H e t t o n H e a d l i n e sWinter 2011 Issue 4 Respect Learn Achieve

W e l c o m e t o Y e a r 7 ! H a z a r d L a n e - A S u c c e s s S t o r y M a s t e r c h e f 2 0 1 1

Inside this issue: Hetton Sport Supplement;Treat Trolley Mania; Welcome to our new Staff!

Keeping the school tidy

Hetton school visitsthe Big Apple!

Our best everGCSE results

Year 11work experience

Year 11work experience

Contact us:Hetton School, North Road,

Hetton-le-Hole, DH5 9JZ

Tel: 0191 5536756

Fax: 0191 5536760

Email:

hetton.school@schools.

sunderland.gov.uk

Internet:

www.hetton-school.co.uk

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/hettonschool

Magazine:

hettonmagazine@gmail.com

I am proud to present our fourth issue of Hetton Headlines whichshows off the very best of what we do at Hetton School to ourcommunity. Like any Headteacher, I am quite keen on headlinessuch as ‘record results’ and ‘school achieves its best ever

GCSEs’. Just as well because that is exactly what our outgoingYear 11 students achieved in the summer results. This is obviously

great for the school but more importantly it is great for the studentswho now have the academic qualifications they need to progress onto

their next stage. Our ‘best ever results’ include

✓ % of students gaining five or more GCSE A*-C grades including Englishand Maths was 60% (up 7% from last year)

✓ % of students gaining five or more GCSEs overall was 74% (up 13% fromlast year)

✓ % of students gaining three or more A*/A was 20% (up 5% from last year)

✓ Average points score per exam entry was 39.8 (up 3.2 points from last year)

✓ Average points score per student was 478 (up 64 points from last year)

✓ English Baccalaureate was 21% (up 6% from last year)

Our current Year 11s have a lot to live up to if they are to beat this figure and teachers areworking extremely hard with them to try and do just that. Year 10s are also taking asignificant proportion of their GCSE exams.

May I thank you if, as a parent, you returned the survey recently. The results wereextremely encouraging and inform me that you think we are doing the right things atHetton School for your sons or daughters. For example 97% agreed that the school keepsyour child safe, 94% agreed that we prepare your child well for the future, 92% agreed thatyou are informed about your child’s progress and 92% agreed that overall you were happywith your child’s experience at school.

You may have read in the local press about the possibility of a new build for HettonSchool. At the time of writing this, that is exactly what it is – a possibility. I hope to havenews before the end of term. Despite the state of our buildings, we are competing againstmany other schools nationally as to who is in the most need. There will be only 200-300new builds over the next 3 years under a PFI arrangement. In the meanwhile, the LocalAuthority is investing a significant amount of money to improve our environment.

In the meanwhile, we continue to try our best to react to the plethora of new governmentpolicies on education without losing the values of Hetton School in its centenary year.

Mr P. Keay,Headteacher

From the Head Teacher:From theeditor:Welcome to the latest issue ofHetton Headlines magazine.We’ve included more contentthan ever because of the hardwork of both our students andteachers this term.

There have been a lot ofchanges in school; in thisissue you can find aninterview with Mr. Keay aboutthe changes and also someexclusive interviews with ournew members of staff. Wealso focus on the changes inthe classroom. Our newAssistant Headteacher, Mr.Barrett, guides us throughhow all the teachers in theschool are puttingconsiderable effort and skillsinto their lessons.

The editorial team owe anapology to Alexandra Davisonin Year 10, who contributedan excellent article in the lastissue about parents andteens, yet wasn’t credited withit. We have a small army ofstudent contributors withoutwhom the magazine wouldnot be the same. If you havean idea for an article or wouldlike to contribute, get in touch!

Weʼd like to wish all of ourreaders a Merry Christmasand a Happy New Year!

Mr. A. Hindle (Editor)hettonmagazine@gmail.com

Comenius Assistant – Wioleta WenclawekSometimes there are such situations in our live when we just have tograb the opportunity and try something new. That is exactly how itwas with me. I come from Poland. I am a Comenius teacherassistant in Hetton School . I came to the United Kingdom in orderto develop myself as a future teacher, find out about Great Britain(its culture, customs, tradition) and strike up new friendships.

I graduated from Teachers Training College in Kalisz - the city, which is considered to bethe oldest in Poland. English has always been the subject of my interests, there could nothave been a better opportunity to develop this language than coming to the UnitedKingdom. I am rather an active person, hopefully there will be a chance to travel and seeall the beauty of this country.

What I expect from Comenius assistantship is not only gaining experience as a futureteacher but also broadening horizons and expanding knowledge in various areas of life.Hopefully, I meet some people to share interests with and spend good time.

I believe this will be unforgettable experience and very fruitful time in my life.

OUR BEST EVERGCSE RESULTS

By Mr. Hindle

The Engineering Road-showIn late October, the Engineering Road-show visited Hetton withstudents from Year 9 given the chance to take part. Sammy, Bethand Emma explained to students what career opportunities exist inEngineering such as jobs in Design and Graphics as well as theApprenticeship opportunities that are available. Students were alsoquizzed of their knowledge of what goes into products and is madefrom such products as oil. Emma Whitear and Stuart Pearson (Year 9)

DiscoveryZoo-LabIn October Discovery Zoo visited HettonSchool to work with all year 8 Geographypupils. Discovery Zoo presented aworkshop on the rainforestincluding the structure and thewildlife that lives there. Inparticular the pupils looked at howthe animals of the rainforest haveadapted to survive. Probably themost favourite part of the workshopwas the interaction pupils had withthe animals. Attached are some pictures of pupils handlingthe animals.

On Friday July 15th, Year 11 students heldtheir annual prom at Holgarth Hall Hotel.The very popular event was organized byMiss Duff and gave staff and students thechance to celebrate the achievements ofthe Year 11 students whilst they were atHetton School.

The evening included a delightful meal andspeeches from the outgoing Head Boy andGirl as well as a disco. As ever, lookinggreat and celebrating time at school werethe key features of the night with both staffand students having a great time.

by Lucy Whelan

Year 11 PromThe percentage of students achieving5 A*-C grades is 74% The percentageof students achieving 5 A*-C gradesincluding English and Maths is 60%.

Congratulations must go to all thestudents in Year 11 for their fantasticachievements. In particular to the topperformers: Kelly Storey; CaitlinMcDaid; Lucy Hancox and ShelleyHissett. A special mention also forBrad Atkinson; Lauren Carr; MichaelWhile and Leon Birley for achievingsignificantly above their predictedgrades.

A happy Mr. Keay commented,“I am delighted with these GCSEresults, which are the best in thehistory of the school. We havesurpassed our targets this year. Ourheadline figure of 5 or more A*-Cgrades is up 13% on last year andup 7% including English and Maths.

All credit goes to the studentsthemselves whoworked intensivelythis year. I wishthem all the verybest with theirfutures. My thanksalso go to our staffhere who havesupported thestudents all theway. These resultsare the sign ofthings to come atHetton School.”

by Miss Paget

Success once again at our Headways Sixth FormOur Headways Sixth Form, a unique partnership between Hetton School and Sunderland College is once again celebratingthe success of our previous students with excellent A-level and Vocational results sweeping across the board.

For the third year running the pass rate on both A level and Vocational courses is an incredible99%, with students achieving 33 A* grades.

We are delighted with this year’s results. In particular the increase in A level students achieving an A*grade and the 100% pass rate our Higher Achievers programme has provided for those striving to getin to the country’s most prestigious Universities. This level of success is also shared across all ourVocational BTEC programmes with a significant amount of students achieving High Grades.

It is therefore no surprise that Sunderland College (Headways Sixth Form) is once again placed at the top of the leaguetables. In addition in September 2011, a staggering 846 of Sunderland College pupils went on to study at Universitiesaround the UK including Oxford and Cambridge! The table below summarises some of our previous Hetton pupils whosuccessfully completed their studies at Sunderland College (Headways Sixth Form) in June 2011 and are now at theirfirst choice of University across the UK.

Former Hetton Pupil Degree TitleJames Ashforth Childhood Studies

Arianne Braban Creative Fashion Practices

Fiona Burke Childhood Studies

Ashleigh Burnhope Chemical Engineering

Charlotte Daglish Childhood Studies

Carl Gibson Sport and Exercise Sciences

Sophie Lobban Fashion Promotion and Imaging

Lauren Mather Forensic Science

Kurt Metcalfe Mathematics

John Middleditch Civil Engineering

Nkau Lethubuhle Psychology

Sarah Price Health and Social Care

Laura Robson Childhood Studies

Adam Rudkin Drama

Fenn Schroder Computer Games Design

Devon Skuse Music Practice

Amy Stubbs Business and Management

Emma Stubbs Health and Social Care

Shelley Stubbs Film and Television Studies

Kyle Wardle Biomedical Science

The consistently remarkable results achieved by ourHeadways Sixth Form students is a success shared byboth Hetton School and Sunderland College. Theseresults are a direct reflection of staff and studentscontinued hard work and dedication and we are allthrilled. Headways Sixth Form’s commitment todelivering the highest quality of education is deliveringresults for our students year upon year.

We are also pleased to announce that Calvin Walton hasrecently been voted in as the Headways Student CouncilPresident, with Kieran Burrell his Vice President andRachel Short the Entertainment Officer.

We are delighted to see that the natural choice of post16 education for our Hetton pupils continues to beSunderland College, Headways Sixth Form and lookforward to keeping you all up to date with our previouspupil’s success stories.

by Mr. Rushworth

On Friday 24th November, the ‘Young People’s State Debate’ took place atSunderland Civic Centre. Students from Hetton School together with students fromthe City of Sunderland district shared their views on health; sex education;discrimination; student rights and careers.

We were asked a series of questions about each of the topics and asked to discussour views. At the end of the debate we voted for one of the topics to be takenforward for further discussion next year with Sunderland City Council. The debatewith the highest vote was careers. This will be discussed in more detail next year.

We all found the day really beneficial as we were able to share our views and listento other people’s contrasting views on matters affecting young people.

