Trinity School
NEWSLETTER TO PARENTS and CARERS
APRIL 2011
Dear Parents and carers,
Well – that was quite a week..!
We are not sure why Radio 1 decided that we should be the venue for their Breakfast Show last
Wednesday, but we are very glad that they did. The worst kept secret, clearly, as lots and lots of leaks
were in circulation, some accurate, but most not. Thanks go to Mr Lythgoe for organizing the whole event,
and to the site and ICT and catering teams for ensuring that everything happened smoothly. We were
delighted for the 250 students who, from the Sixth Form and each House represented as many part of the
school as we could squeeze in to the one hall. However, biggest thanks to those many students who were
disappointed they could not be in there as it happened, but carried on in class, hopefully listening to the
radio. Best wishes to them in particular for their applications for the Big Weekend event …
…which is the weekend before the first English GCSE paper on Monday morning …!
There was also delight in school at the Wembley victory – with lots of tired, hoarse but happy students and
staff on Monday morning, or a bit later in a few cases, who had been down to cheer the team on and come
back with last year’s disappointment put a long way behind us.
It has been a real treat towards the end of this very long term to be part of such a good week in the life of
our city and to have had so much good news to celebrate.
I still do not know who Katie b is or why she was in my office – but she and a man calling himself Mr Mills
have signed the visitor’s book, which was nice of them. The photographs on the Radio 1 website are worth
a look if you have not had the chance to do so yet!
Further thanks to Mr McArdle for his excellent and grammatically accurate reading; to Mr Quigley and the
Sixth Formers for their rap; to Mrs Richardson and Mr Vernon and the singers who sounded superb – best
bit on the radio that week!
So the Easter holidays are with us, although oddly the Easter weekend is not in the middle but at the end. I
hope that everyone has a good break, whether staying at home or going away. Best wishes from the staff
of the school to all Trinity families for a good holiday and a happy Easter.
Headteacher
Farewells and best wishes
Mr Etisoy leaves us this at the end of this term having taught IT here for almost 7 years now, covering a
range of classes including GCSE and A level. Best wishes to him as he follows new opportunities ahead.
Mrs Dinning begins maternity leave at the end of this term – all good wishes to her too.
And to the two members of staff whose weddings take place this holiday: to Mr Priddle for his big day and
to Mr Annette for his...
Consultation on seeking academy status
We hope that all families received the important letter last week giving details of the current consultation
about Trinity School seeking academy status. There have been assemblies this week for each House and
for the two years in the Sixth Form, explaining what we are seeking to achieve, which is the preservation
and continuing of the school most securely for the future. There is further information on our website, along
with the email address if you would like to take part in that way.
We will have further meetings with students through the House and Sixth Form councils after the Easter
break. The meeting for parents and carers is on Tuesday 3rd May at 7pm in The Creighton Hall.
Everyone is welcome to come, hear a short presentation and raise any questions you have about the
proposal.
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Rebuild
Phase II visits have now started to take place, with the departments who will be moving in to their new
bases having their first look: Art, Music, Modern Languages, Geography and History, and Learning
Support. The space we shall have in September looks astonishing, with more to come. The new
classrooms are super, but the redesigned ones from our previous buildings no less good. This process
also means that we have different shapes and sizes of rooms, with real character and interest – but all a
lot better than the ones we have at the moment.
The scheme is about two weeks behind schedule, after the winter weather but Border Construction staff
continue to work superbly, and we are delighted with the quality of what is being built for us. We begin to
move in on 4th July and hand over the rest of the Margaret Sewell building for Phase III from 22 nd July.
New Sixth Form Student Leadership (Year 12 students)
Following the recent ballots and interviews, the following students have been appointed for the coming
year: Oliver Winter will be our new Head Boy, and Asha Williams Head Girl.
Deputy Head Boys will be Dale Callaghan and Ken Wiggins, and Deputy Head Girls Samantha Bainbridge,
Georgina Hubberstey, Rebecca Jackson, Louisa Nicholson, Kathryn Pearce and Eleanor Pugh.
Student Ambassadors are: Bethany Abbot, Claire Allison, Victoria Archibald, Danielle Armstrong,
Katherine Bolton, Joshua Conneelly, Ceri McCorry, Andi Menzies, Elisabeth Reay, Thomas Shaw, Luke
Shepherd and Dominique Toms.
