Silverware for St Wilfrid's food.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall presented the prestigious Food for Life Partnership Silver Award to St Wilfrid’s, as we have excelled in transforming our food culture. The award ceremony took place at the organic farm and eco conference centre; Sheepdrove, on the 2 December 2009.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: "What makes this project so inspiring is the way that young people in more than a thousand schools are now learning about real food in a hands-on way, growing and cooking it themselves and even rearing their own chickens! I would urge the Government to do more to encourage all schools to follow their lead."

St Wilfrid’s now serves school meals on plates, not flight trays, and has a range of locally sourced and organic items on the menu. All chicken, bacon and sausages served are Freedom Food certified or free range and no fish from unsustainable sources is served. St Wilfrid’s also has a cooking club, and pupils get to cook with and eat the produce grown in the school growing area. Parents and the wider community get involved in food education via food-themed events.

Emma Noble, Director of the Food for Life Partnership said: "This school shows what real 21^st century education is all about. By empowering young people to make informed food choices and giving them the skills to grow and cook food for themselves and their families, Food for Life Partnership schools lead the way for a more sustainable future."

Rikke Bruntse-Dahl

Investors in Pupils

We are working towards achieving Investors in Pupils status this academic year. The student voice representatives from each form who meet on a weekly basis are developing the principles of Investors in Pupils which are:

• An Investor in Pupils tutor group is committed to the development of all its members
• An Investors in Pupils tutor group regularly reviews the needs of all its members
• An Investors in Pupils tutor group takes action to develop members in line with the class plan.
• An Investors in Pupils tutor group understand the difference the development of its members makes to class performance.

The Investors in Pupils award is based on four principles:

• Commitment.
• Review.
• Action.
• Improvement.

These are evidenced through five key areas:

• Learning.
• Behaviour.
• Attendance.
• Classroom Management.
• Induction.

The student voice representatives when they meet formulate agendas from their year group peers based on:

• Teaching and learning.
• Governance/leadership.
• The environment/facilities and
• The community.

Please contact Mr A Maltman if you have any questions about Investors in Pupils.

Mr A Maltman
Vocational Studies

TES Conference: Food For Life

In May 2008, St Wilfrid’s was chosen by Food for Life Partnership to become a Flagship school. A School Nutrition Action Group was soon set up, made up of pupils, teachers and governors to discuss ways of improving the way we see food within school and the local community. Ideas ranged from changing suppliers - increasing the proportion of locally sourced and organic food in school meals - to creating a school garden and allotment plots. The greatest visible outcome of SNAG’s work however has been the brand new canteen area, created during summer this year. Our success with the FFLP was furthered in November last year, when Lee Dawson, Josh Angell, Ben Oldroyd and Miss Egan made a great impression at the YouFood Youth Conference in Bristol. Lee, Josh and Ben helped to create a student manifesto that was presented at the National Soil Association Conference alongside Monty Don. Due to this influence from Food for Life, St Wilfrid’s is only a short step away from becoming the first Secondary school in England to receive the Silver award.

The National Hall, Olympia, was where the presentation at the conference took place. Fiona White, the FFLP London Manager introduced the presentation “The Future of Our Food”, before Lee and Josh began to present, outlining St Wilfrid’s position on food culture before FFLP involvement. Mrs Wright then gave an overview of the SNAG group, its achievements and role within school before leading on to “Wow! That’s a mouthful!” a film about our schools success created by sixth form Media students last year. Josh and Lee returned to the stage to explain the extent of the improvements in food culture at the school, with photographs of the new canteen, community involvement events and farm visits. This led on to a summary of St Wilfrid’s plans for the future regarding food by Mr Walsh, before Fiona concluded the presentation.

Guest Duncan Goodhew was complimentary about the presentation and Fiona White later said, “Lee and Josh really were terrific yesterday and I think our programme is very lucky to have two such enthusiastic and committed, and confident, students involved. I know that Emma Noble (Director of the Food For Life Partnership) feels the same.”

Lee Dawson

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was launched in school last week giving pupils in Y10 and Y12 the opportunity to take part. Students achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections which will involve them helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills and going on an expedition. Three of the four sections (volunteering, physical and skills) will need to be completed in students own time therefore, participants need to be enthusiastic, motivated and committed. Disability does not preclude anyone from participating.

Each programme is individual and can be full of activities and projects that personally interest each student. Along the way they’ll pick up experiences, friends and talents that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The expedition and training will take place in the spring/summer term.

