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Hessle High School

Headteacher Blog

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On this page you will find a weekly informative blog from Mr Groak, Headteacher.

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  • WEEK 5 - Friday 4 October 2024

    Published 04/10/24

    It has been a tough season for Hull FC in 2024 but last week, at the Club’s End of Season Awards event, forward Jordan Lane won the Player of the Year Award.  A worthy recipient after playing almost every game in a multitude of positions, topping the tackle count and even finishing the season kicking the goals. 

    I have followed Jordan’s career closely as he is an ex-Hessle High School student.  As is Brad Fash, who won the same award last season and who has become something of a household name due to his eye catching ‘mullet’ hairdo. 

    Brad and Jordan left Hessle over a decade ago now and have enjoyed successful careers, playing regularly in Super League.  The third member of the trio from that era is Jez Litten, who also started at Hull FC but who is now a regular at Hull KR.   Arguably, Jez has enjoyed even greater individual success, playing (and scoring) at Wembley in 2023 and also being capped for England in 2023, as well as being named in the international squad for this Autumn’s international series against Samoa.  Another ex-student, Zeus Silk, is also currently playing in the Championship with Featherstone FC. 

    All the school staff are very proud of what these guys have achieved with their careers to date and hope that they can continue to sustain their playing careers for as long as possible, before finding fruitful post-playing careers too.   

    Whilst these have been the most successful for a long time, there is not a year that goes by that does not see a number of our boys chosen as part of the scholarship or academy programmes at either of our two professional clubs. 

    At this time, we currently have James Tann and Harrison Turner on the Hull FC Under 16 Scholarship programme and Harry Moore and Riley Dunn on the Hull KR scholarship. 

    Recent ex-students, Owen Briggs and Kirils Prigorkins, are both also on the Hull FC Academy roster.   

    Naturally, we have many other youngsters who are pursuing their sporting and artistic dreams whilst studying at our school.  They are the very best representation of our school values of resilience and aspiration, and we are very proud of them. 

    ***  

    Last week, I mentioned the upcoming post-16 Open Evenings to be held on our two 6th Form Campuses at Wolfreton and Hessle.  Next week, all Year 11 students will be given more information about these events in school assemblies.   

    We also have a significant surprise for all prospective students too, which will be revealed in the Assembly.   

    If your son or daughter is currently in Year 11, please come along to either or both Open Evenings on the 10th October (Wolfreton) and 15th October (Hessle) to find out more about our joint offer. 

    *** 

    We have over 250 of our students arriving each day on one of our school buses.  These are all scheduled to arrive on the school site by 8.20am.  However, due to the patterns of usage and heavy traffic, they have frequently arrived on site later than this, causing disruption to the start of the school day.  No student that arrives on a school bus is marked late. 

    However, to address this I wrote to you earlier this week with new timetables which will take effect from Monday 7th October; this will see earlier departures by up to 10 minutes.  Please check the times carefully and ensure that your child is at the stop in good time to catch the bus.  Thank you.   

    ***  

    Finally, today marks the start of Hull Fair.  Whether you love it or hate it, it is here for the next ten days.  My son has almost grown out of what the fair has to offer and is now more interested in how his money could be spent on something else, whereas my daughter is of the age where it is unthinkable not to go to the fair.  So, at some stage over the next two weekends, we will be making our pilgrimage and hoping for reasonable weather. 

    Whatever you are doing and whether you will visit the fair or not, have a lovely weekend and thank you once more for your enduring support. 

    Mr Groak

    Headteacher

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  • WEEK 4 - Friday 27 September 2024

    Published 27/09/24

    I have only ever worked in schools with a Sixth Form.  I also went to a school with its own Sixth Form and so I know how a school Sixth Form supports students in a way that a large Further Education College cannot.  The tight relationships, the pastoral care, the deep understanding of a student’s ability and personality; these are qualities that take time to develop. 

    Colleges certainly have lots to offer; the focus and specialisation on just the one Key Stage and the economies of scale mean that the marketing can often be very slick and eye-catching.  There is, of course, a place for both institution types in a mixed market place. 

