Newsletter
Issue no. 2
Quote for the week:
‘Let us be grateful to people who
make us happy: they are the
charming gardeners who make our
souls blossom’
Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922)
EARLY YEARS & KS1
NATIVITY PLAY
Tuesday & Wednesday
15th & 16th December
2.00pm
Main Hall
Tickets available from: Ms J
Douglas in the Primary Office
or e-mail
joanne.douglas@whgs-
academy.org
DRAMA SHOWCASE
EVENING
th
10 December 2009
7.30pm
Performing Arts Centre
An exciting selection box
of various works created
by the Drama students in
Years 9 to 13 during
lessons this term.
Monday, 7th December 2009
The Concert Band, Choir &
Choral Society are performing
in three seasonal concerts…….
Musical Christmas
Celebration
14th December, 2009
7.30pm - Main Hall
Manchester Cathedral
15th December, 2009
2.00pm & 4.00pm
Tickets available from the
Manchester Evening News
School Production 2010
Proudly present…….
Audition packs now available at
Reception. Auditions commence
week beginning 7th December.
Further information from Mr Wise
or Mrs Hathaway.
‘At a Glance’ - Events from
7th December – 18th December
Monday 7th December
• Yr 12 Sociology Revision Course
Tuesday 8th December
• Y12 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 9th December
• Goldilocks & The Three Bears
pantomime for Primary Phase
Thursday 10th December
• Drama Showcase Evening
Friday 11th December
• ALL FM Radio Show
Monday 14th December
• Musical Christmas Celebration
Tuesday 15th December
• Primary Nativity Play
Wednesday 16th December
• Primary Nativity Play
Friday 18th December
• Term finishes at 12.10pm
Message from
The Principal
We have had a very successful
term and hope that after the
Christmas break, all students will
return in January ready to do their
very best and get involved in the
life of the school. I expect all Year
10 – 13 students who will be sitting
exams in January to be well
prepared and I wish them all ‘Good
Luck’. May I take this opportunity
of wishing everyone a very
peaceful Christmas and a Happy
New Year!
Peter Mulholland
CAKE SALE for ……
……. Raised £202.76!
Thank you to all who baked!
 CHANGE OF PUBLISHED
DATE
New date for the Y8 & Y11
3rd HPV Vaccine
Thursday, 11th March 2010

MATHS CHALLENGE The Manchester Book Awards

NOVEMBER 2009 reading group meets every THE SOUND OF MUSIC,
Monday lunchtime in the LRC, starring Connie Fisher at The
This year 63,000 candidates where we discuss, write Palace Theatre, Manchester on
sat the Senior Maths reviews and are doing book Thursday, 17th December 2009
Challenge. trailers for the 24 long listed from 7.00pm. Tickets still
Congratulations to all books. Some pupils are trying available at £15 per person.
participants and particularly to read all 24 books and to be Please obtain a letter from
Warren Moore with an put forward for the prize at the Reception and tickets from the
outstanding score of 84! winning ceremony in March. Bursary.
Last year 2 pupils were
GOLD > 78 Welcome to
nominated for this and
Warren Moore 84 Erin Jennifer Ferneyhough
Thomas Jenkinson won. This
week the organisers have sent
SILVER > 63 a book voucher to Gurdas
Hamza Mahmud 75 Singh, the other nominee.
Hishaam Javid 70 Well done Gurdas, it is well
Rohilla Maarij 68 deserved! The long list for the
Afnan Chaudhry 64 Carnegie medal has been
announced and we will be
BRONZE > 53 asking for Year 9 pupils to
Hannah Fallows 63 become involved in that after
Nathan Brown 62 Christmas, so watch this
Adam Caruana 61 space!
Helen Creighton 60 Marie Evans - Head Librarian
Born: 1st November, 2009
Zara Zaimeche 60
Weight: 7lbs 4oz
Venice Fielding 57 Congratulations to Mr &
Lauren Ashmore 55 Mrs Ferneyhough!
William Blackley 55
Khansa Shazadi 55
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Michael Kane 54 EXAMINATION CLASHES –
Usman Rahman 54 January 2010
Zohaib Ghani 54
L Sharp 23/11/09 All students sitting public exams
have received their examination
TAFAL timetable for January 2010. Some
students may have a clash where
TEACH A FRIEND A two subjects are timetabled at the
LANGUAGE same time. You must check your
12.40 – 1.10pm individual timetable and see Mr
Classroom Z16 Wood immediately if you think there
‘Snowman’ is a clash on your timetable for
Monday: Yoruba
special arrangements to be made in
Tuesday: Arabic Congratulations to Iram Raja 7J
Wednesday: Urdu
advance.
whose Christmas design has
1.10pm – 1.40pm Dutch been chosen to be printed as the
Thursday: Mandarin school’s card this year
 Grade One-a-Thon!
The Music Department is organising a sponsored Grade One-a-Thon after Christmas to raise money
to buy new instruments
A Grade One-a-Thon is where people who already play an instrument take their Grade 1 on a different
instrument after a very small number of lessons. All the Music Department Staff are taking part as well as
some of the older students and some other Very Important People.
If anyone (Staff/ Students/ Parents/ Carers/ Governors) would like to join in and learn a new skill then please
contact the Music Department ASAP!

