At such an important time of year for our school community with Remembrance Day on Sunday, Mrs. Murphy has led assemblies this week looking at the people who keep us safe, along with discovering how service still protects us today. In each assembly we’ve observed a thoughtful silence.
Today, we’ve been honoured to take part in the ‘The Festival of Remembrance’ for Service children at Ripon Cathedral. This annual event involves up to 500 local Service children coming together from many different primary and secondary schools and, this year, along with our Military Service Students, our Pop Choir sang ‘The Path to Peace’ during the service. They also joined all of the other choirs to sing the other service songs including ‘I vow to thee my country’. Our thanks go to our students for representing our school and community so impressively. Our thanks also go to Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Jackson who, I am sure, will be giving us further feedback for the Blog next week.
On Sunday, I’ll be accompanied by Alyssa and Dan at the Remembrance service at St. James’ in Boroughbridge before they lay the wreath on behalf of Boroughbridge High School at the war memorial. It’s a privilege to participate in such an important event in our community.
Mr. Field reports, ‘A busy week for fixtures in the PE department, lots of opportunities for the pupils to represent the school in competitive sport. The Year 9 boys were first in action on Tuesday in the County Cup competition at Malton. What followed was a very competitive football match with both sides showing great phases of possession and defensive prowess. A closely contested first half saw Malton take a narrow 1-0 lead into the half time break, Boroughbridge rallied early in the second half and took control of the match equalising and posing lots of problems for the opposition defence. The game hung in the balance until the dying moments when travelling players hearts were broken with goal against the run of play, shortly followed by another to finish the tie 3-1 to the home team. The level of performance was improved from the previous outing and sets up the Boroughbridge boys for their English Schools FA Small School Trophy match on Monday.
The Year 8 boys had their first outing of the season at the 7 a side football tournament organised by St John Fisher school in Harrogate. The boys were eager and proud to pull on the black and amber jersey again to represent the school and put in some spirited performances against the Harrogate schools. The matches provided a valuable lesson which will help them in upcoming cup matches. Good performances from Taylor in defence and Kemp in goal helped the team keep in contention throughout the games and an audacious strike by Rawstrone rattled the frame of the goal and nearly provided the goal of the tournament. A resilient display from the boys in all three matches has created more hunger for their upcoming fixtures.’
On Thursday evening before half term, we welcomed Ripon Grammar School to our netball training session to play our Year 10/9 and Year 8 teams. Miss Robson reports, ‘Pupils exemplified our school values of respect, resilience and ambition. For many Year 8s this was their first netball fixture at the school and nerves were high. Although we did not secure the win this was a really good opportunity for the team to play together under pressure. Congratulations to Rova for being named player of the match and Daisy D in our Year 10/9 match. The Year 10/9 team were up against a formidable C and GS on the opposing team. We managed to get regular turn-overs and now we need to work on our decision making under pressure to take the ball safely to goal. Thank you to the Year 10/9s that stayed after their game to watch the Year 8s. I look forward to you leading the first training session back after half term based on your observations!’
In their next match this week on Tuesday, Tadcaster Grammar School brought two teams to play our Year 8/9/10 combined team. Miss Robson reports, ’Both games were drawn at half time and lost by a single goal overall. The team played exceptionally well and have made improvements from their latest game. Well done to Rova, player of the match for both games (and she’s only Year 8!) What Rova does really well is she watches the ball and times her interceptions perfectly. A good game all round and I look forward to us playing Outwood Academy Ripon on Wednesday.’
Also this week, Miss Robson reported, ‘Everyone’s favourite girls’ benchball tournament returned to Thirsk High School this Thursday. I took a group of Year 8s who I thought would really benefit from a positive sporting experience and a chance to play against other local schools. Ambition was our top trait with high expectations from our students to win. We won three and lost the final game, meaning we finished a strong 2nd. Well done to Emilie for gaining an additional medal for being the Schools Games leader’s ‘bestie’. Evie your passion and resilience did not go unnoticed with your valuable communication on the court. I encourage all who had fun to come along to Thursday after school netball club and play with other students across the school!
Over in Birmingham last week, Jack in Year 11 completed his first HYROX which combines both running and functional workout stations, where participants run 1km, followed by 1 functional workout station, repeated eight times. It was completed within an impressive 1hr and 15 mins with Jack showing great ambition, determination and resilience, pushing through and giving it 100%. Our congratulations go to him.
It was great to welcome so many parents, carers and students to our Year 10 Parent/Carer evening on Wednesday. As we march towards our November Progress exams, this will have formed an important part in students’ journey of progress.
It’s Children in Need next Friday (14th November) when we’ll be having a non-uniform day to raise money. Further information will follow next week.
Also a reminder that we have a Professional Development Day on Wednesday 26th November when students do not attend school.
Have a lovely weekend!