USH Newsletters

• Ski trip Italy 2018

  On Good Friday, 40 students and 5 staff, left a rainy Southampton on for the first ever Upper Shirley High Ski Trip. We had a hassle free journey overnight, all the way through France and down to Bardonecchia in Italy, arriving on the Saturday morning. When we arrived, we had an opportunity to explore the lovely little town and have a spot of lunch before organising our ski equipment at ski fit. After ski fit we had time to settle into our hotel rooms and have dinner before we were all ready for an early night in preparation for our first day of skiing!
  From day one, students were split into 4 groups. Our experienced skiers set off the mountain from the start and there was no stopping them! They spent the next few days exploring the slopes, completing the Olympic Run and at the end of the week set off on an adventure to Jafferau on the other side of the mountain, which after the huge dump of snow, had the most amazing skiing conditions.  Even the instructor was taking photos and saying this was one of the best days of the whole season!
  Our 3 other groups were students who had never skied before so they set off to the nursery slopes to learn the basics, in glorious sunshine. Over the next two and half days each group made the next step and moved up the mountain to put their skills into practice on the long and winding blue and red runs.  By day 3 everyone had made it up the mountain on the chair lift, which was great to see!  However, the visibility was poor, which may have been a blessing for some who were apprehensive about going up the mountain.  After two days of lovely sunshine on the beginner slopes, we had two days of snowy conditions, which was good for the students to experience.  The final two days, saw perfect conditions for the students to enjoy; fantastic sunshine and great snow!
  Through the many falls, poor visibility and tiredness all students spent the week smiling and laughing. Our many laughs included students falling onto and off the chair lifts and students creating human avalanches with each other or even using the side netting to stop!
  Evening entertainments included the quiz night, with the addition of ‘Foam head’, games night of pool and table tennis, movie night, ice cream night and our awards night.
  All students showed maturity when conducting themselves both on and off the mountain. Students had to organise equipment, keep their rooms tidy, arrive at meet points on time and listen to ski instructors. They were incredible and a real credit to the school and their families.  All staff agreed that they were an absolute pleasure to spend the week with!
  Our awards evening showed many notable achievements by individual students, but all our students completed all or part of an Olympic run used in the 2006 Winter Olympic games which was a fantastic achievement.
  Our awards included- Donut of the Day, Equipment Malfunction, Carnage Creator, Acrobat, Human Avalanche and Wipeout awards.
  Some of our main award winners are below-
  Unsung hero- Max O’Brien
  PMA- Anna Prudnikova
  Beginners of the week- Leo Dobbs, Joe Ndupuechi
  Most improved- Sam Marsh Collins, Joe Russell
  Skier of the week- Henry Books

  I would like to thank the staff that gave up their time to allow this trip to happen and make such a memorable time for the students. Mrs Hyslop, Mr Hield, Mrs Rendall and Mr Davies.

  Miss Suffling (Trip Leader)

  
  

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• Barcelona 2018

  ‘Thank you. I’ve had the best time here; my highlight of being in USH’.
  ‘Thank you for a great trip. We enjoyed every day and wish it were longer’.
  ‘Thank you for a great trip and all the fun memories'.

  
  What an amazing four days spent in beautiful Barcelona. With the sun shining (here and Southampton!), we made our way around the sites of Barcelona with 45 students from year 10. Starting the day at the school, all the students were in good spirits as we made our way to the airport. We had a few virgin flyers, as well as the more seasoned, but we were all smiling once we landed and walked out into the sunshine to get the coach to the spectacular Nou Camp!
  The next four days brought excellent memories; the very poor bowler, the hard-core Shambala riders, the artist extraordinaire as well as name changes by Spanish baristas! The students were a real credit to the school.
  Overall, it was a memorable visit to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A special thanks to Miss Baillie, Mrs Floyd, Mrs Murphy and Mr Brocken who accompanied me on the trip; they made my life a lot less stressful! The memories made on this trip will remain with the students for a long time; I know I will never forget Barcelona 2018!
  

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• Thank You for Your Generosity

  A huge thank you to years 7, 8 and 9 for generously donating to our help the homeless Shoebox Appeal. Everything we have collected will be going to the Two Saints Homeless Charity and their shelter in Millbrook.

  A big thank you for your support!

