USH Newsletter 14th February 2020

We are delighted to offer a Breakfast service in the canteen for a trial period when we come back to school on 24th February.

For 80p, students will be able to choose from the
following options:

·      Two slices of toast (choice of two toppings)

·      Two crumpet (choice of two toppings)

·      A bowl of cereal & milk

·      Porridge & choice of topping

    Hot drinks will be available for £1

     Breakfast will be available to any student from 8am to 8:30 am. 

Action Against Climate Change (AACC) are a group of students
who are passionate about the world we live in and the impact we are having upon
it. They have been meeting weekly to discuss climate change issues and have
many brilliant ideas to help students and USH to become more sustainable. In
January during ‘Energy Saving Week’ the students made some fabulous surrounds
for light switches for rooms around the school. The students presented their
idea to all teachers and during the week were busy delivering the energy saving
surrounds as a careful reminder to turn lights off when the room is not in use.
Not only that, it has got many students and teachers talking about the
importance to reduce our energy use at school and even at home. The students
have many more ideas which will be implemented over the coming months to raise
awareness of the important climate change issues that we are facing today.

In addition, on the first Thursday of each month, (5^th
March being the next one) I am inviting anyone who has an interest about
climate change issues to HUM5 during lunchtime. This will be a chance for us to
talk about climate change and how us as individuals and us collectively can
make a difference.

Here at USH we love books and reading, so we are planning a
series of exciting events to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 5^th
March. 

The celebrations will begin with a visit from author Tom
Palmer, on Tuesday 3^rd March.
Tom is an award winning children’s author of 46 books featuring football, rugby, spies, history, the RAF, ghosts and detectives.
During his visit he will be working with students in Year 7 and 8. There is a
selection of his books available to borrow from the school library, so we are
encouraging students to read one before they meet him.

There will also be a
chance to buy one of Tom’s books and get it signed by him. Titles
available are:

D Day Dog, Armistice Runner, Foul Play, Ghost Stadium, and
Over the Line

all at the reduced price of £6. So please bring the money to
school if you would like to buy a book and get it signed by Tom.

One of Tom’s books –
Armistice Runner – was also featured
as one of the Book Buzz choices this year, so some Year 7s will already have
their own copy.

World Book Day
itself will start with a book quiz for Y7 and Y8 tutor groups, with
prizes for the winning groups in each year. Part of the Library will be
transformed into a special Book Stall for the day. Students in Years 7 and 8
will each be given a free £1 book token which they will be able to exchange for
a specially-published World Book Day book at our Book Stall. Of course,
students may choose to spend their token at any participating Book Shop, where
they can use it in part-payment for any book.

There will also be a Cluedo-style treasure hunt around
school, with a prize for the winner (drawn out of a hat if there are a number
of correct entries).

Also on World Book Day, look out for staff dressed a little differently
from usual!

We are delighted that Tom Palmer is visiting USH again on Tuesday 3rd March.

As in previous years students will be able to purchase a book and have it signed by Tom.  Unfortunately we are only able to accept cash and books range in price from £5 upwards.

This is a great opportunity so put the date in your diary and remember to bring in money on Tuesday 3rd March.

I am incredibly proud of the Year 11 GCSE Drama cohort who
performed their monologues to an invited audience this week.

Although the students were nervous beforehand they all
persevered and each performed two outstanding monologues.

The focus, effort and quality this year has been fantastic
and that is down to the hard work that the students have put into their
performances.

The students felt happy and proud of their achievements
after their performances.

I am impressed with the quality produced, team work and
positive attitudes displayed during this challenging week.

I hope they all have a wonderful half term.

From a very proud Mrs Lambert and Miss Evans.

Last week, the Citizenship students held their annual GCSE
marketplace. For the last two months the students have been researching,
devising and creating their own campaigns to make the community a better place.
From raising awareness of mental health in school, to arguing for the right to
vote at 16, our students have really worked hard to make successful campaigns
which can be used to influence other. We were fortunate to be joined by
Councillor Satvir Kaur meaning our students could present to a real decision
maker, she spoke with all our students and promoted their work through her own
social media account. 

RUGBY

Our Year 9/10
Rugby team played their first home fixture of the season against Cantell school
as part of a 3 game series. It was a great team performance from USH with some
excellent tackling and rucking! In many of the teams this was their first ever game and we were
certainly pleased with the attitude and application of the squad. A dubiously
disallowed try prevented us from ending in a high this time, losing by 2 try’s
to 0. Next game at home this Wednesday!

FOOTBALL 

Due to a double booking for Year 8’s, the Year 7 footballers
stepped in to fulfil USH’s duty in the Southampton schools 5 aside competition. Excellent displays of skill and determination from Hayden, Jakob, Marcel,
David, Nathan, Arjun, Manu and Luke meant that the team made the ‘final’ at Houndsdown.

We offer our congratulations to Ben who left us in 2018.  We have heard that he has been offered a
place to read Chemistry at Oxford University (The Queens College).  So, best wishes for your exams in the summer and very well done! 

Ski Trip 2020 – The final instalment is due by Friday 28^th
February 2020.

Geography GCSE Trip – GCSE students were given a letter for
a trip to Bournemouth taking place on 4^th March 2020. Please ensure
reply slips are returned by Wednesday 26^th February 2020

Woman In Black, London – We are still missing almost half of
the permission slips/contributions. If we do not have sufficient contributions,
the trip may be cancelled. Can we request these are returned no later than
Wednesday 26^th February 2020.

Payments can be made by cash, cheque (made payable to “Upper
Shirley High School”) or online. Should you have any queries, please contact
the USH Finance Team.

Ski fit starts on Monday 24^th
February for any students who want to improve their fitness in time for skiing.
This will be run in the fitness room from 2.40-3.40. Please bring PE kit.

·       Hoodies will be ordered after half term.
Students will have a sample hoody to try on in the first week back.

·       Please ensure passports and EHIC cards are up to
date.

·       Further information regarding departure times
will be sent in the next couple of weeks when we hear back from the Ski
company.

Any other questions regarding the trip please contact Miss
Suffling. 

Mrs Cadle was pleased to oversea the Art Masterclass attended by three of our Gold Award Winners last month.

The three hours flew by so quickly and the result is amazing.  This masterpiece will be displayed in school in the Fitness Suite.

All year 11 parents should have received the Spring and Summer exams timetable, together with the exams guidance booklet. These are also all available to view on the school website under the Exams section, exams section

Please take time to view these to ensure you and your child are aware of the
expectations when it comes to sitting the exams in May and June. Individual
students timetables will be given out after half term.

Please get in touch if you have any concerns or
queries with any aspects of the exams process.

Lisa Howell

(lisa.howell@ushschool.org)

Exams Officer

Now in its second year, the Young Artists’ Summer Show is an
opportunity for students aged 5–19 to exhibit their work online and at the RA.

Students from key stages one to five can submit up to three
artworks for consideration. A panel of artists, art experts and curators will
judge the works in key stage groups and the selected artworks will be shown in
an online exhibition and an exhibition at the RA.  Judges will award prizes for two inspiring
artworks from each key stage.

How to enter:  From 6
January 2020, teachers will be able to register their school.  Once their school is registered, students can
enter their artworks via the RA website until 24 April 2020.

Important dates: 6 January – 24 April 2020 School
registration and submission of works

12 July Online exhibition opens 12 July – 2 August 2020
Exhibition at the RA

Sign up and find out more roy.ac/young-summer | #rayoungartists

Congratulations to the maths Whizz Winner this week - Marissa B