Prize Giving 2011

Guest Speaker - The Right Reverend Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract

Headmaster's Address

On the back of a parish magazine I came across an item entitled ‘Lessons from the Ark’. Point No. 11 read: ‘No matter what the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting’. And underneath it added: ‘The Editor accepts no liability for Copyright or accuracy of data in this publication’.
You will appreciate, given the particular distinction of our Guest of Honour this afternoon, how I might have hesitated before deciding to share that anecdote today. However, it did seem to me to encapsulate rather well the tensions which access to ever-increasing volumes of information can occasion in a world that is at once ever bolder about what it allows and demands to be made public and ever more at a loss as to how to mitigate the repercussions of the instant global communication that is at every Internet-user’s fingertips. In the morass of data not only available to us if we want it but thrust at us if we don’t, it has perhaps never been harder to distinguish between information, knowledge and wisdom - or between falsehood and truth. And this, ironically enough, at a time when expectations of accessibility to facts have never been greater and calls for transparency of process never louder.
How is a young person to navigate his or her way through this sea of reality and illusion without getting lost, most especially as it is the only world our youngsters will ever have known?
At school, whilst the age of the textbook is by no means over, the supremely extensive, live resource of the Web - that unprecedented cornucopia of blessings and dangers, but doubtless mostly blessings - demands, for purposes of study, a process of sifting, interpretation and judgement that in the past was perhaps more the province of university researchers than of school children. Now, for a young person to grow up happily, to socialise normally, to live safely as well as to learn effectively, into centre-stage of what is taught at school – and, we hope, of what is monitored at home - has moved judicious use of the Internet.
Hence Rishworth’s e-safety awareness programme, which we introduced last year and which every pupil in the School, every member of the teaching staff, every member of the support staff and every Governor experiences, and which is offered to every parent and guardian.
But not losing one’s way goes beyond knowing how to deal with ephemeral gadgetry, however wonderful it is. It means knowing which life-values and principles are important, and remaining anchored to them. This lies at the very heart of what we are trying to achieve at Rishworth. Our ‘Statement of Purpose and Aims’ puts it clearly enough:
‘We try to ensure that pupils develop … an appreciation of certain personal virtues and spiritual values, such as honesty, dependability, perseverance, commitment, humility and respect for others’.
By way of example, ‘perseverance’, translated from an abstract notion into a day-to-day reality, might mean ‘not succumbing to the fleeting temptations of social networking before seeing through one’s homework to completion’. The emphasis is on guided freedom of choice, awareness of responsibility and encouragement towards self-motivation: I could do this, or I could do that. But what should I do? Will I now do it?
It is in this context and to these ends that we completed another school year, and what and year it was!
Academic year 2010-11 started with more boarders (126 of them) than at any time since the School became both day and boarding, and with the largest Sixth Form in the School’s history: at 81, the Lower Sixth was itself bigger than the whole of the Sixth Form when I took up post in January 1999.
The year finished with the best exam results ever, both at GCSE and at A level, with 87% A*-C and 100% pass-rate respectively.
It was particularly pleasing to be able to make so many Academic Excellence Awards at the start of the new school year. These Awards go to those students, now in our Lower Sixth, who achieved 7 or more As or A*s at GCSE. In all, there were 9 students who achieved this in their GCSE exams – nearly one in six of all the pupils in the cohort. Six of these nine students have remained with us in the Lower Sixth.
For the first time the average number of good pass grades per pupil exceeded 8. Unusually, 8 of the top 10 individual results were boys’.
In terms of value added, by attending Rishworth School to sit GCSEs, your child would, on average, have gained half a GCSE grade higher per subject - in total 4.5 grades higher - than he or she would have done in the average school, irrespective of whether the school was state, independent, selective, non-selective, single-sex or co-educational.
At A level, too, the success of so many resulted in a record-breaking year, with 79% of all entries achieving A*-C grades. The average UCAS points total per student was 318, also a record. It was pleasing to see that 16 A* grades were achieved across 10 different subjects.
When trying to convey to others what Rishworth is about, it is hard to do justice to the sheer range of achievements. This year, I might well look to the girl who, in her upper-sixth year, having risen to the position of Deputy Head of School from her early years with us at Heathfield and having represented Great Britain in Water Polo, achieved at A level her string of 4 A*s and As and took up her place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to read Law; equally, I might cite the case of the girl whose Cognitive Ability Test results in Year 9, those nationally-standardised baseline assessments, predicted her just a 14% chance of gaining 5 or more GCSEs at C Grade or above. This same girl emerged in this, her GCSE, year with no fewer than 210 points at GCSE (that is 25 points under the old scheme), which equates - guess what? ... to 5 C Grades.
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: however good the headline statistics are, what we really care about – and what we believe parents and pupils really care about - is how each pupil fares relative to his or her own potential. And that is where Rishworth truly excels.

