Beverley High School & Beverley Grammar School held their end of year proms for their year 11 students.

Ahead of their prom which was held at Cave Castle a number people met up with their classmates to travel to the prom.Pre Prom Party

Beverley High School and Beverley Grammar School Year 11 Students celebrated finishing school with joint prom.

Held at the plush Cave Castle in South Cave around 190 students got dressed up as the Class of 2015 signed off with a party.

Students from joint Beverley High School and Beverley Grammar School celebrated their final time together after completing 6th form.

Cave Castle was the venue which was filled with chatter and excitement as students showed up smartly and elegantly dressed to finalise the academic year.

HU17.net Magazine Issue 253 is out and features extensive coverage of the Year 13 proms involving Longcroft School, Beverley High School and Beverley Grammar School

The magazine can be purchased from the following outlets in Beverley;

• Molescroft News, Woodhall Way
• Mace – Convenience Store, Beverley Town Centre
• Mace – Convenience Store, Lincoln Way

Students at Beverley High School have held an event in aid of Cancer Research.

Part of their Wellbeing Day students from school many of whom were dressed in pink tackle three laps of the school playing field or raising money for a very worthwhile cause.

Julie Wilson from Beverley High School said;

“We are asking every girl to run, jog or walk 2km in aid of Cancer research. They can either get sponsorship or make a donation.”

It was not only the students who tackled the 2km distance. A number teachers and staff from the school also took part in the event.

On what was a very hot morning, all those who participated safely completed 2km distance and were presented with a medallion recognition of their efforts.

Julie says students wanted to take part after they were inspired to raise money as a result of watching the film that a young man Stephen Sutton. Mr Sutton became a household name after documenting his battle with cancer sharing his experiences with people through a blog and social media.

Julie added;

“They have watched Stephen Sutton’s video – Stephen’s Story – When life gives you cancer – about making the most of life in spite of having cancer and have been motivated to raise money themselves.”

Mr. Sutton who passed away 14 May 2014 raised millions of pounds for The Teenage Cancer Trust while he himself battled the disease.

Many of the students who took part today at Beverley High School did so with messages pinned to their T-shirts.

Tesco Beverley’s Community Champion Dave Ryley has expressed his gratitude after the store in Beverley collected over 250 trays during the Neighbourhood Food Collection.

Held across three days earlier in the month, customers who shop in Tesco along with the help of a number of local schools collected enough food to fill 252 food trays.

Tesco will now weigh the food before adding an additional 30%. Food collected will allow foodbank’s in the area to distribute thousands of meals to local people in need.

Speaking about Neighbourhood Food Collection event Mr. Ryley said;

“We would like to thank all of our customers who supported our collection. Thanks to your fantastic generosity, we can provide much needed food for hundreds of local people.”

“We would also like to thank Beverley High School and Keldmarsh, Woodmansey and Little Weighton Rowley Primary Schools who have all held their own collections in support of ours.”

“Additionally we would like to thank all the volunteers from the Beverley branch of the Holderness Foodbank who helped with the collection throughout and also Councillor Peter Astell, Mayor of Beverley, who helped hand out leaflets on the Saturday.’’

In the UK figures indicate that food was given out just over a 1 million times during 2014 to 2015 with a third of this being given to feed children.

Tesco say that through the Neighbourhood Food Collection they have to date with the support of their customers provide over 21 million meals.

Working with The Trussell Trust and FareShare, who provide food to people in need, Tesco also donate surplus stock, so far donating 1,800 tonnes of surplus food.

Using the figures set out by Tesco, customers and a local schools in Beverley plus the top up mean enough food was collected to produce 8,658 meals.

In a year in which the overall GCSE results in England are similar to last year, many schools in the East Riding are celebrating improved results

Indications are that 58 per cent of students in East Riding schools and academies attained the gold standard of five or more A* to C grades, (including English and mathematics) this year, up by one per cent on last year’s results.

Many East Riding schools are reporting significantly improved progress measures, which are used by Ofsted as the main measure to judge achievement, and a number are celebrating improvements in their gold standard: five good passes including English and mathematics.