• All proceeds will be used to buy new instruments

• Where possible the Music Department Staff will help out with the odd free lesson and advice on
aural tests and exam nerves etc
• The Music Department will provide music and loan of an instrument for a short while if possible.
• You will need to pay the exam fee
• There will be a prize for the person who collects the most sponsorship money
• There will be a prize for the highest mark in the actual exam

NURSERY TRIP TO MANCHESTER ART GALLERY

The Nursery class recently visited Manchester Art Gallery to join in with the 'My First Visit' session. The visit began
with a look around the gallery at some of the paintings and sculptures. The children did some sketching in crayon as
they looked around. Then it was back to the studio to produce their own painting to take back to school. We have
displayed some of the work in the cloakroom area of the Nursery, please come and have a look!
 CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU
16th December 2009
Cream of tomato soup with croutons & warm roll
*******
Halal Roast Norfolk Turkey with Sage & Onion stuffing, with optional trimmings
Roasted English Rib of Beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish
Fresh Mozzarella and Baby Tomato Strudel with Garlic and Basil (V)
served with
Roasted potatoes, batons of carrots, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower cheese
********
Christmas Plum Pudding with White Sauce
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Mince Pie and Satsuma

Young Sports Leaders Course

Kids Corner
Joke of the Week ☺
What do elves do after school?
Gnomework

Puzzle of the Week

ALPHA-CROSS
The first letter of each answer appears next to its clue in
alphabetical order. All the first letters have been entered into
the grid. Can you complete the puzzle?

Year 10 students are seen here working towards

their Young Sports Leaders Awards by organising
a PE session for Nursery children in the Primary
Hall

A. Fruit of the oak tree (5) I. Ice hut (5)

B. Something to read (4)
B. Insect (3)
C. Taxi (3)
C. Desert animal (5)
D. Sand hills (5)
E. The night before (3)
G. Type of antelope (7)
G. Precious stones (4)
I. Writing fluid (3)
J. Type of music (4)
J. Fruit drink (5)
K. Tap on a door (5)
L. Jump (4)
S. Unhappy (3)
S. Brief periods of rain (7)
S. Snow runner (3)

PLEASE NOTE
During term-time our School Reception
is open from:
8.15am – 6.00pm
Monday - Friday
 BAKE - WELL
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts, 1 small pepper (optional) 1 small can pineapple chunks, 1 tsp
tomato purée, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp cornflour, 1 tsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sugar
Equipment: Chopping board, vegetable knife, chef’s knife, measuring jug, tablespoon, plastic
spoon, medium saucepan/frying pan, container to serve

METHOD

• Chop the onion and pepper into small pieces

• Dice the chicken into evenly sized cubes
• Open can of pineapple and drain juice into a measuring jug. Make up to 250ml with
cold water.
• Add the following to the mixture in the jug: tomato puree, vinegar, cornflour, soy
sauce and sugar. Stir with spoon.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in the pan on a medium heat.
• Add the onion and chicken and fry until chicken is white. Don’t let the onions burn!
Add the pineapple chunks and pepper and stir
• Add the jug mixture and stir. Turn the heat up until the mixture boils.
• Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.
• Transfer sweet and sour chicken for serving.