Success at Rishworth goes way beyond the academic; we include any achievement which, for that individual, represents the best he or she can do. It is worth remembering at an event such as this afternoon’s Prize Giving, which is conceived precisely to celebrate our young people’s triumphs, that there will be many achievers who will not receive a particular award, but each of whom will have enjoyed their own successes.
Here is a sample of just some of last year’s accomplishments, large and small, to give a flavour of the year:

A pre-season sports training programme, a Boarders’ Induction, a national Senior Prefects’ Conference, a lower-school visit to the South of France and a Salvation Army residential - all at or from Rishworth School in the summer holidays
A Year 10 Chinese pupil from Rishworth becoming Study Links International’s Star Pupil
Rishworth Geographers going geo-caching for the first time (If you don’t know what that is, you haven’t read The Rishworthian!)
A School Ball, a Sport’s Dinner, and numerous House Suppers
Victory for the Intermediate Team in the Rotary Club Technology Tournament
By the Academically Most Able Group a stunning performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury
Theatre Trips and Field Trips for Drama, History, Geography and Biology students – and an in-house chocolate-making demonstration from the PTA
Two Music Festivals and two Music Festival Concerts, plus a Celebration of Christmas with Heathfield in St. Bartholomew’s Church in Ripponden
Senior students helping to educate younger students, through the Paired Reading Scheme, giving presentations at local Junior Schools, taking Drama Workshops and Sport’s Coaching (resulting in Leadership Awards)
Three Charity Days and a Christmas Tree Appeal, raising a total of £8,337.82
A ski trip to Alaska
A team-building and leadership residential stay for the Lower Sixth in Patterdale
Countless boarding trips and activities, including a pantomime visit, a Valentine’s party, a Halloween party, Skate Park, bowling, go-karting and Laser Quest
Sporting triumphs, including no fewer than 8 students competing at national level
D of E Expeditions
A 5-star Award for Heathfield Kitchens from a no-notice Environmental Health inspection - which follows a similar 5-star award received by Rishworth Kitchens the year before.
A total of 33,522 credits awarded to pupils in the course of the year
252 lesson observations completed in house through professional developmental peer work by the whole teaching staff

...The list is endless.

We said goodbye both to Mr Lynch after many years at the School and to Mrs Drowley and we welcomed Mr Lewis, Mrs Ogden and Mr Rhodes.
Within the overall school development plan, we had six main focus areas last year, three relating directly to Teaching and Learning, three ancillary:

The launch and evaluation of our new Year 7 Marking Policy and the implementation of a revised Marking Policy for other Years
The elaboration of a system for better use of performance data to promote learning
Ensuring that the work done on teaching and learning techniques and on departmental management benefited the pupils directly, with a particular emphasis on feedback both to and from pupils
The completion of a review of the school uniform
The building of a new pavilion
The implementation of new car-parking arrangements for parents

We also planned to introduce the rather exciting Extended Project Qualification for Sixth Formers and to extend discrete RS lessons from Years 7 and 8 to Year 9.

All of these aims were indeed achieved, some with more flourish than others. We opened the new pavilion with much fanfare and with the memorable distinction of having British Lion, Mark Cueto, as our Guest of Honour to cut the ribbon. At the other end of the continuum, there was the school uniform review. I was up for change; and many of my colleagues were also up for change. This time it was really going to happen! But after a large-scale survey that involved parents, pupils and teachers, after discussions with School Council and after demonstrations of possible new school uniform options sported by pupils and displayed on mannequins, the overwhelming response was ... that we should keep the uniform as it was - except that we should change the tie (which has since happened). But, positive as ever, what looked like an anti-climax after so much effort, we took as an endorsement of popularity - and another compelling reason why pupils who might on occasion be tempted not to wear their uniform as they should should do otherwise: after all, they did have the chance to change it, but elected to retain what they had!
Before I conclude, may I thank not only the pupils for their hard work but also their parents and the PTA for their backing, the Governors for their support and of course the staff, non-teaching as well as teaching, for their commitment, which is truly remarkable.

I can confirm that we at Rishworth remain resolutely focussed on excellence in teaching and learning and on the welfare of our pupils, through which we continue to provide for them the best possible educational experience; that it remains our mission to promote the kind of enduring values and personal qualities to which I alluded at the start; and that we believe that, so equipped, our young people will better relish and rise to the opportunities and challenges of a fast-moving world.
I wish this remarkable School and all associated with it continued success into the future.
In conclusion, I thought I’d share with you the following letter that arrived from a member of the general public. It is, I am delighted to say, one of a number of such unsolicited letters I receive each year.

Dear Mr Baker,
I feel compelled to write to you this week after I was out on Tuesday evening for a meal with a group of friends in Ripponden at the Cinnamon Lounge. I have to say that the behaviour of the youngsters in the restaurant [who were sixth formers from Rishworth School] was impeccable; it was lovely to see a group of teenagers enjoying themselves and quite obviously they knew how to conduct themselves. Too often people are quick to give young people a hard time these days, are quick to complain and don't take the time to provide positive comments or feedback. You should be very proud!!
I am; and one might well argue that such students and their conduct are the truest measure of success.