    But the school Sixth Form has to be fought for and defended in the face of tight funding and competition.  At Hessle, we have a thriving Sixth Form but it takes lots of hard work and dedication of staff to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our students that are more likely to flourish in a setting such as ours rather than at the large colleges in the area. 

    This year we have recruited 87 students, mostly from our own Year 11 but also a growing handful from other schools in the area.  This is thirteen more than last year and means that the Sixth Form remains viable. 

    It would only remain so because of the long-standing partnership we have enjoyed with Cottingham and Wolfreton Schools.  For those that are not aware, we work closely together to provide as many courses as possible and then transport students between our schools to give them access to those courses, and specialist teachers.  This has enabled us to compete against specialist colleges for many years.  But it has been tough. 

    This week, a consultation was opened on the possible closure of Cottingham Sixth Form with effect from September 2025; along with the Sixth Form at Holderness Academy, another school in our Trust.  These decisions are not taken lightly and have only occurred after several years of hard work and creativity to find ways to survive, which I have witnessed at close hand as Headteacher of one of the schools in the partnership. 

    Cottingham, in particular, face fierce competition right on their doorstep in the form of Wyke College.  This move, if it comes to pass, will enable the school to focus on preparing students for GCSEs and will also allow leaders at Hessle and Wolfreton to prioritise an even better offer delivered by our two schools in partnership.   

    I want to reassure all parents/carers of students currently studying at Hessle in whatever year, that our Trust and school leaders are utterly committed to a Sixth Form at our school for many more years to come and we have already drawn up plans of how we can promote our offer outside of our own school to enable us to look to expand our provision further. 

    We will be visiting our other Secondary Schools in the coming weeks to promote that offer and welcoming as many people as possible to our Open Evening on Tuesday 15th October, as well as that of Wolfreton on Thursday 10th October. 

    If you have a child in Year 11, you will already know about this but I would welcome any parent/carer who wishes to hear more about what a school Sixth Form can offer, to pay us a visit (5pm to 7pm) and hear from our superb Head of Sixth Form, Mr Jarman, as well as myself and many of our teachers. 

    ***  

    Last night, one of the highlights of the year, was our Year 5/6 Open Evening.   Despite the inclement weather, the pre-sale of Coldplay tickets starting at 6pm and a slightly reduced 2025 catchment area, we still attracted almost 350 families to look around our school. More importantly, the feedback was terrific. 

    Although this is not a popularity contest (well, maybe a little bit!), it is always reassuring on many levels to have affirmation that we continue to be very popular in the local community.  And this has a very practical effect too, in that we are almost assured of being full once again into Year 7, with all the stability benefits that accrue from that in terms of finance, staffing and curriculum delivery. 

    As current parents and family members, you play an important role in maintaining our reputation in the community as you talk about the progress and development of your children who attend our school.  I have always found our parent community incredibly fair and honest.  When we get things wrong, you will tell us but we are also given the chance to put things right and that also feeds a reputation for having open communication between school and home.  The high numbers to our Open Evening are as much your success as anyone that works at the school, and I thank you for your support. 

    ***  

    Sunday marks the final day of the domestic cricket season and, although the windy and wet conditions might seem a bit incongruous, my son and I are planning to go to Leeds to watch Yorkshire seal promotion.  We will be huddled in coats and hoodies most probably but it will still be a good way to symbolically mark the end of summer.  I may even listen on the way to one of my favourite songs about summer – Summer’s End, one of the final songs recorded by the late and remarkable John Prine.   

    Have a lovely weekend and thank you again for your support. 

    Mr Groak

    Headteacher

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  • WEEK 3 - Friday 20 September 2024

    Published 20/09/24

    Last Monday, we launched a new initiative at Hessle High School – our Year 11 Aiming Higher programme.  Before I tell you about it, let me go back forty years or so. 

    When I was fifteen, I attended what might have been called a ‘bog-standard’ comprehensive in North Hull.  In the 1980s, it provided a decent level of education but the combination of the times and the state of education in England meant that few pupils were particularly motivated, and levels of ambition were low.  My parents had never been to university, and I didn’t know anyone that had.  My dad was what the economists used to call ‘cyclically unemployed’.  Which basically meant that, in the summer, he worked round the clock painting the new houses being built on Bransholme and, in the winter when you couldn’t paint the outsides of houses, he was laid off.  After a few years of getting fed up with this, my dad took a few jobs working overseas.  When I think of him doing that, the TV Series Auf Wiedersehn Pet springs to mind.  