Katie White, Year 10

YOUNGPEOPLEPARLIAMENT

Welcome to our new

Year 7 students!Hetton School welcomed its latest year 7 students atthe start of September. They had all had theopportunity to visit the school previously in thesummer term to get a feel for it. Hetton Headlinescaught up with members of 7Y1 PSHE group to findout just how settling in had gone.

How did you feel when you first arrived at HettonSchool?

‘Worried and Lost’ Caine Finch

‘Excited at the prospect of starting somewhere new!’Sharna Maddison

‘I thought I would spend all lesson wandering round gettinglost’ Dean Counsell

‘I felt really scared and small.’ Regan Race

Did you find staff and students helpful in gettingyou to settle in? Can you give an example?

‘Students and staff directed me around school when Ilooked lost. It was really helpful’ Gabrielle Rushworth

‘The Peer Mentors seemed to be everywhere helping out.’Sharna Maddison

‘The staff from Hetton had been into our Primary School.That really helped me settle.’ Dean Counsell

‘I lost my jacket, the Peer Mentors helped me find it.’Kate Garnett

‘A girl from Year 11 took me to a lesson when I was lost.’Rebekah Wass

What are the good things about Hetton School?

‘You get to do a lot of different learning styles, like workingwith partners.’ Rhiannon Matthew

‘The food in Megabites is really good!’ Brandon Hodgson

‘We get different teachers for every lesson.’ Kate Garnett

‘In Textiles, we are getting to design Beany Buddies.’Ellie Tait

What are lessons like? Give some examples ofreally good ones. What did you do?

‘In Science, you get to use acids, alkalis and BunsenBurners!’ Sharna Maddison

‘In Electronics, we are getting a chance to build circuitboards.’ Thomas Finnigan

‘PE is really good as we get to go on the Astro-turf.’Matthew Watson

‘Spanish is really good as we play learning games.’Eve Tate

What messages would you send to Year 6students thinking of coming to Hetton?

‘You will soon find your way around the school – don’tworry!’ Gabrielle Rushworth

‘Don’t worry about the first day, all your questions will beanswered.’ Dean Counsell

‘Come here! Everyone takes pride in what they do.’Brandon Hodgson

‘You don’t get your head put down the toilet – peoplerespect each other.’ Cameron Anderson

Teaching and Learning and Hetton and YouAs Hetton School’s new Assistant Headteacherresponsible for Teaching and Learning, I amextremely interested in what helps people to learn.Does learning pour into people’s brains like waterinto a jug? Do we learn by repeating things overand over? Do we learn most by watching? Orwriting? Or speaking? Or doing? These are allquestions that interest me, as they do all of theteachers at Hetton School. And they shouldinterest you.

Knowing how you learn best is key to you being asuccessful student. One of my tasks at HettonSchool is to try to help teachers make learningeven more individual – so that you as a studentcan learn in the way that most suits you. In orderfor learning to be more individual, though, everyone of you needs to take ownership of your ownlearning – be more independent.

In order to help us, as teachers, to understand howyou learn better, we conducted a Teaching andLearning survey at the start of the year. We askedwhat you think helps you to learn best in lessons.

The results were very interesting:

The teachers at Hetton School are committed totrying to give you the best opportunities to learn inyour lessons. We will use all of these techniquesthat you say help you to learn the best as the yearprogresses. What we ask of you is that when wedo try new things, or try to use these ten things,you try your hardest to help it to work. It is yourlearning, and you need to be as active in it as theteacher is.

If you, as a student at Hetton School, takeresponsibility and try to improve your ownlearning as much as the teachers, then we willsucceed in making Hetton School even better thanit already is!

As part of taking that responsibility, feel free tocome and see me, in my office in the library, todiscuss any ideas that you have for improving theteaching and learning at Hetton School. We arealways interested in your views on your education.

Mr Barrett.

Top Ten things that yousay help you to learnthe best...

1. Teacher marking work

2. Doing something practical(out of your seat)

3. Watching film or TV clips

4. Students asking questions

5. Using computers to dowork

6. Working in a pair

7. Whole class discussion

8. Marking your own work

9. Teacher asking questions

10. Working in a small group

A number of classes in year 8 took part in the Big Tidy Up.The Big Tidy up is a national campaign to keep Britain Tidy.The pupils collected all the litter from the school andaround the school’s perimeter in order to make Hetton abetter place to work and study. Hetton School was not theonly school to take part.

In fact there were a number of schools across the citytaking park. However Hetton School aims to continue withthe work and every tutor group has been allocated a week

over the course of this academic year where they will spendtwo registration session collecting litter in order to keep theschool tidy, making it a much nicer place to be.

The Scheme has been developed at Hetton School, with alltutor groups from Years 7-11 getting the chance to maketheir school a more tidy place.As student James Gibson in Year 9 commented, ‘it wasfunny seeing everyone picking up litter, but everyone tookit seriously.’

Their have been a lot of changes to Hetton School since Mr Haighleft and Mr Keay became our new head teacher. Here, HettonHeadlines summarises some of the changes that have taken place.

Clip on tiesThe school has now made pupils wear clip on ties instead of theones which we had last year as part of their school uniform. Toomany pupils were wearing them too short. Mr Keay wantedeveryone to look the same and wanted us to look smart so he gaveus clip on ties on the first day coming back in September 2011.

V neck jumpersThe round neck jumpers were supposed to be for P.E only but thenpupils started wearing them for the whole of the school day insteadof P.E. A few people wore the V neck, but not everyone, and that iswhat Mr Keay wanted due to how smart they look. Now, we wear Vneck jumpers for the whole day but then you can wear the roundneck jumpers for P.E. You are not allowed to wear round neckjumpers for school anymore.

New teachersThere are a few new teachers around school including Ms. Lawson,Mr Magee, Mr. Barrett and the new music teacher called MissClose, who is replacing Mr Cole.

School UniformYear 7-9

● School blazer with your house badge (Neville, Lambtonor Bowes)

● White or light blue school shirt ● Clip on tie● Black school trousers or skirt for a girl● Royal blue V-neck jumper● Black footwear without bright colours

Year 10 and 11

● School blazer with your house badge(Neville, Lambton or Bowes)

● White or light blue school shirt● Clip on tie● Black school trousers/skirts● Black V-neck jumper● Black footwear with no bright colours

By Jade Reay

Changes to Hetton SchoolBi

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As you knowthere are agroup ofstudents fromyear nine andten going toTanzania. We

need to raise over £3000 pounds each, toraise money for this a group of us along withthe help of our teachers held an African day.The day was not only to help raise moneybut to help raise awareness of why we aregoing to Tanzania. For the day we were ableto ask a small company called Jambo Africato come in to the school, they made food forus to taste, they performed drums in thedrama studio which many people haveenjoyed. There was also dancing and hairbraiding so many people got involved.

Thanks to all ofthe studentsand staff theday turned outto be reallygood. Therewas a cakesale, and at theend of theafternoon, nothing was left. So that showswe must have been good cooks.

The African people from Jambo Africa cameinto our lessons during the course of the dayand helped us to learn part of a newlanguage and try their food and they taughtsome of the pupils how to dance.

by Katie Jackson

The AFRICAN Day

by Miss Paget

2011

Author Visit – Friday 14th October

Colin MulhernLocal author, Colin Mulhern, visited our schoollibrary to tell 2 of our year seven groups about hisnewly published book, Clash.

Having shocked us all with the news that whilst he was atschool he was a reluctant reader, Colin then delighted us

by recounting the opening chapter of his book without even looking at theprinted word! With a plot set in a school and using realistic language, we wereimmediately hooked. Publishers at first found the theme of cage fighting toofantastic but we all know from the recent news, it’s happening now!

Colin’s analysis of body mannerisms and behaviour truly amazed us. He told usthat we all associate ourselves with a colour – red, blue or green. Todemonstrate this, he asked a willing volunteer to reveal her colour. “You choosegreen?” he asked Chloe from 7y2 and she was then given a key. It was to asmall wooden chest to open and guess what. When Chloe opened the boxinside was a green card with the word green written on it. But how did he dothat? The power of suggestion is a marvellous thing!

Colin loved his granddad “warts ‘n’ all.” He had lived in a 3 story-house inSouth Shields but one day, when he was a youngster, his granddad hadsurprised him. He had been so engrossed in a sandal he’d found in the house,he hadn’t even heard his heavy footed granddad approach. Colin went on to tellus the story of how, when his granddad had been a porter in a hospital, he’dbeen responsible for removing the warts from the patients who had had anattack of elephant feet to the incinerator, only his granddad decided to savethem and make a sandal from them!

After a quick survey, a lot our year 7s felt that Clash was a true story and evenmore that the story of Colin’s granddad was true. Both of the stories werefiction but they were both believable. And, that’s what makes a good author.It was Jack, 7x3, who asked the question – “Why did you start writing books?” “As a 13 year old, I loved the “Flight of Fancy” books. You know the ones,where you have to make a decision and then are sent to another page in thebook? I wrote one and it was “bounced back.”

It was much later that Colin realised that an author should write about what theyknows. And so, Clash, with its theme of cage fighting, took 2 years to write andit too “bounced back” until 18 months after its inception Cage Fighting becamea newsworthy and hit the National Press.

In Colin’s words, writing is “a hobby I get paid for.” As a local lad whowas a reluctant reader and who is now a Teaching Assistant, he hasshown us that we all have the potential to achieve our dreams.

We wish our local writer good luck in all his future endeavours.

Mrs. Keep and members of 7X3 English class.

Students from Years 7 to 10 were invitedto take part in this year’s Master Chefcompetition. Each student was given 1hour to cook two dishes with 15 minutespreparation time. Students had a choiceof making a starter and a main course ora main and a dessert.

The competition was divided into juniorand senior sections. The idea, based onthe BBC TV series gave students a chanceto show of their talents in the kitchen andproved to again be really popular. Prizesincluded a chance to go on placement atSeaham Hall Hotel and shoppingvouchers.

