USH Newsletters

14th February 2014

  • Headteacher's News

    We had the great pleasure of welcoming a Paralympian, Aaron Phipps, to Upper Shirley High last week and I watched with awe and wonder as students in Years 7-10 were astounded by his dedication to his sport (wheelchair rugby).  As a Paralympian athlete, Aaron embodies the USH values and we are inviting him in to launch our Habits of Mind initiative as we strive to achieve Thinking School status.  Having students meet real people who have achieved their goals is hugely valuable and something we hope to arrange a lot more of in the future. 

    Aaron will be coming back in to meet with Year 11s separately. 

    I do hope students come home and tell you the story of Aaron's visit; it marked a key turning point for the future direction of USH. 

    As ever, thanks to parents for your continued support.

    Stuart Woods

    Headteacher

  • Pupil Information/Internet Payments/Cashless Catering Updates

    It’s an exciting time for the school as we are bringing in many new innovations!

    • Over the coming months we will be sending out data sheets extracted from our pupil database displaying contact numbers, addresses and medical information held for your child. We will be starting with Year 11, and continuing across the year groups through to Year 7. Once received, please update and return to the school. It is important that our data is accurate to ensure we can contact you should the need arise. 
    • This week you will be receiving a letter containing a unique log in to enable you to register for our new internet payments system.  This code is only needed on initial set up, and ensures you will only see the information relevant to your child. I would recommend that you register straight away so that you can discard the letter. Future log ins will be made by email address and a password that you have created.
    • To begin with the system is restricted to the collection of music lesson fees and trips. Parents with outstanding music fees can log in straight away to pay instalments in line with our letter at the start of the year.
    • The school has just signed up for a new cashless catering system. Once installed, we will expect the majority of pupil meals to be paid for via internet payments. To aid a smooth transition to this new system it would be really beneficial if parents were already registered for online payments. Many thanks for your cooperation in doing this.
    • Once we have agreed the timing of the installation of our new catering package we will invite parents to come into school to hear all about the new system and ask any questions. Once in place the canteen will not accept cash, but please don’t panic, a cash top up machine will be available in school. We will keep you up to date to try and minimise any initial teething problems. 

    Julie Prince, School Business Manager

  • Co-operative Farm visit

    A group of eleven Year 8s were welcomed by the Co-operative 'Farm to Fork' team at Manor Farm near Cirencester last week. The purpose of the visit was to gain a better understanding of how food is produced and to reinforce some of the skills they learned recently in school by making pizzas from scratch, including the dough! Part of the visit included a tour of the farm fields and an opportunity to grind wheat to see how different grades of flour are produced. The day finished with a question and answer session where students could ask about food production to extend their learning further. 

    The students were very positive about the first trip organised by the Catering department and their feedback will be used to develop future trips for larger groups.

    Students commented

    • "Today I learned that wholemeal flour has more fibre, so it’s good for your digestive system."
    • "I enjoyed the trip because I learned new things about bees and wheat. I liked making the pizza!"
  • Evening for Parents of Students with Additional Needs, 11th March

    Year 7 parents attended the first Inclusive Learning  parents' evening on 11th November.  Parents were able to discuss the intervention targets set for their children and were provided with information and guidance relating to supporting these interventions at home. 

    We would like this opportunity to be available to all parents with children who have additional needs and who are interested in supporting their children to reach their full potential.  We are holding a second evening open to all parents with children who have additional needs on 11th March between 4 pm-6pm 2014.  An online booking system will be open from midday on 17th February.

  • PTA Quiz Night - Coming Soon!

    The PTA are organising a Quiz Evening on Friday 14th March, please keep this date free. Details will follow soon, and tickets will be available for sale the week after half term.

  • Science and Maths Year 11 period 6

    This term Science and Maths have been running period 6  on a Tuesday and Wednesday for Year 11.  As we cannot accommodate all students at the same time we have split the year group into focus groups.  Students have received letters to inform them of the sessions they should attend.  If your child has received a letter please support them by ensuring they attend each session on the correct day.