Thanks to all of them for being willing to serve the school in this way and we look forward to the
contributions that they will make in their year of office.
New House Leadership teams
House Captains:
Pacific – Hamzah Dhalech and Rachel Weild
America – Tom Mitchell and Tatjana Lipinski
Africa – Jed Buttress and Hayley Blacklock
Europe – Ashley Wilson and Jacqui Wickens
Asia – Alex Bie and Emma Clare
Each House also has four deputy house captains, creating a leadership team of 6. These meet with their
heads of House and House Tutor each month and lead the House Councils. They have different roles,
such as secretary, charity organiser, sports promoter etc. They serve for three terms, and we hope that
they enjoy their new responsibilities and lead their Houses forward well.
Many thanks
All of these new appointments mean that the terms of office of the previous House leadership teams and
Sixth Form student leaders have now come to the end. Our thanks to them for all of their work, for the
many meetings they have been to and organised, for the many good ideas they had, for the things they
made us see and do differently ...and so best wishes to them for their coming exams.
RECENT EVENTS
USA Exchange
With another foot/30 cm of snow forecast for Vermont, the 2011 exchange trip of 32 students and 4 staff
set off on Wednesday morning with wellies and woollies and hoodies …a drive to Heathrow, and then a 6
hour flight into Boston…down to the Cape, then to Boston – whale-watching, but the weather may not
allow that …then up to Vermont as the first Trinity group to visit there (into the wilds and the snow!) taking
in a tour of the Ben and Jerry’s factory, with samples! Across to New Hampshire, to our two partner
schools there in Berlin and Dover – back to Boston and home next week …thanks to the families who have
allowed their children to be part of this exciting venture and we look forward to hearing their tales and
seeing all the photos on their return.
This event happens every two years, so we expect Berlin High School students here in February 2013,
followed by our fifth trip out to them in April 2013, and then a rapid turnaround with Dover High School
band due back here in April 2013 as well …
Trinity Landscape Team
We have worked on Monday evenings after school – a small group, it has to be said, but we hope for more
helpers in the nicer weather (we hope!) of the summer term. We have tidied the Wildlife Garden, and the
Creighton Courtyard, and started to work out where all the apple trees from the Orchard could go. The
Year 9 students have started to grow conker trees, and we have a copse in 30 pots to locate somewhere
as well ...so more helpers please would be very handy.
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Easter Concert
This show is now becoming a regular event in the Trinity calendar; this year’s show took place on 9th
March. 15 students from Years 7-13 took part including Year 9 Dance group Performing Six D – ‘So Easy’
and singers Jenna Donnelly, Kim Birrell, Niall Sanderson, and Courtney O’Neill performed a range of pop
songs. All participants displayed great talent and it was a super evening’s entertainment, much enjoyed by
all who attended. Particular thanks to Miriam Westfall, Emma Libby, Cathy Mottershead, Freya Wood, and
Miriam Hurley, Year 13 students for whom this was their last Trinity concert and who have made such a
contribution to music in the school over the years. And to the other Year 13 musicians whose swansong
was earlier in the year: Laura Mallin, Jonathan Finn, Jenny Wong, Rebecca Smith and Nicole Sorlie.
European Teachers’ Visit
On two occasions in March we had a group of teachers from the Netherlands visiting school. They led
sessions with our students and observed our teachers’ lessons. In the History department our visitors
talked to the students about life in occupied Holland during WW2 and in Science there was a session on
liquorice production, including free samples!
One comment which they fed back to us was that when two year 8 students took them for a tour round the
site, the pride that they had in their school was clearly apparent and their friendliness and maturity was
favourably commented upon. Thanks to Mr Wannop for his work in organising these visits.
Fundraiser for Uganda
Mrs Jary would like to thank everyone who so kindly sponsored her for the one mile swim in aid of the
Uganda Project. About £260.00 was raised and this will go towards funding Ugandan students who are
visiting Trinity School later this year. A cake sale was also held on Thursday 7 th April in the Margaret
Sewell Hall at breaktime as part of the ongoing fundraising in aid of the project.