‘Food Technologist of the Week' award

goes to Alix Stiles in Form 9H

7H’s TRIP TO HARRIS HOUSE

When we set off to Swaledale, Mr Hardy told us a story about pot holes
and how the people who lived in Swaledale would take their dairy products
to Wensleydale to sell. If they did not sell them, they would put them in 40 ft
deep pot holes to keep them cool for the next time they went to the market.
When we arrived in Swaledale we walked for about 6.5miles (at least it felt
like it!). At the end of the walk everybody was up to their knees in mud! fter we arrived
back everyone had a shower and got ready for dinner.
Whilst the meal was being prepared, Mr Hardy, six students and Jamie
(6th former) went to view the biggest drop waterfall in England. For
dinner we had jacket potatoes with different fillings (except Kenan who
had toast!)
By Annie Rogers 7H
 Puzzle Challenge Day: Tuesday 24th November

By Miriam Midi 7H

On Tuesday, 24th November we had a puzzle day in the Main Hall, working in groups with other people in our
year. The activities were explained to us by a member of staff from the Happy Puzzle Company. As a starter
we were shown a puzzle of two crossed-over metal loops with a hoop inside it. The aim was to separate the
hoop from the metal loops. At first it looked really difficult and challenging but it seemed easy in the end.

After that each group began their challenges. The puzzles were more complex as you went along, from balance
games to mapping activities and model construction. You needed to work together as a team to solve them.
They made you think more than you would normally and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I would love to do it again!

1 6 3 8

4 2 9 SUDOKU
2 5
But how do I do it?
1 3 7 9
The object is to
9 4 insert numbers in
the boxes to satisfy
only one condition:
6 2 3 8
Each row, column
and 3x3 box must
6 3 contain the digits 1
through 9 exactly!
1 7 4
It could not be
easier!
2 5 4 6
 VIKING DAY!
In Year 3 we had an exciting day when the Visiting Vikings came to spend a day with us. After Ms Lebihan sold
Year 3 to the Vikings for 38 pieces of silver we found out about everyday Viking life and we had a chance to dress
in Viking clothes. We learnt how to make Viking clothes, grind grain for bread and even plough a field! We went on
a longship voyage and raided a monastery on Lindisfarne. After the voyage we learnt about battle tactics and as
one of our Viking friends was sadly killed we found out about Viking funerals! We had a great day and now know
how to wash our clothes in urine to get them sparkly clean!

CAREERS FAIR
On Monday, 30th November the school held a careers fair which was attended by 36 companies, over
70 exhibitors and over 500 students. The school is very grateful to everyone who gave up their time
to attend this event. The feedback from the students has been fantastic. Here are some photos
from the event.
 C C F
On Saturday, 7th November, 2009, Company Sergeant Major Warren Moore and I left Manchester to visit Northern
France and Belgium. The trip was organised by Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force and is an annual trip, now in
its 11th year. For the duration of our stay, 44 cadets including ourselves stayed in the French Army barracks at
Valenciennes, about 100km from the Belgian border.

On Sunday we paraded in the small village of Iwuy. Even though it was our first march with a pipe band, we
managed quite well! The rest of our day was spent in their town hall drinking champagne and talking to the Mayor of
Valenciennes.

