USH Newsletters

• Open Morning - Saturday 1st October

  A big thank you to all the students and staff who made Open Morning such a huge success.  We welcomed over 600 guests to the school. 

  In the Library, we produced a Book Tree. Young visitors to the Library were asked to think of their favourite book and add a leaf to the tree.

  The Geography Department had a range of activities for prospective students to come and explore.  We had various challenges including matching up famous landmarks with their heights, where would you like to go in the world and why, country and capital dominoes and Geoguessr. My year 7 student helpers, Martin and Chloe were fantastic at explaining what Geography is all about.  There was also a range of students work to see from homework projects of volcanoes and coastal scenes to GCSE students work looking at Natural Hazards.  However, the highlight of the room was the city which was built by the year 8 student helpers Chloe and Anna.  They had designed a city in class, which was part of the Settlement topic they are studying.  They were inviting prospective students to make something for the city.  The youngest helper was 4 years old and even parents were joining in to make something.  We were running a competition alongside this to come up with a suitable name for our settlement.  We have chosen Lavaland by Erin from SJS, which I think suits it well.  Thank you to Ellie and Jodie in year 8 who stayed after school one day to make the volcano ready for Open Morning.  It was a very successful morning in the Geography Department so thank you to everyone who visited to help make it so.

  Other departments were ably assisted by current students to ensure that all of the visitors had a real taste of the USH experience.  Well done to everyone involved - we have received lots of very positive feedback from prospective parents.
  

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• Effective Revision and Exam Technique - Session With Lorraine Lee

  A workshop for the parents of Year 11 at USH
  Delivered by Lorraine Lee
  Professional Parenting Practitioner
  Wednesday 12th October 2016
  7pm until 9pm
  Venue: Main School Hall

  “Parents work hard to support, encourage and guide their children safely in adulthood. As well as bringing a great deal of joy and happiness this can also sometimes be an emotional and challenging journey. ReCap Workshops for parents are designed to inform and equip parents on this journey towards having ongoing positive and respectful relationships with their children. ReCap sessions increase parents understanding of their child's development and the most effective parenting tools for that stage. Parent's confidence is boosted as their relationship with their children strengthens and moves forward.”
  

• Year 8 Paris Trip - Final Reminder

  Dear Parents

  Please ensure that all passports and EHIC cards are handed in to Mrs Allen or Mrs Murphy as soon as possible.  A letter was sent home with students last week detailing the itinerary and emergency contact numbers.

  If you did not get the letter or if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Mr Perry
  Martin.Perry@ushschool.org
  

• GCSE Geography Fieldtrip to Hengistbury Head

  On Thursday 22nd September, I took 47 year 11 Geography students Hengistbury Head for the day to collect valuable data, which is required for their Controlled Assessment.  On the way down, we had a little rain shower but thankfully it soon stopped and the sun shone for the rest of the day!  The students were looking at why Hengistbury Head needs coastal defences and to see if what they have in place is effective.  They were using a range of equipment, including ranging poles, clinometers and anemometers.  This enabled the students to obtain the data they require to answer the key question back in school.  The students have been learning all about the coast and so to show the theory behind what is happening is in action is great and Hengistbury Head provides a fantastic location to show some real life Geography.  I would like to thank Ms Hawes, Mr Perry, Mr Hooper and Miss Rioch for coming with us and supporting the students.  The students will now be writing up their findings for their Controlled Assessment, which is worth 25% of their final GCSE Geography grade.

  Mrs Hyslop
  Subject Leader for Geography

  
  

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• Thank you from The Library

  The Librarians would like to thank those parents and staff who have kindly donated books to the Library over the past few months. We really do appreciate these gifts.

  Two of our ex-students – Ben and Dominic Gardner – recently donated a collection of books from their bookshelves, all titles that they had enjoyed reading when they were of secondary school age. Their mother commented, “We wanted to give something back to USH as a small thank you for all the great opportunities the boys were offered during their very happy time at the school. They both left as confident, independent learners who have coped well with the demands of college. Ben in particular has very fond memories of the USH Library where he spent many hours helping out as a Library Monitor”. Thank you boys, and good luck with A Levels and university.

  We are always grateful for donations of children’s or young adult fiction books in good condition, so please think of us if you are clearing your shelves of books that your child no longer reads.

