jordan, Jake, Rhys and Alisha gathering fillers for

the middle of the wall

Jessica getting advice from the volunteers Group photograph showing what we had

achieved

Just after the wall had been taken down, before starting to rebuild it.

Year 9 Field trip to Hampsfell, Grange over Sands

Grey skies, strong winds and cool temperatures did not deter the Year 9 Geographers from studying the limestone at Hampsfell on

Monday 6th October 2014. The students have been studying limestone landscapes and this gave them the opportunity to see

geological features and identify landforms.

Smiles despite challenging weather

Students identifying landforms and field sketching

St Bee’s Trip

Year 8 had a highly successful and enjoyable Geography fieldtrip to St Bees as part of their work on coasts. They enjoyed seeing the old swimming pool on the wave-cut platform and learning about the physical

features of the bay and the different coastal management techniques. We also enjoyed the ‘bracing’ sea air - typical field work weather! The follow-up work back at school showed a high level of detail and understanding

– well done to all.

Geographical Association Physical Geography Photo competition

All Key Stage 3 geographers entered the school round of the GA photo competition, with the six best photos being submitted to represent the school in this national competition. We are delighted to have two highly commended winners from the many hundreds of

entries. Well done to Robert Albion and Lauryn Kirkbride who were both presented with atlases

and certificates are to follow!

Mrs Hodgson

AWARDS EVENING 2014

SPEECH FROM EX-HEAD BOY — FRANKIE GARD STORRY

Firstly, I would just like to say, what a huge, huge honour, it is for you to be listening... oh I

mean, for me to be standing here today saying these few words.

When I was asked if I would like to speak to you this evening, I thought about what memories I could share, and what makes JRS such a good school. What puts this school

above the rest?

And that got me thinking, well, what does make a good school?

I'm sure Ofsted would say that it’s the percentage of A* to Cs. And yes...to a point, I could agree that getting good grades is important. Who doesn't want to be successful? But is that really the only thing

that makes a good school?

And then I wondered, maybe it’s the teachers? And we have a very good bunch of them! They bore....I mean, inspire you with poetry in assembly. They demand...I mean, encourage you to work

into your lunch break. They nag... I mean, support you to get your homework in on time. But is it just the teachers that make a good school?

Then I thought perhaps it’s the students themselves that create a good school?

I myself have created dozens of friendships that I hope will last for years to come. But are students really the make or break of a school?

Maybe it’s what the school has to offer out of the classroom? If that's the case then John Ruskin has plenty for everyone:

The expedition - when walking for hours out in the rain, you find things out about teachers, that you

wouldn't always discover in the classroom. The French trip, the Ski trip and of course, the painful...strenuous...sometimes soggy – but of course, DEEPLY satisfying fell race! But can out of

school activities tell us if a school is up to the mark?

In the end I realised any good school can’t have just one of these components, but all of them, in equal measure. A good school has to balance out grades with extra-curricular activities; has to have

good teachers, but then has to use that to produce successful students.

And that's what John Ruskin School does.

It has an amazing sense of community. It teaches you how to have respect for yourself and for others, and how to work together with everyone.

I would just like to end by saying thank you. Thank you to the mates I made along the way and thank

you to all the staff, for making my time here memorable and enjoyable.

And thank you for helping to make me the funny...good looking...charming...intelligent.... witty and well rounded, modest guy, that stands before you this evening!

Mr Walker

It’s a tradition now that ex-Year 11 students say a few words on Awards Evening and this year was no exception. Former head boy and girl, Frankie Gard-Storry and Alice van Heeswijk both

said a few words. Printed below is Frankie’s speech – of course, the printed word can’t fully capture his expression and comic timing. However, as Frankie’s old English teacher, it was

pleasing to note all the persuasive devices he used in order to make his writing more engaging! How many devices can you spot?

Big Bang Trip 2014

Year 9 were recently given the opportunity to attend a science taster day held by STEM Cumbria at Kendal College.

STEM Cumbria organises the event to provide students with engaging and challenging tasks to complete from a variety of science and engineering firms.

