Withernsea High School

Final rehearsals are in full swing for Matilda the Musical JR, opening tomorrow night at Withernsea High School 

Jamie Hughes, Head of Sport and Performance, said today: “Rehearsals are well underway for our musical Matilda. If you haven’t got your tickets for the next few evenings, it is well worth a watch!”

The show runs Tuesday 10th - Thursday 12th March, starting at 6.30pm (doors 6pm) in the school hall.

Tickets, £5 adults / £3 concessions (under 16s and OAPs), are available via ParentPay, at main reception, or on the door.

Year 10 Engineering students have been developing their practical manufacturing skills this term by designing and producing their own gardening trowels.

As part of the project, students were challenged to create an ergonomically shaped handle to ensure the tool would be comfortable to use. They used hand files and sandpaper to carefully shape and smooth the handles.

The spade section of the trowel was hand-cut from mild steel before being shaped on the anvil to create a neat, symmetrical bend. Students also gained their first experience of welding, joining the connector to the spade to complete the structure of the tool.

To finish their projects, students spray painted the trowels to improve their appearance and help protect the metal from rust.

Mrs Norris, Head of DT, said: “This project gave students valuable hands-on experience in metalworking, tool design, and workshop safety while allowing them to produce a practical tool they can be proud of.”

Apprentices, entrepreneurs, and careers advisers helped students explore opportunities during last week’s National Careers Week (NCW). The annual campaign highlights careers education and provides resources about employment sectors, apprenticeships, and further education.

Throughout the week, the school hosted assemblies, enterprise sessions, and activities to help students understand the skills, qualifications, and experiences needed for different roles. Careers leader Viki Foster said: “Careers week highlights the wide range of opportunities for young people and helps them develop key employability skills. Our programme runs throughout the year, preparing students to shape their career journeys.”

The week began with a Key Stage 4 assembly led by three former students sharing experiences as apprentices with Hull-based provider HETA. They described apprenticeship structures, the realities of training, and opportunities at employers including Perenco, SSE Thermal, and PJD Electrical. Viki added: “Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience while earning money and progressing to degree-level courses. Hearing former students’ journeys makes these opportunities tangible.”

Entrepreneur Adam Corbally delivered a Year 9 workshop challenging students to create businesses benefiting communities or the environment. Pitched ideas included dissolvable teabags, healthy frozen fruit treats, and a sustainable electric party bus. Adam shared his journey from leaving school without qualifications to founding a motivational speaking company, praising the students’ creativity and teamwork.

Key Stage 3 students attended assemblies on decision-making and GCSE choices, while staff showcased career journeys through displays. Year 10 prepared for work experience, aligned with the Department for Education guidance and the Careers and Enterprise Company’s Equalex framework. Withernsea High’s Ready 4 Work programme provides meaningful workplace experiences across three stages: introduce, explore, and apply, helping students build confidence and make informed career decisions.

ABOVE: Students from the top three Year 9 enterprise challenge teams celebrate their achievements with Adam Corbally.

ABOVE: Entrepreneur Adam Corbally with school careers leader Viki Foster. 

ABOVE: Year 10 students engaged in a work experience preparation session, learning about risk assessments and expectations ahead of their upcoming placements starting 

ABOVE: Former students (left to right) Oscar Duplock, Archie Hare and Connor Bradley returned to the school to share their experiences of apprenticeships. 

ABOVE: Classroom and office posters celebrated the career journeys of teachers and support staff, showing how skills gained along the way can open doors to new opportunities. 

Withernsea High School marked this year’s World Book Day by appointing two student book ambassadors, putting them at the heart of the school’s reading culture.

The ambassadors will serve for a full academic year, leading initiatives to promote reading across the school community. Their role will include supporting key events such as World Book Day itself, author workshops, and awareness campaigns like Pride, and Children in Need, where books and reading play a central role.

Laura Aldridge, Lead for Whole School Literacy and Reading, explained the thinking behind the initiative: “As part of our student-led Board for Change, we already have ambassadors for sport, mental health and active travel. It seemed only right that literacy should have the same visibility and importance.”

Students nominated peers during English lessons over several weeks, identifying classmates they felt would champion reading in their year groups. Over 70 nominations were submitted, reflecting the strong reading culture embedded in the school. Mrs Aldridge added: “It’s genuine recognition that we have a lot of readers here, and a lot of noticeable readers too. The students themselves have some of the best ideas for engagement, and the more people we have advocating for reading, being visible and proud readers, the greater impact it will have.”

A final shortlist of 20 students attended a celebration breakfast on World Book Day, where each presented ideas for promoting reading across the school. Winning the nominations were Zach S, representing Years 7 and 8, and Lauren D, appointed for Years 9-11.

For the wider student body, World Book Day featured a series of activities to immerse students in reading across the curriculum. Each lesson began with a short extract from a selected novel tailored to year groups, followed by reflection and a brief written review.
Students who discovered a title that particularly captured their interest could enter a prize draw to win a copy.

The East Riding Mental Health Support Team is hosting an online Routines and Rhythms Workshop for parents and carers, on Monday, 16th March, from 1pm to 3pm. 

The two-hour virtual workshop will explore the importance of routines, boundaries and sleep in supporting children’s emotional and behavioural development. Parents and carers will gain a greater understanding of why consistent routines and clear boundaries matter, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively to support their child’s wellbeing.

The session will be delivered online and is open to parents and carers seeking tips and strategies to help create smoother routines and positive rhythms at home.

Book your FREE place by using the QR code on the image below, or visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/routines-rhythms-a-parentcarer-workshop-tickets-1981332156817

For more information, contact the Mental Health Support Team on 01482 205205, email hnf-tr.eymhst@nhs.net, visit www.connect.humber.nhs/mymhst, or follow @mymyhst on Instagram.

