Simon Armitage – a famous Yorkshire poet – visits St. Wilfrid’s

Friday 15th June 2007 arrived and many teachers and Year 10 pupils were eagerly awaiting the performance of prominent Yorkshire poet and novelist, Simon Armitage. Simon previously won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and has worked extensively in radio, film and television. The vast majority of pupils in the country will study his poems at GCSE level.
Despite his indisputable acclaim, Simon transformed pupils’ expectations of what a ‘typical’ poet might be like; he was funny, down to earth and inspiring. It was an invaluable experience for pupils to hear poems they have studied and seen on the page performed and brought to life by their creator.
Despite animating his own poems, Simon even upheld his modesty when it came to discussing the ownership of his work. When questioned about his poems’ meanings he humbly announced: ‘Once I’ve written something it doesn’t belong to me any more – the meaning belongs to the reader’.
This was fabulously empowering for pupils to hear; individual interpretation and creativity are essential tools in the successful study of Literature and Simon actively encouraged pupils to use their imaginations in their studies. And that is the beauty of all literature; it creates new worlds and experiences – no exact interpretation of any text is ever entirely right or wrong and Simon reaffirmed this for everyone.
We hope to welcome Simon back next year and he has promised to be our ‘pet poet’.

Kate Midgley

St. Wilfrid’s Praised by OFSTED Inspectors

Pupils and staff at St. Wilfrid’s are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from OFSTED inspectors recently. A team of five inspectors visited the school in May and identified “a strong and inclusive Christian ethos [which] underpins the work of the school and supports a community in which pupils can thrive.” They also noted that, “pupils enjoy coming to school: they are well motivated and keen to learn” and “pupils work hard and make outstanding progress”. John McNally, Headteacher, said he was delighted with the report, saying, “The Inspectors were really impressed with our pupils, noting the pride they and the staff take in St. Wilfrid’s.

I am particularly pleased that OFTSED also recognised we are set for even higher levels of success in the near future, describing us as still improving. This report is a testament to everybody involved with the school and I would like to publicly thank pupil, parents, staff and governors for their hard work and dedication to St. Wilfrid’s”.

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The Royal Navy and the Royal Marine Commandos

On Friday 4th May during Personal, Social Education morning Year 11 pupils attended a talk from the Royal Navy in the new sports hall. The talk gave pupils information on the careers available within the Navy, the opportunities to travel and see the World, and to learn a trade. The presentation was given by serving members of the Navy and the Royal Marine Commandos. After the talk pupils were able to visit the Navy’s mobile recruitment unit, which was parked in the school car park and were able to ask questions and find out more detailed information about the opportunities available to them.

Throughout the rest of the morning the pupils in their form groups were able to attend training sessions that were instructed by the Royal Marine Commandos. Pupils were put through their paces and were able to experience some of the training a new recruit would go through.

Pupils participated in the bleep test which tests their stamina and endurance whilst running between two cones as the time allowed decreased and finished off the session with a game of rounders. Through the activities in the sessions pupils were able to know how physically demanding it is being a serving member of the Royal Marine Commandos. Pupils participated well during the sessions and came away with a clearer idea of what is involved in joining in addition to having some fun!!

Sam Pullan

Trip to Leeds Metropolitan Higher Education Fair

On Thursday 26th April 40 students from St Wilfrid’s 6th form attended the Higher Education Fair held at Leeds Metropolitan Beckett’s Park campus. The two-day event gives students the opportunity to research courses and Universities and assists them in the decision making process. At the event students were able to talk to the admissions, college and school liaison representatives about the courses and the admissions policies at the Higher Education institutions. Over one hundred University’s and Higher Education Institutes from all over the Country attended the event, which gave the pupils a wide and varied look at the Universities and courses available. The event was very busy and was well attended by schools and colleges from across West Yorkshire. During the day students were also able to attend various seminars on subjects varying from the UCAS application process to student life and finance. The Higher Education Fair is an integral part of the Higher Education program here at St Wilfrid’s with outside speakers booked for later on this term to advise students on UCAS application and student finance.

Samantha Pullan
Careers Co-ordinator

Dance triumph for Alice Wilkins!

Congratulations to 16-year-old Btec Dance Award student Alice Wilkins who has successfully auditioned for a place in the prestigious Yorkshire Young Dancers Company. This company is made up of 13-17 year olds with exceptional talent in contemporary dance. Alice will have to attend contemporary classes three times a week as well as intensive weekends and summer schools. It will give her the chance to be taught by leading contemporary dance teachers and professional choreographers.
Competition into this company is fierce with Alice winning a place out of two hundred other young dancers. She had to participate in two gruelling auditions where she had take part in contemporary dance and ballet technique classes and also choreograph and perform a one minute solo.
Alice has been interested in dance and gymnastics from an early age. She has trained in a variety of styles from ballet to disco at the Victoria Wills School of Dance and has developed a love of contemporary dance since she participated in GCSE Dance at Carlton High School. Alice joined St Wilfrid’s Sixth Form Centre this year specifically to continue her dance training and is an exceptionally dedicated student on the Btec Dance Award course. Since being at the school she has been a lead dancer in Fame! She has also won the Northern region of Festival 4 Stars in the duo competition alongside fellow Btec Dance Award student Rebekah Barraclough.
Alice is really looking forward to being part of the Yorkshire Young Dancers Company and hopes that it will help her achieve her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
If you want to see Alice in action, alongside the other Btec Dance Award students, come and see the “Evening of Dance” at St Wifrid’s on Wednesday 16th May. Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for concessions and will be available soon.

Michelle Birkett

Mission Day

Anna Cowell, Hannah , Fr Martin Kelly and Franciscan Brothers Simon and Thomas visited St Wilfrids on Thursday 19th April for the school mission day. The day reminded students of the Diocesan programme ‘Come and See’ and this years theme of Reconciliation. Each session began with a warm up game followed by a dramatic interpretation of how humankind became separated from God and how this was reconciled. Fr Martin gave a testimony of his call to priesthood which then moved into a presentation of a very moving film called ‘team hoyt’ about a Fathers love for his Son. This left a lasting impression with staff and students reminding them of love, love God lavishes upon us. The day was a great success and we look forward to more days like this in the future.