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USH Newsletter 17th December 2015

Introduction from Mr Woods

Last night's Carol Service, led by Miss Shaw our new Head of Music, will be a memorable highlight of this term.  With the choirs in the finest collective voice I've ever heard at USH and soloists so gifted, the congregation were in awe; and that's absolutely no overstatement.  Well done to everyone involved.

Mark Twain said "The Two Most Important Days In Your Life Are...The Day You are Born, And...The Day You Find Out Why".  For many of our children last night, it was obvious in their faces that music has unlocked something special in them; and Miss Shaw, you were also born to make music...a first-class inaugural concert.

On behalf of all our staff, it remains to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.  As ever, thank you for supporting USH this term.

Best wishes

Stuart Woods

School Carol Service

We were treated to an evening of festive music by the school's choirs, ensembles and orchestra.  Many thanks to everyone involved for making it such a memorable evening, not least Miss Shaw for all of her hard work and musical direction!


Year 10 Art Exhibition

Students from Year 10 were excited to display their art work at the Year 10 Art Exhibition on Monday 7th December.  Parents, teachers and friends were invited to see the amazing work that had been completed during the first part of the GCSE Art course.  The standard of work is very high and those visiting the exhibition made many positive comments.  Parents and Carers were proud of their children, one said: "It's lovely to have a chance to see the work.  I'm surprised by the high standard."

Well done to all involved.

Miss De Ruiter


Netball

Congratulations to all the Netball Teams on their league results and thank you for all of your patience this term in waiting for results to come through.

The Year 10s and Year 11s were both entered into the Year 11 League.  The Year 10s came third and the Year 11s came fourth which is a fantastic result! 

Our Year 9s came first in their league, again, fantastic work, girls!

Well done to all students taking part and we are looking forward to the Year 7 and Year 8 Leagues that start after Christmas.

Thank you,

Miss Marks

Olympic Medallist visits USH



Peter Waterfield the Great British Olympic Diver came into school to visit the Sky Sports Living for Sports Group. Pete won a Commonwealth Gold medal and Olympic Silver medals in the 10m dive.

The Sky Sports Living for Sports Group meet weekly and plan and run netball sessions for the Year 7 and 8 girls’ teams. Pete came in as part of the programme and delivered a day of activities based around the 6 keys to success. These keys link very closely to our school habits of mind. They include Mental toughness, People Skills, Sport and Life Knowledge and Planning for Success. The girls involved are role models to the younger students and the programme is helping them develop their leadership skills.

The girls completed different activities looking at the 6 keys to success and are looking forward to their next visit where Pete has offered to take them to Quay Swimming Pool for a diving experience.

Girls involved are: Olivia O’Mahony, Kayleigh Betteridge, Beth McConnell, Alice Orr, Jessamyn Berry, Molly Robinson, Lily Thorne, Angel Sumajit and Lara Hicks.

Baking Workshop

On December 2nd, Year 7 Students attended a Baking Workshop.  The workshop is a collaboration between the Food Tech and Art Departments.  Students learned how to bake rainbow cupcakes and create rainbow icing.  The students were amazed by the bright colours and all took 4 cupcakes home for their family.

The next Baking Workshop will be announced in the New Year.

Mrs Naylor and Miss De Ruiter

Brass Group perform at Wordsworth Primary School

The USH Brass Group were invited to perform at Wordsworth Primary School Christmas Fayre.  The students entertained the visitors to several Christmas Carols as the Fayre opened.  Mr Harvey who runs the Brass Group worked hard to get the students ready for the performance. Ollie Watkins, Ben Conway, Benji Graf, Pip Watkins, Milo Bullock and Miss Shaw were all rewarded with a hot dog and hot chocolate after the performance.

Admissions Policy 2017/18 Consultation

The governors are now consulting on their proposed admission arrangements for 2017/18.  These are available to view on the school website. The consultation closes on Friday 15th January 2016.  If you would like to comment on the admission arrangements please either email the school’s Admissions Consultant, Mrs Jo Glenton, at jgconsultancyservice@gmail.com or write to her at the following address:
Mrs Jo Glenton, Admissions Consultant, Upper Shirley High School, Bellemoor Road, Southampton, SO15 7QU.

Parent Action Group (PAG)

The next meeting will be at School at 7pm on Thursday 28th January 2016.


Staff Vacancies at USH

Exam Invigilators
We are seeking to employ additional exam invigilators, on casual contracts, to grow our existing team.  We are looking for individuals who can promote a supportive atmosphere for our students so that they achieve their best. The rate of pay is £8 per hour.
Our pool of exam invigilators are required at various times throughout the year; however the three main periods are:  Mocks exams (November/December), Pre Public exams (February/March) and Summer exams (May to June)

Cleaner
We are looking for a hardworking, reliable and trustworthy person who has high standards and takes pride in their work thereby ensuring our children have a clean and safe school in which to learn.
Role details: 20 hours per week, 4 hours daily (2pm to 6pm)

To see the full advert details please visit our website www.ushschool.org under Staff/Vacancies, or click on this link http://uppershirleyhigh.org/staff_vacancies.

 Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and an enhanced DBS will be required for these posts


Christmas Card Recycling

Once again the Eco Council will be recycling Christmas cards through the Marks and Spencer scheme which supports the Woodland Trust.

If you would like us to recycle your Christmas cards please drop them into Reception between 4th to 15th January.

Merry Christmas from the Eco Council!

Litter Roadshow

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped with the Litter Roadshow on December 1st.  The staff running the session for our Year 7s commented about how well behaved and enthusiastic our Year 7s were when joining in the activities.

Mrs Mawby

Southampton Youth Forum

Members of our Student Leadership attended a Youth Forum Event on 5th December at Southampton Football Club.  The event was aimed at gathering ideas from young people across the city.  Our students joined a number of representatives from Southampton schools.  The theme for the meeting was Health and Wellbeing and the activities looked at issues surrounding Mental Health, transition between Primary and Secondary Schools and Bullying.  Their input is vital and will directly affect Southampton City Council's future remits.  We are looking forward to sending many more representatives to the Forum in the future.

Southampton City Mission

The School collected food and clothing for Southampton City Mission.  Tutor groups were encouraged to bring in donations to help out this charity over the Christmas Period.  Lots of lovely treats, such as mince pies and chocolates, were delivered to Southampton City Mission's Warehouse.   Thank you to everyone who supported this collection.  You can find out more about the charity by visiting their website:

http://www.southamptoncitymission.co.uk/

Miss Sanders

School Poppy Appeal

Thank you to all students, staff and visitors who contributed to the School's Poppy Appeal this year.  We raised a magnificent £204.06 for the Royal British Legion.

Mrs Cookson

Used Postage Stamps

Many thanks to those of you who have sent in your used postage stamps. Four packages of them have already been sent to the RNIB to fund Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Please continue to give your stamps to Reception in order for us to continue helping in this way.  A 1cm border should be left around the stamps when they are removed from the envelopes.