The judges this year were Alastair and Ianfrom Seaham Hall Hotel; they broughtwith them years of experience in thecatering industry. Some of the mealscooked included ‘Leek and Salmonparcels’ and ‘Tiger Prawns with crackedblack pepper’. After the toughcompetition, two winners were chosen ineach category.

Junior Entries1st Sam Blacklock

2nd Callum Stewart

Senior Entries1st Sarah Jane

Brownsword

2nd Hannah Tate

by Sam Blacklock

Booked Up is a national programme that aims to give afree book to every child starting secondary school inEngland. The programme is run by the national charityBooktrust.

Booked Up is delivered through secondary schools. Everysecondary school is offered a free Booked Up resourcepack to enable each Year 7 student to choose the book thatis right for them. In 2010 over 650,000 children in morethan 5,000 schools received their free book and this year,once again, all our Year 7 pupils have ordered their freebook through the library.

Booked Up was launched in 2007,inspired by the Bookstart andBooktime programmes, which givefree book packs to babies andreception-aged childrenrespectively. During the first fouryears of the programme, BookedUp has given a free book to over2.5 million children in England.

Booked Up is generouslysupported by children’s book

publishers and funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

Highlights of the report included:

● Booked Up stimulated excitement about books,encouraged library use and helped with the induction toreading at a secondary school level.

● Nearly all Booked Up coordinators thought that Booked Uphelped encourage reading overall among Year 7s, as did aclear majority of children.

● Children in the most deprived areas were more likely tothink that receiving the free book would encourage them toread.

This year the most popular books are:

On the 5th November, atHetton Lyons cricket club, youcould have enjoyed thedazzling firework show held onthe night from 7-8pm. Youcould have watched thefireworks light up the sparklingnight sky with explodingcolours. For the children up tothe age range of 16 it was just atthe cost of only £2. However, for

the adults it was slightly more at a cost of £3.

However, to steal the show, if you’re a girl just simplydress like Jordan Munro who wore brown skinny jeans,a colourful knittedcardigan, a woollyhat and gloves. Forthis outfit to work,she carefully pickedout the colourscheme which was;brown, beige, redand mustard. Youmay also want to beindividual andcreate your ownstyle using these colour schemes such as the othergirls have done in the picture to the left. If you’re a boyand looking for some fashion advice, just simply take aleaf out of Joshua Green and Iain MacKinnon’s book.You could wear skinny jeans with the latest colours, andto top it off wear a stylish jacket and rock your look.

Want to know the latest fashion or rock the latesttrends? All you need to do is dress in the winter/autumncolours such as brown, beige, red, mustard and white.These are the new colours to be seen in through the

winter month. The latest styles areknitted jumpers,scarf’s and hatsbecause sincewinter is coming,you will be niceand warm yet stillbe able to rockyour look.

Paige Waters,Lauren Bolton, andAbigail Headen.

Happy readingyear 7 andremember, kidswho read arekids whosucceed!

Mrs. Keep

FabulousFirework Fashion

A number ofpupils in years 10and 11 spent aweekend inHexhampreparing for theirexpedition toTanzania in thesummer of 2012.They spent theweekend learningto cook on astove, learning

how to cross a river safely andlearning how to evacuate an injuredperson from a mountain side.

In addition to this they did a fourmile hike and an 8 mile hike toprepare them for the work they willundertake in Africa. They did havesome time for fun over the courseof the weekend and they spent theSaturday evening roastingmarshmallows over a fire and takingpart in bush tucker trials.

As you have probably noticed therehas been a lot of changes in theschool since Mr. Keay joined ourschool as the Head teacher. Wedecided that we wanted to findout why he has made thesechanges and which ones hewill be making in the future.

Interviewer: Have you got anyevents planned for thisschool year?

Mr. Keay: I actually don’t plan any school events myself, I just saywhether they are allowed to go ahead or not. I know thattalent shows, award events, the ski trip and the Tanzaniatrip are all coming up soon.

Interviewer: You have changed Sports day this year, everyone has totake part, why?

Mr. Keay: I have experienced something similar before and it was verysuccessful. There are fun events and new different activitiesavailable to take part in for all years and abilities.

Interviewer: What are the Head boy and head girl’s role? Are they doing agood job?

Mr. Keay: They haven’t been long started but so far they are doing afantastic job! And have been role models for all years.

Interviewer: Do you think that the school has improved since you arrived?

Mr. Keay: I would prefer the pupils and parents to answer that question, butI think that teaching and learning have definitely improved.

Interviewer: Are we getting any money towards the school? If so what wouldit be used on?

Mr. Keay: We are getting extra money from the local authorities but thatmoney doesn’t go far, we have spent money on paint for theoutside of the school and for new boilers. There is a smallpossibility of a new school being built in the future but I think theappearance of the school doesn’t have to much of a negativeeffect on learning.

Interviewer: You stopped the yr 10s going out at dinner, Do you think you willeventually stop everyone going out at dinner? If so why?

Mr. Keay: Hopefully not, there hasn’t been any major trouble so far with theyear 11s going out to Hetton at dinner time.

Interviewer: Do you feel like Megabites is more crammed at dinner timesnow?

Mr. Keay: It is more crowded but I can’t do anything about the size ofMegabites at the moment. There are queues to get food at dinnerbut they are over in 15 minutes, so everyone still gets throughwithout not much of a problem.

Interviewer: Has there been any truancy problems since stopping yr 10sgoing out at dinner?

Mr. Keay: There have been no truancy problems; but it has affected thelocal area slightly. Businesses probably aren’t selling as muchfood as they were when the year 10s went out for dinner as well.

By Isabelle Orwin, Georgia Golightly and Molly Mason

A Talk with Mr KeayA Talk with Mr KeayA Talk with Mr Keay TanzaniaTraining Weekend

By Miss Paget

Parents and their Teens:

Are they really the apple of your eye?

Parents and their Teens:

Are they really the apple of your eye?

Parents need open theirminds to truly understandthe complex vortex ofthe teenage mind.

We all know that parents andteens have issues, but we don’treally understand why they havethese unreasonable problemsThis article is going to explainthe teenager point of viewof these problematicsituations...

CLOTHESLet me explain, about to go out with yourfriends, just seconds away from leaving thedoor, then you hear a voice from thebackground, “Where do you think you’regoing - What are you wearing?”

It’s happened to many people, the ‘What doyou think you’re wearing?!’, well, they knowwhat they look like, but it’s ‘fashionable’ andall teenagers want to do is to fit in, and ifthat means squeezing into the tightest jeansknown to man, possibly cutting off allcirculation in your legs, perhapscausing paralysis in the legs

and wearing a mask ofmake-up, then

that’s how it’sgoing to be!Music

Most parents are still stuck in the seventies,but teens aren’t. Music has changeddramatically and maybe too fast for theunpretentious mind of the parent, and sincethere are new styles of music than in thepast, you may feel cut off from the modernworld of music as you can’t grasp the truemeaning of the lyrics. To be honest, most ofthem don’t either but for some reason theyare fond of listening to loud drums orscreeching metallic sounds with annoyingvoices, and if they listen tomusic they won’t becomesomewhat rap-stars touringthe world, or join a heavymetal band. Or will they?

Teens vs Parents

?

Jasmine Dhami took a look at the relationship between parents and their children as

part of her English lessons with Mr. Tose

Students were invited to come into school in the uniform of theirchoice, with a vast array of colours on display. Other events includeda lunchtime disco in the School Hall run by Miss Miller; A StaffCoffee morning held in the Library; Cake sales in Megabytes and astaff raffle. Overall, we managed to raise £1220 which the SchoolCouncil decided will be divided amongst the charities as follows:

Hetton’s Annual Charity DayOn Friday November 18th, Hetton School held its annual non-uniform day to raise money for a selection of charities. This year’scharities were: Children in Need; Leukemia Research; The SeniorCitizens Christmas Party and Grace House Children’s Hospice.

Helping Round The HouseMost parents expect their children to takemore responsibilities once they’re in theirteens, like cleaning up for instance, but

that’s like expecting Homer Simpson NOTto eat the doughnut, even after it’sexpiration date, you could hope all you wantbut you know it’s virtually impossible.

Teens have had everything done for themsince they were little and that’s the way theythink it should be, so when they refuse toclean up or help you in any way, it isn’t

because they’rebeing rebellious,

it’s merelybecause they’re lazy.

Going OutIt is a known fact that boredom is verycontagious in teens, many suffer from itin quiet, relaxed situations.

In order to cure this possibly fataldisease, they travel in packs to hunt forfun things to do, like standing on streetcorners terrorising old people andvandalising old buildings, whilst wearinghoodies.

But, whatever they choose todo in their time, it’s only toprevent them fromcatching the infectiousvirus some peoplecall boredom.

The Teen Conclusion● They like music

● They like to be ‘fashionable’

● They like to be up-to-date on all gossip

● They are not immune to boredom

● They are lazy

They think their parents are:● Annoying ● Embarrassing

● Boring ● Mean

● And old

So, give them freedom, let them decide

what’s right or wrong. People say you

should learn from your mistakes, how

can they do that when you’re

OVER-PROTECTIVE?!

But, teenagers don’t realise their

parents were teenagers once

too. Unfortunately, neither

do most parents...

MOBILESA teens’ phone is their main

way of contact, and now thatthere are apps such as

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,and others, they are on them

almost 24/7. They need to stayin touch so that they know

what is going on, where andwhen, such as a couple of their

mates wanting to go to thecinema on Saturday, or the

most popular person in schoolis holding a party at his housebecause his parents are goingout of away for the weekend.

That kind of stuff...

● Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party £350● Children In Need £385● Leukemia research £385● Paving stone for Grace House £100

with Hetton School Name on

On the photos youcan see the SchoolCake Sale and theStaff enjoying cakes.

Kelly Harrison

Year 9s ConferenceLast half term, some of our Year 9 students were chosen to represent Hetton School at a‘Just Living’ UNICEF conference at Castleview school in Sunderland.

The meeting, presented by Jilly Hillier, was organised to raise awareness of less fortunatechildren around the world. It was also linked to the charities Rights Respecting SchoolAward (RRSA), something that Hetton School is working on achieving. Other pupils fromdifferent schools, like Shotton School, Glendeen and St. Roberts also attended thegathering that involved teamwork and a DVD containing upsetting facts about infants inless developed countries.

