Hello and welcome to this week's Year 11 Blog.

This week marks the end of the second full week of GCSE Exams for the Year 11s and the students have more than earned a rest.

I have been incredibly pleased at how well the students have approached their exams and the school has been a hive of activity. The importance of teamwork is paramount during this period and I would like to thank the staff who helped to coordinate the organisation and smooth running of the exam period. Mrs Meir and the Exams team deserve a special mention for all their hard work ensuring the students are fully prepared before sitting their exams.

As previously mentioned as we approach the end of Year 11, attention has turned towards the ‘Prom’... Prom is now an integral part of schools calendars across the country and we are no different. What really sets us apart from the rest however, is the opportunity we offer through our Prom Outfit Hire Shop. Launched last year, the service enables students to hire a prom outfit - new or nearly new suits, dresses and accessories - for a nominal cost of £10 (to cover cleaning) and we hope providing this service means that the Prom experience can be enjoyed by as many students as possible without too much worry about the cost.

We have created a hire shop website (which is available to Year 11 students through their Google sign in), we are still uploading outfit images but many, many outfits are already available to view. To enquire about hire or to organise a viewing/fitting, please contact prom@hessleacademy.com Once again, thank you to everyone that has supported us with this venture.

Both the Prom Tickets and Yearbook are available to purchase on ParentPay or the school reception, if you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

I would like to wish you all a happy and restful half term and we will see you all back in school on the 6 June.

Regards

Mr Julian

Head of Year 11

Mrs Lacey

Assistant Head of Year 11

Welcome back, I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday.

I was fortunate enough to be able to get away for a few days with my wife, son and dog to Northumbria during the holiday, our first time visiting the area. The weather was kind and we managed to spend our days walking and playing on beaches that would not look out of place in Australasia.

As I stood on the beach it was impossible not to notice the large number of people using the beach for exercise and it got me thinking about not only the obvious physical benefits to exercise but also its benefits to mental health.

That feeling after a workout, red faced, breathless and desperate to lie down? But pleased with yourself for giving it a go, and strangely more energised and those troublesome problems might not seem quite so big as before.

Exercise stimulates positive endorphins, clears your head and lifts your mood.

The Department of Health published research in 2018 that showed that 12% of cases of depression could be prevented with one hour of exercise a week, and three hours of week could reduce the risk of depression by 30%.

Can exercise help you handle stress?

Absolutely, when we feel down everything can feel overwhelming. Looking after yourself in these times of stress becomes even more important and exercise could be the perfect medicine. Exercise is clinically proven to stimulate serotonin, your natural feel good factor.

Why is exercise such a mood booster?

Exercise is fantastic at releasing tension and reducing stress. Being active is one of the best things you can do to help build resilience. The feeling of accomplishment as well as noticeable improvements to your physical health will help boost your mood.

Which workout will make you happy?

If the thought of joining a gym or running through your local streets fills you with dread, remember anything is better than nothing. Start small, even a few minutes of low intensity exercise will release pain-relieving endorphins. 

To build friendships try joining a sports team. Social connectivity is incredibly important, being with other people can help motivate you

1. To calm the mind try yoga, pilates or t’ai chi. Exercises that work with your breathing is particularly good for improving mindfulness
2. To release tension try boxing, HITT training or high intensity sessions that completely absorb your attention.

The capacity to deal with challenges and obstacles will improve as their resilience and mental toughness strengthens ensuring they are both physically and mentally ready for their next steps in life.

With the continued light nights and improving weather, I encourage you all to get out and enjoy the fresh air, get exercising and most importantly spend time together. 

If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you

Mr Julian

Head of Year 11

Mrs Lacey

Assistant Head of Year 11

Hello and welcome to the Year 11 Blog.

This week I had the opportunity to attend a Secondary National Conference titled ‘Hope in Action’: just hoping is not enough. As I sat and listened to a panel of educational professionals from across the country, one thing was the same no matter which part of the country they came from, ‘Hoping is not going to be enough’, students must make the most of the time and opportunities they have left.

With just 59 days left before the first GCSE Exam (much less, if we’re only counting school days), just hoping ‘everything will be alright’ is not going to be enough and it is our responsibility as teachers, parents and carers to ensure the young people are ready. With that in mind, I ask you the question; is your child doing enough?

As the Head of Year 11 and a member of the Hessle High School community I am just one of many members of staff who continue to explain to our young people that it isn't too late! Hard work and dedication from this point forward will see them reap the rewards they deserve, but it isn't going to be easy.

We are here to support both students and you as parents and carers, so if you have any questions or you need clarification please do not hesitate to contact me.

