Wednesday was a triumph of a day! The inter form Tug of War competition took place for different year groups throughout the day. Everyone was involved including those participating and those supporting. Mr. Field and Mrs. Bradford had taken on the serious Christmas challenge as you can see and Festive music was played throughout with an occasional moment where all in the year group came as one to sing and dance. Points were awarded for wins and the quality of the support, resulting in an excellent event where our school values of being ambitious, respectful and resilient were seen in action.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, Christmas dinner was served with students also enjoying Christmas music and a celebratory cracker. 176 Christmas lunches in total were served and our thanks go to the catering team.
Finally, in the evening, it was our Awards Evening where we welcomed back the class of 2024. It was lovely to welcome ex-students and families back into school and to see what they’ve been up to since they left in June. Certificates were given out and prizes presented by members of our local community to students for their remarkable achievements.
And so to our whole school assembly this morning. As you’re aware, this has become a Boroughbridge High School tradition where we gather to celebrate our achievements, sharing many photos and awarding many certificates. We also announced the winners of the annual Christmas Door competition which has grown to new competitive heights particularly this year with Dr. Lefley’s form 8CL receiving a specially created award due to the brilliance of the idea and clever execution by all members of the form. There were also awards for Mr. Woodward’s form’s (11SW) BHS Actually door and the Pastoral Team door. Well done to all, it’s been great fun.
As you’ll have seen in the Headteacher’s update, today we’ve said thank you and farewell to Mr. Cockerill, Head of English, who as many of you will know, has been at Boroughbridge High School since 2003, teaching some of you as well as your children. During that time, he has had a number of roles, transforming the English curriculum to engage our young people. We wish him well as he leaves us to take up the post of Director of NATE (National Association for Teaching of English).
We’ve also thanked and said farewell to Miss Davies who teaches Maths and Miss Kelly who, along with teaching English, has led whole school PSHCE and developed the School Council who initiated the great Hide and Seek events. We wish them well as they move on to their new ventures.
Thank you for your support with the Friends of Boroughbridge High School chocolate raffle. £271 was raised which is a fantastic amount. The eight winners will now be enjoying their prizes.
Thank you too to everyone in our school community who has contributed to our reverse advent. We have collected two large boxes of food donations for the local food banks, raising money through cake, chocolate and sweet sales and have purchased a Crisis 9 day place, 2 Salvation Army family packages along with a £60 donation to The Harrogate Homeless Project.
On behalf of the Boroughbridge High School team, I hope that you and your family have a very Happy Christmas and we send our best wishes for 2025. The Spring Term starts on Monday 6th January 2025.
As anticipated, the Christmas Concert on Tuesday evening was a great event with a range of fantastic performances. We heard solo performances from James (guitar), Charlotte (piano), Larisa (vocal) and Rosey (piano), before hearing duets from Charlotte (vocal) and Rosey (piano) and Olivia (vocal) and Darcy (vocal). Austin (Piano), Bodie (drums) and James (guitar) gave a band performance. The Keyboard Club showcased an Abba classic and the Pop Choir showed their ever increasing confidence with harmonies in a number of songs. The student technical team made sure that all ran smoothly and for the finale the audience was invited to participate in ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ so we finished with joyous singing all round. Well done to the students who participated and we thank Mr. Jackson for organising the event.
Following on from Year 7 last week, Year 8 have received their Book Buzz books and, as you can see, they couldn’t wait to get started! The English team are looking forward to discussing their choices during lessons in the coming weeks.
In sporting news this week, Mr. Field reports, ‘Monday saw the Yr7 boys compete in their 7 a side football tournament at St Aidan’s school. The boys played 6 games against Queen Ethelburga’s, Ermysteds, King James’s, St Aidan’s, Ashville and St John Fisher. The boys showed great resilience throughout their matches as they found the opposition from the larger schools challenging. They did manage to find the back of the net but unfortunately not enough times to register a victory. The squad enjoyed their evening competing and are looking forward to future matches where they can showcase their talents.
Some students started the week with a cross country experience. Mr. Field reports ‘Monday saw 27 pupils from Boroughbridge High School take part in the Harrogate & Craven Cross Country Championships at Ripon Grammar School. The bracing weather and the length of the course provided an ample challenge for the pupils as they competed against pupils from a multitude of schools from the area. The course length of 2700m for the girls and 3400m for the boys tested their ambition and resilience as the undulations and soft ground proved more of a challenge than the qualifying school course at Boroughbridge. Although not challenging for the qualifying positions for the Harrogate & Craven representative team, the pupils enjoyed partaking in the event and competing against other good athletes from the area. J. Godley in Yr8 secured the best placing for the Boroughbridge team finishing 17th in the Junior boys (Yr8 & 9) category. The wind swept students were glad to be back in lessons later in the afternoon away from the biting cold conditions!’