A Year 9 student who went to the conference said ,”We had to separate into groups and goaround looking at pictures of children who aren’t getting the rights that they’re entitled to,and guess what the right was. Then we got back into groups and discussed methods offundraising for when we go back our school. We debated about posters and fun runs, butwe haven’t come to a decision.” Asked if she would do it again, she replied ,”Definitely. Itwas really interesting and it gets people to co-operate with each other to make morepeople realise that there are people in the world who deserve a better life, but yeah Isocialised a lot- I even saw my cousin there!”

Head of the R.E Department Mrs. McChesney, who was the adult involved said, “The mainreason for the meeting was to raise the student’s awareness of being a global citizen, butwe had also hoped to build friendships between the pupils at the different schools. I thinkthat the presentation went very smoothly - there were only a few technical difficulties, andthe atmosphere was quite chatty. It was quite successful, but I think a lot of that was to dowith the constant supply of refreshments!” We asked her if she would do it all over again.We got the answer,” Yes. Feedback from the pupils was very good, with 94% now wantingto do something in school to raise awareness of children’s rights, and 100% have now gota better understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.” So it seems that theconference was a huge success! There could be more to come in the future . . .

By Abbie Copeland and Anna Blythe

In mid July, all Year 10 students were given the opportunity to take part inEnterprise Days. The idea behind them was to build the team work skills of thestudents and encourage students to do their very best in a team situation.

In small groups, the students were invited to set up their own companies. Thesecompanies included choosing people as buyers, sellers and a manager tooversee operations. In order to make money, each company had to create ducksmade out of origami paper. They were awarded money based on the quality ofthe ducks they made and the quantity.

As all the creation was going on, good teamwork was rewarded with bonusmoney; whilst the Health and Safety crew made sure all the groups were tidy –giving out penalties to those that weren’t. Students received more money forspecial ducks using original designs.

At the end of each day, the winning teams were awarded prizes for making themost money. As Daniel Christie in Year 10 put it, ‘I thought it would be reallyboring but it was a great day, one that I really enjoyed and learnt somethingfrom.’

by Zohaib Ali

Making and Selling Ducksas a business? Quackers!

S p o r t s S u p p l e m e n t

Y e a r 7 C r i c k e t C h a m p i o n s M e e t t h e S p o r t s C a p t a i n s H e t t o n p l a y s h o c k e y

H e t t o n H e a d l i n e s

Training has been on a Tuesdaynight after school and there hasbeen an excellent turn out so far.The majority of the team have notplayed rugby before and they havemade excellent progress to date.

The following boys represented theschool at a rugby tournament atHoughton Kepier recently:

Jack PowchJordan CurryJamie HolmesWilliam BlenkinsopCaine FinchKurt BoxCurtis HughesKelvin RuddockBen GarsideLewis ForsterDylan RobertsonJoseph StoreyJack Straughan

The boys performed very well andrepresented the school excellently.The team managed to beat SouthShield (10-0) before losing narrowlyto Houghton Kepier, Biddick andSt. Aidans.

Training will continue on aTuesday after school andanyone who is interested isencouraged to come along.

Year 7Rugby News!

By Mr Magee

How we hope to link in with the London 2012 OlympicGames at Hetton School

‘Be Inspired’‘Be Inspired’With less than a year to go we would like to promote the enthusiasm that isbound to emanate from the final run up to London 2012. We hope to inspirethe sporty and not so sporty people into taking on some kind of roleassociated with the Olympic Games. Every student in Year 7 and 8 will learnabout the Olympic Values:

• Equality• Respect• Courage• Determination• Friendship• Excellence• Inspiration

This will take place as a Tutor Group Activity, which will alsoinclude students taking part in quizzes and competitions.

It is our intention to get all Year 7 and 8 students to find outabout the GB Olympic Medal hopefuls – to find out aboutthose athletes, let the athletes inspire them as they takepart in the planned programme of Inter House Activitiesthroughout this year, and then track the progress of theathletes as they progress through the competition.

We hope to create an ‘Olympic Park’ in School, with eachof the subject departments taking on a venue such as thecycling velodrome, swimming stadium etc. The appropriatelogos will be displayed outside of the departments and thenames of the venues will be displayed in a foreignlanguage.

An Olympic Poster is already on display in each of the PEChanging Rooms and in the reception of the Health and Fitness Centre.

We have signed up to the London 2012 Get Set Network and will receive abank of resources to help us to promote the Games, We have also signedup to the City of Sunderland Olympic Torch Relay. As part of this the PEDepartment will link up with the Art Department to work with students tocreate an Olympic Torch.

This will all culminate in a Primary Schools Mini Olympic Festival on Friday6th July. This will be organised by the Year 10 Sports Leaders.

This will be followed by a Whole School Sports Day on Thursday 12th July,where it is expected that every single member of Hetton School Staff as wellas all students will take part in some kind of activity!

by Miss Ravera

Hetton School has a series of strong hockey teamsthroughout the school. Hetton Headlines wanted tofind out more, so we approached the teachers andstudents involved to find out more.

Do you think the sport is underrated compared to sportslike football?Mr Gilderoy: Yeah, it is underrated but it’s watched a lotduring the Olympic Games.

Miss Ridley: I think it is underrated but we have quite abig squad at this school, we are currently the only stateschool in Sunderland to play.

What made you start playing and how old were you?Mr Gilderoy: I was 16 and I wanted something to do as Iwas absolutely terrible at football!

Miss Ridley: I was in year 9 which would make me 13 or14, and I had always been into sports like athletics andnetball, I was also a sprinter. One day my PE teacherasked me to join the team and I considered it after awhile. I joined the squad and that was it.

Have you had any injuries playing hockey? If so, what?Mr Gilderoy: I have broken two of my fingers, now theyare both wonky! And just a few cuts and bruises, I havebeen quite lucky, really.

Miss Ridley: I have had a dislocated shoulder, pulledmuscles in my upper thighs and broken a finger.

How many years have you been playing?Mr Gilderoy: I have been playing hockey for 10 yearsand I’ve never looked back!

Miss Ridley: I have played for 13 years.

What made you book Milan and did you help to book it?Miss Ridley: Mr Ferguson first approached me as he’spreviously took the football team to Barcelona and waswanting to arrange another abroad trip. We decided ofMilan and to be honest me and Mr Gilderoy just aboutarranged the whole thing, Mr Ferguson just arrangedthe meetings…

Will there be any fixtures for the hockey team? When?Miss Ridley: It’s been hard to book any games as we’rethe only state school in Sunderland to play. The privateschools in this area are soon to arrange some fixtureswith us, but I couldn’t say when. We’re trying ourhardest to get some games arranged, girls!

In Milan, other than the hockey, what was yourfavourite day?Mr Gilderoy: Oh, the San Siro was amazing! Also goinginto the centre of Milan was great, too but my favourite

day was definitelythe San Siro, I meanwhen else are yougoing to get the chance to go into AC Milan and InterMilan’s changing rooms?! We even got to sit in DavidBeckham’s old chair!

Miss Ridley: I have to agree, the San Siro wasincredible! But the funniest thing was the half pigeonstory… You’d have to ask Mr Howey about that, though!

Interview with Jordan Munro and Olivia Wallace:

What made you start hockey, and how long have youplayed for?

Jordan: I only started in Year 7, and I started because Imade friends with girls from other Primary schools, theywanted to join up so I did, too, and I really enjoyed it soI kept it up.

Olivia: I started playing hockey in Year 5, but I didn’tknow the sport was played in Hetton School until thebeginning of this year so I started again!

Are you looking forward to going to Madrid in 2014and why?

Olivia: Definitely! I’ve never been to Madrid before so itwill be a great experience, and to represent a hockeyteam abroad will be fantastic.

Jordan: If its anything like the last one then definitely! Idon’t think any trip could top Milan, but if it’s anywherenear then it’s sure to be an amazing time.

How did you come across the sport at Hetton School doyou think it’s well advertised?

Jordan: I came across hockey as Miss Ridley mentionedit in PE, and my friends mentioned it to me. I think it’sadvertised better this year than last, there was hardlyany of us training last year, but this year’s turnout hasbeen great!

Olivia: Well I think the advertising of the club has gottena lot better this year, as I didn’t know about it until thestart of Year 8. I found out about it as my form tutor toldus in registration, and I’d seen a couple of postersaround the school, now a lot of my friends go.

Do you think you’ll keep it up in years to come?

Olivia: I’m not sure, maybe. If it keeps going as well as itis now, then yeah probably.

Jordan: Yes, probably. Definitely until we leave school,and it depends on whether I can find a club I like if I willcarry on or not.

To find out more, or to get involved, approach MissRidley or Mr. Gilderoy.

Robyn Walker and Simone Davidson

Hetton plays Hockey!

The Sport captains in Hetton School are people who like sports, aregood at motivating people and definitely good at organising teams andsporting events. The Captains participate in the Hetton School AnnualSports Day, organise the teams to the best they can be in their housethey have a better chance of winning and help setting things up andrecording scored during events. They also organise Substitutes in casea member of the chosen team is off and make sure that everyone knowsspecifically where they are going and what events they are taking part in.

We interviewed a few of the current house captains as well as a fewprevious house captains. Shannon Cunnington and Amy Savage(previous house captains) as well as Tiegan Bainbridge and CallumBurdon (current house captains) and they told us that they enjoyedbeing captains because they were able to take charge and organiseteams for all sporting events like sports day.

We also asked them how the teachers chose the captains and they saidthat all people who wanted to be a Sport Captain had to apply by anapplication form , which then went on to the P.E teachers who chose themost sensible and reliable people to be captains.