    Anyway, when he came back, he and my mum had a newfound determination to make sure that my sister and I did not struggle for work like he had.  I was bright, doing well at school and, during one parents evening, a teacher said, “Vince really ought to be thinking about going to university”. 

    Until then, nobody had even broached it as an idea in our family.  My parents made it clear that, if I wanted to go, they would do whatever it took to make sure I could do it.  Further sacrifices were made and, in 1987, I unpacked my stuff into a tiny house in Headingley and began to study Economics at Leeds Polytechnic.  

    So, on reflection, lots of things fell into place to enable me to go to Leeds Poly (it’s now called Leeds Met University).  Firstly, a teacher planted the idea.  Second, my parents decided that they would support me in going no matter what and, thirdly, going to university was suddenly the goal I needed to force me to work hard and realise my potential. 

    If any one of those things hadn’t happened, my academic potential would not have been realised and the life I currently lead, one which has been enriched through education in so many ways, would have been very different. 

    Why am I telling you all of this, you may ask?    

    If my life was determined by a series of fortunate events, I do not want any students at Hessle to rely on good luck for their future success. 

    We are committed to providing the best careers service possible and all our students are given individual support and advice to get where they want to be.  But we believe that we can go even further and challenge the students to be even more ambitious for themselves. 

    So this week, we have spoken to students about the benefits of going to university.  We’ve told them about the Graduate Premium (where the average extra income of a graduate is £130,000 lifetime earnings higher than a non-graduate; and where, for 10% of graduates, it is over half a million pounds).  We’ve also given them a reality check about student debt (informing them nobody pays anything back until they start earning £25,000 and even on £40,000 the repayments are only 3% of the salary). 

    And we’ve also pointed out that the market for university places is uniquely open for anyone.  All universities charge the same tuition fees, whether it is Oxbridge, another Russell Group institution, or any other less prestigious university.  The only thing stopping anyone getting a place is the grades needed to do so. 

    And then we’ve told them that, actually, university isn’t for everyone.  We know that. 

    When I left my school in 1987, I went to university and a very good friend of mine, with similar grades, decided at the last minute not to go (a girl was involved!).  Instead, he went onto a successful career in banking.  But the point is, he had given himself the choice.  University had given him the focus he needed and, when he’d got the grades, he then opted for another route.  And that’s fine too. 

    Next week, we will be talking to the students about how high performing students make the most of their talents to become those students who get the highest grades.  Talent plays some part, but most of it is down to hard work and belief. 

    Already, our careers advisor has reported a higher number of students asking her about the grades that are needed to access certain courses at university.  This is a programme we have been putting together for a good while last year and, once Year 11 have heard it, it will be the turn of students in Year 10, and then Year 9 and ultimately into Year 7 and Year 8 too. 

    I will keep you informed so that you can discuss it with your child in due course. 

    ***  

    In order to improve our home-school communication, we would like to find out what you think of the different means of communication that we use.  Please take a few minutes to complete the attached survey, and please feel free to leave suggestions and comments if you have them.  Many thanks. 

    *** 

    We are understandably experiencing a high number of people parking on Heads Lane at the end of the day.  This obviously slows down the flow of traffic in the area.  Please try to park as far away from the school as possible or use the school site visitors’ car park and turning route.  If you do park on Heads Lane, please ensure that you do so safely and within the highway regulations. 

    ***  

    This week I am a single parent whilst my wife, accompanied by four of our Hessle colleagues, is taking forty students on a school trip to Barcelona.  Our students have had some fantastic experiences in recent months; France a couple of times, London lots of times and a group even went to Kenya this summer.  This weekend, they will be exploring the Gothic Quarter, visiting the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, eating tapas in a local market, exploring the Gaudi Parc Guell and much else besides.  A fantastic opportunity for them. 