    Geri Adams and Vicky Rasey
    Head of Science and Head of Maths

  • Hampshire Cup Success for Year 10 Football

    In very  wet conditions the Year 10 football team won their Hampshire Cup quarter final game on 6th February against Brookfield School.  The score was 2-1 and both goals were scored by Jack Coster.

    It was a tremendous team performance and the boys all deserve a huge amount of credit for their attitude and performance against a good side in awful conditions.  We now look forward to a semi -final tie away at Salesian College near Farnborough.

    Congratulations to the team: Dijari Marouf, Josh Price, Halder Schaho, Mitch Stedman (captain), Josh Wickens, Raphael Amartey, Fabio Manuel, Jack Coster, James Parker-Trott, Kalle Kankare, Luke Biffin, Bart Berry, Lee Lloyd and Johnny Stickells.

    Kieron Hall, PE Department

  • Basketball News

    The Year 11/10 basketball team concluded their league games last week. They beat Redbridge 46-32 to finish with a proud record of nine wins and just one defeat. The outcome was that they finished top of the league and now go into the play-offs as favourites.  Well done to Bradley Fallows, Yisrael Uson, Gedeon Matonga, Lee Lloyd, Morgan Day, Kane Lewis, Harjeet Bhakar, Raiven Oga, Umar Chowdhary, Ellis Roy, Jack Pinto and Gustavo De Sousa.

    Peter Hadfield, PE Department

  • Netball Results

    Our U12 team (Year 7) beat St George 7-2 and Sholing 3-2.

    A fantastic result against St George considering that we lost 5-0 against them at the start of the year! We also played a five minute friendly against Oasis Mayfield Year 8s whilst we were waiting for our teams and we won that too!  Unfortunately the team lost 3-2 to St Anne's but it was a very good, close game.  Well done girls.

    The U13 team won against St Anne's 7-4, Oasis Mayfield 17-1 and Redbridge 12-1.  The whole team played incredibly well, fighting tough opposition, poor weather and several injuries.  Jazz Berry demonstrated great bravery playing on with a black eye!  Well played to all the girls involved.

    Claire Marks, PE Department

  • Paris 2014

    A reminder that there is an information evening for the Paris trip on Tuesday 25th February.  Details of the itinerary will be presented as well as some practical advice about what to take.  Staff going on the visit will be there to answer any questions you may have.  

    If you haven't returned the medical form or EHIC card as yet, please do so as soon as possible.

    Please get in touch if you have anyqueries.  Martin.Perry@ushschool.org

  • Gymnastics Club

    Gymnastics Club has been going well with the group moving onto handsprings off a box. Any student who wants to give it a go should come along!

    Claire Marks, PE Department

  • Sainsbury's Active Kids Vouchers

    We are once again collecting the Active Kids vouchers so please ask students to bring in any vouchers collected from shopping at Sainsbury's.  We have a collection box in reception.  In previous years we have been able to obtain some very useful sports equipment for the school.  Thank you.

  • 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, Alison.small@ushschool.org.

  • Dates for Your Diaries

    Dates to note for this academic year:
    Monday 17th-Friday 21st February – Half term
    Wednesday 26th February, 6.30-8.30pm, Year 9 Options evening

    Tuesday 11th March - 4-6pm, Evening for parents of students with additional needs
    Friday 14th March – 7pm, PTA quiz night
    Wednesday 19th March - 7-8.30pm, Parent Action group
    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 - 4-7.30pm, Year 8 parents' evening
    Friday 23rd May - Staff training (Inset) day
    Monday 26th-Friday 30th May - Half term
    Tuesday 10th June - 7-8.30pm, Parent Action group
    Thursday 19th June - 4-7.30pm, Year 7 parents' evening
    Monday 30th June - Community Learning day for all staff and students
    Wednesday 2nd-Friday 4th July - School production at The Point, Eastleigh
    Tuesday 8th July - Year 11 Prom
    Wednesday 23rd July - School breaks up for Summer holidays