Would you like to be a house captain next year?These are the current house captains:

Sport Captains

Callum Burdon Tiegen Bainbridge

By Katie Dover and Helen Cartwright

Year Bowes Lambton Neville

7Jon Weirs &Chloe Poole

Kurtis Burdon &Robyn Tumelty

Owen Wilson &Courtney West

8Jazz Dhami &Megan Hodge

Cameron Logan &Megan England

Alex Coxon &Shauna Taylor

9Stuart Pearson &

Sophie ElliotCallum Burdon &

Tiegan Bainbridge Adam Barrass &Abigail Simpson

10

11 Connor Watson & Bethany James

Daniel Goffey &Shannon Burnside

Liam McGrath &Olivia Box

Victor Spencer &Amy Golding

Sports Day 2011

Sports Day 2011

Year 9, 10 and 11 Boys and Girls Fitness Suite and Dance Mats (PE Staff)Girls Football - all years (M.U.G.A.), KS3 Boys Football (School Field)

Gymnastics Club for all Year Groups – 3.15pm – 4.15pm (Gym)

Year 7 and 8 Boys Football (SAFC - MUGA)Year 9, 10 and 11 Boys and Girls Fitness Suite and Dance Mats (PE Staff)

Girls Hockey – all years (MUGA)Boys Rugby Practice and Matches (Field)

Trampoline Club for Years 7, 8 and 9 (Triple A Coach - Gym) – 3.15pm-4.15pm, Community Trampoline Club 4.15pm – 5.30pm

Years 7 and 8 Boys Football ( SAFC -MUGA)Year9, 10 and 11 Boys and Girls Fitness Suite and Dance Mats (PE Staff)

Year 10 and 11 Street Dance Club 3.15-4.15pm (Dance Studio)KS4 Boys Football (M.U.G.A.)

Year 9, 10 and 11 Boys and Girls Fitness Suite and Dance Mats (PE Staff) Year 7, 8 and 9 Community Judo Club – (Gymnasium) 4pm

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

LUNCHTIME (12.15) A packed lunch is needed AFTER SCHOOL (3.15)

Hetton School Physical Education and SchoolSports Clubs - Autumn Term 2011

Last summer the year 7 cricket team enteredthe County Cup. We played 3 teams beforereaching the final. The teams were St Aiden’sfrom Sunderland who we beat by over 50 runs.We then played Seham School what wasanother comfortable win beating them by over40 runs. The semi final was played at Blaydonagainst St Thomas Moore School this was ahard match with Hetton winning by 5 wicketswith 5 over’s to spare.

The Final should have been played last July atthe Emirates Stadium Durham butunfortunately due to rain was cancelled untilthe first week back in September. The final wasthen played at Whitburn Cricket Club. Theteam we played in the final was EmanuelSchool from Gateshead. We knew this wouldbe a difficult game as they had one of the bestbatters from the under 12 county team. Hettonbatted first and scored 139 for 6 in our 20 over’s with Alex Story hitting 94 notout. When we came out to bowl we kept there score down to 94 with all 6

bowlers taking wickets. We wonthe game by 45 runs andbecame the first year 8 team towin the Durham County Cup.

Thanks to Mr Ferguson forarranging the game and AdamDawson for his help scoring.Congratulations to the wholeteam who contributed throughoutthe whole season. Mr Fergusoneven treated us to a McDonaldsfor winning. We all look forwardto next season as we hope wecarry on our success.

by Joe Blacklock

SPONSORED SKIPPINGYear 7 girls who, along with the Y7 boys, havethis week been doing a Sponsored SkippingEvent in aid of The British Heart Foundation. Wedid this last year and raised approximately£1800. We are keen to raise a good amount thisyear. As well as the event being in aid ofcharity, it also meant that we could include theactivity as part of our Health related ExerciseModule, including doing exercises which canraise the heart rate etc.

Miss Ravera

West WearsideCross Country

Championshipsheld at Oxclose School

Tuesday 15th November 2011

35 pupils both boys andgirls from yr 7-11 took partin the Wearside CrossCountry Competition in midNovember.

It was a great afternoonwith perfect runningconditions; 13 out of the 35students entered came inthe top 14 of their race andwill now go on to representthe District at in January.This is a school record forthe amount of studentsgoing onto representHetton and their District.

The names are as follows:Year 7

Ricky ReayKurt BoxLeah Kemp

Year 8/9

Elliot NelsonJohn- Matthew StephensonKatie EllisonChanelle SoakellEllie Straughan

Year 10/11Liam McGrath Connor SmithRachel StephensonAmy Franklin

Well done to everyoneinvolved and good luck inthe next round.

Miss Ridley

Hetton’s Year 7 win County Cup

Year 7 Team:Daniel Moffatt Joe BlacklockCharlie Ord (C)

Nyle DavisOliver Hayes

Bradley JamesAlex Storey

Andrew GelsonAlex Coxon

Keiran BridonRoss Salkeld

Lauren West – Whitegate Equestrian Centre

I had a really hands-on work experience week. Looking after the horses andkeeping the stables clean is a really big job. I was involved in taking the horsesinto the field; bathing and washing the horses; cleaning up and mucking out! Itwas a really good week, especially as I was just round the corner from my home.

Jade Anderson – First N Style Clothing

I spent the week working for a clothes shop in the Galleries, Washington. Theshop had plenty of customers. I was involved with keeping stock levels as theyshould be; helping and advising customers. I was surprised just how busy theshop was and the sheer number of people that visit the Galleries each day.

Kelly Keegan – Emersons Pet Care

I worked at a Pet Shop in Washington. The noise was quite a shock, with thesound of animals quite constant. Despite being quite a small shop, there wereplenty of staff and lots of customers. I was mainly involved with stocking shelves;weighing out foods and feeding the animals. I found the week really quite tiring.

Leanne Woods and Alex McCulloch – Surreal Creative

Leanne - this has been a challenging week. We were asked to create a project atthe start of the week that could be used for a media product. I chose to createthe cover for a new computer game. I’ve been using Adobe Illustrator to makethe project look good.

Alex - for my own creative project, I chose to do a film. I created a film fromscratch – a full synopsis of the film. From there I chose the features I would like tosee on the film poster and have been creating the poster since. It’s been great tohave such a project to focus on. I’ve been using Adobe Photoshop to create myposter.

Alicia Coxon – East Rainton Primary School

This has been a really busy week for me. I spent much of the start of the weekworking with students in Reception and Year 1 class acting as a teachingassistant. I’ve had the chance to help students to learn to read and really supportthem whenever I can. As the week has gone on, I’ve had the chance to movehigher up in the school to work with students as they approach their SATs exams.

Lindsey Stephenson – Morrisons

This week has been a challenge but very enjoyable. I’ve had quite a journey justto get to work but I’ve found that staff in the shop work really hard to ensure thesupermarket looks at its best. I’ve been working on the health and beautydepartment ensuring the shelves are well stocked and everything looks as itshould.

by Mr. Hindle

Lauren

Jade

Kelly

Leanne

Alex

Alicia

Year 11 Work ExperienceIn late October, students from Year 11 went out on their annual Work Experience.Businesses around the area kindly took students in to give them anintroduction to the world of work. Hetton Headlines caught up with some ofthe students involved:

Our Summer Attendance presentations this year were carriedout by Lance Corporal Andrew Wardle: a winner of theMilitary Cross for bravery. Andrew, a former Hetton Schoolstudent, saved the life of a 10 year old Afghan boy; runninginto a field directly in the line of gun fire.

As well as presenting students from Years 7 to 10 withattendance prizes, Andrew took time out to speak to HettonHeadlines.

What’s Army life like?It’s good when you are in England; but you have to get used tobeing away from home for long periods of time. I’ve done toursof duty in Bosnia and more recently twice in Afghanistan,spending more than 14 months there.

The good side of life there includes when you are in camp, youget fed and welllooked after butwhen you are out ofcamp you survive onbiscuits and can beinvolved in battles.I’ve been nearlykilled twice – beenshot through my riflesling and have arocket hit me in theface.

How did you feel when you saved that little boy’s life?

I felt that it was all part of my job. I just got on with it, I could seehe was in danger and really wanted to do something about it.When I left him, he was injured but stable.

How did you feel getting all the Media coverage?

I knew I had won the medal two weeks before the media did but Ihad to keep it quiet from everyone. When the Media found out, Iwas interviewed by all the major newspapers. I also got to meetthe Queen, who complimented me on my bravery and said thatshe hoped her Grandsons were just as brave as I was.

What is it like being away from home at Christmas?

It’s quite good actually as you get to have two Christmases. Wehave a Christmas Dinner in camp, generally of mash and gravyand then you all get to get your presents when you finish yourtour of duty. I’ve made some great friends in the army.

How does in feel coming into Hetton School?

It reminds you that people do care about soldiers. We sometimesfeel when on tours of duty that that isn’t the case.

Interview by Olivia Wallace and Layla Cairns

TREAT TROLLY MANIA!

Andrew Wardle andthe Military Cross

There have been some exciting changes made to therewards system this year including the introduction ofthe mysterious treat trolley! All students receive oneachievement point per lesson if they complete theirwork to a high standard, behave well and do what isexpected of them in the lesson. Additional points canbe added for those who have gone beyond this.

Students are also awarded bonus points for 100%attendance and 100% punctuality each half term.Point totals are sent out to tutors weekly. Every timea student reaches 50 achievement points they receivea voucher for the Treat Trolley. ‘Treat Trolley Friday’has proven to be very popular! Last half term over

250 students received a prize off the trolley! Many students have alsobeen awarded ‘on the spot’ Treat Trolley Vouchers from the SeniorManagement team and pastoral team for acts of kindness, being helpfuland acting as good citizens. Prizes on the trolley range from pens,teddies, mini footballs and water bottles to sweets and vouchers for foodin Megabytes.

There have also been additional prizes presented in House assembliesfor the best student in each year, in each house, and also the best tutorgroup. Neville was the winning house last half term with over 12,000points!! Bowes and Lambton weren’t far behind and I can see thecompetition is going to heat up between the houses and especially theHeads of House as the year goes on!!

It has been fantastic to see so many students being rewarded for theirefforts this year!

The students views on achievement points are very positive:

ʻIn every lesson, the good people get achievement points – no onemisses out, even the quieter ones who sometimes get missed. Itʼs greatwe get rewarded for 50 points too!ʼ Victoria Watts, Year 11.