Chairman’s Report - 2011

Deputy Mayor, guest of honour distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Good afternoon, I am very pleased to present the annual report on behalf of the Governors. I shall report first, as is traditional, on the estate and then conclude with a tribute to our Headmaster.
The Governors are again indebted to our Bursar, Michael Schofield and his staff for their hard work and the care that they have afforded to the fabric of the School over this and previous years. Given the significant investment to the fabric of the School it is appropriate that individual items should be mentioned. First among these must be the new pavilion. This enhances immeasurably the experience of Top Pitch for pupils and staff alike and we were delighted to welcome the England Rugby international Mark Cueto who opened the pavilion earlier this year. Sadly, he was, apparently, sufficiently distracted by the excellence of the occasion to allow his grip to slip on the Rugby World Cup…but we will gloss over that.
The construction of the pavilion should not be allowed to overshadow the enormous amount of further work that Governors have authorised during the year. The importance of the built environment to the well being of an academic community can scarcely be over-emphasised. The high standard to the refurbishment to the day rooms for Years 9, 10 and 11 and the boarders’ recreation area has been very well received with the design itself incorporating ideas and contributions from pupils themselves. During the cold weather last Christmas the music room and Year 5 classroom at Heathfield were devastated by a flood. The immediate response was nothing short of magnificent with arrangements being put in place with the minimum of disruption. The opportunity was seized, however, to create a significantly enhanced facility and this is to be greatly welcomed.
These major developments have not distracted us from the need to secure smaller but nonetheless very important improvements elsewhere. A new computer room has been created to accompany the upgrade of the internet on both sites. Further, in addition to the planned annual maintenance of a large number of PCs, Science will now have access to laptops which can be moved between laboratories. The now completed centralised printer project will save money and staff time.
The Sanatorium has been remodelled and the tennis courts resurfaced. An artificial outdoor play area for younger children has been created at Heathfield and the lighting and sound equipment in the performing arts centre has been upgraded. This is in addition to the usual but nonetheless vital preventative maintenance program involving replacing roofs, boilers, windows, electrical and storage systems. Finally, looking to the future Governors have approved work on the refurbishment of the General Science laboratory to the designs submitted by the Science Department as well as a new floor for this hall.
The importance of robust finances in these historically troubled times cannot be over stated. Governors are especially mindful of their duty to ensure the continuing financial stability of the School but, as I have said before, we are ever conscious of the sacrifices that parents have to make. Such discussions are a major part of every Governors meeting.
Today is an opportunity for Governors to express their appreciation to pupils and staff of the School, including the Executive led by the Headmaster. Governors take a very close interest in all aspects of the work of the School and, amongst these has been the welcome development to continue the scheme to recognise the importance of accuracy of written work of pupils by focussing on correct spelling and grammar. Parents will know the central importance of this, not least when sifting job applications.
Ladies and Gentlemen, although this concludes my report I would ask your indulgence for one more item. We all know that, amid much regret in every quarter, our Headmaster, Richard Baker, is retiring at the end of this academic year. We wish him and Dany all the very best for the future.
Richard has been an outstanding Headmaster. Even in the manner of his going, he has achieved something that few in high office manage. He has stopped at the top; the zenith of his capabilities and at a point where his achievements are at their most evident. During his time here, Richard has wrought changes that are nothing short of transformational. His successes are too numerous to record here this afternoon but I believe that if someone (maybe a pupil here today) is enterprising enough to write the history of the School, Richard will be recorded as one of the great Headmasters of Rishworth. But the most eloquent tribute that can be paid is the School itself. Richard, if you should seek a tribute, look around you.
Thank you.

Introduction for the Guest of Honour
Ladies and gentlemen I am delighted to welcome on your behalf our guest of honour Bishop Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract in the diocese of Wakefield. Bishop Tony was until relatively recently, a distinguished Governor of the School and remains a firm friend. Before entering the priesthood he trained as a teacher and taught maths and computer studies. After his Ordination, his first parish was in Tottenham opposite Spurs football ground, as he puts it, a very lively parish. He then moved to Leicester where his parish included three urban priority areas and where his great ability to work with disadvantaged and minority communities was deployed to maximum effect. He then moved to Yorkshire and was Consecrated Bishop of Pontefract in 2002.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Bishop Tony here today.

Closing remarks
Ladies and gentlemen, as ever, we have had a really splendid afternoon with the whole event being a great credit to the School, the pupils and the staff. I have traditionally called for one final round of applause for prize winners, musicians and the staff who have taught them and they are no less deserving of that today but on this occasion I think it would be appropriate to reserve such applause for our Headmaster on this his final prize giving.