    Whilst my wife is away, I will be doing the family chores but also looking forward to spending some quality time with the kids.  I am trying to persuade our daughter to join me and her brother for the final game of the season at the MKM Stadium but she has already given me her blunt response, “I thought you loved me!  Why would you want to take me to see that rubbish.” I think I might need to find someone to take her shopping! 

    Whatever you are doing this weekend, have a good one and thank you as always for your support.   

    Mr Groak

    Headteacher

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  • WEEK 2 - Friday 13 September 2024

    Published 13/09/24

    “Nothing makes your heart sing like hearing other people say nice things about your children.”   

    Mrs Anderson’s words to sign off last night’s KS4/5 Awards Evening not only summed up the night, but also the essence of the fantastic relationships that we have with our students and their families.  Last night’s event was the longest in some years (90 minutes) but, without doubt, the best.  The change of date evidently suited more families which enabled more people than ever to attend which meant the heart-felt, and often very funny, anecdotes and stories were received by a greater number of families. 

    For those that have not attended one of these events, we ask our Heads of Department and/or course leaders to come to the stage and to say a few words about the three students that have been nominated for an award, and then to reveal the winner.  They do this for Year 11 and then for Year 13 students.  Each year, they really raise their game with the words they choose to describe the nominees and winners, but also to give an insight into the magic that takes place in our classrooms.  

    Mrs O’Loughlin always sets the bar very high and took it to another level last night when sharing an email she received from a Year 11 student the night before a GCSE exams (“I was wondering whether I should follow the plan you’ve taught us, or just write whatever I feel like!”).  If you know Mrs O’Loughlin, you might be able to imagine her response to that.  

    One after the other, teachers and leaders came to the stage to pay tribute to the students; their talents but most of all, their resilience, hard work and character.  There were some terrific stories.  But first-time-presenter Mr Compton stole the show with his hilarious insight into the world of Further Maths!   

    My thanks to everyone that attended, including some of our ex-students that came back from their first week at university to pick up awards and to renew acquaintances.  Thanks also to the team at school that put on the event. 

    ***  

    In two weeks, we will be opening our doors for our Open Evening.  This is targeted at families where there is a child in Year 5 or 6 and who wishes to have a look around and find out more about Hessle High School.  All departments are represented, there will be performances from our music and drama students, sporting exhibitions, food tasting and I will be speaking several times so there are lots of opportunities to hear from me, on why you should consider Hessle High School.  Of course, most of you reading this have already made that decision but please feel free to inform any friends or neighbours if this might be relevant to them. 

    Our own daughter is currently in Year 6 in her Primary School and, although we don’t live in the catchment, she has insisted that she wants to come and visit, in order that she can ‘make a fully informed choice’.  I have warned her of the pitfalls of attending a school, where one parent works, let alone, in her case, where both her parents work, and one is the Headteacher.  But she is adamant that she wants to have a full look around and so she shall. 

    ***  

    Finally, thank you for your support so far this term.  We have experienced one of the most positives starts to a term that I can remember.  Attendance is up several percent and the students are showing admirable standards of behaviour and conduct.  Year 11 students appear focused on their learning, following a busy summer term which involved work experience and an extensive careers week, whilst Year 7 are impeccable in both appearance and conduct. 

    That is not to say that the years in between have not impressed!  All have returned with clear focus and positive attitudes.  Thank you. 

    The sun is currently shining so I hope it continues into the weekend and that you can all enjoy the late-summer weekend. 

    Mr Groak

    Headteacher

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  • WEEK 1 - Friday 6 September 2024

    Published 06/09/24

    Wednesday afternoon, first day back and I am in a Year 11 English lesson checking in on students.  As I hover over a student, looking at the work he is doing in his exercise book, he stops writing, looks up at me and asks, “Is it really cool to be the Headteacher, Sir?” 

    Slightly taken aback, I reply, “Well, I get the opportunity to visit loads of lessons, see lots of students and teachers and learn about all types of subjects, including MacBeth,” referencing the book they would be studying this term. 

    “I get that, Sir.  But like is it really cool?” 

    “Well what do you mean?” I asked. 