Miss Edwards

During the October half term holiday 34 students from Year9, 10, 11 stepped on to the bus and headed off forHeathrow Airport for our trip to New York City. Theexcitement began at 10:30pm on the Sunday night as allstudents rushed to school to start the holiday. As the busleft we had a 6 hour journey ahead of us before finallystopping at Heathrow Airport at 5:30am on the Mondaymorning. After we were all checked in we all headed up todepartures and had a look around a few shops beforeheading off for our Virgin Atlantic Flight. After the 7 hourflight we eventually landed in JFK Airport Queens and tooka short bus journey to our hotel. Once we arrived at theBroadway hotel and unpacked all our cases we took thenearby subway into Time Square and had our

evening meal in The Hard Rock Cafe.

Tuesday we had a full dayahead of us as we went tothe Empire State Buildingand spent about one hourup there. It was amazing tosee all of the big buildingsand to look over NewJersey. Once we had beento the top we then visitedMc Donald’s to have ourlunch. The good thing isyou get unlimited refills ofdrinks. On the afternoon wewalked down to 92nd streetheading into the JewishMuseum, this was very

interesting as you got to see and compare many art piecesfrom around the world. We also saw the 9 Jewish candlesand how they are designed in different ways around theworld. For our dinner on that night we went to PlanetHollywood in Times Square, this was a very nice meal,they even put “Welcome Hetton School” up on the bigscreen.

On the Wednesday we visited the Tenement Museumdown at the lower end of Manhattan, this was to see theold New York apartments we saw two different ones fromdifferent families. Some families had six people living in

very small rooms and was very hard to live in .Once we had look through the Museum weheaded back over to the Broadway part ofTimes Square where we ate our dinner inJohn’s Pizzeria: a very tasty Pizza Shop!Finally on Wednesday night we went IceSkating down at the Rockefeller Centre it

was a very funnight as we wereon none stopskating fromabout 6:30 until9. Miss Pageteven found afriend fromAustraliawhilst skatingaround onthe ice. Aftera hard day wejumped on the subway and headedback down to town.

On Thursday we woke up to the coldest morning of all andthe wettest. We jumped on the Subway and headed downto South Ferry. After we lined up in the rain and got soakedwe then got on to the boat. During Thursday afternoon wevisited the Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial. They are nowbuilding 6 new Towers to be opened in 2016 it was verysad to see all the names engraved around the fountains.Thursday night was spent at Appleby’s in Times Squarethis was our last meal in New York before heading hometomorrow afternoon. After Appleby’s we headed off to havea look around Times Square.

Friday was left free and we had time to have a look aroundNew York. However no trip to New York would be completewithout heading out to do some shopping, we all wentdown to 5th Avenue to look about . Lots of people randown to Abercrombie and Fitch to shop even though wehad to queue about 20 minutes to get in. It was still worthit! To end our trip in New York we headed down to CentralPark for a splash in the boats where the film Stuart Littlewas filmed. It was great looking around and seeing all thedog walkers and runners. We also had a look at JohnLennon’s memorial “Imagine” the memorial was packedwith fans standing round giving money and looking atpictures for remembrance. As 3:00pm came on Friday weheaded back to the hotel to end our trip and prepared forthe long journey home. We finally landed in London at7:30am on Saturday morning.

New York was an amazing and fantastic experience.However the trip would not have happened if it was not forMiss McChesney who put all the effort in to organising thetrip and planning all ofthe places. Also MissPaget, Mrs McKeownand Mr Hutchinsonfor coming on the tripand being great helpwhilst being there.

Reported by SamBlacklock, Year 9

The Big Apple

On the first day, sightseeingbegan. Everybody awoke forthe first day in New York (notto the mere cuckoo of a bird,but to the blustering horn of ayellow taxi) and went nearbyfor breakfast. Each day forbreakfast, pupils went to aplace called Broadway Bagelwhich was conveniently justacross the street. After having

breakfast, the school tourists took a stroll across to the busysubway, and took a short ride up to 5th Avenue. At 5th Avenue,this was the school’s first time in the truly alive part of New YorkCity. On that day, pupils visited the grand Empire State building!The Empire State building is over three hundred metres longand boasts a stunning view of New York from all angles. Thebuilding was the tallest building in the world from 1931 for fourdecades, until 1971. The epic view manages to “eliminate anyfears of height” and the elevators “go so fast that they causeears to pop like a pack of balloons”, people were saying.

After visiting the Empire State building, the school stopped offfor lunch at 5th Avenue, and then afterwards, the group all metup at the end of the Avenue, in the south-east corner thattouches onto Central Park. It was then the kids went over to visitthe Jewish Museum, a museum based on the Jewish religion,but also hosting a number of artefacts. For dinner that night,kids commuted to a place called Planet Hollywood. This placehad a number of signatures and novelties from movies and leftby many famous people. The actual death star prop used inStar-Wars can be seen at the entrance. They also had a hugeT.V that said ‘Planet Hollywood welcomes Hetton School’, whichwas cool. After having dinner the group set off home via thesleepless subway.

The Tenement Museum on the lower East Side of New York,bordering Chinatown, gave a very good image on what it waslike for Jewish immigrants in the late 19th Century. Guided byDaryl Hamilton, a very knowledgeable guide groups exploredthe museum, learning a lot about the lives of immigrant familiesfrom worldwide. Life for these people seemed to be a hardship.Tiny flats were converted into unsafe textile factories in order toscrape cash for families, and toilets and taps were outside! Thestandards of living were medieval, and not many people knewabout it, which was why it was good for students to visit it andlearn. After the tour, the tourist pilgrims ventured back to thenorth part of New York, and went for eats at a Pizzeria in theLittle Italy district, and then at the bearing of dusk, travelled to

the Rockefeller Centre, which hosted anawesome ice skating rink. The children andteachers got to go ice skating on this reallyrocking rink in the Rockefeller, whereeverybody had fun, and helped others toskate. Sam was really good at it, you shouldhave seen him. He zoomed right pasteverybody. Wow.

The dayafterwards wasextravagant. Onthe morning, theschool bunch gotready beforetaking a subwayride right acrossthe island toSouth Ferry,near the bigfinancial district,and went tovisit and see theStatue of Liberty. The kids took a ride on theferry that ventured to Happiness Island. Happiness Islandhosted the great Statue of Liberty, a giant statue that was giftedto USA from France in the 1800s. It was the first thing thatimmigrants saw when arriving in New York, and markedendeavours of opportunity. It was great for students to be there,and take some stunning pictures to show home. It was then thatanother ferry ride was taken, as pupils commuted over to EllisIsland, to visit the immigration museum. On the island, pupilssaw and talked to Dara O’ Brian, an Irish comedian from a TVshow called ‘Mock the Week’. Some students were reallyenthusiastic about it and determined for an image of him. Thegroup transformed to a Paparazzi of tourists clinging to take apicture. Ellis Island was visited just afterwards, which hosted anumber of showcases about immigrants who would’ve had toenter the actual island to get to America.

Afterwards, another ferry ride was taken back to the mainisland, where the group explored New York’s rich andprodigious financial district, which is adorned with skyscrapers,in a contest to be the highest and proudest. Walking down theAvenue, there were Occupy Wall Street protests going on inZuccotti Park, which everybody became an eyewitness of, asthey were bypassing. After the walk down the Avenue a visit tothe 9/11 memorial was given. There were two beautiful towersto mark the positions of the twin towers, and a long list ofnames, sculpted into the fountains. It was the names of the 9/11victims, with roses and flags placed for respect. There was alsoa museum with picked up pieces and images from the attacks.The day went over to the evening, where the herd went forlunch in Applebee’s, a bustling restaurant in Times Square, withjuicy cheeseburgers and XL drinks. The long and entertainingday came to an end at the hotel.

On the next day, the last day, a short venture on the subwaywas made to 5th Avenue, where a lot of shopping was done.Students did last minute gift shopping, and spent their dimesand dollars in stores such as Hollister, Abercrombie, NBA, anda whole lot more. After that, a journey was made into the depthsof Central Park. Some people went rowing in the lake, whilstothers took a walk around to see Central Park and its lushgreenery. After a time in Central Park, a visit to the Hotel wasmade to collect bags and suitcases, before the bus ride homewas made, through Harlem and back to JFK, the hotel providedfree popcorn for all the students to say goodbye.

Everybody was lucky, as if the plane was due a day later, then itwould be delayed for weeks, but we were just on time, andcommenced the long journey back home to Hetton.

By Jay Batey.

The Student’s ViewNew York with Hetton School...

Sam Blacklock a pupil from year 9 interviewed MissMcChesney, Mrs Mckeown and Mr Hutchinson aboutwhat they thought of New York.

Why did you want to go to New York?Miss McChesney and Mrs Mckeown - I wanted to go to NewYork because its a very famous place that is a once in alifetime experience and it was great to see all the faces. Itwas also good to go somewhere outside of Europe.

What was your favourite part of the trip?Miss McChesney - Mine had to be the first night eventhough we were all very tired; it was great walking intoTimes Square and seeing all the bright lights.

Mrs Mckeown - Being at the top of the Empire StateBuilding seeing over New York with the sun shining.

What was the most difficult part of organising the trip?Miss McChesney and Mrs Mckeown - The hardest part of thetrip was collecting the money, making sure we all had ourVisas correct and making sure all the passports werevalid. But mainly just making sure we all got there in onepiece.

What was your favourite restaurant and why?Miss McChesney and Mrs Mckeown - We really enjoyed acafe called Saks in 5th Avenue. It was good drinking outof a china cup and not a plastic one.

Would you have stayed longer if we could have?Miss McChesney and Mrs Mckeown - Yes because there wassuch a lot more to see and do .

Do you think you will plan more trips in the future?Miss Miss McChesney

and MrsMckeown - Wewoulddefinitely thinkabout itbecause therewas lots ofinterest and

many people downthe school would love to go abroad. We would love to provide new cultures and places wherepossible.

What was your favourite part of the trip?Mr Hutchinson - My favourite parts of the trip were theGround Zero Memorial, Statue of Liberty and Riding theSubway Trains.

