ParksidePark Life Autumn

2008

After our brilliant GCSE results this

year, we are pleased to announce

that Parkside is the most improved

school in Co. Durham and in the top

2% in the whole country for the value

we add to pupils’ achievement. Mrs.

Davies and Mr. Reynolds travelled to

London to collect an award on behalf

of the school as recognition for this

fantastic achievement. This award is

all down to the dedication and hard

work of students, staff and parents!

Parkside in

of England’s Schools

Top 2%

As we have

informed you in

previous

newsletters, we

have been

fundraising for the

new all weather

floodlit football

pitch which will be

built in front of our

school. The

Football

Foundation has

matched all the

cash we have raised and work has already started on the pitch. The pitch is expected

to be completed in February 2009 and we are now starting to take bookings for the

pitch on evenings and weekends. Should you be interested in booking the pitch for

training or holding matches, please contact Allan Langford on 01388 746396.

Booked Up

Parkside has registered with 'Booked up' which entitles all students in Year 7 to a free

book. Students received a magazine containing advice on which book to

select. You can find more information on www.bookedup.org.uk

Work Starts on New Pitch

Welcome from the Head

Teacher

Welcome to the first edition of this

year's new look Park Life! I would

like to extend another warm

welcome to the new Year 7

students and their families. We

have had a really successful 2008

and are hoping for even bigger

achievements in 2009.

Linda Davies

Head teacher

Hello and Goodbye

As always, Parkside School

is delighted to have new

people join our successful

teaching staff. Since

September we have been

joined by Mr. Harrison who

is Subject Leader of

History, two new Maths

teachers Mrs. McDonald

and Mrs. Cooper, Mr Powell

who teaches P.E., Science

teacher Mr. Stalley, a new

Travel and Tourism teacher

Mr. Thornton and English

Teacher Miss Vaughan.

However, we also have bid a

sad farewell to Mr. Ankers

and Mrs. Winter who will be

leaving Parkside at the end

of this year. Mr. Ankers has

worked at Parkside since

2006 and is leaving to take

up a new position at

County-level. Mrs. Winter

is retiring after over 30

years of teaching at

Parkside. We wish them

both the best of luck for the

future!

Annual Gala Show

Parkside's annual Gala show takes place

after Christmas. Over 100 students are

currently rehearsing and will be

participating in the show. The show will take

place at the Gala Theatre on 27th January

2009 at 7.00pm. Tickets are available

from Mr Bond priced at £6.00 each and

sold on a first come first served

basis.

.

will be

School Closures

In the event of any bad

weather, such as the recent

snow, please listen to Radio

Newcastle or Metro Radio

where any school closure

will be announced. Those

parents on our “texting” list

will also receive a text

message.

Friends of Parkside

School

We are hoping to launch

a p a r e n t / t e a c h e r

association to help

support activities and

fundraising for students.

If you would like to get

involved please contact

Allan Langford on 01388

746396.

New School Name

With effect from Monday 1st January the school will be

known as Parkside Sports College.

Next edition due March 2009

11 Million Takeover Day

Around twenty pupils took part in the 11 Million Takeover

Day on Friday 7 November. This is a national event that

gives young people the opportunity to take charge of an

adult's job and have a say in how things are run. Jobs

varied from teaching positions here at Parkside to students

taking over jobs in other organisations. Rebecca Pinder

and Matthew Allan spent the day at County Hall with David

Williams, Director of Children and Young People's

Services, and Dave Ford, Head of Achievement Services

for Durham County Council. Meanwhile, Matthew Burdess

had the opportunity to shadow local MP Hilary Armstrong

for the day.

th

Annual Awards Evening

Parkside held its annual awards evening on Thursday 20th November to celebrate the

efforts and achievements of our current students and some recent leavers. The

evening was very well attended and awards were presented by local MP Hilary

Armstrong. Greg Pringle took the prize for the highest attaining student, with Ruth

Cranston receiving the award for outstanding progress. The highest overachiever

award went to former student Roland Robinson.

Over 50 awards were presented in total.

Parkside Student meets Dragon

Year 10 student Adam Stephenson recently met

Duncan Bannatyne; the multi-millionaire star of

BBC's hit TV show 'Dragons' Den', at his head offices

in Darlington to discuss a possible work experience

placement.

Adam, 14, is looking forward to the prospect of

working with the Managing Director of Bannatyne

Fitness Ltd, Nigel Armstrong, as part of his work

experience placement. Adam said “I hope to learn a

lot about business from him, as it is an occupation I

would like to do when I am older. The meeting with

Duncan was very interesting and I am excited about

work experience with Bannatyne's and hope to learn

a lot”.

New Outdoor P.E. Tops

An exciting range of new outdoor P.E tops are available in the school shop at a

reasonable price of £13.00 each. Sizes available are 30/32”; 34/36” and 38/40”.

A limited number of tracksuit bottoms are also available priced at £12 each.

games were played exceptionally well with Emily Woloszyn named best player for both

games. Well done to Emily!

Joining team captain Emily Woloszyn on the under 14s were Jade Gornall,

Deborah Hehir, Stacey Parkinson, Jessica Todd, Emma Winter, Rebecca Winter and Beth

Moralee.

Joining team captain Jade Teeder on the under 16s were Kirsty Bryden, Melissa

Allchurch, Jess Allan, Emma Wilson, Sam Carse and Katie Bates.

The first game ended with a final score of 15-9 to Bishop Barrington with Emily

Woloszyn scoring an amazing nine goals for Parkside.

Luck changed from bad to worse in the second game which ended 18-1 to Bishop

Barrington. Bad luck Parkside!! Nevertheless an enjoyable afternoon was had by all

and Parkside came out holding their heads high!”

Matthew Allan Year 10

In every issue we will be bringing

you a featured match, from our

very own student roving reporter,

Matthew Allan. In this issue

netball will be the feature.

“Parkside under 14s and

under 16s went head to head with

local school Bishop Barrington on

Tuesday 21 October. Bothst

Featured Match -

Netball

Newcastle Falcons Trip

A group of students, parents and staff

travelled to Kingston Park on a cold Friday

night to watch Newcastle Falcons versus

London Wasps. The game ended 17-23 to

London Wasps however the highlight of the

evening was a handful of students and staff

who collected a signed Falcons Rugby ball on

the pitch at half time. The ball will be raffled

at our Sports Presentation Evening in

December

Support the School Whilst Shopping!

ParksideEasy fundraising is a fantastic new website where you can raise funds for

just by shopping online. If you shop with stores such as Next, Argos, Amazon, HMV,

John Lewis, M&S, Toys R Us, Dell, Expedia or Debenhams simply use the link provided

on the easyfundraising website when you shop and at no extra cost Parkside will

receive a cash donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make.

The website is : www.easyfundraising.org.uk/parksidesportscollege