The long spring term has been filled with activities and events at Selby High School. The last half term has been as busy as ever, culminating in our now famous Selby High School Talent Show, this year entitled, “The Greatest Show… Man”. A full capacity audience enjoyed an evening of singing, comedy and music. Well done to the Key Stage 3 winner, Bronte Willows for her powerful rendition of “Skyfall”, and Key Stage 4 winner, Kate Hinken, who sang a beautiful version of “I Will Always Love You.”
Earlier on in the half term, we celebrated World Book Day with Drop Everything and Read, which saw every person in the building reading at the same time. We’ve had record-breaking borrowing from the LRC this year, and it’s great to see students in every year group reading for pleasure. The Shakespeare Company performance of Romeo and Juliet was another key event of the half term; our year 11 students were treated to a fantastic performance of the famous play, here at Selby High School. Year 10s will be glad to know that we’ve already booked them in again for next year! In visits out of the school, students from a range of year groups travelled to York Theatre Royal to enjoy a dramatisation of the novel “Noughts and Crosses” and a group of sports enthusiasts took part in a hugely successful trip to the national stadium at Twickenham to watch the England men’s team play against Italy.
Our Careers Programme has seen two of the most important activities of the year for year 10 students in recent weeks. In both events we’ve welcomed in representatives from our local business community and a range of other employees. The first event was the Mock Interview day in which each student experienced what a real life interview might be like. In the second event - Speed Networking - groups of students were able to ask questions of our visiting employees. Our guests were very impressed with the confidence and the positive outlook of the students on both occasions.
The Belgium trip for year 9 students took place right at the end of the last half term. Students and staff had an excellent time on the visit and I know from the students’ feedback that the trip was a huge success. The students’ behaviour and attitude throughout the trip was a shining example of what the students at Selby High School are capable of and they really demonstrated the maturity required for an intense trip that centred around remembering those that had paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The group visited several cemeteries for the war dead and the huge scale of these generated many responsible and mature questions about the total cost of war. They also visited some reconstructed trenches at Hill 62 and Bayernwald, which allowed students to get in to the trenches and gain a feel for the size and atmosphere of what the trench system was like. As always on a school visit, staff worked tirelessly on the trip from the moment they arrived at the bus bay at 10:45pm after a full day at work to the point they got back off the bus on Saturday and it is certainly the dedication of those staff that makes the trip run so smoothly and means that it has become so popular over the years with students.
The Sports team have been as busy as ever, and we’ve been really pleased to see Selby students represented beyond the school too. Well done to the Year 9 and 10 girls selected to represent Yorkshire Rugby and huge congratulations to Year 8 student Sam Norman, who came 4th in the recent North Yorkshire Golf Championships. We’re also very excited for Year 10 student Lauren Jones, who has been selected to represent Volleyball Yorkshire in the Inter-Regional Championships in May. Good luck Lauren! Very well done to our Y9 sports leaders who ran the area Primary netball competition, held at Selby High School this week. The girls did a fantastic job and we'd like to thank Stacey Howard, Selby District School Games Organiser for her lovely feedback. Congratulations are also due to the rugby girls for gaining the following qualifications: Ella Parsonage, level 1 rugby referee & young Development Officer. Erin Bradley, Isabella Khosla & Martha Peacock, level 1 rugby referees. It’s great to see students developing their skills outside of school activities.
The U13, U14 and U15 girls rugby teams did very well in their North Yorkshire Cup matches. Despite being a rugby union school, the girls proved they can compete to a good level in league. The girls were a credit to the school and should be very proud of their efforts. We’re grateful to York Knights for their support & to Kay Rollinson for coming down and prepping the girls. Kay tweeted: “Outstanding effort from every single player. Tackles were solid. Passing was impressive. Biggest thing for me today was your never say die attitudes and 100% encouragement for your team mates. Couple of years and you'll be in a ladies kit for real.”
On the 20th March a number of our intrepid students took part in the RowLeeds indoor championships. This is a fun filled, fast paced, multi-lane rowing competition which students trained for in the weeks running up to the event. It was made extra special with the GB Rowing Team there to cheer them on! Congratulations to the students who made it to the podium in the rowing competition. All students and staff loved the event, and we're looking forward to entering again in the future.
Thanks as ever to all the staff whose commitment and dedication means that all of the above activities can take place.
I was very proud to be able to write to you recently with news that Selby High School had achieved the Wellbeing Award. This award recognises the hard work that staff and students have put in to raising the awareness of wellbeing and mental health issues, and the fantastic range of support that is currently on offer in the school.
On the 2nd May, the Tour de Yorkshire is coming to Selby. This is a really exciting opportunity for the local community, but it will cause some road closures and disruptions - I’ve written home separately about these. On the 8th June, staff and students will be flying the flag for Selby High School at the York LGBT Pride event. Please let us know if you would like to take part.
It just remains for me to wish you a happy and healthy Easter break.
Nick Hinchliffe
Principal
Forthcoming dates for next half term
Monday 29th April
School re-opens
Tuesday 30th April
Year 10 Parents Evening
Monday 6th May
Early May Bank Holiday – school
closed
Tues 7th - Fri
10th May Year 10 Mock Exams
Thursday 9th May
Year 9 trip to Hull University
Paris Trip Parents Information
Meeting
Friday 10th May
Year 11 Celebration Assembly
Monday 13th May Year 11 Exam series starts
Thursday 16th May
Year 9 vaccinations
Friday 24th May
School closes for holidays
