USH Newsletters

11th October 2013

  • Headteacher's News

    Dear Parents

    Firstly a huge thank you to all the students who helped on our first Open Morning on Saturday 28th September.  If your son or daughter helped, they were a credit to you.  Many of our visitors commented on the polite and courteous nature of our tour guides and helpers…congratulations everyone.  Our Open Morning was a true reflection of the atmosphere at USH, with no artificial additives or preservatives! Thanks, as ever to our PTA for their refreshments, most welcome and enjoyed.

    Many congratulations to Jessica and Hollie for their collective equestrian successes!  If you have a success story you think we don't know about please let us know and we will feature your son or daughter in the next edition of the USH newsletter.  As ever, thank you for your continued support.

    Stuart Woods

    Headteacher

  • Advanced Warning: Strike Action Thursday 17th October

    Parents should be aware of this advance notice for childcare implications on Thursday 17th October as the school will only be open to Year 11 students.  All other students should work at home and use SAM learning where appropriate.


     

  • Year 7s Learn Map Skills

    Last week all of the Year 7s were split into groups to walk round our local area, including the Common, using our geography skills.  The tasks included identifying places from photos we were given and drawing a field sketch.  We also counted the trees that line Coronation Avenue North on the Common and identified map symbols.  Our map skills were put to the test, writing down grid references, spotting contours and using the key on the map.  Other Year 7s on the trip commented, “I learnt how to use my six figure and four figure grid references in a realistic situation” and “I felt that the geography skills I had learnt in the classroom helped me in circumstances like we experienced on the trip.”

    Everyone enjoyed the trip and has a positive memory of their first trip at USH.

    Written by Lydia Nutting and Naomi Danson, Year 7

  • Red Button Challenge

    Two teams of our students from Year 8 and 9 visited Cisco Systems, Chandlers Ford, for the Red Button Challenge launch.  For the next few months the teams will be working on a project to design and develop an interactive TV application to run on a digital television set-top box (such as Sky or Tivo) or on companion devices (Smart phone or iPad). The application must enhance the TV viewer’s experience. The challenge is also about the research, planning, design and project management required in launching a successful application. The students have the unique opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals from Cisco, developing their skills in teamwork as well as ICT.

    The final presentation will take place in March: students will have to sell their product in Dragon’s Den style to the panel of judges from Cisco and Solent EBP.  The main prize is £75 in vouchers for each team member, so we wish both of our teams the very best of luck!

    Mrs Adamou

    We went to the headquarters of Cisco at Chandlers Ford.  We were given a talk by a member of their staff who explained to us what we had to do and showed us some previous examples.

    We have to create an App for the red button on the Sky remote control to make people’s experience of watching TV better.  For example, if you wanted to know more about a particular actor you could press the red button to access information about them.

    We are working in two groups, one for Year 8 and one for Year 9.  We have mentors from Cisco coming into school to give us help and advice.
    by Poppy Young, Year 8, and Tim Marshall-Cox, Year 9

     

     

  • Jessica does it Again!

    At the Cadnam end of year show Jessica and her pony, Hollie, enjoyed yet more success, winning 3rd, 4th and two 5th placings and two Championship accumulator rosettes.  Accumulator points are won by winning classes at shows throughout the year.  Jessica also has two cups to add to her collection.  Hollie was judged the Prettiest Mare, and came 2nd in the Cuddliest Pony!

    Jessica won more awards at a show in West Sussex: 2nd in Best Riding Pony/Horse, 2nd in Best Condition and 2nd in Family Pony.  She was then Reserve Champion in the afternoon Championship.

    We are all very proud of Jessica and look forward to hearing more news when next year’s show season starts.

  • Coffee and Cakes for Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning

    Staff normally enjoy cakes at break on a Friday; departments take it in turn to do the baking.  On 27th September we combined this with taking part in the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and raised the grand sum of £54.81 for this worthy cause.

  • Careers News

    Careers Fair, Thursday 24th October
    We are holding a Careers Fair for Year 11, 10 and 9 students in the main hall from 2.30 to 6.30pm. This is an opportunity for Year 11 students and parents to collect information and ask questions of the local colleges, universities and training providers.  It is also the ideal opportunity for Year 10 students to find out what is available post 16 and to help Year 9 with their option choices.  Please support your son/daughter by attending this event.

    Amendments to College Open Evening Calendar
    A calendar of college open evenings has been issued to all Year 11 students.  Unfortunately since printing a number of changes have been made. 

