With the onset of winter weather, we have recently circulated to parents the actions the school will take in the event of advance notice of a school closure or a forced closure during the school day.  Although we hope to avoid any weather related closures, please can parents familiarise themselves with our procedures in the event of challenging conditions.

The website link to this letter is www.shipstonhigh.co.uk/information/school-letters/

As a rural community we are very mindful of the amazing work done by the Air Ambulance teams serving our locality.

On 20^th November, we were pleased to welcome Mary from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity who gave two assemblies on the work of the Air Ambulance.  At the instigation of the students, the school decided to undertake some fundraising to support them in their work and Friday 30^th November saw a non-uniform day in aid of the Charity.  We also sold Air Ambulance merchandise and invited our parents to donate through Parent Pay.  Donations received a significant boost during our recent staff training day when staff took part in a “Chips for Choppers” lunch where everyone who wanted chips for lunch made a donation towards the fund in return for a member of staff to go and collect them from the local fish and chip shop!

We are delighted that we raised a massive £915.67 for the Charity.  Thank you to everyone for your amazing support.

With the end of their time at Shipston High School approaching, our Year 11 students are preparing to take their next steps into further education or employment with training.  Each year students have timetabled sessions to help them prepare their own CV in preparation for forthcoming interviews when applying for school and college places and apprenticeships.

This year’s mock interview session took place on Thursday 29^th November where every student had a 25 minute personal interview conducted by representatives from local businesses and members of the Shipston on Stour Rotary Club.  Dressed in their choice of interview clothes, this experience gave the students a real opportunity to prepare themselves for the “real thing” when formal interviews for sixth form and colleges begin in the New Year.

Once again, we are very grateful to the members of the Shipston on Stour Rotary Club and our business community for giving up their valuable time to help our students.

When looking at the school Hall after school on Tuesday 4th December you may have thought that Miss Whitworth and Miss McElroy were preparing for a Christmas party, with the beautifully decorated tables, decorations and lovely food.

It was, however, a staff training event “Teach Meet” which saw teachers and teaching assistants gathering from near and far to hear trainer, keynote speaker and author Gary Toward’s wise words.

Gary’s focus was on teachers being the ‘decisive element’ in their classrooms, encouraging staff to be reflective on their classroom practices and the way they form relationships with their students.

Gary’s book ‘The Decisive Element’ really is a great read.

Alongside Gary, there were a number of great presenters from Studley High School and Alcester Academy who shared their ideas as well as Shipston staff Ms. Lawrence, Mr Denham, Mrs Hunt and Miss McElroy looking at a variety of topics such as whole class feedback and careers in the classroom.

Attendees left the session with a lot of new ideas to think about.  Thanks go to Miss Whitworth and Miss McElroy for all their hard work in arranging the event.

Head of Religion, Ethics and Philosophy Ms Jordan Whitworth recently visited a Youth Refugee Centre in Calais and gives her account of her experience:

Over the weekend of 17th November a friend and I headed down to Calais to work with the Refugee Youth Centre.  We delivered a truckload (literally!) of donations to the Help Refugees Warehouse and helped out there for the day, helping them prepare the 2000+ meals they deliver every day before then helping sort the donations in the warehouse.  I took with me the post cards that Shipston High School students had written to let the children there know that people were thinking of them, another show of how caring and wonderful the students at Shipston High are. On the Sunday we delivered some youth work in Calais.  I worked with a number of unaccompanied young people, teaching them English at the side of a car park. The people I met there were truly incredible and had a resilience I didn’t think was even possible. The volunteers too were incredible people who will be giving up their Christmas to be with the unaccompanied children who are still having to live on the street. We will be sending hampers to the volunteers as a thank you for all that they do, so if you have anything you would like to donate e.g hot chocolate sachets, nice toiletries etc. please get in contact with Ms Whitworth: jordanwhitworth@shipstonhigh.co.uk