What was your least favourite part of the trip?

Mr Hutchinson - My least favourite parts of the trip wastravelling over night and the lack of sleep.

This was my first experience of flying (EVER!) and one ofmy most vivid memories was when the plane reached therunway at London Heathrow airport and I saw half a dozenstudents looking back at me waiting to see my reactionsof taking off !!

New York was just what I imagined it to be- loud and busy.I absolutely loved seeing the yellow taxis and yellow“school” busses in real life they were just like they are inmovies.

The morning routine of “Bagels and Coffee” is something Iwould get very used to, although my waistline wouldcertainly suffer ! In fact all the food we experienced was“large” and the endless supply of “soda” was acompletely new concept to me.

I really enjoyed the trip- this was helped by having 34students who were very easy to get on with and were areal credit to not only Hetton School, but themselves andtheir parents.

How do I know there where 34 students? ------ because Icounted to 34 about 20 times each day with my “walk”between me and the wall/lamppost” checks.!

The Teacher’s ViewNew York with Hetton School...

HaikusHaikus are very short poems of only 3lines, which have a strict structure: 5syllables, 7 syllables 5 syllables.. Thepurpose of them is to capture an image,which Jordan and Connor have done.

FireworksWe also used the time of year asinspiration for our next set of poetry,along with some help from KatyPerry and her Fireworks’ song. Thechallenge this time was to useonomatopoeia (word that soundlike sound they are describing)which Shannon and Elliot havedone perfectly. They also reachedthe extra target of including anextended metaphor; Shannonchose plants while Elliot chose war.Shannon’s poem has a regularstructure whereas Elliot has chosento extend his final stanza torepresent the length of the finalein a firework display..

The unimpressive seeds wizInto the dark of nightTheir stems reach towards the starsMade of twinkling light

In seconds luminous flowers growPirouetting in the skyEach petal unfolds quicklyDelightful to the eye

Great trees screech and screamViolently they flyTheir fiery bursting leavesIgniting the inky-black sky

Grass blades twinkle from the floorWhistling as they zoomWhilst more exploding flowers growWith a mighty boom

The fairytale forest is completeEach level better than beforeNew layers keep on forming From the forest floor

And before you know it, AutumnPetals wither and curlLeaves falls from the treesLike streamers they fall

Shannon Cunnington

A lonely island The sea is like its blanketThe sand its pillowJordan Anderson

Commander squawkingThe wind is his rough allyTrees are his armyConnor RiddellAutumn Acrostics

We used the autumn season asour inspiration for writing ouracrostic poems. The focus wasto try to use personification(giving something humanfeatures), which Anthony hasdone beautifully, bringing thetree to life.

Autumn is here.Underneath usThe leaves crunch. Unloved theirMother tree cries,Never to have her babies again.Slowly and silently the wind blows

Leaving nothing behindExcept her bare arms.At last the children have gone.Vague memories of them fade.Everything isSuddenly silent.

Anthony Drane

A Gun battle is ragingThe soldiers explodingInto beautiful blues blacks andpinks

BOOM BOOM BOOM!The last stand is visible,Like a finale…wonderful notdismal.

Finally the artillery fireCatherines join the fight,Shooting from below

Huge bombardiers juggernautthrough the skyTheir deafening sounds andblinding lights cruise through thebattlefield.Here comes the cavalry In fast and short flaresFinishing the battle fair and square

Elliot Nelson

PoetryMy year 9 class studied poetry in the first half term of this year, which resultedin analysing poetry and producing their own. I was so impressed with thequality of their poetry I felt the need to show it off on their behalf. As there wereso many fantastic poems to choose from, it was a difficult decision.

Here are some of my favourites.by Mrs. Dixon

In mid October, Hetton School’s YoungCarers were awarded for their hard workand achievement with a special ceremonyat the Hetton Centre. Teachers andstudents from Hetton School met up withguest speakers – who had been youngcarer’s themselves. The Hetton youngcarers were awarded a certificate ofachievement and can be seen on the photowith their certificates.

by Taylor Lawrence

Sunderland YoungCarer’s Awards

Activities/Clubs - Autumn Term 2011

· 8.00 – 8.35am Breakfast Club (Megabytes)

· 8.00 – 8.35am Breakfast Club (Megabytes)

· 8.00 – 8.35am Breakfast Club (Megabytes)

· 8.00 – 8.35am Breakfast Club (Megabytes)

· 8.00 – 8.35am Breakfast Club (Megabytes)

· Study Support in Library3.00 – 4.45pm SL

· Study Support in Library3.00 – 4.45pm SL

· China Club JC

· GCSE Music Revision LC· Study Support in Library3.00 – 4.45pm SL

· Study Support in Library3.00 – 4.45pm SL

· Jazz Band M2 LC· Computer Games Club3.00 – 4.15pm KW PS

· After School Club3.00 – 4.00 LK CA

· Lunchtime Club 12.15 – 12.55pm(learning support)

· Library Year 7 JK· Mayors Award 12.15 – 1.00pm B6LK CA

· GCSE ICT Coursework Yr9,10,11 (A10)DBe

· Library Computers (work only) JK· Library Literacy Games JK· Extended Learning Opportunity KS4C1 SB

· Boys Singing Group M2 LC

· Lunchtime Club 12.15 – 12.55pm(learning support)

· Computer Club A10 DBe · Girls Singing Group M2 LC · Girls Group 12.15 – 12.55pm B4LK CA

· Yr11 GCSE Work (all areas)

· GCSE ICT Coursework Yr9,10,11(A10) DBe

· Lego Club B7 JHu· Library Literacy Games JK· Library Computers (work only)Year 8 JK

· Extended Learning Opportunity KS4C1 SB

· Lunchtime Club 12.15 – 12.55pm(learning support)

· Japan Club A6 AH · Library Year 9 JK· Library Literacy Games JK · Library Computers (work only) JK· Yr11 GCSE Work (all areas)

· GCSE ICT Coursework YR9,10,11(A10) DBe

· Extended Learning Opportunity KS4C1 SB

· Language Club 12.20 – 12.55pmB3x KMa

· Lunchtime Club 12.15 – 12.55pm(learning support)

· Library Year 10 & 11· Library Literacy Games JK· Drop in (A12) 12.30 – 12.55pm CA LK· Library Computers (work only) JK· Yr11 GCSE Work (all areas)

· Extended Learning Opportunity KS4C1 SB

· GCSE ICT Coursework Yr9,10,11(A10) DBe

· ‘THE DOH-NUT CLUB’ A14(games, discussions, videos) AMc

· Lego Club B7 JHu

· Library Literacy Games JK· Lunchtime Club 12.15 – 12.55pm(learning support)

· GCSE ICT Coursework Yr9,10,11(A10) DBe

· Library Computers (work only) JK

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BEFORE SCHOOL LUNCHTIME AFTER SCHOOL

You may remember fromprevious issues, thecampaign run by EwanDonaldson; Toby Renwick;Daniel Lawson and OwenLynn to get the speed limitson Hazard Lane changed.After writing to andinterviewing our local MPand creating a video aboutthe problem, we aredelighted to see thechanges that have nowhappened.

The issue was that drivers took little notice of the fact they were passinga school as they travelled down Hazard Lane, and followed the 60mphlimit. This had also led to accidents round the corner towards EastRainton.

As you approach the main entrance to the school, you’ll notice it’s now a30mph speed limit – much safer for all involved. Also, as you drive pastthe school towards East Rainton, new 40mph signs have appeared. We’rehoping this means an end to all the accidents in the area and a muchsafer entrance to school for any students using the main entrance.

by Ewan Donaldson.

Hazard Lane – Success!Hazard Lane – Success!

Smart Materials and Technical Textiles!At the start of year ten, within our textiles lessons, we were set a task todesign a product incorporating the use of smart materials and technicaltextiles. We were given a design brief explaining that the product had to bea container using as many smart materials as it could. It had to beinnovative, functional and commercially viable suiting a target audience ofour choice.

After designing and modelling our products we were given theopportunity to take part in a Dragons Den competition within theschool competing with the other GCSE students in our class beingjudged by Ben Haddon, a representative from EDT and our headteacher, Mr Keay. Julie Soulsby and Claire Brown managed to winthis getting themselves a prize of £25 each. They were overwhelmedbut at this point we were quite disappointed that it wasn’t us.

Several months later, having completely forgotten about evenentering the competition, we got an e-mail that we never expectedgetting. We had been short listed and put through to the finals of theDrapers competition. Out of over 250 entries within the key stage 4category, two out the three finalists were from Hetton School. Whatan achievement!

Not only were we short listed, but the finals were in London offeringa prize of a bursary of up to £500, a red letter day of your choicesuch as scuba diving or parachuting and an outstanding trip toLondon. Exciting!

The day came and on the 22nd of November 2011, we travelled toLondon. It was about 10.30am and we were boarding the train alongwith Miss Blackie and Mrs Gladstone. After about 4 hours on thetrain, we reached Kings Cross station where we soon after caughtthe Tube. Four stops later, we were out of the station standing at thebank of England, right in the centre of the financial district of the city.

Next was the mission to find the Drapers Hall. This was were theKings Speech had previously been filmed and we were about to goto the awards ceremony which was taking place there. Luxury.Walking up Threadneedle Street and there it was. Extremely large,very rich looking and amazingly presented. We had finally arrived.

Shortly after getting there we were soon rushed off our feet. Wewere each given a presentation board which was very plain andbland and it was down to us to make it extremely presentable andshow off our work making it look outstanding. Our work was lookingbrilliant alongside the other finalists but we had to look presentableto go with it. Off we went to explore the building and change into ouruniform. This was it, we were representing the school and it wasdown to us to do it well. Shirts tucked in, ties on, hair brushed andaway we went. We were ready to win.

We sharply arrived back at the Drapers Hall where we could see theproducts that were up against ours. A smart rope, drumming pants,and a fabric that gave off a smell when it was moved. They were allincredible and we had a laptop bag and an iPod cover up againstthem. Could we really win this?