The tireless efforts of the team mean that we shall be able to welcome our first visitors from our partner
schools in Uganda to the school this summer term which will be such a thrill. Well done to everyone for all
the work that has been going in to make this possible, and indeed to the students in school at the moment
prepared for our next visit to Uganda in summer 2012.
National Society at 200 years old and the King James Bible at 400!
Lydia Hurley (9ASH), Emma Walker (9TDO), Rebecca Woodbridge (9ASH) and Abbie Wilson (9ASH)
represented the school alongside Mrs Shore at the celebration service for 200 years of the National
Society (the education wing of the Church of England) on the morning of Thursday 31st March. The Bishop
of Carlisle led the procession on the windiest day of the year so far and there was an outdoor service in
front of the old town hall. We then processed back into the cathedral for a service of thanksgiving. The
school was presented with a Bible at the end to commemorate the event.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
ACE activities
The Ace Club is one of our enrichment groups in extra-curricular terms and we are planning events for the
coming months. Highlights of these are:
[a]
[b]
[c]
A visit to The Sage Centre Gateshead for the Northern Sinfonia Concert on 22 nd May, featuring
Beethoven’s Third Symphony;
A visit to The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester on 9th July to see their production of
Shakespeare’s comedy ‘As you like it.’
A residential trip – specifically but not exclusively for current Year 9 students – to The Queen’s
College, Oxford, from 15th – 17th September.
Details are available to students in each form room and letters with reply slips can be picked up and
brought home for anyone interested. Indeed, please get the slips in soon so that firm arrangements can be
made for all of these events.
Year 13 Leavers Ball
The Year 13 Leavers Ball will be held on Thursday 30 th June at The Greenhill Hotel, Wigton.
Year 11 Prom
The Year 11 Prom will be held on Friday 1st July at the Crown and Mitre Hotel. Initial letters have been
circulated to all Year 11 students.
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A REMINDER
Additional Bank Holiday 2011
The school will be closed on 29th April 2011 off for the royal wedding.
The school will be open as usual for Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th April. This will make for a bitty
start to Summer Term, but if we were to close for those two days as well, we would have to make up the
time elsewhere from our holidays, which did not seem possible this year.
Our next Monday in school is 9th May, which feels very odd …
Lost Property
Over the year, a large amount of valuable property has been handed in to the school’s ‘Lost Property’ but
has not been claimed. Due to space restrictions within the rebuild we will have to limit the amount of lost
property that we hold. If you think your son/daughter may have lost an item of jewelry, watch, MP3 player,
phone etc please ask them to contact Margaret Sewell Reception before the May half term holiday.
Thank You’s
Mrs Baxter would like to thank the students of America House for raising £149 to buy bricks for a new
school being built in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We would like to thank all the local companies who donated gifts
for Mrs Baxter and the group to take when they visit at Easter, in particular, Keswick Pencil Company,
Asda, Waterstones and Norfolk Street newsagents.
Students and staff taking part in the USA Exchange would like to say a big thank you to everyone who
contributed to their fundraising bag packing sessions in Tesco and Morrison’s and to all the students who
made and bought cake from the cake stall in Creighton Hall on the 25th March.
SPORTS NEWS
Gymnastics
Four Trinity Gym teams took part in the county gymnastics competition held at Penrith Leisure Centre on
Saturday, 19th March. The ‘A teams’ in both the under 13 and over 13 competitions were successful in
securing Gold medals and the County Champions title with some excellent performances. In the individual
competition, Rebecca Dean won the gold medal in the under 13 competition with Sian Jones winning
Silver. Trinity also took the honours in the over 13 individual competition with Molly Wright winning Gold
and Amy Ostridge winning the Silver medal. The girls were a credit to their school and their hard work over
the last weeks and months has paid off.
Molly Wright, Amy Ostridge and Sharna Blair (all Y10) had a busy day, as they spent the morning judging
the primary school competition, doing a very professional job.
The organiser of county level gymnastics sent this commendation “I would like to put on record the huge
amount of support we receive from your pupils who are qualified gymnastics judges. They have given up a
phenomenal amount of their time to judge and then sometimes compete in the same competition. Without
their help the competitions would not be possible, they are great ambassadors for their sport and also for
their school”. The girls involved are; Caitlin Nugent, Natalie Farmer, Molly Wright, Sharna Blair, Helen Gill,
Emma Shaddock, Jessica Haughey, Emma Goodman. Amy Ostridge.