    “Well, could you shut down the school if you wanted to?  Or sack Miss,” he said, nodding towards his teacher. 

    “No, I couldn’t, and I absolutely wouldn’t want to,” I replied.  “But it is still really cool in lots of other ways.” 

    Over the years, I have been asked some fantastic questions by students at Hessle, and younger pupils at Penshurst. 

    The ones at Penshurst usually start with a fascination with my eye.  I lost the sight in my left eye when I was 11 years old after a cricket accident detached the retina.  The cornea has clouded over and so I have odd coloured eyes (in case you hadn’t noticed).  Younger pupils are fascinated by it and will believe any explanation I give them.  I stopped telling them, years ago, that it was a false eye and that I could take it out and bounce it.  Especially after the fainting incident (not really). 

    As the children get older they become more interested in the amount of decision-making responsibility that my job entails.  Sometimes they ask about curriculum and spending on resources etc, but more often it goes along these lines: 

    “Sir, can’t we have a Subway counter in the school?  Could you get us one?” 

    “It’s too hot, Sir, can’t you close the school?” 

    “It’s too cold, Sir, can’t you close the school?” 

    “Sir, do you actually own Hessle High School?  Why don’t you sell it and retire?” 

    And then, eventually, as they consider the types of jobs that adults do, they ask me how it feels to be the Head.  I love answering them and always tell them it is a privilege and a job that I love. 

    The first week of a new school year is one of my favourites.  I spend the final days of the summer term in a restless mood, unable to relax fully and keen to put plans into action.  I would, if I had some of the decision-making power that the students seem to think I have, reduce the summer holiday and extend some of the half terms.  But the first few days are a real energy boost, seeing the staff again, welcoming new colleagues and then welcoming back the students. 

    This week has been precisely like that with very few, if any, hiccups.  The students have returned positively, well-dressed and equipped and attendance is already a notch or two higher than at the same time last year.  I thank you for your support with all of that. 

    ***  

    Next Thursday is our Ks4 and Ks5 Awards evening, an event which has been brought forward in the calendar for this academic year.  This is our opportunity to congratulate our highest achieving students for their performance in external exams before they go off and start their next studies.  If you have received an invitation to this event as a parent/carer, please respond swiftly so that we can ensure we can properly cater for everyone and we look forward to seeing you there. 

    ***  

    Also on the horizon is our Year 11 Information Evening on Tuesday 17 September.  This event will enable all parents/carers to be fully onboarded with our support package for Year 11.  I spoke to the Year 11 students on Wednesday and informed them that there are just 145 school days before their first exam.  There are now 142 and, by the time of the information evening, there will 135.  Every day counts and we will speak to you, and the students, on how we can all maximise the time we have to ensure all students achieve their potential. 

    In the meantime, thanks again for all of your support. 

    Those of you that are new to this blog will not know that I occasionally end it by sharing some of my own plans for the weekend and the family activities that take place in the Groak household. 

    Well, this is a relatively quiet weekend after a frantic summer and so we will be enjoying some time together, catching up on missed episodes of Race Across The World and Freddy Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, both of which we love.   

    Both of our children are active.  Our daughter loves drama and dancing, whilst our son is sports-obsessed.  Our daughter, who drives us mad with her unwillingness to try new foods, has promised to experiment more ‘now that she is in Year 6!’.  Last week, she tried some steak for the first time, loved it and said, “how have you never given me this before?’  So I think we are barbecuing on Saturday so she can have it again.  This year, our son (14) has started playing senior cricket for Kirkella CC and on Sunday we will probably go and watch him play, along with my parents.   

    Whatever you are doing, enjoy some hopefully warm weather and thanks again for you support. 

    Mr Groak

    Headteacher

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  • Headteacher Blog 2023/2024

    Published 22/07/24

    To view blogs from 2023/2024 please click here.

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  • Headteacher Blog 2022/2023

    Published 24/08/23

    To view blogs from 2022/2023 please click here.

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  • Headteacher Blog 2021/2022

    Published 22/07/22

    To view Blogs from 2021/2022 please click here

     

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  • Headteacher Blog 2020/2021

    Published 07/09/21

    To view Blogs from 2020/2021 please click here

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