Revision sessions continue to be available each night after school and are available to all students, please encourage your child to attend these sessions as part of their revision schedule. There will be an opportunity for parents and carers of Year 11 to attend an information evening on Thursday 24 March where you will have the chance to speak to Heads of Departments and gather key information before we enter the exam period. I hope to see you all there (more information to follow).

I would like to thank you for all your continued support and encouragement.  The school, and most importantly, your child does appreciate it.

Thank you

Regards 

Mr Julian

Head of Year 11

Mrs Lacey

Assistant Head of Year 11

Well, it is safe to say that the Year 11s are certainly back into the swing of things.

It has been fantastic to see so many students staying behind after school to complete their planned revision sessions this week as well as students using the LRC area to complete their own revision. There is certainly a new feeling of excitement, nervousness and focus, and that's just me!

With their last set of Mock Exams starting the week beginning the 7 February, it is very pleasing to see so many students showing such commitment to their studies. As previously mentioned students have received a copy of the revision timetable via email and subject specific sessions are running each evening. This is a fantastic opportunity for the young people to gain further knowledge and recap on crucial exam techniques and tips.

This week we see the return of the Year 11 Mock Interview and Target Setting Day, a particular highlight of the school calendar which provides students the opportunity to participate in a simulated job interview. Students often approach the day with trepidation as they face the unknown yet undoubtedly leave having overcome their fears and learnt invaluable life skills.

The second part of the day is split into two parts; the first allows students to visit their teaching members of staff to have a discussion about each of their subjects and agree on a series of targets and priorities moving towards the exams and the second sees students participate in a specific revision session.

I would like to finish by giving a special mention to a student in Year 11. Nathan Brown has quietly been honing his skills in the pool for a number of years and, more recently, has been taking part in a number of swimming galas across the country. Nathan currently represents Driffield Amateur Swim Club, Kingston Upon Hull Swimming and the Richmond Dales Para Squad. Nathan had his leg amputated when he was 18 months old yet this has not stopped him participating at the highest level and, after taking part in the Commonwealth Para Championships in Swansea in December (50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 400m freestyle), he is preparing to compete in the next round of World Para Championship series in Aberdeen in February. Nathan's ultimate goal is to represent the GB Para Swim Squad and hopes that his hard work will pay off. Nathan swims twice a day at 6am in the morning and again after school. We wish him all the very best in Aberdeen and hope to see him fulfilling his dreams.

Regards

Mr Julian

Head of Year 11

Mrs Lacey

Assistant Head of Year 11

And, just like that, it was Christmas!

I don't know about you, but for the first time that I can remember it just doesn't seem like Christmas….yet?! I still have what appears to be a never ending list of presents to source, as well as facing the dreaded wrapping of said presents, something that I have never been able to do well.

Having said that, it is a hugely enjoyable time of year and both my wife and son join me in the love of this magical family focussed time.

Unbelievably it was last December when Mrs Lacey and I were introducing ourselves to you and setting out our hopes and aspirations for the students in our Year Group. Now, a year on we are in touching distance of the final months of Year 11. 

This week the students of Year 11 have taken part in their Careers Week, which gave the young people the opportunity to work on their CVs, speak to members of the local community and participate in activities and events designed to provide crucial information for their post sixteen option choices. Thanks must go to Miss Lawes who has done a wonderful job of providing such an engaging event in what can be best described as a difficult, ever changing environment. Miss Lawes was incredibly pleased at how well the students had engaged in the week and sent me a wonderful email with glowing feedback from our guests and visitors.

Over their remaining months, the Year 11 team will continue to support and guide our students and it has been a pleasure to see so many showing such determination and commitment to their studies. They must now use this Christmas holiday to recuperate and spend quality time with family before returning to us in January fully rested and ready to attack their revision and exams.

The last day of term sees the annual and much anticipated Staff v Y11 Students football match. Those students who put themselves forward to play in the match must first prove they deserve the opportunity and undertake a four week behaviour report. Attendance, behaviour and attitude towards learning are all considered and this group of year 11s have more than risen to the challenge. Never before have we seen so many training sessions, set plays and a desire to win, and maybe, just maybe this year we will see a team capable of beating (an aging and increasingly creaking) group of staff.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year, have a great holiday and stay safe.

Take care.

Mr Julian

Head of Year 11

Mrs Lacey

Assistant Head of Year 11

Hello, and welcome to this week's Year 11 Blog.

Over the past week within Tutor time the Year 11s have been looking at the importance of ‘kindness’ as well as continuing to have a weekly focus on all things relating to post sixteen option choices and future careers.