Well done to all of the girls, for this is high praise indeed.
Football
The annual memorial football match in memory of David Murray (Trinity School) and Nathan Cuthbertson
(St. Aidan’s, Sunderland) took place on the 29th March at the Academy of Light, Sunderland Football
Club’s training ground. A superb performance by all, on and off the field, the game was played in the right
spirit and a moving tribute to the two servicemen killed in action. Aaron O’Neil gave a good vote of thanks,
on behalf of Trinity, to the opposition. Final score, St. Aidan’s 4, Trinity 0.
Under 15 RAF 5-a-side Competition organised by the RAF and Carlisle United
Final score Trinity 2 St. Benedict’s 0
Under 18 Girls Football – Semi Final County Cup - The team won 4-0 against Barrow Sixth Form College.
The girls played really well and were deserved winners and will now play Nelson Thomlinson in the final.
Congratulations to them all. Joanne Irving, Olivia Hodgson, Chelsea Norris, Jess Adams, Georgina
Campbell, Becky Rush, Sarah Pagan, Beth Rosary, Holly Andrews (Captain), Laura Owen, Rachel Dodd
and Alison McCorry.
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Under 18 County Cup Semi Final v Nelson Thomlinson, Monday, 28th March.
Nelson Thomlinson 4 Trinity 1. Squad: Tom Townsend, Robbie Cain, Euan Foster, Matthew Horseman,
Martin Rickerby, Craig Hunter, Liam Jackson, Richard Robertson, Adam Nelson, Matthew Grieve, Carl
Robertson, Steven Faithorn, Jack Southwell, Nathan Charnley, Duncan Walker and Brandon Longcake.
Under 15 City Cup Semi Final - Trinity 0 William Howard 0. After extra time Trinity 5 William Howard 0
Under 13 County Cup Semi Final - St. Benedict’ s 3 Trinity 3. After extra time St. Benedict’s 4 Trinity 4
St. Benedict’s then won on penalties
Hockey
The Year 7 hockey team played in a tournament at William Howard on 30th March and were runners up to
QEGS. The Trinity team only conceded one goal in the whole tournament and scored 11, with Lauren
Robertson being top scorer. Dawn Power was outstanding in defence, and overall it was an excellent
performance by the whole team whose members are Lauren Robertson (capt), Dawn Power, Amber
Patterson, Liz Emerson, Megan Hope, Seona MacKay, Lauren Medley, Pip Vaughan
Year 9 Girls Hockey - Trinity 3 - Cockermouth 0
The year 9 hockey team travelled over to Cockermouth for a friendly fixture last week. This was the first
match some of the girls had played in a match and they did extremely well in very windy conditions. Goals
were scored by captain Philippa Harmison (2) and Anna Lightfoot. Pip Vaughan (Y7) kept the Trinity girls
in the game with 3 excellent saves in quick succession in the first half. Caitlin Beattie, Molly Davy, Emma
Walker, Sophie Ritchie, Lucy Anderson, Shani Brooks, Lauren Ullyart and Tahmina Begum made their
debut for the team along with those who have played more regularly this season - Sarah Brown, Jenna
Graham, Emma Maskell and Hannah Hayes. Another excellent team performance.
DIARY DATES SUMMER TERM 2011
Friday 8th April
Last day of term for Easter Break
Wednesday 27th April
Thursday 28th April
Friday 29th April
Monday 2nd May
Tuesday 3rd May
Wednesday 4th May
Friday 6th May
First day of Summer Term, A2 Photography Pt1b Exam
A2 Photography Exam Pt1a
School closed for Royal Wedding
School closed for May Day Holiday
A2 Art Exam (am only)
GCSE Art Exam
Year 11 interim 2 to parents/carers. A2 Art Exam (am only)
Year 13 Leavers’ Service, 2.00 pm, Carlisle Cathedral.
Junior Maths Challenge.
Year 10 GCSE Language Speaking Tests.
