November 2000 Newsletter

Rhyl High School continues to build on success and achievement. Our record of success with GCSE examination results for Summer 2000 showed an increase of 6% in higher grades (at least 5 grade C's and above) gained by our young people, and an 'A' level pass rate of 90%. This continues the trend over the last three years, thus endorsing our aim of taking success a step further.
Congratulations to Paula Southworth and Anthony Ashton on being appointed Head Girl and Head Boy for this academic year. We wish them well in their term of office, along with their Deputies Kristle Noden and Tom Evans. I must also congratulate Kristle and Rebecca Moseley (both of Year 13) for jointly winning the Silver Jubilee Bursary awarded by the Rhyl and District branch of the Soroptimists International. In gaining this award they bring great credit to themselves and the school.
We are very grateful to Sharp UK Ltd. for their extremely generous donation of a colour computer projector, and in particular to Mr. Whitelegg, parent of James in 11C, who negotiated this very kind gift.
Thanks also are extended to Roger W. Jones Ltd. for their donation of a large quantity of ceiling tiles, which will enable us to further improve the environment of the school. Finally I would remind parents that pupils in Years 7 to 11 should not bring mobile phones into school.
Yours sincerely,
M. WILLIAMS

Important Dates for Year 11

Although our Year 11 pupils have been notified at regular intervals about deadline dates for coursework, Mr. Steve Burzio has now published a definitive list of these deadlines and details:

English – Four assignments due in by end of this term
Maths – Final deadline is Friday 16th February
Science – Interim deadline Friday 1st December
Art - Final deadline is Friday 16th February
Graphics – 18 sheets by Friday 1st December
Food Technology – 12 sheets plus two Practicals by Wednesday 20th December
Textiles – 10 sheets by Wednesday 20th December
Resistant Materials – 6 to 10 sheets by Wednesday 20th December
I.T. Four assignments by Wednesday 20th December
French – Ongoing Oral Tests
Welsh - Ongoing Oral Tests
Geography – Completed Fieldwork by Wednesday 20th December
History – Some coursework due in by Wednesday 20th December
Media Studies – Two short assignments by Wednesday 20th December

In addition all pupils in Year 11 have been issued with a personal copy of the Mock Examinations timetable.

Helping Others

The school collection for the British Legion 'Poppy Day' Appeal raised just over Ł100. We held a non-uniform day which raised Ł400 for 'Children in Need'. At the moment pupils are busy collecting used postage stamps for the 'Blue Peter' Appeal. Donations are more than welcome and can be left at Reception in Block 6 or with Mr. Julian Evans in Room 3.4. The annual Christmas Community Party for our local elderly and handicapped neighbours will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th December. If you know of someone who would appreciate an invitation to our party, please leave details at Reception in Block 6.

Library News

During the week December 4th to 8th there will be a 'Book Fair' in the School Library. In previous years this event has been very successful – not only were our pupils able to choose and purchase books, but the Library also benefited by receiving commission on the books sold.
This year there will be a range of over 300 books to choose from and we are hoping to improve on last year's takings, when we sold over Ł400 worth of books. The Fair is open to all pupils and staff and we would be delighted if you would encourage your child(ren) to support it. As in previous years, please note that books must be paid for when chosen as we cannot offer a reservation service. Thank you for your co-operation.

Rhyl High at the Millennium Dome

In June a group of Year 10 pupils from the school worked on a project with environmental artist Tim Pugh. Under the overall direction of Sue Phillips, our contribution formed part of the backdrop to the dance sequence that was performed in the Millennium Dome this month.
Prior to making the installation the pupils worked for several days in the classroom researching Celtic art and natural forms. Eventually a large work of art was constructed on Rhyl beach using pebbles and driftwood. The whole process was filmed using a time-lapse camera; the finished product being a sequence that showed the mysterious growth of a Celtic-inspired work of art. After the work was completed a group of dancers arrived and they were filmed as they danced around the installation.
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience; particularly working with Tim Pugh. Many of them have continued the installation theme in school, which they will be able to submit for their GCSE Art coursework.

The Shifting Sands Mural

Students from the Sixth Form have recently completed a large ceramic mural, which has been installed at the back of the Children's Village on Rhyl promenade. Working with ceramics expert Teena Gould the students began the project in October last year. On 1st November the mural was officially opened at a special celebration at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre.
Our mural formed part of a project that was set up to put ceramic mosaic artworks along the 7-mile cycle route, which runs parallel to the seashore from Rhyl to Prestatyn. The designs were based on natural shapes taken from the beach such as pebbles, shells and swirls in the sand, which were then incorporated into the design of the large piece called Shifting Sands. The mural comprises of 235 sculptured, hand-made pieces of ceramic that cover 6 recessed panels measuring over 58 feet in length. Mirror glass mosaic has been placed between the ceramic pieces, which reflect the sea, and sky. The overall effect is breathtaking and a credit to the students who took part.
Each student has produced a set of design sheets, which, together with photographs of the finished mural, will be submitted for their A level coursework portfolios.

The Back Page

Congratulations go to Amy Jones and Sarah Gunning of Year 10 and Gareth Nuttall of Year 12, who all swam for North East Wales in the Welsh Schools Swimming Championships. Their efforts ensured that the district won the Boys, Girls and the overall championships.
Our sports teams also continue to do very well:

In netball Year 10 beat Abergele 23-22.
In soccer Year 8 beat Blessed Edward Jones 11-1; Year 10 beat Rhuthun 4-0 and Years 12/13 beat Buckley Elfed 4-0.
In hockey the u-13s beat Rydal 1-0 and Glan Clwyd 2-0; the u-14s beat Prestatyn 4-0 and Blessed Edward Jones 1-0, although lost 2-0 to Rydal. They have also reached the final of the Denbighshire tournament which is being played this week.
In rugby the u-18s lost to Llangefni and Ysgol Tryfan but beat Ysgol David Hughes 45-5; Year 7 lost to Brynhyfryd, Rhuthun; Year 8 have beaten Brynhyfryd 37-12 and Blessed Edward Jones 30-0.