Students watched a short lecture which gave them a futuristic look at how science may change the world we live in. During the lecture some students from John Ruskin school were given the opportunity

to participate in the demonstration, which they enjoyed thoroughly. The students participated enthusiastically and were keen to express their thanks to the host companies.

I see a particular future for some of the girls who attended a mixology class, learning about density and how to make a layered coffee. This was very successful and tasty, a career as a barista may be

suitable. Overall, the day was exceptionally successful and reminded students of the the alternative job and career opportunities in the science and engineering fields.

Miss Shuttleworth

Be safe this Christmas

Winter is definitely here, along with the

many hours of darkness – perfect conditions for thieves and pedestrian/cyclist accidents!

Don’t let thieves steal your Chrismas

The tree is decorated, the stockings are hung and piles of presents are perfectly wrapped. What a lovely sight – especially for thieves. Please don’t leave your gifts on show, lock windows and doors before you leave home, keep mobile phones, cash and keys out of sight and if you go out put the radio on, close the curtains, set light timers; anything to deter the opportunistic thief. Outbuildings are still an easy target so if you have expensive items (such as chain-saws or quad bikes) please do all you can to secure and security mark these. There were 3 burglaries in Coniston between December 2013 and March 2014!

Merry Drivers

When out and about, please be extra aware of road safety – your safety is your responsibility. Drinking alcohol and driving is statistically more likely to happen during the festive period. Don’t let you or anyone you know become a victim of a drunk driver.

Be Bright! Be Seen!

Black and blue may be fashionable colours, but not great when you’re covered in bruises following a collision with a car or cyclist! Don’t assume drivers can see you. Wear something bright or carry a torch. Cyclists must ensure their lights and reflectors are present and working. Pedestrians please don’t get distracted by your new phone or other device when out walking; keep your ear phones for safe environ-ments only.

I look forward to seeing you all at School in 2015 but in the meantime, Happy Christmas and best wishes to you and your family for 2015. Please call Cumbria Police on 101 for any non-emergency matter or 999 for all emergencies.

PCSO 5319 Emma Forrester Keep up-to-date via either Twitter: ulvandlakescops

Or Cumbria Community Messaging www.cumbriacommunitymessaging.co.uk

World AIDS Day

December 1st 2014

Brantwood Elms used their assembly to promote and address the stigma and discrimination around AIDS and HIV. Having put together, practiced and delivered an excellent assembly to the school, they went on to rally the support of all students to wear red on World AIDS day. This has been a huge success and with the sale of the ribbons and wearing red the school has raised a total of £110.79 .

A big thank you to my form, the students and staff who supported this cause. We should be very proud of the mature young adults we have in this school, particularly in their support of various charities.

Miss Shuttleworth

BAE AT JRS

On the 23rd September, all of year 7 and year 8 took part in a fantastic event run by BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force. Two interactive hours of maths and science in action saw pupils holding a ball up without touching it, lifting people up using

just air and playing "musical lightning" using a Tesla coil, to name but a few. The pupils had a

great time, were fully engaged in all the activities and were a credit to John Ruskin School.

Miss Metcalfe

'Our trip to France’ How much can you understand?

Translation on page 19! Après un voyage long nous sommes arrivés à Boulogne-sur-Mer le quatorze juillet deux-mille-quatorze.

Notre hôtel était près de la plage et la vieille ville. Nous avons mangé le dîner et regardé les feux d’artifice pour la Fête Nationale.

Mardi matin nous sommes allés à une ferme aux escargots où nous avons mangé du pâté aux escargots et des biscuits en forme des escargots. Après un bon déjeuner de baguettes au fromage, des gâteaux et des

chips nous sommes allés à une chocolaterie ou nous avons regardé la préparation des chocolats. Nous avons mangé beaucoup – le chocolat était mieux que les escargots pour la majorité! Après nous avons fait des courses au centre commercial. Mardi soir nous sommes allés à la vieille ville où nous avons fait un tour

et une compétition pour l’information sur Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Mercredi nous nous sommes levés très tôt pour un voyage assez long à Parc Astérix – c’était formidable! Nous avons fait des tours des plus grandes montagnes-russes au Parc! Le soir nous étions fatigués encore

alors nous sommes restés à l’hôtel - jouer aux cartes, bavarder avec nos amis et se reposer.