Beverley High School, Goole High School, Headlands School, South Hunsley Academy, Hessle High School and Wolfreton School are among those celebrating improved results this year.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is equally pleased that most other East Riding schools have maintained and consolidated their good outcomes this year, improving their progress measures in English and mathematics at the same time.

The results for students achieving the gold standard mark are in the table below:-

Beverley Grammar School 64
Beverley High School 70
Longcroft School and Sixth Form College 59
Bridlington School 45
Cottingham High School 47
Driffield School 53
Goole High School 51
Headlands School 51
Hessle High School 67
Hornsea School 42
Howden School 45
South Holderness Technology College 42
South Hunsley School 74
The Market Weighton School 53
The Snaith School 63
Withernsea High School 44
Woldgate College
Wolfreton School 67

Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said, “We are delighted with the improvement that many East Riding schools have brought about this year, which is a continued move in the right direction.

“This is down to the hard work of young people and their families supported by dedicated school staff.

“East Riding of Yorkshire Council is committed to improving East Riding Schools until we have the some of the best in the country. The results have been achieved against a backdrop of the very low level of funding for East Riding schools from the Department for Education.

“Together with improving A-level results last week, they show that young people in our schools are achieving the success they deserve and going onto employment, education and training of their choice. This is confirmed by the above national average destination data for school and college leavers at 16 and 18 in the East Riding.”

John Seaman, the council’s principal improvement adviser, said:

“These impressive results are underpinned by many outstanding stories of hard work and application as well as committed teaching and support. We look forward to further improving Ofsted inspection outcomes for East Riding schools, building on the foundation of this year’s best ever inspection outcomes.”

“The performance in the gold standard of five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, shows that key numeracy and literacy skills continue to thrive alongside other subjects and that we have got the balance right in our secondary schools.”

“We are proud of the work done by young people throughout the East Riding, with the support of their carers and families. We greatly appreciate the hard work of head teachers, teaching and support staff that has contributed to these results.”

Two local girls, Chantelle Nutter and Macie Higinbotham have raised hundreds of pounds for Diabetes UK after spending their summer holidays taking part in Lifestyle 2015.

Chantelle and Macie who both attend Beverley High School packed bags, did a bucket collection, held a tombola and also did a sponsored walk around Beverley.

In total the team, called Community Heroes collected an incredible £865.32 which they handed over to the charity earlier this week.

Speaking to HU17.net Chantelle said;

“Diabetes UK was picked as the charity we wanted to support as my nephew Archie Bean, who is four years old has diabetes. He attends a monthly meeting held by the charity at the local David Lloyds Centre.”

Both girls say that they got great pleasure from putting something back into the community, they said;
“We both really enjoyed taking part in the Lifestyle Challenge. Of all the things we did, doing the bag pack the B&M Stores in Willerby was the most fun.”

During their holidays, they also packed bags at the Tesco store in Beverley, held a tombola at Sainsbury’s and also did a bucket collection at Morrison’s.

The girls also organised and held a sponsored walk, which they say gave them a great opportunity to raise awareness of charity as they handed out leaflets to passersby.

This was the first time the pair had taken part in the Lifestyle Challenge, and they say they would certainly consider taking part next year. Chantelle said;

“We both felt really good about putting our spare time into helping others. It is nice that we could help the community. We would certainly recommend others to do it also.”

Beverley High School held their annual carol concert at Beverley Minster.

Hundreds of people packed out the Minster to enjoy a very traditional festive musical event.

Finally winter has arrived in the UK and along with it the much loved BBC Two series Winterwatch.

This year the fact filled and informative wildlife series is being broadcast live from the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge deep in the Scottish Highlands, one of the coldest places in the UK.

Winterwatch is presented by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games and captures the wonderful world of winter wildlife using a mix of remote cameras, live expeditions and scientific revelations.

Running alongside Winterwatch is its sister programme “Winterwatch Unsprung” presented by Chris Packham and ex-Beverley High School pupil Lindsey Chapman.

Lindsey grew up in rural East Yorkshire where she developed a love of the countryside and the sea, as well as getting to know first-hand all about the local wildlife.

She discovered she had a passion for drama whilst at Beverley High School and went on to study Theatre and Acting at Birmingham University and Drama School before touring in various theatre productions around the country.