The next day was spent at a local primary school. We marched for the pupils and they returned the favour. They
sang our national anthem then theirs, albeit with a lot more effort! Again nibbles and champagne were the order of
the day. Later that night we made the 90 minute coach journey to Ypres in Belgium. We marched dressed in
greatcoats, possibly the heaviest piece of clothing ever made, to the Menin Gate. The gate is impressive with its
marble walls and high, barrel-vaulted ceiling, but when the Buglers sounded the Last Post, the only feeling present in
everyone was respect. Respect of the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

Wednesday, for me, was the most humbling, sobering experience of my life. Since we were in the Somme area, a
visit to various monuments and memorials was necessary. The Welsh monument at Mametz Wood; the South
African memorial at Longueval, the Canadian memorial at Beaumont-Hamel, the Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle
and the Franco-British monument at Thiepval were all very impressive. They gave us a greater understanding of
how many soldiers fell – just in the Battle of the Somme alone. It was at the latter memorial where I placed a cross,
remembering those who died at the Somme who were Old Hulmeians.

The final day consisted of three parades and two marches in and around the city of Valenciennes. This was
particularly enjoyable as literally half the city came and watched! At the Town Hall food was again served but sadly
no champagne was on offer!

It is hard to sum up the trip in just one word: the feeling of enjoyment in marching in front of a French General, the
respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and sadness when you see the headstone of a boy of 19 years
from Manchester who died in the War. Both Warren and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, making some very good
friends in the process, and would definitely go again. We would like to thank GMACF, Mr Mulholland and our CCF
officers for their assistance. By Markell Williams

C/Sgt Markell Williams

CSM Warren Moore

Forthcoming Literary Events 2010

11th March 2010: Manchester Book Award Ceremony. Ten Y7 students will
take take part in this event

12th March 2010: Author Visit from Manchester Book Award Finalists

15th March 2010: Author Visit, Joe Craig, will visit our school
 YEAR 1
Visit from the Owls

As part of this term’s science topic on 'Light and Dark', Year 1 have been looking at the book 'The
Owl who was Afraid of the Dark'. We invited Michael and Margaret from Lancashire Hawks and
Owls to come into school to talk to the children about some of their large collection of owls. These
included a large European Eagle owl called Jammu, who flew around the hall, showing off his
enormous wing span and silent flight, Brambles the Tawny owl, who is a rescue bird and Purdy who is
a barn owl, just like Plop in The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark. Purdy even did a little dance for
the children when they clapped! The children all enjoyed having their photograph taken while holding
an owl. The owls proved to be a major attraction for many other staff and pupils in the school and a
truly WOW experience was had by all!

DOCTORS WANTED!
A number of our students are currently applying to University to study
Medicine. We would be very grateful if any parents who are
Doctors would be able to assist the students by undertaking some
Mock Interviews. Please e-mail ahmed.marikar@whgs-academy.org
if you can help in any way.

E X A M S
Please note that the Year 11 Trial Exam Timetable and the Year 12 & 13 Exam Timetable and
Study Leave information are now on our website: www.whgs-academy.org.uk
 A Very Cheeky Dog!
Like many people I have a pet dog. Mine is a three and a half year old Rhodesian Ridgeback and his name is
Yogi. The reason he is called Yogi is that when he was a puppy we thought he looked just like Yogi Bear!
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are South African dogs and were originally bred to hunt lions!
The hunters used them because they could run all day if needed and they were the only
dogs that could keep up with the lions and then keep them at bay until they arrived to
kill them. Although this makes them sound very fierce this is not true at all and they
are very good natured and loving pets who will protect their owners but not in an
aggressive way. Yogi is quite a character and is very cheeky, he will try to get away
with the naughtiest things. One day when I went to answer my front door, he stole
some raw sausages from the worktop and ate them all! He has also eaten a full packet
of Rocky biscuits complete with wrappers!

He likes nothing more than to laze in the sunshine in the garden in the summer or to snuggle on his quilt in the
kitchen when it is cold. He is always ready to play games especially football which is his absolute favourite -
the only problem is that everytime he gets hold of a football he pops it! He now has a favourite ball which if
you saw it you would think it was just a bit of rag, but he loves it.
If you look at this photograph you can see the 'ridge' down the middle
of his back - this is fur which grows in the opposite direction from the
rest of the fur on his back and is why they are called 'Ridgebacks'.

By Mrs Lockett (Reception Office)

 PRIMARY PHASE NEWS!