Jeudi il faisait très chaud – plus de trente-cinq dégrées à onze heures le matin! Nous sommes allés à une boulangerie où nous avons fait du pain et des croissants – c’était une expérience inoubliable à cause du

boulanger qui était très drôle. Après nous avons fait des bonbons à une usine traditionnelle. L’après-midi nous sommes allés à Nausicaa où nous avons vu des poissons, des tortues et des phoques. Le soir pour le dîner nous avons mangé du poisson! Bizarre! Après le dîner nous sommes allés à la plage où nous avons

joué des ‘Jeux Olympiques du Plage.’

Vendredi soir, assez tard à neuf heures nous sommes retournés à Coniston. Nous étions fatigués mais très contents avec notre séjour en France.

Mme Pursell

The chance to see and hear five of Britain’s top scientists, all working at the cutting edge of their specialisms.

SCIENCE LIVE!

Prof Robert Winston

Prof Steve Jones Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Prof Alice Roberts

Prof Mark Miodownik

Gen2 - Stem Workshop

During the October half term holiday, I was given the opportunity to visit and take part in Gen2's two day STEM workshop, Workington, Cumbria. The duration of the time I was there, I took part in many activities which involved learning new skills and meeting new people, we also had the chance to visit the local nuclear supply chain employer. I would really encourage other people to participate in future workshops as the experience has really made me consider a job in the nuclear industry.

Elouise Pidduck Year 10 Physics Student

We took 23 Year 11 triple science students to Manchester to see the 2014 GCSE Science live! lectures and this is what they said.

“On Monday 24th November we went to the GCSE Science Live event at the

Palace Theatre in Manchester and it was definitely worth the early start!”

“All the scientists gave passionate and interesting talks. Ella's personal favourite was Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock with her real enthusiasm for the

possibility of humans moving to Mars. Meg particularly enjoyed Professor Lord Robert Winston's engaging talk about human fertility because it was so

relevant to what we have been learning about in science lessons.”

“The different speakers covered a range of science topics, which meant that we gained a broad understanding of career opportunities in Science as well

as enriching our current knowledge in preparation for our GCSE exams.”

“If we had the chance we would definitely go again!”

Year 11 Triple Science students Ella Clarke, Niall Cameron, India Rawsley and Meg Docherty.

NEW MAGAZINE FOR THE LIBRARY

Look out for this magazine in the library in 2015!

THE ARTS

Miss Sharp

The Lowry Theatre Dance Trip October 2014

Following our usual busy school day, JRS Years 8—11 students set off to Manchester to enjoy dance performances by Rambert Dance Company.

Year 11 had been studying ‘Ghost Dances’ and ‘Rooster’ and Year 10 were to study ‘Rooster’ following the trip.

The evening included solo work and group pieces of varied mood and theme all in contemporary style. It culminated in a finalé of the piece ‘Rooster’. This piece is set to music by ‘The Rolling Stones’, ending with

the powerful ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ and charts the comic battle between the sexes in 1960’s Britain.

Watch this space as Year 10 GCSE students and the Senior Dance Club are doing their own versions of ‘Rooster’!

“My favourite piece of the

night was ‘Rooster’ and the finalé. I thought the

props and lights made the atmosphere change and

the whole audience was

silent watching the dancing.”

Sophie Kelly

“Very exciting! We got

the best seats in the theatre. The costumes

were especially impressive because they had real

crystals on which you

could see very clearly.”

Ellie Park

“I really enjoyed

the trip as it was good to see what

we are studying live. They dance

beautifully and

are inspirational. I will definitely

see them again”

Ioanna Stergiaki

“I really enjoyed

going to The Lowry. It was

fun and enjoyable but at

the same time

good for my education. I

love seeing the dancers live

instead of just on a screen and

the drama is

just as good for the same

reason.”