Her breakthrough came in 2014 when she produced and presented her own outdoor adventure TV pilot for BBC CBeebies, shortly after which she was offered the role of Roving Reporter on the nationally acclaimed BBC Springwatch series.

Since the transition into television and radio Lindsey has gone on to present with Sky Sports Netball, BBC Songs of Praise, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Springwatch Extra and this summer she fronted the hit BBC One show Big Blue UK with co-presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

“I love coming home.” says Lindsey “There’s just so much to see and do. Taking a bracing walk to watch the puffins and gannets at Bempton Cliffs, spotting seals off Spurn Point or just walking through the fields near Beverley, it’s a beautiful part of the world.”

BBC Winterwatch Unsprung returns to BBC Red Button from Wednesday, 27th January to Friday, 29 January 2016 and celebrates our British wildlife.

With guest interviews, viewers’ stories and plenty of photos and videos it is aimed at getting people outdoors to enjoy the winter themselves.

Boys from Beverley Grammar school recently hosted a group of five students from Keiai Gakuen Senior High School, a school situated in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

As part of this cultural exchange it has now been confirmed that the five boys that hosted, along with 3 others, have been invited to Japan in October 2016.

The visiting students were treated to a variety of events, both in and outside of school: visiting local historical venues, savouring the delicacies offered at the Beverley Christmas market, and competing in team quizzes and sporting events.

Although a far cry from the students own lives, they enjoyed their time here very much, expressing as much in letters of thanks to the school and their hosts.

The Beverley Grammar School boys wanted to give the Japanese students an opportunity to learn about the British culture and they are excited to be given the opportunity to head to Japan to learn about the way of life of their new friends.

Gavin Chappell, Head teacher said;

“this is the first collaboration of this type between the schools, and Beverley Grammar School hopes it will become an annual event so that more of our students can enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. I am sure the cultural differences will be a real eye opener for our boys.”

This exchange is part of a long running programme that Beverley High School has been involved in with Keiai Gakuen Senior High School.

Beverley Grammar School, and in particular the participating boys, were very excited to be invited into this programme.

Nearly all East Riding parents of children moving to secondary school this year have got places for them at their preferred school.

Letters to parents telling them the outcome of their applications for secondary places in September are being sent out today, Tuesday 1 March. All local authorities in England have to send the letters out
on the same date.

In the East Riding, of 3,308 applications received 3,188 (96.4%) have been allocated places at their first choice school and 3,280 (99.2%) have places at one of their three choices of school.

As in previous years, most (76.7%) of children living in the East Riding will be going to their catchment area school.

344 children living in other local authority areas have been allocated places at schools in the East Riding, with the largest number (264) coming from Hull.

249 East Riding resident children have been allocated places at schools in other local authority areas, including 118 who have been given places at schools in Hull.

Five secondary schools in the East Riding – Beverley High School, Bridlington School, Cottingham High School, South Hunsley School and Wolfreton School – have filled all the places they have available.

The numbers on roll at secondary schools in the East Riding have been falling since 2011. With smaller year groups still feeding through from the primary schools, the numbers at secondary schools are expected to continue to reduce over the next few years. From 2018 onwards, the larger year groups which have started at primary schools in recent years will begin to feed into the secondary schools.

Councillor Julie Abraham, East Riding of Yorkshire Council portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said:

“It is again pleasing to see such a high proportion of parents getting places for their children at their preferred choice of school. It is also again pleasing to see that so many parents want their children to be a part of their local community and want to support their local catchment area school.”

Mike Furbank, the council’s head of children and young people, education and schools, said:

“Population trends in the East Riding and neighbouring local authority areas mean that secondary school pupil numbers are falling, presenting schools with significant challenges. Despite that, the schools in the East Riding offer a good and improving standard of education which parents clearly appreciate.”

Beverley High School have made six out of six as two of their students booked their place in the Spelling Bee grand final for the sixth year running.

Spelling Bee challenges students to learn various words and alphabet of a foreign language, something Beverley High School have enjoyed great success at.

Katie Percival and Lindsey Partington both beat off competition from schools throughout the region at Hull University to secure their place in the finals that will be held in Cambridge.

Language teacher Julie Wilson commenting on the success of the students said;

“Every year that the Spelling Bee has taken place Beverley High School have got at least one pupil through to finals. This is something we are very proud of.”