    Additional Open Evening dates:
    Eastleigh College Thursday 17th October 4.30pm – 7.30pm
    City College  Saturday 18th January 9.30am – 1.00pm
    Changes to published dates:
    Richard Taunton’s Sixth Form College
    Tuesday  15th October 6.30pm – 9.00pm
    Wednesday 13th November 6.30pm – 9.00pm
    Thursday 27th February 6.30pm – 9.00pm

    Year 9 Careers Day, Thursday 5th December
    As part of the careers education programme and to help with option choices and the transition process from Year 9 to Year 10 we are planning a ‘Go To Work With A Parent (family member or friend) Day’ on Thursday 5th December.  The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the world of work.  This opportunity will allow your son/daughter to gain valuable first-hand experience of the workplace, an important element of the careers programme which we are unable to offer in school.  If you are unable to take your son/daughter to work please arrange for him/her to go to work with a family member/friend. 

    Mrs Anderson, carey.anderson@ushschool.org

     

  • Eco Council Update

    Members of the Eco Council kindly volunteered their time at our recent Open Morning to raise awareness of their work at USH. Visitors were encouraged to take part in a quiz entitled ‘How Green Are You?’ for the chance to win some Fair Trade chocolate. The lucky winner drawn from over 30 entries is Nathan Hill who currently attends Shirley Junior School. Some Co-operative Fair Trade chocolate is on its way to Nathan!

    If you would like to support USH in becoming a greener school or have ideas that we could work on please get in contact with Mrs Mawby. The Eco Council would be delighted to hear from you! Sam.mawby@ushschool.org

  • Year 7 Science Club

    Year 7 Science Club takes place on a Tuesday in Room 38 from 2.45 until 3.30pm.  Over the next ten weeks our super scientists will have fun with scientific experiments such as rainbow reactions and bouncing custard balls!  Our first meeting this week was a huge success, we made alien blood and messy volcanoes.  Next Tuesday we will be making foam fire extinguishers.

    To secure a place at the club this term, Year 7 students should write a short paragraph stating why they think science is amazing.  Applications to be handed in to Mrs Harman as soon as possible please. Science Club has already started but there are still a few places available.

     

  • DofE Update

    Year 9 DofE

    This will start in the New Year – a welcome meeting will be held to find out more about the Award.

    Year 10 DofE

    We shall be meeting every Friday after half term until Christmas to plan routes and finalise groups for the planned assessed expeditions in the Spring.  You all now have an eDofE login and a booklet which will be distributed after half term.  If you would like your booklet before this date, please come and see me.

    Year 11 DofE

    E DofE is now working again – there have been some changes but these have no bearing on what students have to do.  Information about the expedition section will be bulk uploaded so please do nothing on this part.  Expedition presentation is planned for the 7th November; letters with more information coming soon.

    Mr Perry, martin.perry@ushschool.org

  • The Geography Department Twitter Page

    The Geography Department Twitter page @geographyush is regularly updated with news and links about Geography events as and when they happen around the world. It is a great way for students to support their own learning and enhance their understanding of local, national and global events.

    We recommend that all GCSE Geography students look at the site regularly; revision material and links to other useful websites will be posted there and it will really help to extend pupils reading around the subject. You don’t have to have a twitter account to do so, you can access via www.twitter.com/geographyush. However, those that do follow will be notified each time a new piece of information is added relevant to them. So get following!

    Parents can follow the twitter page too, as well as pupils in other year groups, we even have teachers from other schools following!

    Ms O’Sullivan, Geography Department

  • When your Child is Unwell

    It is very important to ring the school if your child is going to be absent.  Please
    report any absence directly to the Attendance Officer, Alison Small, on 023 8052 2721.

  • Please note that all cheques paid into the school should be made payable to JET.

  • Dates for Your Diaries

    Dates to note for this academic year:

    • Tuesday 15th October - 6.30pm Year 7 parents evening with tutors
    • Thursday 24th October - 6-7pm PTA AGM
    • Thursday 24th October - 7-8.30pm launch of parent action group
    • Monday 28th Oct-Friday 1st Nov - Half term
    • Wednesday 13th November - GCSE Presentation evening for last year's Year 11
    • Monday 18th November - Staff training (Inset) day
    • Tuesday 3rd December - 4-7pm, Year 7 parents evening
    • Thursday 19th December - School breaks up for Christmas holidays
    • Friday 20th December - School closure
    • Monday 6th January 2014 - Return to school
    • Wednesday 22nd January - 4-7pm, Year 11 parents evening
    • Thursday 30th January - 4-7pm, Year 9 parents evening
    • Wednesday 12th February - 4-7pm, Year 10 parents evening
    • Monday 17th-Friday 21st Feb - Half term
    • Friday 21st March - Staff training (Inset) day
    • Friday 4th April - School breaks up for Easter holidays
    • Tuesday 22nd April - Return to school
    • Monday 5th May - Bank Holiday
    • Tuesday 20th May - 4-7pm, Year 8 parents evening
    • Friday 23rd May - Staff training (Inset) day
    • Mon 26th-Fri 30th May - Half term
    • Thursday 19th June - 4-7pm, Year 7 parents evening
    • Monday 30th June - Staff training (Inset day)
    • Wednesday 23rd July - School breaks up for Summer holidays