Billy Elliot School Production
Billy Elliot School Production
Full Governors Mtg, 7.00 pm, Billy Elliot Production
GCSE and A Level Exams start
Year 8 Reports to parents and carers
Year 11 last day in school
Half Term Holiday
w/c Monday 9th May
Tuesday 10th May
Wednesday 11th May
Thursday 12th May
Monday 16th May
Friday 20th May
Friday 27th May
Monday 30th May – Friday 3rd
June
Monday 6th June
Monday 13th June
Thursday 16th June
Friday 17th June
Monday 20th June
Tuesday 21st June
Wednesday 22nd June
w/c 27th June
Tuesday 28th June
Europe House Cathedral Service, 11.15 am
America House Cathedral Service, 11.15 am
7.00 pm Parents/carers mtg for Year 8/9 students attending Barcelona Trip
Year 10 Work Ready Day
Year 7 Reports to parents/carers
Pacific House Cathedral Service, 11.15 am
Year 9 Geography Trip to Edinburgh
Year 9 Geography Trip to Edinburgh
Year 10 Mock Interviews (pm only)
Year 10 Work Experience week
A level Art & Photography Exhibition, 7.00 – 9.00 pm
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Thursday 30th June
Friday 1st July
w/c 4th July
Monday 4th July
Tuesday 5th July
Wednesday 6th July
Thursday 7th July
Friday 8th July
w/c 11th July
Monday 11th July
Tuesday 12th July
Wednesday 13th July
Thursday 14th July
Monday 18th July
Tuesday 19th July
Wednesday 20th July
Thursday 21st July
Friday 22nd July
Thursday 18th August
Thursday 25th August
Year 7 Parents and Carers’ Evening
Year 13 Leavers’ Ball, Greenhill Hotel, Wigton
N&W Cumbria Higher Education Convention, Sands
7.00 pm Year 11 Prom, Crown and Mitre Hotel
Carlisle International Festival
Year 10 Work Experience debrief, Period 3
Futures Ready Day – Year 12
Sixth Form Induction for incoming Year 12s
Sixth Form Induction for incoming Year 12s
Year 12 Alternative Sports Day
Rock Night
Sixth Form Induction for incoming Year 12s
Year 9 Interim 2 to Parents/Carers
Year 10 Reports to Parents/Carers
Year 12 Interim 2 to Parents/Carers
Year 7 Trip to Netherlands
Asia House Cathedral Service, 11.15 am
7.00 pm Full Governors Mtg
Intake Day 1
Intake Day 2
New Intake Parents/Carers’ Evening
New Intake Parents/Carers’ Evening
Africa House Service, 11.15 am
7.00 pm Junior Prize Giving Service, St. Cuthbert’s Church
Sports Day
Aerie International Celebration Evening
Year 12 Geography Farm visits
Year 12 Geography trip to Glasgow
Last day of term
A Level Results
GCSE Results
TERM DATES for the rest of the 2010/2011 School Year
First Day of Term
Last Day of Term
Half Term
Friday 22nd July
Monday 30th May - Friday 3rd June
Royal Wedding – Friday 29th April
Bank Holiday – Monday 2nd May
2011 Summer Term
Wednesday 27th April
TERM DATES for the 2011/2012 School Year – as circulated by Children’s Services
First Day of Term
Last Day of Term
Half Term
2011 Autumn Term
Wednesday 7th September
(Inset Days 5th & 6th Sept.)
Friday 16th December
Monday 24th October - Friday 28th October
2012 Spring Term
Wednesday 4th January (Inset Day 3rdJan.)
Friday 30th March
Monday 13th February – Friday 17th February
2012 Summer Term
Monday 16th April
Friday 19th July
Monday 4th June – Friday 8th June
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Easter 2011
Open from 1pm – 9pm
Except: Fri 22nd, Mon 25th and Mon 2nd when we open
9.30am – 2pm
Get 50% off a swim or gym session with the Trinity
Family discount pass. Bring a photo of your good self
to reception to obtain your pass. That’s all the
family!
If your child goes to Trinity and they have not yet
used the gym then why not?
Teen GymTraining (C.V and Weights instruction):
£12 for an induction then £1.50 per session at their
leisure with the above card
Now enrolling for children’s swimming lessons, one to
ones and crash courses
Gym and Swim Membership: £14 / month for a one
year contract
(that’s just over £3 / week which is less than an adult swim)
01228 403565
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