  Mrs Mount

  
  

• Your contact details

  A message for all parents:

  Please can you inform the school if you, or any of the contacts listed for your child change any contact details.  It is important that we have up-to-date contact details; this is particularly important for mobile numbers and email addresses.  You don't need to fill in a form, these changes can be made quickly and easily by phoning our reception: 023 8032 5333

  Thank you!
  

• Year 10 Work Experience (17th – 21st July 2017)

  As you are aware at USH we believe that work experience provides an invaluable insight into life after school and informs future choice.

  Feedback from last year’s students and employers has been very positive with regard to the employability skills and confidence gained.  In the past a number of students have secured part-time jobs/apprenticeships from taking part in work experience.

  Please support your son/daughter in finding a work placement.

  Paperwork will be handed-out in assembly on Tuesday 11^th October.
  

• Cross Country Results

  Well done to all our cross country runners, not just the ones mentioned here who finished in the Top Ten of their various races over the last two weeks – your commitment to representing the school is very much appreciated! 

  28th September (St Mary’s)
  Junior Girls
  Lou Forder – 6th
  Olivia Norton – 7th
  Chloe Tsao – 8th
  Holly Pitts – 10th

  Junior Boys
  Leo Dobbs – 10th

  Intermediate Boys
  Toby Hale – 2nd
  Leon Longhurst – 3rd
  Luke Halford – 5th
  Ben Bowles – 7th

  5th October (Sports Centre)
  Junior Girls
  Lou Forder – 4th
  Olivia Norton – 7th
  Molly Kenna – 8th

  Junior Boys
  Oliver Cook – 2nd

  Intermediate Boys
  Toby Hale – 2nd
  Leon Longhurst – 4th
  Ben Bowles – 5th

  
  

• Netball Results

  Results from Tuesday 4th October:

  Under 16s
  USH 9-1 St George's
  USH 13-1 Cantell

  Under 14s
  USH 25-0 Bitterne Park
  USH 8-7 The Gregg School

  Well done to all involved! 

  Mrs Fortune & Miss Wright-Davies
  

• Football Results

  Year 9 Football League
  St George's 3-9 USH

  U15 Football
  USH 5-1 Cantell

  Well done to all involved!

  Mr Hall
  

• Hockey Success

  Sam M, one of our Year 10 boys, has been selected for the highest level available for his age group - he has been invited as a member of one of 4 teams who will meet for some of the October Half Term in Leeds.  Young players from all over the country will be taking part.  Well done Sam!
  

  

• Ski Trip 2018

  The Ski Trip for 2018 is now full.  If you would like your son/daughter to be added to the waiting list, please contact Miss Suffling for more information: Lisa.Suffling@ushschool.org

• Year 9 Go To Work With An Adult Day, Friday 9th December

  You will shortly be receiving a letter regarding ‘Go To Work With An Adult (parent, family member or friend) Day’.  This will take place on Friday, 9th 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. 

  We hope that you will be able to take your son/daughter to work or arrange for him/her to go to work with a family member/friend. 

  Mrs Anderson

  
  

• Year 10 Mock Interview Week: w/c 7th November 2016

  We are holding our ‘Year 10 Mock Interview Week’ w/c  7th November.  In the past this event has proven to be extremely successful in preparing students for the interview process required for work experience, college, apprenticeships and part-time work. 

  We have received feedback from colleges, work experience and apprenticeship providers informing us how well our students perform.

  In order to be able to continue to offer this opportunity for our students we are looking for volunteer ‘interviewers’.  If you can offer your support, or provide contact details of colleagues who may be able to help please contact me.  Your support is much appreciated.

  Mrs Anderson
  Carey.Anderson@ushschool.org

  
  

• Get Inspired Southampton

  The O2 Guildhall, Southampton
  Saturday 15th October
  10am-3pm FREE ENTRY

  The event is aimed at 10 to 16 year old students and their families. 
  Up to 100 businesses will be present to enthuse about their industry – Exciting, fun and interactive the event showcases the work of employers in the city and demonstrates the wide range of careers available.

  Go along and Get Inspired!!

  
  

• Careers Information

  Please take the time to have a look at this website - it has some extremely useful information to support your son/daughter.

  GCSE Options, Leaving School, Finishing Compulsory Education, Jobs, Support Young
  People, Career Links, Apprenticeship Ambassador Film
  

  http://access-southampton.co.uk

  

• Macmillan Coffee Morning

  On Friday 30th September USH got together to raise funds in aid of Macmillan.

  We are still counting the proceeds, but so far we have raised in the region of £190.

  Thank you to all participants!

  Mrs Connolly