Withernsea High School

As well as receiving an informative introduction to university life and an opportunity to explore the campus, the students were also invited to take part in a maths challenge which was organised in collaboration with the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP). As part of the government-funded UniConnect programme, HOP delivers impartial advice about higher and further education across the Humber region.

The challenge tasked students with planning a realistic budget for life at university. This included choosing part-time jobs that would fit around their studies, managing essential expenses such as food, and ensuring they had money left over for social activities and enjoyment. The students who created the best work/life or study/life balance were declared the winners.

While on campus, the students were given a guided tour which included a visit to the top-floor observatory of the Brynmor Jones Library, a walk through the students’ union and a visit to the state-of-the-art Allam Sports Centre, where two lucky groups had the opportunity to witness a Hull FC training session in full swing.  

Careers leader Viki Foster said: "The day was both educational and inspiring - helping Year 9 to begin to think about their future pathways and the possibilities that higher education can offer. It is always great to visit the University of Hull, and this trip was no exception. The students enjoyed learning about higher education, how student finance works, and role-playing as university students as part of a budgeting challenge.

“The tour of the campus was great - helped by the lovely weather! - and not only offered an insight into what university life is like, but also showed the students the wide range of options that are available to them as part of a higher education pathway. The students were an absolute credit to themselves and the school and we would collectively like to thank HOP and the University of Hull for facilitating this experience."

Also accompanying the group was second in maths, Nicola Makey, who said: “It was a pleasure to take our students out to see what life could be like for them beyond Withernsea High School, and to see the opportunities available to them in higher education.

“During the maths challenge, it was interesting to watch students decide whether they thought they could juggle a full-time job alongside their studies, whether five bananas were enough for a week, and what exactly the Extreme Ironing Society actually involves! These fun-filled tasks helped to bring maths to life.”

ABOVE: Sanna Saidy, Collaborative Outreach Coordinator with the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP), assisted Withernsea High School students with budgeting techniques during the maths challenge. 

The 24-mile round trip route includes 5,200ft of ascent and takes on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres). These hills form part of the Pennine range and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The group's Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge follows the success of a ‘Team WHS’ effort in 2024 which saw staff and students take part in sponsored 10K events which collectively raised £2,856 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Team WHS hope to beat this target this year.

Among those taking part is Teacher of PE, Nick Richmond, who said: “We are looking to build on the success of last year and raise as much awareness and money as possible for this worthy cause. This year, we have a combination of staff who took part in last year’s events, plus some new members of staff who were keen to be involved. We’re really looking forward it to. It’ll be a great challenge and good fun too! Needless to say, we’ll be grateful for any donations, no matter how small, to help secure our fundraising goal.”

Donations can be made via the team’s official ‘JustGiving’ page. https://www.justgiving.com/page/emma-jesney-1730921531104

See www.withernseahigh.org.uk for further information.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED: Some of the staff taking part include (left to right): Mr Beattie (SENCO), Mr Scott (Teacher of History, Ms Harris (Head of Humanities), Mr Richmond (Teacher of PE), Mr Blades (Head of Additional Provision), Mrs Devine (Attendance Support Assistant), Mrs Daniel (Exams and Data Manager) and Mrs Hughes (Head of Creative Arts). 

Competing against fifteen other schools as part of a highly competitive 9-a-side competition, the team demonstrated resilience and impressive sportsmanship throughout all of their games.

A 26-18 victory over Beckfoot Thornton (Bradford) proved to be a good opener for the first of three morning matches. This was followed by 14-14 draw with Standish Community High and culminated with a convincing 26-6 win against Doncaster’s Don Valley Academy to place Withernsea at the top of their group.

The afternoon brought tough opposition. A closely fought match against Wakefield’s Crofton Academy saw Withernsea take an early 6-4 lead thanks to a try from Oliver L, but Crofton rallied late to secure a 10-6 win. Despite this setback, the team were still eyeing a second-place finish as they entered their final match against eventual winners Ryburn Valley High (Sowerby Bridge). Despite tackling this final fixture with strength and determination, Withernsea unfortunately lost 8-0.   

Owen Mountain, Teacher of Sport, said: “Back in May, our Year 7 rugby team secured their place in the northern finals of the ‘Inspired by 9s’ tournament by winning all three games in the competition’s first round without conceding a single try.

“Representing the East Riding and finishing third out of fifteen schools is an amazing achievement, especially when you factor in that Withernsea High was one of only three participating schools with less than 1,000 students on roll.

“The day saw some of our players, who are just starting their rugby journey, experience a different format while enjoying an opportunity to play with more experienced players. We hope their success in this tournament, and their continued enthusiasm for rugby, will inspire them to join one of our community clubs in the not too distant future.”

