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UPS AND DOWNS OF A NATIONAL SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

What happens when you become a new pupil at St. Michael’s? Well, for a large number of our Year 7 pupils, it was a case of being involved in two world record attempts when they took part in the Science Year 2001 Giant Jump! In schools throughout Britain, over a million pupils were jumping at the same time and the whole thing was being measured with seisometers by scientists.

5000 school were involved and this meant that the Giant Jump qualifies for entry into the Guinness Book of Records! We are told that the school will receive a certificate from the Guinness Book. Science is all about investigation, predicting and testing, so, though the Jump was fun, it had a serious side too.

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE S.V.P. GROUP .....

by Natalie Hubbard

St. Michael’s S.V.P. group meets every Thursday in the Chapel. Most members are in Year 11 but, recently, some Year 9 pupils have joined and others are really welcome to join us, too. The S.V.P. group is not only a club at school, but part of a world organisation where members give up their own time to help out people in need in the community. Each member is very much appreciated by those they help. The President, Alex Sotherby, will be happy to help any new members find suitable community activities. The group hopes to produce a newsletter every term to let the school know what is being done.

 

CONSTRUCTIVE LINKS WITH HARTLEPOOL COLLEGE

Next Tuesday, a 15-strong group of Year 10 pupils will represent the school in the annual Construction Festival that takes place at Hartlepool College of Further Education. Those participating will be involved in a planning and design exercise aimed at allowing pupils to gain insights into aspects of the construction industry. This could lead to possible career paths and participation in the Festival enables links with the CDT area of Technology to be maintained.

 

CASTLES COMPETITION - FULL LIST OF WINNERS

In the packed July edition of Home Links, there was insufficient space to list all of the winners in the Key Stage 3 History 'Castles' competition. Standards were very high and everybody agreed that it was the best-ever set of entries. Congratulations to all who made entries.

Prizes were awarded as follows: James Yardley, Elly Mitchell and Adam Price (overall winners); Jennifer Redhead (runner-up); Amy Lunn, Patrick Boyd, Matthew Hodgson, Abigail Hanley, Ashleigh Thompson, Lauren Garner and Samantha Linton (form class prizewinners); Jennifer Geoghegan (best front cover); Helen Davison (best model); David Holland (best use of language); Natasha Donaldson (best illustrations); Rachel Palmieri (best presentation); Ian Hall (best use of ICT); Sarah Irvine (best handwritten assignment); Laura Hobbs (most original idea); Craig Jefferson (best use of photography); Daniel Sigsworth, Amanda Tait and Adam Wesson (outstanding endeavour).

Additionally, 20 pupils were highly commended for their achievements. When the Vicar General, Canon Spence, visited the school, he spent a long time looking at the display of assignments and he said he was really impressed with our pupils' work. Thanks to all of the parents who encouraged their children to enter and to the teachers who worked so hard with pupils.

MANY THANKS.. FROM PAUL FINN

Former student, Paul Finn (1985-90), who recently completed the Great North Run and was sponsored to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, would like to thank all who supported him in this event. He raised over £200 and completed the course in a good time.

Congratulations to him on his achievement.