A highlight of this term has been the Year 9 players coming up with an ambitious target to raise money for new netball bibs for the season. They organised a bake sale and successfully raised the money. The PE department matched the money raised and bought a second set of bibs and a new match ball. Last week, the Year 9 netballers and super star Rova (Year 7) played Tadcaster Grammar School’s A Team. This was their first fixture of the season so there were a few nerves amongst the team. Unfortunately, we did not secure the win but the last quarter was a draw, so that’s a win in itself. I have to say I was really impressed with the amount of turn-overs that the team managed during the game. With more competitive experience I am more than confident we will be able to contest a re-match in the New Year. The player of the match was our captain, Daisy, always driving to get free into space. A special mention to Rova who played a fantastic half at GK, marking her player closely, despite being two school years younger. Well done, Alice W, Bella, Bodie, Daisy, Georgina, Millie, Maddie, Rova!’
‘The journey north was made in good spirits and the boys were greeted with a fantastic pitch to demonstrate their footballing prowess. The game was a close affair in the early stages of the first half as Hurworth showed their credentials as quarter finalists in the competition last year. The deadlock was broken shortly before half time by Burrell, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range after the Hurworth goalkeeper had saved his earlier effort. The half finished with Boroughbridge dominating proceedings with the midfield starting to gain control of possession. The second half started much the same as the first with chances for both teams in front of goal, some superb goalkeeping by Searle protected the Boroughbridge advantage and it wasn’t long until the lead was doubled. Burrell played a delightful cross field ball to B Godley who plucked the ball out of the air with a scintillating first touch before then going on to finish with aplomb. This set the tone as confidence grew within the Boroughbridge team, Farnworth expertly dispatched a penalty low into the corner after excellent forward play in the penalty box by Godley drew a foul. Burrell then completed his brace with a galivanting run down the wing before cutting inside to finish leaving the Hurworth goalkeeper no chance of stopping his driven shot. The result was completed when Marshall proved his goal poaching instincts to prod in a goal at the far post after the Hurworth goalkeeper had been forced into another fine save. The boys were commended by the staff at Hurworth for their composed approach to the game and the fine football that they showed in the game. The next round will be played at home before the end of term with the fixture yet to be arranged.
Thursday saw the Yr10 boys take part in the Harrogate & Craven District 7 a side football tournament. The boys braved the bracing weather conditions at Ripon Grammar school playing Ripon Grammar, Outwood Ripon, St John Fisher’s and Rossett. The tournament started against the host school and the Boroughbridge boys displayed some nice passing football and steely determination to secure a 0-0 draw providing a boost of confidence. Outwood Ripon proved to be a very competitive game with both teams having some good chances in front of goal and strong defending. The Boroughbridge squad were tested throughout but proved resilient to secure yet another 0-0 draw. The third game saw some of the best football played by the players and the first goals for Boroughbridge. Wilson executed an exquisite turn and shot to fire the ball into the top corner of the Rossett goal. The team pushed forwards with great effect and allowed Wilson to again find the back of the net with an opportunist strike that caught the whole opposition off-guard. The win provided the valuable points needed to top the tournament table leading into the last round of games, Boroughbridge needed to draw or win to secure the glory, their opposition, St John Fishers, needed victory to snatch the title. The game was fraught with both teams being edgy with the title on the line, strong attacking play by Fishers was equally met by Boroughbridge defending and the game seemed destined to play out in the favour of Boroughbridge as a draw loomed. With time ebbing away Fishers had one last attack. With 10 seconds remaining they managed to find the target to the dismay of the whole Boroughbridge squad. The team finished second overall in the tournament which they were duly proud of on reflection. This gives a great timely boost to the squad after the County Cup exit to Sherburn and just before their upcoming fixture against Ermysted in the District Cup.’
‘Another busy week for the pupils and the PE department, 161 pupils have engaged in the extra curricular activities this week – a new record for the department (and over 1/3) of the school cohort). 
The annual small sided tournaments have now started, the Yr9 boys were first up and traveled to St John Fisher School to play. The team needed to be bolstered by the Yr8 boys who performed outstandingly against older, more experienced opposition. They narrowly lost against the host school and Rossett but held the eventual winner, St Aidans, to a well deserved 1-1 thriller. This gave the Yr8 boys a bit more challenge and provided a great learning experience that they can take forward into their match next week against Hurworth in the ESFA Small Schools Trophy.’
With Remembrance Day on Sunday, Mrs. Ennis has led assemblies this week looking at the importance of Remembrance Day by focusing on the Royal British Legion theme for 2024 to remember D-day and the people who keep us safe along with discovering how service still protects us today. In each assembly we’ve observed a two minute silence. On Wednesday afternoon 27 of our Service students attended the North Yorkshire Service Children – Festival of Remembrance’ at Ripon Cathedral. Mrs Murphy reports,’ The students had a lovely time today at Ripon Cathedral. This year’s theme was ‘All together Now’ and we were lucky to have been invited to attend the Green Howard’s Museum in Richmond to learn about a soldier who gave their life in World War 2 prior to the event. The soldier we were given to remember was Captain Verity Hedley, who was originally from Leeds and a professional cricketer before he enlisted in the Army. He unfortunately was wounded in battle in Italy and later died of his wounds, at the age of 38, before he arrived at a Prisoner of War camp. Chloe, Gethin, Daniel and Libbie got to go on the visit and gave a presentation to the other forces children prior to the service. During the service Gethin and Libbie presented the photo, a poppy and a Boroughbridge High School sign to the alter in the cathedral. We got to sing some songs, alongside other schools and choirs and listen to some readings. Charlie Milson and Paa Kofi Akomea-Barnie read a reading from the bible. We listened to some really emotive letters written from serving personnel to their children and also the replies of the children and we got to celebrate ‘ all together now’. Thanks to Mrs Webb and Mrs Mannion who accompanied me on the trip.’ 
