Welcome to the weekly Newsletter for parents and carers of students attending John Hanson Community School.
Inspire - Care - Succeed
‘HEAD’ Lines
Onwards and Upwards!
At the end of a half term that seems to have flown by I find myself reflecting on the educational experiences of the students that call John Hanson home on a daily basis – and what an experience it often is!
Only this week I have had the pleasure of sitting in on a lesson with year 10 Food and Nutrition students as they experienced the culinary expertise of a professional chef, and not any old chef at that. Matthew Whitfield is just about to take up residence at 11 Madison Park, New York. Look it up – it’s rated the number 1 restaurant in the world!
I was also able to share in the continual winning ways of our sports teams. In particular this week our year 11 footballer’s who arrived back at school with the biggest ‘Cheshire cat’ grins I have ever seen following their 14-0 win over one of our local schools.
Finally, I found out that one of our year 11 students, who took his examinations this summer, has been awarded a third grade 9 meaning that he now has the full set. Grade 9s in Maths, English language and English Literature. He becomes one of only 2000 students in the country (the top 0.25%) to achieve this. This is in no small part down to his dedication, the support of his parents and the quality of his educational experience during 5 years at John Hanson.
All in all I could not be more proud of what is on offer at John Hanson, the life chances it creates and the long lasting positive experiences it cultivates.
Have an enjoyable half-term with your children
Regards
Russell Stevens
Headteacher
Michelin Star Chef visits John Hanson
Former Head Chef of the 1 Michelin star hotel in Portscatho, Cornwall, Matt Whitfield came to visit John Hanson on Monday.
He showed our GCSE Catering students how to make a traditional shaped cheesecake, using white chocolate with a Passionfruit and mixed fruit jelly top, an orange salad and a garnish of white chocolate crumbs. Then using the same ingredients he showed the students how to make a deconstructed cheesecake. This involved placing the cheesecake mixture onto flattened biscuit base and then rolling. Once the mixture was set, Matt cut through the roll to show swirls. It gave the students an idea of how the same ingredients can be used but presented differently.
The students sat transfixed as he completed his presentation using tweezers to place tiny passion fruit seeds onto the top of the cheesecake.
Matt trained at Eastleigh College, nr Southampton and went to work for many world class chefs including Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Yves Matagne.
Now at the age of 29, he became a 2017 Roux Scholarship finalist and in a few days he is heading off to New York to work for Daniel Humm, 3 Michelin star restaurant, 11 Madison Park. This restaurant has recently been voted ‘Best in the World’.
We wish him well and hope that he will keep in touch and visit us again.
Fire and Rescue Service Personal Development Programme
Five John Hanson students attended a Fire and Rescue Service Personal Development Programme, this week.
The first part of this course has been some intensive work on the following areas:
Fire Safety
First Aid
Road Safety
Breathing Apparatus
After the intensive work, the students will have weekly sessions and they will also be focussing on the above areas.
Our students have worked hard this week and had to face their challenges with determination, resilience and positivity. We are very proud of all their efforts, and we look forward to hearing all the stories they will have to tell.
A report from Year 10 PSHE Day
Year 10 had an enjoyable and varied PSHE Day 1 with several outside speakers. In Risk Reduction the group were given a number of interesting and relevant scenarios which contained an element of risk. They thought, discussed and categorised these scenarios into low, medium and high risk. This was a good opportunity for them to explore lots of ‘what ifs’ that they are likely to encounter in their lives and discuss these in a safe environment.
In a session on LGBT, students discussed and reflected about gender identity and sexuality. They also looked at the 10 possible definitions of gender. Students looked at understanding in greater depth these issues. They finally look at how best to include and support LGBT people. Various websites and support group contacts were given.
The controversial topic of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) was sensitively approached, first through a general discussion on culture and the practise of traditions. Then questioning helped students helps to build, challenge and extend their knowledge. Finally, the hard hitting facts were presented through a series of short films, the aim of which is to create better awareness and an understanding of this horrific and unlawful international practise.
Finally, in Digital Detox, students considered the main stressors in their life and discussed measures to reduce stress.
Respect for our neighbours
I have received a letter from the residents that live in the vicinity of the Hexagon store.
If you are not aware where this is, it’s the convenience stores off the Salisbury road close to the entrance to Floral Way. Many parents use it as a drop off and pick up for their children. Indeed, it is a designated council location for this. Students from John Hanson and other local schools also frequent the shop before and after school.
Residents have brought to my attention that during the first half term of the academic year there has been an increase in the amount of rubbish left outside the shop. If you do use this as a drop off point or know that your child frequents the shop can I ask that you speak to them about their responsibility to the local environment in regard to litter.
Many thanks - Russell Stevens - Headteacher
Cyber Safety
There is a wealth of information on the internet about Cyber Safety and how to keep your children safe whilst using the internet. Some of this information is reliable and accurate and others are not. Below is a list of websites we find useful and have up-to-date reliable information. We hope to arrange another Cyber Safety parent evening next term to allow parents time to practically change privacy settings on their social media accounts, so that they can encourage their children to do so also.
Week 7 – Useful Information
You can find out more about how children use social media, the apps they use, the risks they face, how to use
privacy settings, and advice and tips about how to talk to your children at:
Come and join in with the Performing Arts - Music and Drama
Music rehearsals and activities
School Band Mondays 3-4pm (starting 30/10/17)
Music Tech Club - Tuesdays 3-4pm
School Choir Wednesdays 3-4pm
Drama
Drama Club Thursdays 3-4pm
School Band
starting Monday 30th October
Come and join a new school band/orchestra that we will be forming.
All musicians are welcome to join – those who learn instruments at school, and those who have lessons outside of school are all invited to take part. It is an important part of their music education to take part in an ensemble group and perform together and we hope their first performance in public will be at the Christmas Concert on 14th December.
We hope that all students who are learning an instrument will involve themselves with the band so that they can expand their musical skills further. (We also encourage our singing students to join the music crew choir on Wednesdays) Students can be in both groups.
Please complete the form on ParentMail or email me direct if your child would like to get involved.
Sing Up for Christmas - Thursday 14th December 7pm
A date for your diary - we will be encouraging as many students as possible to take part - particularly Year 7 and 8. Letters to follow next half-term. A fun evening for all - to kick off the celebrations.
