Newsletters

Senior Physics Challenge 

Well done to the Yr 12 Physicists who entered the Senior Physics Challenge run by the British Physics Olympiad aimed to stretch and challenge our talented Physics pupils. Almost 6000 students participated from 297 schools.

Out students should be very proud of themselves as they have shown they have a good understanding of some tricky concepts. Between them they achieved 4 Bronzes and 3 Silvers. This will set them in good stead for future competitions.

Silver Certificates were awarded to: Emilia,Karina and Grace Beale

Bronze Certificates were awarded to: Nafeesa, Asmita, Millie and Alexander.

Clubs and Societies

This month we held a Clubs and Societies Fair. The idea of holding the Fair came from the Buildings and Communities Group which is part of the School Council, and is headed by Georgia Barnes and Isla Stevenson. It gave students the opportunity to showcase the clubs and societies they lead within school by creating a stall that showcased their club. During the Fair students from across the school were able to walk around the stalls and learn about and sign up for the many clubs that we run at school.

Mrs Coverdale took a group of Yr 10, 11 and 12 students who are considering a career in CyberSecurity to attended the Unlock Cyber Careers event again this year. The students attended presentations from employers such as AtkinsRealis, BT Security, CGI, Nationwide, the NHS and more.  The speakers are currently working in Cyber, including apprentices and degree placement students.  There was also the opportunity for a campus tour and an interview technique session.

Students enjoyed the day immensely.  Student comments included "This was one of the best trips I have been on and has made me consider this career more."  "10/10 I would attend this again" 

Culture Day 2024 - By Takiyah (Yr 11) Lila (Yr 11) and Trisha (Yr 10)

We believe that culture day was a really important event to take place within the Ribston community, since we are such a diverse student body that should be displayed and explored by others around us. Diversity is something that brings the Ribston community together as one and helps others to embrace, enjoy and share each other’s cultures, which enables us to make an enjoyable Ribston community.

In March three of us collated 555 signatures over one week in support of having a Culture Celebration for a full day. This issue was highlighted to SLT and a date for this incredible celebration to take place was agreed.

The day was filled with celebrations of cultural appreciation with many fun-filled activities taking place: teachers were invited to produce videos on a culture they were a part of or interested in. The African Dance Workshop leader, Louis, came in to teach the year 8’s some cultural dance, as well as jumping on stage during lunchtime to engage the crowd ahead of the fashion runway which was run by Kai in year 13 who is Head of the Diversity Ambassadors.

The Dancing created a wave of excitement and afterwards students were able to visit stalls in the Gym that were set up by different tutor groups and showcased a huge variety of cultural stalls and snacks on offer for students to try. There was also a Photo shoot opportunity captured by Mr Collins, Ms Lewis and Sixth Form Students to capture everyone in their beautiful cultural clothing. 

A massive thank you to everyone who was involved!  The Tech Team, Site Team Ms Lewis, Mrs Hay and Mr Sargent, all the staff that got involved and the whole school for purchasing raffle tickets which helped to fund the day and went to the charity Equally Ours, and of course a massive thank you to all the Diversity Ambassadors!

Overall, the day was a huge success with students thoroughly enjoying themselves and lots of positive feedback.

Cultural Art Competition

Many thanks to all the Yr 9 students who submitted their amazing artwork for the Cultural Art Competition and to everyone who voted!

Congratulations to Lily who had an outstanding number of votes and came in first place with her Chinese-inspired artwork. 

Netball

At the beginning of this month, some of our Yr 9 students took part in a netball match here at Ribston against Severn Vale. It was a great win, 19 -8! Some great netball was played. A huge well done to all the team!

Also congratulations to the U16 Netball team who won their match 11:10 against Crypt

Cricket

Well done to our U13 cricket team who played in The Lady Taverners National Indoor Cricket Competition against Barnwood and won 36 all-out in the first innings and 95-50 in the second. They now progress to the next round in the competition.

Well done to our U15 team, who also played against Barnwood. They had a great match which they won and made it the most fun fixture for everyone involved! 

PHSE

This month, Loudmouth Education and Training delivered an interactive play to our Yr 9 students to tackle the difficult issue of sexual violence and sexual harassment. The play was called “Calling it Out” and raises awareness of sexual behaviours, sexual harassment, sexual assault, pornography, consent and misogyny. This session gave our students the opportunity to be more aware of sexual violence and sexual harassment and how to protect themselves, as well as let them know where they can go for help and support if they are worried.

Back in September, Verity in Yr 8, was part of the Cheltenham Harriers Under 13/15 Team that competed in the National Final of the UK Youth Development League - in Manchester. This is the culmination of the League Competition which starts in May with 166 Teams from across England, Wales and Scotland taking part. Cheltenham were one of just 7 teams to qualify for the final. The Club placed 6th on the day.

Verity won silver in the 75m B; and was part of the 4/100m relay team that won bronze in the final - and in the process set a new Harriers record, breaking the previous one that had stood for 14 years.

Verity had a great season in 2023, and has continued into this year. Most recently, at the Indoor Championships in Cardiff, she competed in the 60m and shot put - coming away with gold in the shot for SW/ England. This is amazing, well done Verity! 

Congratulations to Britons who are top of the House Points table at the beginning of the year!