‘Inspired by 9s’ is a Rugby League offer for schools in the secondary sector. It sits on both the School Games and Schools Rugby League competition structures to create playing opportunities for Key Stage 3 students who don’t play Rugby League regularly, or who are new to the game.  

The competition gives players the opportunity to play 9-a-side Rugby League at local level festivals, delivered by school games organisers and Rugby League foundations, under the School Games competition format.

The winners from each local festival are invited by the Rugby Football League (RFL) to take part in the ‘Inspired by 9s’ finals events, held in both the north and south of England. These provide an opportunity for students to represent their areas in a central RFL competition, with tiered progressions throughout the event.

The ultimate aim of the competition is to encourage those who have enjoyed taking part to pursue further opportunities in their own communities.

Well done to: Oliver L, Kane B, Freddie H, Anthony L, Craig L, Jensen H, Corey O, Harry S, Louie S, Denis R, Dylan T and Oliver H.

Player of the day: Louie S 

Please find attached photos of the boys at the ground and them with the league leaders shield and the Grand Final trophy.

Year 10 Food students recently completed a culinary task, designed to prepare them for their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA). Given just one lesson, they were tasked with creating a Thai Green Curry, served with rice and naan bread.  The results were impressive, with winners selected from across the year group to recognise individual and group achievements. The winners were Jason A (10A), Rahman and Zeb (10B) and Lexi-Rose and Ellie W (10D).

Meanwhile, Year 9 students took on the ‘Leftovers Challenge’ – an activity which saw them tasked with creating a meal using a variety of surplus ingredients from previous lessons. The students produced a range of tasty treats including Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Tacos, and Pesto Pasta.  Well done to Riley T, Riley G, Leon W, DJ, Lauren D, and Luke B, whose creations are pictured below.

Over in the DT and Engineering workshops, Year 10 participated in a trial project focused on metalwork and recycling.  The students were tasked with creating a ‘bug’ using only recycled metal components, including screws, nails, bolts, tin cans, and springs.  The outcomes demonstrated the students’ ingenuity and technical skills. 

Finally, attendees of the DT faculty’s Craft Club used their creativity during their weekly after school sessions to design and package their own mugs for Father’s Day.

Students used Photoshop to create their designs, learning transferable skills which can be utilised in future Art and DT lessons.

Using a dye sublimation printer and a specialist mug press, a total of 25 mugs were decorated. These were then packaged in boxes decorated with vinyl stickers, which were cut using a ‘Cricut’ machine – a cutting device that works with design software to cut materials. Completing the final designs, each box was wrapped in ribbon donated by Teacher of Food, Miss Bircumshaw.

Year 10 Engineers spent last half term designing, 3D modelling and making their own nightlights.

Explaining the process, Amy Norris, Head of DT, said: “Within this project, students developed a variety of skills including laser cutting and circuit building. They learnt about various circuit components and how to populate an electronic circuit. All students managed the difficult task of achieving a working circuit, which led to some impressive outcomes. All students showed good time management, creativity and determination.”

Meanwhile, in the department’s weekly Craft Club, students have been using Adobe software to create custom designs for items including bags and bookmarks. Their completed computer designs were then printed onto various products using the dye-sublimation process. This involves using heat to transfer from paper to a polyester-based material. 

This month, club attendees will be expanding the printing process to make personalised mugs for Father’s Day.

The Craft Club runs every Thursday afternoon, between 3.10 and 4.10pm, in the DT department. It is open to students in all years and new members are always welcome.

Leila Goring, Principal and Director of Bay Learning Academy, said: “Kacey and Harvey were chosen to participate in a tour of the MKM Stadium where they also enjoyed lunch in an executive box. Bay Learning Academy were proud to bring the learners to the MKM and they displayed outstanding behaviour throughout the trip.”

John Blades, Head of Additional Provision and ERP SENCo at Withernsea High School, added: “We are happy to be in a working partnership with Bay Learning who offer additional qualifications for learners who thrive from an alternative approach to learning. The school’s Enhanced Resource Provision provides the flexibility for the learning to take place both at school, and with other providers.

“By tailoring the educational experience and increasing engagement through vocational or interest-based learning, these provisions can help build self-esteem, foster trust in adults, and ultimately promote more positive outcomes in learning, behaviour, and well-being.”

The event is a celebration of the breadth of student talent and collaboration that takes place throughout the academic year, presenting performances from the Music, Dance and Drama departments. The evening will also include an exhibition of student artwork, which will be displayed on the venue’s concourse.

Tickets for the show, priced at £6.00 each, are available to purchase now:

Online: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/hull/middleton-hall/whs-creative-arts-summer-showcase/e-ajmbop

Phone (Box Office): 0333 666 3366

The show starts at 7.00pm.