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May 2022
This edition of the Ribston Roar starts with the fact that we had a visit from Ofsted this month that although challenging, was a hugely positive experience where staff and students were able to showcase the work we have been doing at Ribston to move the school strongly forwards. I personally want to thank all our staff, students and parents for their support during those two days; it was hugely valued.
Year 11 and 13 have also started their examinations this month, the first year groups in two years to sit them after the pandemic. They have been incredible so far and have acted maturely, and shown huge dedication to their revision and studies. We wish them all well.
Mrs Sarah Colombini
Headteacher
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Ofsted visit
During May, we had a visit from Ofsted on a Section 8 which is an HMI visit to a good or outstanding school to confirm whether the school remains good or outstanding under the new framework. In our circumstance under a Section 8, the overall effectiveness grade of the school, which is currently good, cannot be changed unless there are concerns raised about the school and the visit is converted.
We are not able to share our final outcomes with parents or staff yet, but it was a positive experience where the school was able to showcase the journey of improvement that we are on. The staff and students were fantastic throughout the time the Ofsted Inspectors were with us, and I would like to thank the entire school community, including our parents and carers. We will let you know when the report is ready to be released.
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Good luck to Year 11 and Year 13!
We said farewell to our Year 11 and Year 13 students during May, as they embarked on their study leave ahead of exams, which started week commencing 16th May.
Last day celebrations for Year 11 involved a full year assembly, speeches and reflections by form, from Head of Year Miss Mowatt and from Headteacher Mrs Colombini. They then spent the afternoon on the field enjoying one last rounders match and treats from the ice cream van.
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Year 13's last day involved a group breakfast in the common room, a wonderful final assembly where they enjoyed speeches and performances, before gathering on the field for rounders and ice cream, with some karaoke thrown in too. We wish them so much success with their next steps beyond Ribston.
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Welcome to our new Head Student team
Having said farewell to our last brilliant Head Girl team, we welcome our new Head Girl for the coming academic year after a school wide vote in the annual Hustings.
Chloe Jones is our new Head Girl, pictured second right below. She will be supported by her new team; Abi Dermody, Ava Howman-Doyle and Ayesha Diallo. We look forward to them helping to shape our school for the year ahead.
Pictured L-R: Abi, Ava, Chloe and Ayesha
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Cheerleading champions!
Congratulations to our Ribston cheerleading squad who won the Cheer in Schools competition at the University of Gloucestershire! Well done ladies, what a brilliant result!
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Take a close look at our Nook!
We're very fortunate to have this new Nook, which is in the library, to use by students and staff for quiet meeting and study space. It has proven exceptionally popular with students already!
The RHA funded this great new space, so thank you to them for their generous donation, and thank you to everyone who helped the RHA raise the money previously.
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Rounders clean sweep!
Our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 rounders teams had great results against St Peter's just before half term, with all teams notching up wins. Well done all, what brilliant performances! The Year 9 team are pictured below.
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A Night At The Musicals
The performance team are really excited to announce our upcoming Summer Gala concert, ‘A Night At The Musicals’.
Student dancers will be joined by student and staff choirs, performing popular musical show pieces. It promises to be an uplifting and joyful evening!
We do hope that you can join us on one of our performances, which take place on Tuesday 12th July and Wednesday 13th July at 7pm.
Bookings for seats will be available shortly.
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Save our soils!
Year 7 and 9 students have all been busy in their Art lessons creating poster designs raising awareness for the 'Saving our Soils' Design Competition. You may well have seen on our school social media channels some of the amazing entries that have been submitted.
Mrs Finch will have the tricky job of choosing a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as the standard has been so high! Below shows some of our best entries (you choose!)
For a very thought-provoking video too, have a look at this YouTube link which explains just why soil is one of the most amazing things on Earth!!
Why soil is one of the most amazing things on Earth | BBC Ideas - YouTube
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Talk on Game Technologies
On 19th May, ex-student Lucy Smith and one of her lecturers Johan Van Rooijen from the University of Gloucester came into Computer Club to talk to students about courses in Games Technology.
As well as inspiring us with the wide range of courses available in this industry– from Games Art, to Games Coding, Lucy also brought in the game ‘Planet Mush’ that she had worked on for the students to play and evaluate.
Over the next few weeks, members of Computer Club will be evaluating this to help Lucy and we are also hoping to organise a visit for students to the University to get an introduction into game design using Unity.
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Brothers' Grimm Tale Artwork
Some of our Year 9 Art students were tasked with creating a 3D Book Nook scene to sit on a bookshelf, based on a Brothers' Grimm tale. As with the last group of students who undertook this task a few months ago, the results are incredible!
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Success at the Nationals
Congratulations to Gracie Janes in Year 9, who is proving to be a rowing dynamo! Having played in seven netball matches just one day ahead of the Evesham Regatta, she still went on to win the final of the Women’s doubles and quads, representing AB Severn Rowing Club. The following day, she travelled to the National finals of the Junior Sculling Regatta at Eton Dorney and gained a bronze medal with her rowing partner, Harriet (pictured). Well done Gracie, this is a fantastic selection of results; not to mention all in one long weekend!
We wish Gracie well with the upcoming competitions, including the National Schools Regatta.
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Cheltenham Festival success for Izzy
Congratulations to Izzy Ayley in Year 7 who achieved 7 distinctions in her categories at the Cheltenham Festival this month. She performed as part of a group, danced solo as well as performing in the duologue drama category.
She also received 1 honour in her solo lyrical dance, achieving 3rd place and a bronze medal.
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Going for gold!
Former Sixth Form students Ellena and Meg went to Buckingham Palace to collect their gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards recently. They started the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in Year 9, working their way to Gold while in Sixth Form.
They developed life changing skills, enjoyed outdoor adventures, embraced work in the local community and undertook rigorous fitness training.
Employers respect the Duke of Edinburgh scheme as a recognised mark of achievement and we are proud to facilitate students undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh journey here at Ribston.
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Meg said to Mrs Barnett, who leads our Duke of Edinburgh activities, "We wouldn’t have been able to get there without you so we both wanted to say a huge thank you, we are so grateful."
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Gloucestershire County Rugby success
Heather Aylward and Evie Parker have made the Gloucestershire Girls County Rugby team! Well done ladies, what an achievement.
Wishing you so much success for the season ahead!
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County qualifier!
Well done to Ruth Brook who qualified for the County 1500m this week running in 5:10 and finishing in first place at the District trials.
We wish Ruth all the best in the upcoming championships.
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Ribston’s musical talents shine at Cheltenham Music Festival
Year 8 students Penny Steele and Elena Blake-Dyke participated in Cheltenham Festival for Performing Arts, which was held this month. Both musicians received multiple awards. Penny received first place in set song and in show category, and Elena received the third place on the set piece; both students in 11-12 years category. Not only they are wonderful soloists, they also won the first place in a small ensemble singing – duets/trios.
Big congratulations on such an excellent achievement, we are so proud!
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Important communications from our schoolwear supplier
As a response to your feedback, Monkhouse understand the importance of being able to communicate with you directly, so that they can keep you updated and in-the-loop as 'Back to School' approaches.
In order to keep you informed, we ask that you sign up to their email communications via the Monkhouse homepage or create account form to allow updates from Monkhouse to reach your inbox.
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