When asked why she felt Beverley High school had such a good track record she said;

“We have really good hard-working students who want to do well. They are good girls who work really hard who want to win.”

Katie who took part and won in the French category said;

“I did a lot of practice in my spare time with my mum. I had never learnt French before and wanted to take part to prove I could do it, now I would like to go on and win the final for the school.”

Lyndsey who came first in German said;

“My teachers at school and my mum offered me a lot of support. Now I am really excited, but nervous about going to Cambridge for the finals.”

With this being the final year, Mrs. Wilson says she is exploring ways of at least keeping the competition going locally for the benefits of the students.

Mrs. Wilson said;

“Due to funding cuts this is the last year that this competition will be held. Spelling Bee helps students learn a foreign language and with all the students taking part in the early rounds, it’s very important.”

“I am thinking of creating a Spelling Bee competition on the local level, so we can at least keep it going for the benefit of the students.”

Students from Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School Year 11 celebrated the end of a year with a leavers ball.

Held at Willerby Manor Hotel the ball was a colourful affair with Nathan Cattle and Ellie Douglas were named king and queen of the prom to the delight of 200 people.

Nathan and Ellie then danced to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing as the newly crowned King and Queen of prom.

[See image gallery at www.hu17.net]

Students at Beverley High School are taking part in an experiment to explore if space travel has an impact on how plants grow back on Earth.

Part of a project named Rocket Science students across the country have responded to calls from UK astronaut Tim Peake to plant Rocket Seeds that have been in orbit.

Head of Technology at Beverley High school Mrs. Colley said;

“On 2 September 2015, two kilos of rocket seed blasted off from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station.”

“The seeds have been stored in microgravity by Tim Peake and returned to Earth when the staff changed over.”

“These were packaged up and sent to schools who volunteered to take part in a massive growing experiment to see if gravity has affected the growth of the plants and the seed’s ability to germinate.”

“The seeds arrived Tuesday and we got busy planting them according to strict instructions from the RHS. Two packets of seeds arrived, one blue and one red.”

“We don’t know which one has been in space. The seeds will now be carefully looked after for the next 35 days, monitored and measured and the results sent off to the Royal Horticultural Society.”

Rocket is an easy-to-grow salad crop which adds a peppery flavour to salad. Younger leaves are milder, more tender and palatable.

Tim Peake says that the mass experiment is genuinely useful science that will help contribute to the understanding the science of how plants grow in space.

Results from the experiment will not be known for around six weeks and should help discover ways that humans can grow food in space making travelling to distant planets more achievable.

Science Minister Jo Johnson has also backed the project saying that he hopes that by taking part more young people will develop an interest in science.

Cave Castle Hotel was the chosen venue for the Beverley High School and Beverley Grammar School joint sixth prom.

Well over two hundred students enjoyed a prom as the class of 2013 partied one last time together.

The students were joined by a number of teachers at the stunning East Yorkshire location which was decked out with balloons and decorations.

PICTURE: Head Boy Will Clay and Head Girl Intuorn Hudson

[See image gallery at www.hu17.net]

Beverley High School have enjoyed a long successful time in entering and winning the Spelling Bee competition that challenges students to learn a foreign language.

As the scheme comes to an end HU7.net caught up with the school and the students who over the years have competed in the competition.

To date, Beverley High School have seen success on a local level carried through to the national stage with Hannah Wookey claiming first place, Josephine Stone a third place and Freya Pritchard and Lydia Pickering coming fourth in the grand finals.

Mrs. Julie Wilson a language teacher at the school said;

“These students are our National competitors from years 7-12 & are all talented and motivated linguists.”

“Beverley High School students have consistently excelled in this competition that has been taking place every year since 2011.”

“This year is the 6th time that we have entered and the 6th year running where we have had students reach the National Finals in Cambridge, beating many schools in the Yorkshire & Humber area.”

“Sadly, this will be the last year that it runs due to the government withdrawing funding for Routes into Languages, an organisation which encourages and promotes language learning.”

“As a competition, it really helps motivate students to learn vocabulary and to spell it correctly in a foreign language.”

“Beverley High School is very proud of all their achievements. We are hoping that many of them will continue to work hard at their languages and maybe even continue to enjoy using them in their careers.”