Presenting time. So many different people were wondering aroundto see exactly what we had designed. We were standing alongsideour presentation boards and we had to explain exactly what ourproducts did and how they met our success criteria. It ranged fromgeneral members of the public to extremely high qualified businessstaff and from young school children attending the DrapersAcademy school to material scientists studying at Oxford University.

We couldn’t let ourselves down here, and we didn’t. Everyone wasamazed by what we had produced.

Our presenting time was over and it was down to the actual thing.The awards ceremony of the Drapers Company/EDT Compositesand Smart Materials competition 2011 was about to commence.Had we done enough?

Everyone was seated in the splendid hall and along with the otherfinalists we had reserved seating, we were on the front row. Leavingus on edge there was several speeches given by people whoworked within the organisation. They each shared with us theirsuccesses and made us aware that our future could be like theirs.Everyone was so overwhelmed that young people were stillinterested in technical textiles and it was a great opportunity for us.One of the speeches given was by a lady who had had a dressmade from smart materials. It was delightful. A beautiful fashiongarment that she could actually control by a remote within her bagmaking it light up. It was really rather incredible!

After the speeches it was prize time. Suspense was building. Eachof the finalists in the key stage 4, key stage 5 and undergraduatecategories were called up to the stage in alphabetical order toreceive a finalists certificate and a textiles book to help us in ourfuture. We had all done incredibly to get so far. It was really quitesomething. We each made our way back to our seats with a hugeapplause from about 300 people and next was what we had all beenwaiting for. Our category was first and the results were about to beannounced.

“The highly commended award goes to Harriane Errington!”

We had actually gotten somewhere. A brilliant second placereceiving a D30 laptop bag which matched the product that wasdesigned. We were all so amazed that we had gotten somewhere.Miss Blackie and Mrs Gladstone were so proud.We thought that was it for us, they wouldn’t give two prizes to thesame school but we had made such an achievement already.

“The prize for the best school in Key Stage 4 goes to Hetton School!”

Our smiles then beamed. We had actually done this! Miss Blackiewent up on stage and couldn’t believe this was actually happening!

“And the winner of this category designing a cover for MP3’s andiPods goes to Becky Hissett!”

We had cleared the board! First place winning a bursary of up to£500 and a red letter day and we had both gotten the opportunity ofa day in the city of London. We couldn’t have done better. Smilingfaces and very proud teachers. We had actually just won!

Photos were taken and congratulations were given out all around!Business cards were even given with journalists from top endmagazines interested in the products and achievements we bothhad made. It was such a great experience. WE were taking asuitcase full of prizes all the way home.

To end off the day after lots of fuss being made, we went back onthe Tube and went to Nando’s. Well deserved meal out. It had beensuch a great day and all of us enjoyed the experience. It was thenabout 9.00pm. We boarded the train to arrive home!

Becky Hissett

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Mr. BarrettWhy did you choose to come toHetton School?

I liked the atmosphere inand around Hetton School

from the first day I walked in. There is a sense ofgenuine pride in the school, among staff and students.I particularly liked the fact that several students cameand spoke to me, asking me who I was and why I wasthere; I saw this as students taking a genuine interestin their school and in what was happening in theirschool. I have to say that I haven’t been disappointed– I still find that Hetton School students are interestedin and proud of their school and their education.

What do you do to make your lessons more enjoyable foryour pupils?

It is very difficult to make students enjoy a lesson,although a teacher can definitely help students toengage with a lesson so that it is more interesting. I tryto make the work challenging and encourage thestudents to think for themselves. When students areforming their own opinions and finding out their ownanswers, then they engage with the learning more as itis more personal.

You have been here since September, how have yousettled in?

It has been a fast-paced start to the year! I am verysettled with my classes – I feel that we have got toknow each other well and we are starting tounderstand each others’ expectations. I also feel that Ihave been welcomed by the staff, and I amparticularly impressed by how many staff are willing tovolunteer and get involved in things. Because of this, Ialready feel very settled and a part of Hetton School.

What’s your opinion on the school?

This is my favourite school that I have worked at. Thewillingness of staff and students to try their hardest tomake Hetton School as good as it can be has reallyinspired me. I imagine myself spending a long time atHetton School and always loving it as much as I donow.

Have you been to any other schools before here?

I worked at two very different schools before HettonSchool: one was a huge, inner-city school inGateshead with three times as many students as wehave here; the other was a small school on the edge ofthe countryside in Durham, with half as many studentsas we have here.

Can you tell us something interesting about you?

I could… but I’d rather not.

Hetton School started the new term in September with several new teachers. Hetton Headlines found each to giveyou all the information you could ever wish to know about them!

Get to know your staff! By Kagen McLinden and Kaitlyn Ball

Mr MageeWhy did you choose to come toHetton School?

It was a very exciting time tojoin, there was a lot of

changes made which means lots of opportunities.I also got to know the staff and liked them.

What do you do to make your lessons more enjoyable foryour pupils?

well I try to make it as fun as possible by involvinggames and activities to get a better understandingof the French language. I think as well you shouldtry having a little humour in your lessons.

You have been here since September, how have yousettled in?

I think I’ve settled in really well, I’ve gotten to knowall my classes and the teachers here. I’m evenhelping out with the year seven rugby team.

What’s your opinion on the school?

I think it’s very good here, there’s a really positiveattitude from the pupils and staff and also myclasses work really well.

Have you been to any other schools before here?

Yes, all together I’ve been to three schools beforehere. They were all based in Newcastle, so thisschool is a little bit further from where I live but Idon’t mind.

How do you feel being in this school for just three monthsand have already taken on the responsibility of havingyour own registration group?

It’s good, I’m glad I’ve been giving a registrationgroup. It’s nice to get to know them and theirinterest outside of school and not just knowing whatthey’re like in lessons.

Why did you choose to teach French and what interestsyou most?

Well I just love the language and it was part of mydegree. I also lived in France for a year which mademe appreciate the language more. I think that it isimportant for everyone to know another languagewhen travelling. I like how you can speak tosomeone from a different country and talk to them intheir own language.

Ms.CloseWhy did youchoose tocome toHettonSchool?

I was looking for a school whereI could make a difference andbring some new ideas. At myinterview, the students and staffwere friendly around the schoolwhich confirmed it would be agreat place to work!

What do you do to make yourlessons more enjoyable for yourpupils?

My lessons include practicalactivities with students listeningto different styles of music,singing, performing andcomposing in small groups.

You have been here sinceSeptember, how have yousettled in?

I am thoroughly enjoyingteaching the students at HettonSchool and all of the staff havebeen very welcoming andhelpful. I’ve only lived in theNorth East for 2 months though,so I am still finding my wayaround up here!

What’s your opinion on the school?

I feel the staff at Hetton arealways looking to drive theschool forward, there is a realbuzz and energy for Hetton tobe improving all of the time.

Have you been to any other schoolsbefore here?

I have worked in two schools inNottingham.

Can you tell us somethinginteresting about you?

I used to be in a band at Uniand we supported the bandFeeder!

A musical interview -with Mr GoochMr Gooch is the guitar teacher inHetton School. I interviewed MrGooch about guitar lessons andasked him a few questions. Heteaches guitar lessons on aWednesday.

1. Do you like teaching guitar lessons? Why?

Yes I love teaching my guitar lessons because it gives me greatsatisfaction to know that people are learning something, such asone of my students - Ben Creaser.

2. What do you enjoy most about teaching guitar?

What I enjoy most about teaching guitar is seeing the people that Ihave taught go to University learning music because then I knowthat they loved the music lessons which I used to teach and it playsa good part in their future.

3. What got you into playing guitar?

I’ve always been interested in playing guitar from a young age. I justseemed interested in knowing all the notes and playing guitar.

4. Are their any annoying people that you teach?

*laughs* No there aren’t any annoying people. The people I teachare lovely and eager to learn how to play guitar.

5. Do you look forward to teaching guitar lessons and why?

Yes, because it makes me happy that people want to come andlearn guitar.

6. What will the winter concert be like this year? Are you lookingforward to it?

Yes, I am looking forward to it. I think it will be better because therewill be a new music teacher this year and it will be interesting to seeif she can handle everything.

Guitar lessons are on aWednesday. If you are interestedin guitar lessons, ask Mr Goochand he will see if he can fit you aspace so you can learn. He mightask if you could play in thesummer or winter Concert everyyear! Loads of people who learnmusic or who are in the choir arein the Summer or Winter Concert.

By Jade Reay

Beth, Beckie and Anthony present the HeadTeacher of our partner School in China with

a gift during their visit to school.

Pupils work on Bullying during Anti-Bullying

week in mid November

Alicia and Lewis at the YouthParliament in Sunderland.

Operation Christmas Child Boxes ready to be

donated to Samaritan's Purse

Mr. Keay meets the Head Teacher from ourpartner school in China

Hetton School's Annual Attendance P

resentation -

rewarding good attendance

and punctuality

The Winter 2011 Term in Pictures

Question 1Kelly and her dog Bongo have a favourite walk in andaround the local Durham countryside.

On the outward journey, Bongo runs four times as far asKelly walks, and on the return journey he covers twice thedistance she does. Kelly comes back by the same route asshe followed on the outward journey.

If altogether they cover a total of 32 miles between them,how far does Kelly walk?

Answer: ___________________________________________________

Question 2A hiker dreamt that he was lost on a desolate country laneand came upon a mysterious signpost. What he read thereseemed to him to be impossible, but happily for him hisalarm clock went off and he awoke instantly. With thescene fresh in his mind (or so he thought!) he quickly wrotedown what he remembered of the places and the numberson the signpost:

Later he showed this to a friend and asked him if he couldmake sense of the numbers. The friend thought for a whileand then said “You'd better go back to sleep and dreamabout it again; one of the numbers is wrong.” Explain howyou think the numbers might be related to the names, andwhy the friend thought that one of them was wrong.

Answer: ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Mr P’s PuzzleCorner:Issue 4

Mr P’s PuzzleCorner:

Rainton 91 Hetton 82 Moorsley 114

Eppleton 103 Murton 101