USH Newsletters

• Headteacher's Message

  On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team & Governors may I wish you a safe and Happy Christmas.

  Here's to the new year and working together for a successful 2019.

  Regards,

  Mr Woods
  

• Christmas Celebration at St James' Church

  Last night we held the USH Christmas Celebration at St James' Church.  We are very lucky that we are permitted to use such a majestic venue for this festive celebration each year.  As always there was a mix of outstanding skill and talent from some of our more experienced musicians mixed with the faultless enthusiasm and willingness of the newest members of our school.  The USH Choir sang a selection of songs and it was great to see that they have grown in number since last year. The evening proved very enjoyable and was well attended and we all left with a warm festive feeling.

  This type of event takes a huge amount of preparation, organisation and hard work from all involved.  Thank you to everyone who participated and helped.  Thank you also to student's families and friends for supporting the young musicians and allowing them to contribute to our events.
  

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

• USH Talent Show

  A huge congratulations to all of the Acts in this year’s talent show. A particular well done to David Muka – 7V1 winner of 2018!

  Christmas cheer and excitement were in abundance this year, with singing, dancing and some magic thrown in for good measure. And of course, it wouldn’t be an USH talent show without the compulsory staff sing-along.

  Congratulations again to all who took part and a Merry Christmas.

  Mr Hughes
  Head of Year 9

  
  

• Photography trip to London

  On a cold, crisp December day, 44 Yr9 and Yr10 students went to London to visit two exhibitions of photographs and take photos of our capital city. At the Natural History Museum, we saw the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. With over 70 photos to view this is the place to see some of the most amazing photos of nature and animals in the world. It was a real treat to be able to find out the stories behind these amazing photographs.

  At the National Portrait Gallery, we were lucky enough to have a lecture about the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait prize before seeing the exhibition. The staff at the Gallery were very impressed with the intelligent comments and high levels of understanding that USH students showed during the question and answer style lecture. All the students really made me feel proud.

  The final part of the day involved us being outside in the busy streets of central London. With Trafalgar Square, the Thames and the London Eye on our route students took some amazing photographs.

  Mrs Cadle
  

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

• Rowing Success!

  Eleanor Marshall – Cox and Millie Terrell came second in the Hampshire Rowing challenge last week which means they qualify for the nationals.  Well done!!
  

• Teamwork and Leadership Competition

  Last week eight Year 10 students competed in a ‘Teamwork and Leadership’ competition against 7 other schools. The challenges were planned and run by the public service students and involved the students problem solving and working together to complete physical and mental challenges. They worked really well together and came up with some great ideas.

  For each challenge the Itchen College students picked an ‘Outstanding student’, and Alfie Cranmer was the student who was picked out most for his hard work and good ideas.

  We came 7th overall, and the students were a credit to the school.

  Mrs Fortune 

  
  

  • 
  • 
  • 

• Chopsticks and Noodles, Chin-opoly and Chinese Dragons Den

  Year 8 have been learning all about Asia this half term, with a focus on China. To mirror the in class learning, students were given 4 weeks to create a board game which reflected their understanding of the magnificent country. It was amazing to see how students had grasped the concepts of life in China and so thoughtfully demonstrated their understanding in the most creative ways.
  The Geography department were outstanded by the efforts of the students. Everyone researched, designed and created wonderful board games which their class mates thoroughly enjoyed playing during their last lesson of the term.

  
  Special awards for outstanding work go to:
  Kiera Robinson, Felix Adams, Oliver Kelleher-Browne, Alexandra Adamowska, James Haskell, Charlie Watts, Thomas McCarthy, Marley Curtis, Anya Deerin, Maddy Kirkup,  Nimah Rahmen, Jess Hoy, Alison Garncarz, Favour Abiakweh and Josh Spencer.

  
  

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

• So Much Fudge!

  Ryan M from year 10 has worked incredibly hard to raise funds for Clic Sargent-Jean’s house as part of his ‘Cope’ lesson. He has used his culinary skills to produce two flavours of fudge, Oreo and Malteser, which he has sold to the staff of USH.  He raised £171 and all proceeds will be going to his chosen charity to support local teenage children diagnosed with cancer.

