Autumn 2012 End of Term Arrangements

Dear Parent/Guardian

I would like to inform you of our end of term closure arrangements.

We plan to end our term for teaching purposes on Friday 21st December 2012 at 12.15pm. A cold lunch will be offered to students between 12.15pm - 12.45pm with students being allowed to return home after this point.

Bus companies have been informed to collect students at this time.

We hope that this does not cause any inconvenience.

Yours faithfully

J Southeran

Co-Principal

Student Wellbeing

Uniform ordering

Our uniform supplier has ceased trading. All orders made by 1st Nov will be processed with uniform supplied. No further orders can now be made. We are in the process of sourcing alternative providers and will inform parents as soon as we can with these details. In the meantime if you have any uniform related issues please contact the school office.

GCSE Results Day Press Release

Thursday 23 August 2012

Staff at Teesdale School were today delighted at the outstanding results achieved by Year 11 students.

71% of students achieved 5A*-C grades - a figure significantly above the national average and indicating another year of outstanding achievement.  22% of Year 11 attained these grades in English, Maths, Science, a language and a Humanities subject allowing them to achieve the prestigious English Baccalaureate Award.

The school was especially delighted with the performance of the following students:

Anisha Harris 11 A's including 9 at A*

Faye Pickering 11 A's including 7 at A*

Anna Renfrew 11 A's including 5 at A*

Suzanne Goulder 10 A's including 8 at  A*

Jenny Sparrow 10 A's including 4 at A*

Frankie Shum  9 A's including 4 at A*

Cleo O'Callaghan-Yeoman 9 A's including 3 at A*

Vice-Principal Neil Williams commented, 'When Ofsted graded our achievement in 2009 "Outstanding" the challenge was to maintain that very high standard. I'm delighted to say we have now done so for three successive years.'

Co-Principal Simon Maguire added, 'We would like to congratulate all our Year 11 students on their superb results and to thank not only our staff for their hard work but also the parents for their support over the last five years.' 

GCE Results Day Press Release

Thursday 16 August 2012

Staff at Teesdale School are delighted with the A level results achieved by their students with performance exceeding both the national average and the school's results from 2011.

Teesdale students achieved an average points score of 769 QCA points per student, which is 36 points above the national average, and an improvement of 61 points per student from last year.

Co-Principal Simon Maguire commented, 'It's fantastic that so many of our students have performed so well and this is a just reward for the huge amount of work that both the teaching staff and students have undertaken over the past two years.  We wish these students well as they embark on the next stage of their learning and we look forward to building upon this success with our new Sixth Formers from September.'

The school was especially delighted with the performance of the following students.

Tim Ridgway: A* (English Literature), A* (Sociology), A (History).  Tim will be taking a gap year to work in Australia as an archaeologist before studying Anthropology at Durham University.

Ben Lowson: A* (Product Design), B (Maths), B (Physics).  Ben will be studying Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering at Newcastle University.

Sylvia Wilkinson: A* (History), B (Biology), B (Chemistry).  Sylvia will be taking a year out before continuing her education.

Rebecca Steen: A (Psychology), B (Biology), B (English Literature).  Rebecca will be studying Primary Teaching at Sunderland University.

John Trevett, Director of Sixth Form added, 'I’m delighted that so many of our students have performed so well. I’d like to congratulate them on their achievements as well as thank them for all of their contributions to the life of the school. I wish them every success for the future, and look forward to welcoming them back to school to inspire our younger students.'

FOTS INTO ORBIT!
Friends of Teesdale School (FOTS) Launched



Friends of Teesdale School enjoyed a successful launch on Thursday 21st June. The event was attended by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Barnard Castle and representatives of local organisations as well as individuals and past students who continue to support the school.
In launching the new organisation, Mick Brennan, Chair of FOTS, paid tribute to the work of its antecedent, Teesdale PTA, and the individuals who had contributed so much time and energy in the past.
“Looking to the future I want to see the Friends reach out into the community to engage even more individuals, business and the wider community in the development of our school. Business can offer our young people mentoring or work shadowing, individuals can support in raising funds”.
John Southeran, Co-Principal at Teesdale spoke of the vital role that parents and the wider community play in a schools success. “Teesdale School goes from strength to strength; our GCSE results last year put us in the top five in the North East, and we are expecting fantastic results from our young people this summer”.

Guests were entertained by school singing group, Vocal Tees, and the ever popular Teesdale Soul Band.

For more information on FOTS, please contact John Southeran, Eve Galloway or Mick Brennan at the School.

Ends

For more information contact John Southeran 01833 638166 or Mick Brennan 07771806965

Teesdale Engineers Win Regional Award

Five Teesdale students won the Engineering Education Scheme Regional Trophy for the best engineering project. The triumphed over 60 teams from around the region with their project looking at how wind power could offset some of the school's energy costs.

The award, The Nissan Rose Bowl, was the culmination of 6 months challenging work, which included a 3 day workshop at Newcastle University to build and test their own wind turbine.

Teesdale School students  Ross Landon and Lauren Read have recently made a dramatic contribution to the nation’s build up to the Olympics by becoming official torch bearers in the Olympic processions in X and Barnard Castle.
Ross, a former Teesdale School student,  and Lauren, who is currently in sixth form were given the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch on its progress through the North East of England in recognition for their sporting achievements as well as the contribution they have made to their local communities through the volunteering work they have done.
Ross Landon, from Cotherstone, carried the torch through Tow Law on 16th June. His sporting achievements include exceptional performance as a triathlete, in which capacity he qualified to represent Great Britain, aged 16, at the Triathlon World Championships 2010 held in Budapest. He came 17th in the world in the age group 16-19. Ross was selected for the GB team for the European Triathlon Championships held in Spain in 2011. More recently he competed in the European Duathlon Championships and came first in his age group. Ross said, “It was an absolutely fantastic experience carrying the torch. Having all those people who have come to watch you was amazing, as was the feeling of being the only person in the world, for that short space of time be holding the Olympic flame. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Whilst at Teesdale School, Ross led the “Break Free” anti- bullying group. He showed great commitment throughout his time at the school towards working with vulnerable students, as well as liaising with school staff and primary school head teachers. The Anti-Bullying Group at Teesdale was awarded the Diana Group Award 3 years running and is now used as a best practice model for the rest of County Durham. In recognition of Ross’ contribution to this work he was invited to join the National Young Anti- Bullying Alliance.
Lauren Read, from Barnard Castle, who is currently in Year 12 at Teesdale School carried the torch through the town on Wednesday 20th June. She was nominated as a torch bearer by Marie Unwin of Durham County Council in recognition not only of the breadth of her sporting achievements, which include Tai Kwan Do, dance, cricket, gymnastics and football but also the 700 hours of volunteering she has done on behalf of local charities.
Before carrying the torch through Barnard Castle Lauren commented, “This is a really exciting thing to do. I am really looking forward to it and am delighted that the whole school will be out there to watch me carry the torch. I think the event will be fun and I am really proud to have been chosen. It is especially pleasing since I will get to carry the torch through my own town.”
Lauren was also keen to use the day as an opportunity to raise further money for the “Smile For a Child” charity which she actively supports. She added, “ If anyone wants to have their photograph taken holding the Olympic torch they can do so if they make a donation to the charity.”
John Southeran, Co-Principal, commented, “We are immensely proud that two of our students have been given this fantastic opportunity. This is testament not only to their outstanding sporting ability, but also to the way in which they have given freely of their time to help others in our local community. They are an inspiration to others both within and outside of the school.”