Year 10 students are being given the opportunity to complete the Bronze Award whilst Year 12 are being can complete the direct entry Silver Award which is a great opportunity, especially for those looking to build up their CV before university/job applications.

For Y10 students and parents to find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award at St Wilfrid’s, an open evening will be held in the school theatre on Monday 5^th October, 2009 at 6pm.

More information on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award can be found at http://www.dofe.org/ or please contact Miss Egan at school.

Brand New Chapel

The Chapel in school has recently undergone a makeover. Although the basic structure is the same as before, the improvements are amazing. Two interior walls have been removed to maximise the available space and the folding doors, that used to separate the Chapel from Bruynseels Hall have been replaced with a solid wall, which allows the Chapel to now be a completely contained area. With all the work completed and the workmen gone, the Chapel is a now a calm, peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy, thriving school. Morning Prayer takes place every morning at 8.20 and a Form Mass takes place at lunchtime on Friday. Although each particular form is involved in the weekly Mass, everyone is welcome to attend. As the image shows, the Chapel offers a bright and welcoming space that is conducive to a prayerful experience.

Kathleen McKnight

Lay Chaplain

Drop Everything...

...And Read

D.E.A.R. - A Government survey found that in 2005 two out of three adults were choosing to pick up a book in their leisure time, compared to just over half in 1977. In contrast, the media frequently publicise how teenagers rarely read and have turned to computers and the internet for entertainment instead. So, how can we continue to show teenagers that reading has many benefits and is an enjoyable experience?

St. Wilfrid’s hopes that the new initiative of ‘Drop Everything And Read’, which has now become a permanent fixture in the school’s calendar, will help to either get students back into reading or to simply give them a chance to enjoy their love of reading in school hours.

The concept is simple. Everyone on the school site, from teachers to students and from site staff to visitors, on the sound of the school bell, drops everything and reads! The event takes place at different times throughout the school year to show our students that reading is a part of everything that we do and not simply limited to English lessons and visiting the library.

After a very successful trial event with students in Years 7 and 8, the first whole school event, which involved all students from Years 7 to 13, took place on Tuesday 31^st March. The event was a massive success, and both teachers and students commented afterwards how refreshing it was to simply stop the normal proceedings of the school day and enjoy ‘a good book!’

Usage of the school’s library is now on the increase and with our final DEAR event of the year taking place on Friday 10^th July, students are busy making sure they are ready with a book of their choice.

Whilst busy preparing for the first whole school event, a pupil informed me that the DEAR event would coincide with her PE lesson. When I asked her how she felt about this, her reply made it all worthwhile!

‘We get to do some PE and then sit down and read; it’s great! It just goes to show you can read anywhere Miss!’

Miss Laura Jimmeson

Assistant Head (Director of English)

Great North Run(ners?)

Mr Daley (Head of Sixth form) and Mrs Wright (Head of Food) are going back to their roots to take part in the Bupa Great North Run. Miss Jimmeson (Assistant Head) is joining them on the 20th September in support of one of the schools main charities CAFOD.

CAFOD works to end poverty and make a just world. In over 60 countries: It works alongside the poor regardless of race or religion; Builds global partnerships for change; Campaigns for a fairer world and puts faith into action.
Charity Registration No 285776

Mrs Wright is taking part in the 13.1 mile run for the second year running. Last year she raised over £500 for the British Heart Foundation. Mr Daly and Miss Jimmeson have taken part in many sponsored runs but have never ran 13.1 miles but they are ready for the challenge. They are aiming to raise £800 and any parents/guardians who wish to sponsor them should visit the fund raising website at: www.justgiving.com/stwilfrids1 or follow the link on the school website.

Mrs Wright

Leeds Met: Film and Interview

Leeds Metropolitan University came along with a film crew to St Wilfrid’s to make a promotional DVD for their Progression Module course. This DVD will eventually be available to promote the course to Post 16 students up and down the country. Our students, chosen because of impressive effort on this course, were interviewed for the DVD and filmed doing presentations that they had prepared individually. The Leeds Met staff were hugely impressed with the quality of our students.

Andrew Daly
Head of Sixth Form

International Week '09

On Monday 9th March, St. Wilfrid’s opened its doors to around 250 international students and teachers to celebrate the 9th Annual International Week. It was a pleasure welcoming old friends from Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine who return year on year. This year we were also fortunate enough to host new schools from France, Poland and Turkey who, having heard of our international reputation, were eager to establish partnerships.