Amy Hambly

‘Rooster’

“I really enjoyed this piece. I thought the story line was clever

and the movements fit the narrative well. I also liked the

way Christopher Bruce pulled

bits from all the dances to create the last scene. Using the

dance as inspiration, I will attempt to do this with the key

motifs to the track ‘Sympathy for the Devil’.”

Jessica Parkinson

THE ARTS

Mrs Cutts

JRS Rock Night

We are now in our third year of

this annual event and the level of

talent has gone from strength to strength.

Stale Turtles, the longest

standing band in the school,

played a very professional set with an indie feel, including 'Mona

Lisa Smile'.

Not to be out done the new Year 7 bands, four in all, wowed us

with their flamboyance and confidence, playing the old rock

favourites from 'Rocking All Over

The World' to 'Highway to Hell'.

The Year 8 bands went along a more punk rock theme with 'Ever

Fallen in Love With Someone' and the Killers popular 'Mr Brightside.

Year 9, not to be out done,

showed off their rock god guitar

riffs, funky piano skills and note perfect singing. In the words of

those X Factor judges, 'they made the songs their own'.

The penultimate band from the

Year 10 and 11 GCSE class did a

three song set and brought the house down with 'Nothing Else

Matters'

Finally, the staff band were a sight to behold. Wigs, colourful

hairspray, velvet jackets, grungy T-shirts were the order of the

day. They played five songs in all,

kicking off with 'Rebel, Rebel' and ending on the popular 'So What'.

The house was well and truly

brought down by the record breaking audience of students,

staff, family and friends.

THE ARTS

JRS Drama Academy - ‘FUSE’

In July 2014 an opportunity arose for JRS to do something different and new in drama. How would we

resist? JRS agreed to work with Kendal Brewery Arts Centre

venue and The Knotted Theatre Group.

Between us we created a JRS drama academy called ‘FUSE’ who meet weekly to create devised drama work.

Years 8 - 11 take part and it will culminate in

performances of our version of ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’.

Weekly 3 members of The Knotted Theatre Group work with our students to provide devised drama in the style of physical theatre; an exciting moement based style.

Quotes from students taking part:

GCSE Expressive Arts Lessons

Year 11 GCSE group are currently producing inventive and pwerful solos based on protest

themes inspired by Bob Dylan, Banksy and Christopher

Bruce. They have to create dance, drama and art banners

based on political or protest themes. The recent theatre trip supports their work as does

involvement in dance and drama clubs. 7 out of 11 students

are involved in

clubs.

Year 10 GCSE group have settled well into the course and

have performed comical ‘Rooster’ dances and more serious

meaningful ‘Rats’ Tales’ drama. The dance was inspired by the

recent theatre trip and the work supports their GCSE dance

development. Year 10 will show extracts in future concerts.

Rats’ Tales was written by the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy

then adapted as a play by Melly Still. Year 10 had to create it for

performance planning and exploring inventive ways to present it.

Miss Sharp

“I like FUSE because

everyone has a chance to shine and no-one has

a small part. They have taught me

about physical theatre and extended my

skills in drama.”

Matthew Waring

“FUSE is really fun it inspires me become more

confident performing with

different people. I have made more friends going to

this club. I like it because we do lots of fun games and

scenes.” Tobie

Woodhead

“The good thing

about FUSE is because it lets

me express myself and to

have fun. I have learnt how to

make things look real.”

Carrie Glaister

FUSE has made me even more confident

performing and has expanded my knowledge

of drama. Tom

Stergiakis

“It is fun and I enjoy

learning new skills in drama

and I have become more confident.”

Lauryn

Kirkbride

I like FUSE because my friends are

there and it is fun and we learn more

stuff to improve ourself.”

Zennor Dale

Old Rat by Molly Kennelly

“I am 50% human, 50% rat. I walk with my hands up by my chest and I take small steps

when I walk.

This helps you visualise how a rat actually moves. Because I am 50% human and 50% rat I don’t

crawl on the floor like a rat would do, I hunch my back over to show the 50% human and 50% rat.

