School celebrates record year

From the archive, first published Thursday 7th Dec 2006.

SOUTH Craven School headteacher Dr Andrew Cummings had obviously done some homework of his own when he spoke at the annual presentation evening this week.

Dr Cummings reeled off events which had taken place in 1957 - the year that the Cross Hills school opened.

He said it was apt that current students had visited the space Olympics in Russia, as the space age was launched in 1957 with the introduction of Sputnik technology and ICT.

He drew attention to the success of the specialist engineering and technology work carried out at the school, and reflected how IBM developed its first high level computer language in 1957.

He quoted Paul Ehrlich: "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer."

Dr Cummings added that 1957 had also seen the creation of the first breathalyser and the musical production of "West Side Story", which pupils brought to life last year.

This year, staff and pupils were treated to excerpts from the school's latest production, "Blood Brothers".

The head went on to report on the school's best ever examination results, with an 11 per cent rise in pupils gaining five A* to C grades at GCSEs.

And he said 32.6 per cent of this year's A-level results were A or B grades.

Sport had played a major part in school life this year, with 54 per cent of pupils taking on extra-curricular activities, while more than a third of pupils represented the school in competitions.

Individuals, including Matthew Cottam (athletics), Sam Neale (windsurfing) and Danielle Brown (archery) were singled out for their achievements.

Dr Cummings said social inclusion and the pastoral system remained key strengths at the school and he quoted the 1957 mission statement of Little Rock High School, Arkansas - the year white-only secondary education was challenged as part of the civil rights movement.

He added: "I look forward with confidence to the future.

"The school became a foundation school in April and is now being selected as one of 29 pilot projects to consider the new trust status that has recently become available under the Education Act 2006.

"We are keen to develop new opportunities across South Craven."

His final comment was to quote Yorkshire writer Alan Bennett: "Life is like a can of sardines, we are all looking for the key."

Guests of honour at the presentation evening were former student Emily Cummins, who was named Technology Woman of the Future earlier this year, and ex-assistant headteacher Sue Kirkbride.

Awards were presented to:

Tom Bailey Award for Personal Achievement - Amie Proud.

Ogden Trust Awards - Rowan Brunswick (mathematician) and Greg Pridgeon (scientist).

Headteacher's awards for GCSE - Natalie Fizio, Jasper Minton-Taylor and Emmy Sharples.

Dr Pattison award for personal achievement - Gemma Towers.

Richard J Charlton award for outdoor pursuits - Sam Dowgill.

David and Gill Birks award for sporting achievement - Krista Royston and James Walker.

Millennium Shield for Service to the Community - Fiona Spencer.

Creative arts award - Sophie Caulfield.

Languages award - Charlotte Warin.

Mathematics and Science award - Simon Hunter.

Human Studies award - Zi Cheung Pang.

Technology and Engineering award - Andrew Cooke.

Headteacher's award (year 13) - Matthew Heseltine.

Picture shows (front row) Andrew Cummings, Emily Cummins, Sue Kirkbride and Iain Harris, chairman of governors, with prize winners.