Tickets are now on sale for Withernsea High School’s upcoming production of Matilda the Musical JR.

The show will run for three performances on Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th March, beginning at 6.30pm in the school hall. Doors open at 6pm.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions (under 16s and OAPs). Tickets are available to purchase through ParentPay, or with cash at the main reception. They will also be available on the door on show nights.

Based on the much-loved story by Roald Dahl, Matilda the Musical JR. tells the story of a bright and determined young girl with an extraordinary imagination. Despite being misunderstood at home, Matilda finds encouragement in her kind-hearted teacher, Miss Honey, and ultimately discovers the courage to stand up to the formidable headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The production combines humour, heart and high-energy musical numbers in a celebration of resilience and youthful determination.

Rehearsals have been underway since mid-October, with Teacher of Music Lewis Fryer describing this year’s cast as “young, enthusiastic and fully engaged.” The production features students from across all year groups, with particularly strong representation from Years 7 and 9, supported by experienced older students in leading roles.

This marks the sixth full-scale musical staged by the school, continuing to build on a strong culture of performance. Last year’s production, Popstars: The 90s Musical, was well received, and previous shows have included School of Rock, We Will Rock You, High School Musical and The Addams Family. As in previous years, the performance will be supported by a dedicated backstage crew and feature a live band.

The school’s PTFA will also be selling refreshments at all three production nights, including popcorn, chocolate, sweets and other essential theatre fuel, along with raffle tickets for a special Mother’s Day hamper. Please note that refreshments and raffle tickets will be cash only on the night. 

More than 250 students and parents attended Withernsea High School’s annual Careers Evening and Futures Fair last Thursday, meeting over 35 employers, colleges and training providers from across the region.

The event, designed to support post-16 decision-making, showcased pathways including A-levels, vocational study, apprenticeships and higher education. Employers represented sectors such as engineering, renewable energy, construction, healthcare and media. Among those attending were Reckitt, RWE Renewables, Siemens Gamesa, Centrica, Holderness Health, Martin Williams (Hull) Ltd and Hobson & Porter, alongside Humberside Fire and Rescue and Humberside Police.

Local colleges including Wilberforce, Wyke, Bishop Burton and East Riding College were present, as well as sixth forms from Hornsea School and St Mary’s Secondary School. Independent careers organisations such as Skills Hull and East Riding, Log On Move On and Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) also offered guidance.

Dr Kirsty Clode, chairwoman of WiME, said: “The event was brilliantly organised and generated a huge amount of interest, with lots of thoughtful questions about the different routes into engineering. Some young people have no idea yet what they want to do, while others already have a clear plan - and both are absolutely fine. What really mattered was that they were curious and asking questions.”

Demonstrating the long-term impact of the school’s careers provision, alumni Dr Sammi Iveson and Rebecca Bosman, both now working at Reckitt, were among a number of former students who returned alongside their respective employers to showcase opportunities, share their career journeys and inspire the next generation.

Dr Iveson, who left the school in 2010, said: “I’ve been at Reckitt for four years as a senior medical writer. My role focuses on science communication in many different formats for a wide range of audiences, from publishing journal articles in academic papers to preparing regulatory documents that help keep products on shelves. Essentially, anything involving communicating science clearly and accurately is my area.

“It’s really nice to come back to the school. Students today have far more information about the options open to them at the point when they’re making important choices, which is fantastic to see.”

Rebecca Bosman, who also left in 2010, added: “I’ve been with Reckitt for eight years and work in global category medical affairs. My role involves supporting product innovation and helping to keep products on the market by providing medical insight from scientific literature and determining whether clinical data or studies are needed. 

“This was my first time attending the careers evening and it was great to see so many young people taking an interest in the different stalls and exploring what’s out there.”

School careers leader, Viki Foster, said: “The Careers Evening and Futures Fair is a real highlight of the school’s careers calendar. It brings together our community, local businesses and enterprises, education providers, and former students, to showcase our amazing region and the opportunities it offers. There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the evening, with so many positive and purposeful conversations taking place. This has been our biggest event to date and it’s only possible thanks to the incredible support of all the representatives involved. Without them, events like this simply wouldn’t happen.”

Held during National Apprenticeship Week, the fair also featured HETA and CATCH Apprenticeships, promoting industry-aligned training routes. 

Viki added: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for students to gain hands-on experience of work, whilst earning money and securing qualifications. Students can either find their own placement with an employer, who will then work with a college to provide the necessary training and qualification, or the students can go through a college or independent training provider to be placed with one of their available apprenticeships. 

“Apprenticeships are great for students who know what career path they want to follow. They will gain vital skills for employment and experience of the workplace - something which is highly desired by employers. Students can also enter degree-level apprenticeships, usually after A Levels or BTEC Level 3 or advanced level apprenticeships, and can gain relevant degree level qualifications whilst earning and gaining work experience.” 

ABOVE: The school's third annual Careers Evening and Futures Fair attracted over 35 stall holders. 

ABOVE: Dr Sammi Iveson and Rebecca Bosman, both alumni of Withernsea High School, returned with Reckitt to share their career journeys and inspire the next generation.

ABOVE: School careers leader Viki Foster with specialist occupational therapist and former student James Medcalf, who attended the event on behalf of the City Health Care Partnership.

ABOVE: Representatives of Hull-based company Hobson & Porter (left to right, Dan Lamplough and Ben Samuel) were in attendance to help promote careers in construction.

ABOVE: Year 10 student Alfie discusses potential post-16 options with Sophie Clifford marketing officer (liaison and events) at Wilberforce College. 

ABOVE: Getting a taste of life as a firefighter, Year 11 student Darcey tries on full firefighting kit alongside Humberside Fire and Rescue’s Carl Frith, Will Lawton and James Danby.