My voice becomes quite crackly as though I have

been smoking, my voice becomes very fast, however it is quiet so I need to make it louder for

the audience to hear. My old rat impression is very enthusiastic and

almost quite creepy.”

THE ARTS

Langdale Dance Showcase

“I’ve been working in the Expressive Arts department at John Ruskin since September, leading Dance Club and working on some pieces alongside the dancers for the Dance Concert in February. As a Freelance Dance Artist working around South Cumbria, I have to say the John Ruskin Dance Club is one of my favourites – the girls are a joy to work with! They are very enthusiastic and beautiful dancers.

As part of my work, I annually organise a Dance Showcase as part of the entertainment for the AGM meeting of Lodge Owners on The Langdale Estate and I thought it would be a good idea to ask a few girls at John Ruskin if they would like to be involved. This show happened on Saturday 22nd November and I have to say, was a great success! Ioanna, Amy, Kerensa, Charlotte and Leah all performed pieces adapted from Dance Club, as well as a couple of their own creations from their GCSE studies, alongside myself and two other adult performers. The girls performed gracefully and professionally and we had a bigger audience than expected, all of whom seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show – I certainly had some good feedback. It was a long day of rehearsing, made more difficult when my musician had to pull out. Ioanna and Amy worked with me to create a trio, which we choreographed quite last minute to fill the gap and in fact was one of our favourite pieces!

I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with the whole Dance Group again after Christmas as we work towards the concert – I’m very excited to see them perform what we have created, they have made me very proud.”

Jenni Boardman — Freelance Dance Artist

www.makespacedancecompany.co.uk

Calendar Dates for Expressive Arts 2015

Saturday 10th January 2015 Optional dance and drama workshop

10:30am — 2:30pm

Monday 9th February Technical rehearsal day

Tuesday 10th February

Dress rehearsal day with visiting primary schools in the afternoon

Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th February

CONCERT Book tickets through school reception

Friday 13 March at Kendal Brewery Arts Centre Saturday 14 March at Kendal Brewery Arts

Centre.

On both dates the JRS drama academy called ‘FUSE’ will perform.

Call Kendal Brewery Arts for tickets.

Kendal Comic Art Festival Our shop window on Stricklandgate We chose to follow an X-men theme and changed it from X-men and Wolverine to

become LaXes men and Ramblerine, following a theme of the outdoor tourists in the area. All of KS3 took part in the making of the figures last term, it was displayed in Kendal in October for

the festival.

Mrs Hunt

SPORTS PAGE

COUNTY CUP FOOTBALL

The U16 boys team had a comprehensive victory in the 1st Round over Windermere St.Anne’s by 6-2, Shaun Grave scoring 4 of the goals – all the lads played well and were rarely threatened throughout the game. In the 2nd Round against Queen Katherines School, the lads struggled to perform at the same level as they did in the 1st Round, and ended up losing to a very tough, physical side. The lads were disappointed that they

didn’t play better.

RFU DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Following on from the previous years’ work with Garry Holmes (South Lakes RFU Development Coach), the school is now enrolled on a 3 year package with RFU England to deliver Rugby. The aim of the programme is to “Broaden the Reach” of Rugby into rural areas. We now have funding and equipment to help students

in all aspects of the game – playing, coaching, officiating, and leading festivals for younger students. We are also now nominating students from Key Stage 3 for District Trials, and from Key Stage 4 for County Trials in January 2015 – this comes as a result of the work being put in by both Garry and the students….a

fantastic achievement.

NEW RUGBY SHIRTS

The school has recently had a donation of 20 brand new rugby shirts from Simon

Grave, father of Shaun (Year 11). Simon is always keen to come and watch the team in

action and encourage them in the Westmorland Series Rugby games set up in the autumn term each year, and offered to purchase a set of team shirts for the lads to

wear. A big thank you to Mr. Grave for his generosity, it is very much appreciated!

WESTMORLAND SERIES RUGBY The 1st Round took place at the Lakes School in September – we played the Lakes, and Dallam, losing both

games. In the 2nd Round at John Ruskin the lads were much more determined and beat the Lakes and Dallam, but lost to Cartmel. The 3rd Round takes place on Tuesday 20th January at Ambleside Rugby Club,

4 pm start.