  Liz Blunt, Fundraising Manager dropped into school to meet and thank Ryan yesterday and is very pleased with the efforts he has gone to.
  

  

• Christmas Card Fundraising

  For many years now, members of staff have donated money to Naomi House Children’s Hospice instead of giving cards to colleagues. We have raised more than £4,000 for the charity in this way, along with other fund-raising events.

  Staff this year have raised £85.00, thank you.
  

  

• Give a book for Christmas

  Calling all Parents: does your son/daughter have any fiction books sitting on a shelf at home that they’re never going to read? Or a book that they have read before but have now grown out of?
  If the answer is YES, and the books are in good condition, then please think about donating the books to the School Library. 
  Please hand in at School Reception or to the Librarian.
  Very many thanks to those students who have already donated books this term.
  

• SEN Parent Coffee Morning

  We held our first SEN parent coffee morning last week for year 7 parents.  It was a great opportunity for parents to meet with myself and Karen Wright to talk about provision, progress, any concerns they have and to talk to each other as parents experiencing similar problems.

  We will be holding a year 8 and 9 one in the new year.

  Mrs Ramshaw

  
  

• Year 11 Higher Education Advise Evening

  LETTER FROM UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON 

  Dear Parent/Guardian,

  Year 11 Higher Education Advice Evening – 23rd January 2019 – Hartley Suite, Highfield Campus, SO17 1BJ 

  As part of our continued commitment of providing our Learn with US programme, the University of Southampton would like to invite you to our Higher Education Advice Evening Highfield campus. This event will give an overview of the next steps involving the application to university and everything to consider as part of your son/daughters journey through both further and higher education.

  The evening is designed to give general, up-to-date information on topics such as choosing a course, student finance, getting the most from open days and the benefits of Higher Education. Whilst the evening is hosted by the University of Southampton, the information provided is not specific to our institution with more general information, tips and tricks provided to support all of you ahead of these exciting years to come. 

  The event is free with a generous buffet and drinks provided alongside complimentary parking. Whilst aimed at parents, students are welcome to book on but please be advised that places are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis.

  University of Southampton Learn with US
  Year 11 Higher Education Advice Evening
  Hartley Suite, Building 38, University Road, SO17 1BJ

  Programme
  17.30 Arrival drinks and networking opportunities with Student Ambassadors and Outreach Team.
  18.00 Welcome and overview of applying to university
  This will include:
                              - Choosing a course
                              - How to choose a university
                              - Timeline: "What happens when?" From the beginning of college to going to         university
  18:45 Meet our current students
  An opportunity to hear from students studying subjects such as medicine, law, humanities/social science, engineering and maths.
  19:00 Student Finance -What support is available, funding, budgeting etc.
  19:30 Event close
  Opportunity for further questions and networking

  Although this event is intended for parents/ guardians, students are more than welcome to attend. However due to limited places being available, the event booking is limited to 3 places per booking and will be taken on a first come, first served basis. If you require further spaces due to younger siblings needing to attend, please do get in touch via outreach@soton.ac.uk

  
  

• SINGERS, DANCERS AND PERFORMERS AGED 7-17 WANTED!

  We are the UK's leading singing group for young people aged 7-17. We run weekly sessions throughout the year and pride ourselves on teaching young people about harmony singing, vocal technique and performance skills in a fun, creative and engaging way.
  We help develop confidence and social skills at every session, teaching current, contemporary and appropriate pop songs. All of our song arrangements are created in house and are delivered using a method of teaching that young people won’t have experienced before and whilst no musical experience is required, we embrace all young people who share a passion in music, movement, performance and being themselves. We like to push boundaries in the rehearsal room and out on the road. We know young people love to perform and so we do just that. We give all of our members the opportunity to perform in high quality shows throughout the year.
   
  Check out our website to see what else in included in a Sound Pop Academy membership and to request a free trial. Come and experience Sound Pop Academy for yourself!
   
  Hedge End - Tuesdays: 5pm - 7pm
  Southampton (Tauntons College) - Thursdays: 5pm - 7pm
  Website Address: http://www.soundpopacademy.co.uk
  Contact Email: hello@soundpopacademy.co.uk
  Contact Telephone: 02381290449