Ryedale School: New acting head hopes to make his own mark

How does teaching and education differ here in North Yorkshire to where you are from in Ireland?

Ryedale School is similar in many ways to my old secondary school back home in the North West of Ireland. However, we take junior certificates back home, the equivalent to GCSEs here. We then do our leaving certificate, equivalent to Alevels.

For the leaving certificate we take seven subjects rather than the three or four subjects students take at A-level here. The other big difference is that everyone has to do Irish (Gaelic) – it is compulsory.

You have only just become acting headteacher having been deputy headteacher. Can you tell us what the differences are between the two roles?

My role as deputy was clearly defined with specific areas of responsibility. Now, as head, I have to oversee and take responsibility for everything that takes place in the school. The best thing is that as head I am able to significantly influence what happens and bring about change for the better.

What do you hope to achieve while you are acting headteacher?

I want to ensure that every student is challenged and supported in equal measure in all their lessons. I want students to enjoy their learning and school work and for them to be fully involved in the wider life of the school in terms of the many extracurricular activities on offer. I want students to fulfil their potential and to grow into confident, competent, pleasant and polite young adults.

What do you enjoy most about the job?

I enjoy everything about the job. I really enjoy working with young people and ensuring they get a firstclass education here at Ryedale School. I have a fantastic staff, teaching and non-teaching, who are as passionate about education and Ryedale School as I am. I look forward to coming to work every day which is something that not everybody is fortunate enough to experience.

What do you least like about the job?

There honestly is nothing that I don’t enjoy about my job. I love every part of it.

What do you do to relax in your free time?

Aside from spending quality time with my family, my wife and two young girls, I have a smallholding and keep rare breeds of poultry and domestic animals. The work involved in my smallholding is a nice contrast to my role at school. I find it very relaxing and it means I am at home with my family too.

What are your main hobbies?

As well as my smallholding I enjoy a range of sports including tennis, badminton and football.

What are you most proud of in life?

Aside from my family and my girls, it would have to be the fact that I was asked to lead Ryedale School for the coming year. I am extremely proud of this achievement.

Are you finding it hard with a new born baby as well as the responsibility of being a headteacher?

I have a very supportive wife who understands the pressure of the job and so she takes the lead in terms of our two girls (one still a baby!) and the house. As a result I manage to get to bed early on school nights, which helps a lot.

What did you want to be when you were younger? Have you always wanted to be a head teacher?

Between the ages of seven and 11, I was set on being a vet, but when I got to secondary school, this changed and I really wanted to become a secondary school PE teacher. After going to Leeds Metropolitan University (Carnegie College), I graduated and became a PE teacher. Since then I have worked hard to be the best that I can be in each of the positions I have held which has taken me to this point in my career.

Kiwi show dazzles audience

GUESTS at Ryedale School were dazzled by a performance from Lindisfarne College and Hasting Girls High School Symphonic Windband on Friday evening.

They have travelled from New Zealand as part of their tour of England, France and Scotland.

The venues they are playing include Glasgow and Castle Howard, as well as Nawton.

The mayor of Hasting, New Zealand, sent his ‘best wishes with this delegation of talented men and women’.

The windband played a wide variety of pieces and sang some traditional Maori songs – including a rousing performance of the world-famous Haka – dressed in full costume to add a marvellous spectacle to the wonderful tunes.

They shared the stage with Ryedale School’s own impressive jazz band, who did not sound out of place alongside the accomplished Antipodean musicians.

Proceeds from the concert will be split between Ryedale School PTA, York Alzheimer’s Society and Uganda’s Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir.

Tomorrow (Thursday) the Pearl of Africa Choir will be performing at Ryedale School, as well as leading workshops with specially selected students.

The choir is truly inspiring, with amazing spiritual voices all the way from Uganda. They visited last year and wowed audiences with their constant energy and incredible homemade instruments.

“I would happily have paid double,” said one audience member afterwards.

As well as conducting workshops and playing a concert in the evening, the choir will be selling jewellery, toys, drums and other souvenirs to raise money for the orphanage they come from in Uganda.

They need to raise £2,000 each day in order to pay for the cost of the trip, let alone make a profit. Last year the school managed to raise nearly £4,000, but are still going to try to top that this year.

Not only are the choir performing at Ryedale School as part their trip, the families of friends of the school will also be hosting choir members.

The musicians depend on these people for transportation to their events and a warm bed. The school is extremely grateful for their support.

For more details about the choir’s visit, and to purchase tickets, phone Ryedale School on 01439 771665.

New-look science labs get thumbs-up

DURING the summer term Ryedale School’s science labs were completely refurbished.

The new labs provide a modern, spacious and high-quality learning environment.

Science teacher John Hogg said: “The labs have a better teaching and learning space, so it’s now easier to move around the classroom and work with all the students. We can now move the workbenches and other equipment around to make more space if we need it.”

The labs have been completely redesigned at a cost of £365,000, funded by the local authority. Everyone thinks that they are absolutely fantastic, with their new surfaces and modern equipment, including state-of-the-art smart boards to make lessons more interactive.

“I love the layout because it’s very open and free. I like the tables, and the stools are really comfy,” said Year 9 student Ella Boam.

Zak Brewster-Brown, also in Year 9, said: “I like the bright colours of the rooms. It is now very easy to find things.”

The new labs have fully integrated information and communication technology systems.

Staff say that they will enhance teaching and learning, and will be a great addition to the school.