The Primary Phase has had a really busy, action-packed term with lots of visits and visitors. Visitors to
assembly have included a brass ensemble from Year 8, some sixth formers playing flutes and fifes, a
fencing demonstration and a visitor from our linked school in India.

Classroom visitors have included two Vikings who spent the day with Year 3 and recreated life in a Viking
village, Lancashire Hawks and Owls who brought a selection of birds to show to Year 1, a variety of
minibeasts and insects brought by Zoo Lab to visit Year 4, a teacher from the Manchester Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths project who helped Year 2 to make some dancing jitterbugs, a dentist
and a model maker in Year 3, and parents and friends who visited Year 3’s very successful sandwich café.

Year 4 have spent the day dressed as children from World War 2 and Year 5 as Victorian children in order
to get a feel of what life was like during those times. Year 6 launched their topic on the Greeks by holding
a mini-Olympics afternoon. Year 1 and Year 4 have investigated the local area around school and
Reception have been out for Road Safety training. Year 1 and Year 2 have taken part in multiskills sports
afternoons at Whalley Range High School.

Years 5 and 6 have both visited the Museum of Science and Industry, Year 2 have visited Cheadle
Mosque, Year 5 have been to the Silk Museum in Macclesfield, Year 4 have been to the Imperial War
Museum and Year 3 have been to the Roman Experience at Chester, as well as having lunch at the
Northern Star deli in Chorlton. Reception have been to Chorlton library for a story telling session, and
Nursery have been to the City Art Gallery.

In addition to this, all children in KS1 and KS2 have visited the Aquatics Centre for at least one swimming
session this term, and all children in Year 6 can now swim at least 25m.

A travelling pantomime company will be presenting to us Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and our KS1
and Early Years’ children will put on two performances of the nativity play ‘The Grumpy Sheep.’

We held a Cake Sale in aid of Children in Need and raised over £200, and more than £1,000 worth of
books were sold at our Book Fair. Our harvest assembly was very well attended and we were proud of
the amount of goods we were able to send to the Wood Street Mission.

Extra-curricular activities this term have included Cross Country, Netball, Football, Choir, Recorder,
Fencing, Weaving, Wildlife Explorers, Arts and Crafts and Textiles: thanks to the staff who give up their
time to run these.

Please do look at the school website to see lots of photos of the events that
have taken place this term. Thank you to all parents and carers who have
supported them and an especially big thank you to the teachers and Ms
Douglas who have organised everything. We have had lots of WOW
experiences this term, and we look forward to many more next year!

Mrs B Schouten
Head of Primary Phase

ECO-WARRIORS MEET FORTNIGHTLY - WEDNESDAY 12.35PM IN S1

 My Review of Skellig

On the 6th October we went to the Lowry Theatre to watch Skellig because we were
reading the book and we wanted to see how they act it out.

The Story of Skellig was scary. It was about a boy called Michael and the baby was born
early and was ill. Michael found a man in his garage. The man had wings and ate with
his hands. This man was called Skellig and at the end he saved the baby.

I enjoyed the show because it was really fun to watch. My favourite part was when the
baby was in hospital. My favourite character is Mina because she had a loud voice and
her acts were fun and funny.

The play and book had the same words. The actors matched my imagination.
Something that was different was that the people who were playing the violin were
telling us what was going to happen. There was no music in the book.

I really enjoyed visiting the Lowry Theatre because it’s fun watching the people acting.
I would like to go on more trips to the theatre in the future because it helps you
understand the books when we read in class.
By Hanadi Dadah 8J

SCHOOL YEAR 2009 – 2010

Autumn Term 2009
Term Ends: Friday, 18th December, 12.10pm (approx)
Spring Term 2010
Term Starts for students: Tuesday, 5th January
Half Term: Monday - Friday, 15th - 19th February
Term Ends: Friday, 26th March, 12.10pm (approx)
Summer Term 2010
Term Starts for students: Tuesday, 13th April
Half Term: Monday – Friday, 31st May – 4th June
Terms Ends Friday, 9th July, 12.10pm (approx)
Autumn Term 2010
Year 7 & 12 Induction Day: Friday, 3rd September
Term Starts for students: Monday, 6th September