YEAR 7 COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS

In October, we took 4 students along to QEGS Penrith to compete in the County Trials – the weather was windy and cold. All the runners did well, with Courtney Hutchinson being the pick of

our 4 runners, eventually finishing 13th out of 120+ in the girls race. Well done, Courtney!

Mr Rose

SPORTS PAGE

FELL RACE

THE RECORDS WENT CRASHING!!

In a first ever for the annual fell race, both the boy’ and girls’ race records were SMASHED on the same day. In the boys’ race, the previous record of 17mins 31, set by Nathan Atkinson in 2009 was demolished by Joe

Edmondson (Year 9) who won in 16mins 49, with brother Ben (Year 8) in 2nd in 17mins 39, and Nicky Kitchingman (Year 8) 3rd in 19mins 24.

In the girls race, the previous record of 20mins 21, set by Paige Birkett in 2008 was beaten by Lauryn Kirkbride (Year 8) who won in 19mins 45, with Courtney Hutchinson (Year 7) 2nd in 22mins 53, and Leah

Albion (Year 9) 3rd in 24mins 53.

Thurston House won the Girls’ Race, Brantwood won the Boys’ Race, with Brantwood winning the overall title 2292points to 2076 points.

DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS

In November, a selection of Key Stage 3 students went to Sedbergh to compete in the trials for their age group. All our runners finished in the top half of their respective races, with the best being

Courtney Hutchinson (Year 7) in 3rd, Ben Edmondson (Year 8) 3rd, and Lauryn Kirkbride (Year 8) 7th – all 3 have been selected to represent the district at the County Championships in January.

Mr Rose

New Fell Running Club

It has been a highly enjoyable and successful first term for the fellrunning club. We have had 15-20 runners each Wednesday

participating in running training on the school grounds and on the nearby tracks and fellside. I have been so impressed by the

enthusiasm and ability of all our runners from the experienced

competitive fellrunners to complete beginners. We have all enjoyed trying to improve our fitness and skills whilst having fun too. I never

knew that playing ‘manhunt’ would be such good sprint training! The club will continue all year, so if you fancy coming along just bring a

permission letter from home. All abilities welcome

Thanks also to Miss Flanagan for helping out with this club.

Ms Richards

Translation of French trip article

After a long journey we arrived in Boulogne-sur-Mer on the fourteenth of July two thousand and fourteen. Our hotel was near the beach and the old town. We ate dinner and watched

the fireworks to celebrate the national holiday.

Tuesday morning we went to a snail farm where we ate snail paté and snail-shaped biscuits. After a good lunch of cheese baguettes, cake and crisps we went to a chocolate factory where we watched the making of chocolates. We ate a lot – most people thought the chocolate was better than the snails! Afterwards we went shopping at the shopping centre. Tuesday evening we went to the old town where we did a tour and had a competition to find information about

Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Wednesday we got up very early for quite a long journey to Parc Astérix – it was amazing! We rode the biggest roller coasters in the park. In the evening we were tired again so we

hung out at the hotel - playing cards, chatting with friends and relaxing.

On Thursday it was very hot – more than thirty-five degrees at eleven in the morning! We went to a bakery where we made bread and croissants – it was an unforgettable experience because of the baker who was very funny. Afterwards we made sweets at a traditional sweet

factory. In the afternoon we went to Nausicaa where we saw fish, turtles and seals. That evening we ate fish for dinner – weird! After dinner we went to the beach and played ‘Beach

Olympics.’

Quite late Friday evening we returned to Coniston. We were tired but very happy with our visit to France.

STOP PRESS !!!!!

First Charolais tup lamb for the new Environmental and Land Based Science course. The sheep Alisha Hutchinson is in charge of was showing signs recently when doing our

health checks and we were pleased at the safe arrival.

Mother and baby both doing well!

Mrs Mallett

John Ruskin School

Lake Road. Coniston Cumbria LA21 8HT

Tel: 015394-41306

Web site: http://www.jrs.org.uk

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from all

at

John Ruskin School