Year 7 Geographers have been out on location in Boroughbridge carrying out primary fieldwork to investigate the hypothesis ‘The function of Boroughbridge is a resort town’. Collecting evidence through field sketches, traffic counts, pedestrian counts and a land use survey, students began to form their own conclusions which they will follow up back in class. Their approach and focus was excellent throughout. Well done Year 7!
The boys’ first game against Selby was a close encounter with Boroughbridge edging a 12-8 victory. This proved to be a good basis for honing their teamwork as they rose to the challenge against York High. A domineering performance saw the boys run in six tries in a well disciplined game. The final result of 24-12 was just reward for the hard work applied by all team members. The unrelenting fixtures began to take their toll as the boys moved onto their third consecutive match against Joseph Rowntree. The game ebbed and flowed between the two teams, both demonstrating some good committed rugby. Jo-Ro edged the latter stages of the game and were leading 24-20 into the last minute. A great drive forward by T King saw the boys draw level with less than 60 seconds remaining. Two promising drives forward by Jo-Ro put pressure on the Boroughbridge defensive line but the resilience shown by the boys paid off with a handling error leading to a turnover of possession. An exquisitely executed kick from C Walsh turned Jo-Ro on their heels and with the blistering pace of I Buliruarua victory was snatched from the grasps of the York team, 28-24.
Fieldwork was at the fore this week, as Mrs. Gomersal reports, ‘The GCSE Geographers were treated to a spot of sunshine in Hornsea this week. Students collected data for their physical geography study investigating whether Hard Engineering is effective in Hornsea. They compiled data from ‘Groyne drop height surveys’ and drew field sketches to show evidence of slumping along the rapidly eroding Holderness coastline. All of the students continued to apply our school values by being ‘respectful’ to the general public and to each other and they were an asset to Boroughbridge High School.’
There has been much sporting success within and beyond school this week. Alfie Searle and Ashton Farnworth (both in Year 8) played in the Harrogate & Craven District Football match against Accrington Stanley. It is reported that ‘they played fantastically well against the professional academy team. The end result was 6-6, a brilliant achievement as they certainly didn’t make it easy for Accrington Stanley. An exciting game and a great experience for them.’ Well done to both. Our congratulations also go to Imogen Hawkridge in Year 11 who won the Yorkshire Development Champion in Boxing. An impressive achievement indeed.
We continue to deepen our values; ambitious, respectful and resilient. Part of our focus on resilience is around taking on learning challenges, ‘We try our best and persevere when things are difficult.’ Examples where students have shown their resilience this week include in Computer Science with Mr. Sands where Year 9 were grappling with html code development, using their skills to develop their own webpage. In Art with Mrs. Hunter, Year 9 began their dog building. We’ll look forward to seeing the transformation.
Last week, William in Year 8 was invited to take part in a concert to raise funds for Dementia Forward. The concert was to highlight the challenges faced by Duncan who appeared on the Channel 4 programme ‘The Piano’. 
In Sporting news, Mr. Field reports that ‘Another great week for extra-curricular in the PE department. 120 pupils have attended one or more of the activities on offer this week, an improvement on last week’s total. This week also saw the start of a busy fixtures period with three games of football being played at our school. The Yr9 boys played Vale of York in the County Cup on Tuesday after school. The game did not start as planned and the boys were 3-0 behind within five minutes. Showing true resilience, the boys pulled the fixture back in the favour of Boroughbridge by leveling the game shortly after half time,making the last twenty minutes a tense encounter. Unfortunately, two late goals from a game weary York team conceded the Yr9 boys to a defeat but they were able to hold their heads high as the performance was very encouraging as they still have the District Cup to compete in.
The Yr8 boys team also played Queen Ethelburga’s in the ESFA small schools trophy Thursday night in what was a busy evening of sport at Boroughbridge High School. The boys played some very attractive passing football and dominated the game across all areas of the pitch. Two goals from B. Godley before half time gave Boroughbridge a deserved lead at the halfway point and ensured their tails were up for the second half performance. Soon after the break A. Farnworth scored from a freekick to put the fixture further out of the reach of the QE team. QE then pulled a goal back after a quick break, this reignited the Yr8 boys and it wasn’t long until W. Burrell curled a fine effort into the far corner after a splendid galivanting run down the wing. The boys were deserved winners and the opposition staff commended the boys on their commanding performance. They now progress to the next round which will present a tougher challenge, we are sure their footballing talents and ambitions of reaching the latter stages of this national competition will lead them to future successes.’