  
  

  

• Staff Update

  Parents of our GCSE music students were informed earlier this week that Miss Shaw has left to pursue interests beyond USH.  On behalf of staff, parents and pupils we wish her well in her future plans and thank her for contribution to our school.  I am pleased to announce that Mrs Owen will remain working with us until a new Subject Lead for Music is appointed.

  We also said goodbye to Miss Taak (TA) who left last week.  Miss Taak has relocated with her family. Although she was with for only a short time, we value her work and wish her all the best in her new adventures.

  
  

• Good Luck

  Mathieu in year 9 has been successful in reaching a place in a table tennis team to represent England in a National Competition. He will travel to Inverness next week.  Good luck Mathieu!
  

• Be Kind To Yourself – New books in the Library

  Be Kind To Yourself – New books in the Library
  At this time of year especially, many students are anxious and stressed about the forthcoming exams. To help support them, there is a new display in the Library and a selection of new books offering advice on surviving exams and coping with anxiety, as well as guides to mindfulness and improving self-esteem. All books are available for students to borrow.
  

  

• Work in Progress ...

  Models for y9 natural forms shoe project in design technology. Made from cardboard, papier mâché and card.
  

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• Shoebox Exhibition Winners

  Thank you again to everyone who took the time out to come and vote for their favourite shoebox. The winners were announced in an assembly last week. 

  Class awards:
   
  7U- Darshi R
  7I- Sukhi S
  7S- Kal R
  7O- Jess H
  7I- Thea P
  7G- Taliah R
  7C- Hollie N
   
   Special awards:

  Most likely to be bought- Antonio B
  Most creative- Ruby F
  Most informative- Ruby J
  Most eye catching- James H
   
  Parent and teacher- Kai V

  Miss Baillie

  
  

• A reminder…… Work Experience

  As you are aware at USH we strongly believe that work experience provides an invaluable insight into life after school and informs future choices.  It is reported that the UKs top businesses prefer to recruit people with work experience on their
  CV. 
  In the past a number of students have excelled during their placements and as a result were offered part-time work/apprenticeships.
  We would like our students to have the opportunity of placements within sectors they are interested in.  Several students have contacted employers without success.  Areas of interest include accountancy, law, architecture, engineering, IT, administration, animal care, police and design.  If you work within these sectors, or indeed any other sector and are able to help by offering a placement or providing contact details it would be much appreciated.  Year 10 work experience is scheduled for 16th-20th July.  Please contact me at Carey.anderson@ushschool.org
  

• STEM Course

  Please see attached letter for information on STEM courses run by the Engineering Development Trust for Yr 9 and 10 students during half-term.
  

  

• Are you Intersted in the Vehicle Repair Industry?

  Apollo Motor Group are holding an open day event to provide an insight into the vehicle repair industry and all the different career opportunities

  Saturday 12th May (1300 – 1800) – Unit 6 Fitzherbert Road, Farlington PO6 1RU

  For more information visit www.apollomotorgroup.com/theapolloacademy

  (Local branch – Totton)

  
  

• Student Illness - Procedure to follow

  Please ensure that your child knows that if they feel ill during the school day, they must go to the Medical Room and not phone/text parents.
  The student will be assessed by a fully qualified First-Aider, who will then contact parents to inform them if they need to go home.
  This is a safeguarding issue, as we do not always know the location of students if they have phoned/texted home themselves. Students must follow the correct procedure, so please discourage your child from contacting you during school hours.
  

• Southampton May Day Camps

  Please see information attached of Southampton May Day Camps.
  

  

• Interested in Teaching Maths or Physics?

  STEM paid internships for teaching, June 2018
  Upper Shirley High is proud of its association with Wildern Partnership SCITT, an outstanding teacher training provider.
  In a new initiative, Wildern, along with partnership schools and in conjunction with the Department for Education, are offering STEM paid internships for teaching.
  If you are considering a career in teaching, want to have a real impact on the future of the pupils in our schools, and are currently in your penultimate year of a STEM or STEM related degree (due to graduate summer 2019), our STEM paid internships programme for Maths and Physics is an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a school.
  You may be returning home for the summer following your end of year exams, and could earn £300 per week for four weeks in June, gain insight into the teaching profession, and more importantly support the progress of the children in our local schools.
  If you are interested in finding out more, follow this link www.wildernpartnership.co.uk/STEM or call 01489 779458.