Beverley High School will hope they can end on winning note as Katie Percival and Lindsey Partington from year 7 will be taking part in the last National final in Cambridge on 1st July.

“We wish them Viel Glück and Bonne Chance” said Mrs. Wilson.

Beverley High School and Beverley Grammar School joined forces to mark the end of the their school year.

Students from both school were at the KC Stadium for their end of year prom.

Nippon Gohsei UK is helping to prepare a group of 12 to 15-year-olds for a school exchange visit to Japan in October.

Staff from the firm, based at Saltend Chemicals Park in Hull, told them about the country’s customs when Beverley High School hosted a special cultural session.

Also present were pupils from Beverley Grammar School and Hornsea School & Language College who will be in the 22-strong party that will stay singly with families in Chiba, near Tokyo.

The session was a chance to answer questions on why ‘saving face’ is so crucial in Japan, codes of etiquette, such as bowing, and to enjoy Japanese food.

Helen Starkey, Nippon Gohsei’s HR and communications manager, said: “While most of our staff in Hull are British, our head office is in Osaka, Japan, our managing director at the Hull site is Japanese and we have regular visits from Japanese colleagues.

“It is highly important to gain an understanding of Japanese culture in order for the business to run smoothly. Equally, the Japanese make efforts to understand ours.”

Mr Suzumori, who is on assignment from Japan to work in the company’s finance department, and his wife attended the interactive session.

Mrs Starkey said that in forging links with the community Nippon Gohsei was helping to develop an understanding of a culture that is regarded as ‘alien’ by many in the West.

“It was a fun and interesting helping young people understand the need to be appreciative of cultural differences,” she said. “Their forthcoming trip will be a wonderful opportunity to develop an understanding of the international community.”

Nippon Gohsei makes world-leading packaging product Soarnol, which is commonly used as a barrier layer in food packaging to preserve flavour and freshness.

Japanese business and other customs:

• Japanese will never to do anything to cause loss of face, such as openly criticising, insulting or putting a person on the spot.
• Silence is golden. At business meetings it suggests wisdom and emotional self-control. No unnecessary chatter.
• Group solidarity is valued over individualism. A single arrow can easily be broken, but not a bundle of 10.
• Business cards are an extension of identity. Accept or present one with both hands and treat them with respect.
• Treat older executives with extra deference.
• Hard sell won’t work. Take time to build trust.
• Exchanging gifts is important, but some that we might buy as presents here have negative connotations there.
• Asking personal questions, especially at the start of a relationship, may be regarded as rude.
• Don’t blow your nose in public!

Beverley High School have again enjoyed success on a national stage as one of their students, Jessica Wilson won Translation Bee.

Translation Bee was created following after calls from older students who wanted to take part in national competition that tests their academic abilities.

Ms Wilson was joined by six other students from Beverley High School and ended up winning the overall competition.

Speaking about her success Ms Wilson who is in Year 9 said;

“Overall, the experience was demanding, but also really exciting and enjoyable. Translating the sentences quickly and accurately will be invaluable for my French GCSE and beyond.”

“Going to Cambridge to compete nationally was challenging but also meant that I could push myself against the best students in the country.”

Students were tasked with translating sentences into French or German from a possible 360 combinations.
Language Teacher Julie Wilson said;

“It has been a great success with over 7,300 students taking part across the country. Here at Beverley High students had a class competition last December, and a year competition in March.”

“Our top 4 students from French and top 3 from German then went to the national final at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge on 15th June where there were 64 students for French and 32 for German fighting it out for the title.”

“Our competitors were: Hannah Gouldthorpe, Ilsa Hartley, Freya Pritchard, Jessica Wilson, Madeleine Austin, Emily Allsup and Sophie Miller.”

“Two of our girls got through to the semis – Lisa and Jessica . Jess made it to the final round and then WON!”

“Competitions like this really tests students ability to translate, pronounce the language correctly, understand conjugation of verbs and to think quickly.”

“Beverley High School has a reputation for helping, motivating and encouraging our talented linguists to do well both in these competitions and in their exams.”

“We are very proud of all the girls’ achievements and are especially pleased for Jess Wilson.”