Our first event was the Primary International Extravaganza of Talents when around 450 Year 5 pupils from 13 primary schools came to perform songs and dances in a number of languages. The pupils dazzled us with their ability to sing in such languages as Spanish, Welsh, French, Polish and various African languages. Traditional dances and amazing costumes also featured, demonstrating the amount of time and effort devoted to the event by teachers and pupils alike.

Tuesday morning saw the official launch of our international theme, One World-Many Colours. The Bruynseels Hall was awash with colourful flags and performances from our resident choir and Performing Arts group as well as a lively set from a Bollywood dancer. After lunch all students took part in an International Citizenship Afternoon when our Key Stage 3 groups were given the opportunity to view an exhibition of photography and poetry submitted by students from sixty countries. Key Stage 4 students took part in a number of cultural sessions provided by visiting international students from Leeds Metropolitan University and representing their home countries of Bangladesh, China, India, Italy, Libya, Poland, Spain and Taiwan. Inspirational business leader Randolph Victor and Asylum & Refugee Expert Olivier Nkunzimana enthused our Sixth Form students with presentations during an international conference.

On Tuesday evening we hosted our second annual International Family Evening, which offered people the chance to sample delights such as Irish dancing, Spanish tapas making, Bavarian dancing, Polish for beginners and Japanese art (both taught by students from St. Wilfrid’s). More than 500 people took part and many were keen to pursue their new-found interest!

On Wednesday around 300 people, including hosts and International Committee members, descended upon the City of York to soak up the atmosphere on the cobbled streets and visit a number of museums. Perhaps the scariest part of the week was the visit to York Dungeon, where many a scream could be heard! On our return from York it was time to sample the culinary delights of pie & peas, served by our dedicated catering team and assisted by Mr Kevin Walsh. As people munched away they nervously awaited the beginning of the International Festival of Talents. Around 750 people packed the Cannon O’Grady Sports Hall to enjoy an evening of performances from Diablo throwing, French accordion playing, Eastern European dancing and rock bands to name a few. As usual, our resident comperes Cath Smith and Karl Reiff hosted in their faultless glitzy and glamorous way and entertained the crowd with their array of one-liners. The Choreography and Costume awards went to Ukraine and Slovakia respectively, whilst the overall trophy was won by Sweden for their rendition of Pink’s 'So What'.
On Thursday our international guests enjoyed a morning of sport with members of the PE department. Following this, they returned, looking exhausted, to work with their hosts and ambassadors, in multinational groups, on a project to design their own country. Thursday evening was the perfect opportunity for our international guests to spend a final evening with their hosts and ambassadors and reminisce about a packed week of events.

The week would not have happened had it not been for the generosity of families from St. Wilfrid’s who were kind enough to host many of our international guests. Furthermore, our International Committee, led by Lee Dawson and Eve Bontoft (Year 11), were the organisational backbone before and during the week. Their tireless efforts, team work and professional attitude really showed our international guests what St. Wilfrid’s is all about.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the week the success that it was. Long-lasting friendships were built and many tears were shed on the final day. People are already looking forward to next year’s event when we will celebrate 10 years of the international dimension at St. Wilfrid’s!

Ian Storey
Head of the International Dimension

Rhubarb, Rhubarb...

This is the first review of our in house catering service here at St Wilfrids by the School Nutrition action Group, SNAG.

Queues in the dining area were minimal and service was quick and efficient. The menus were displayed clearly and excited the taste buds as the menu had become more adventurous. The menu featured such dishes as stuffed peppers with couscous and rhubarb and rhubarb sausages. I opted for the rhubarb sausages, served with roast potatoes, garden peas and gravy. Lee had the stuffed peppers served with potatoes and garden peas. At first the thought of rhubarb and pork was daunting, but as soon as it touched the palette it was clearly apparent that the butcher knew what he was doing. I would even go as far as to say he was a culinary genius when it comes to locally produced meat. They were cooked to perfection as well! The garden peas changed my whole perception of school canteen vegetables and the gravy and the roast potatoes were fine.

It was good to see rhubarb on the menu this week as it is rhubarb week in Wakefield and as I am sure you already know, we are part of the rhubarb triangle and to see this locally produced food clearly on the menu was fantastic. I was also impressed by the responses from the catering staff when pupils asked about all the rhubarb on the menu. I liked the adventurous stuffed pepper on the menu, it was nicely presented but the rhubarb was slightly bitter alongside the pepper, however it was a great idea with thought and passion which is fantastic to see.

For desert we had the crumble I’m sure you can guess which fruit….. yes rhubarb! It was great and the accompanying custard was hot, full of flavour, smooth and fresh. The dining environment is yet to be improved, however the addition of the LCD screen and music added more of an atmosphere to the room. Overall it was a good experience. I must say that over the last year or two the catering has improved dramatically. Well done to all the catering staff. Keep up the good work!

Josh Angell

First Aid Course Success

On 2nd March, all year 13 Health and Social Care students took part in a first aid training course. This was an intensive 6 hour course designed to cover CPR, fractures, burns, hypoxia, head injuries, choking, bleeding and poisoning. Students also learnt how to deal with the unconscious casualty and mange incidents with regard to their own safety as well as the casualty’s.
The course was run by two Saint John’s Ambulance trainers who felt that the school was one of the friendliest and most helpful they had ever visited. They commented that this being a Catholic school was clearly shown in the behaviour of both staff and students.




All students were successful and will now have a three year first aid certificate to take with them when they move to employment or further education at the end of this year. Congratulations to all who took part.

T. Morris (Health and Social Care teacher)

Down on the Farm

Recently students from St Wilfrids visited two organic farms, Swillington Organic farm on the 25th of February & Clever Cow Organic farm on the 4th of March. The trip was taken by post-16 BTEC Science students as part of one of their Task investigating the physical and chemical properties of different soil types.

Swillington Farm

Swilington farm is an organic farm which raises cows, goats, ducks, pigs, chickens and sheep. Students collected eggs from the farms chicken sheds, a few lucky people got to play with the farms goats and everyone was able to buy delicious organic ice cream and chocolate from the farms shop, whilst one unlucky teacher narrowly escaped an over-excited goose! The class spent the morning touring the farm site used for a range of activities including farming animals, growing Christmas trees, fishing, and nature works. In the afternoon students carried out an investigation into different soil types across the farms site, using scientific techniques to determine different types of soil.

Clever Cow

Clever Cow farm is a diary farm located near Thornhill. The farm is run by the Rawson family and currently 3 generations of the family live on the farm. The farm is currently run by the family’s son, Tom, who uses a range of cutting-edge farming techniques to ensure that the far m has most efficient use of land for feeding their cows. The farm not only makes it own milk but it also bottles and sells its own brand of organic milk and cream, which are used by St Wilfrids in the school canteen. The farm uses a cross bred of black & white and Jersey cows (seen on the left) At the farm students got to see the farms herd of cows, as well as a tour of the whole of the farms site which involved team working skills because SOMEONE let one of the cows escape and the group had to conjure up and implement a recapturing plan! Pupils also got to see the milking shed and the bottling plant at the farm. As a special treat pupils were able to see newly born calf’s and had the chance to play with them. For lunch the family put on an assortment of cakes and scones with tea, all using the Clever Cow farms produce. They were delicious. In the afternoon pupils carried out soil tests across the farm site and found a range of different soil types.

Special thanks to Mr Lee who drove the mini-bus to Swillington and Mr Larrington who drove the mini-bus to Clever Cow Organic. For more information about farm trips contact Miss Sanderson in the Science department.

Article by Miss Sanderson

Our first Primary School reading mentors ‘lend a hand’!

Five of our Year 9 pupils have become volunteer reading mentors for Year 5 and Year 3 pupils at All Saints’ Primary School, Featherstone. Pupils, who previously found reading to be a chore and uninteresting, were trained to become reading mentors to Primary School children, who find reading difficult. Pupils were encouraged to see the many benefits to reading and trained to offer support and help to children younger than them, who do not find reading easy.


The training offered by Miss Midgley, to our Year 9 pupils, introduced them to many reading mentor techniques, such as the ‘five finger’ test and reading simultaneously with their mentee, until they deem it appropriate to stop reading and allow their mentee to continue alone, without assistance.

The reading mentor scheme has proved highly successful and both our pupils and All Saints’ pupils have seen many benefits. Our pupils can now see how reading helps you to develop your own vocabulary and how books introduce you to new and exciting worlds. All Saints’ Primary School pupils are excited every week, at the prospect of seeing their mentor, who comes to see them from ‘big school’. They see their reading time with our Year 9 pupils as a privilege and have taken the opportunity to develop their own reading skills on a regular basis.

Overall, the new initiative has proved a real success and praise needs to be given to our five Year 9 pupils who have worked hard to make a difference.

Miss Jimmeson (Assistant Head, Director of English)