Page 20 - link magazine

Excellent opportunities
My Sch"l writes Joanne Goidworthy

of Chiseldon
Being in the year 11 at The
Ridgeway School really does make
you aware of your secondary
school's assets.
In the third of our visits to the four secondary schools The 10th and 11th years really
serving West Swindon, we give over a page to students at are the most important of your life,
The Ridgeway School, Wroughton. therefore school and what happens
within it, does become the centre of
your world.
The switch from the 10th to 11th
Early Thoughts year involves a lot of pressure. teering, canoeing and rock-climb-
The new Year 7 has been at The Ridgeway now for three months. Deadlines forcoursework suddenly ing.
They interviewed each other, asking questions they thought might become even more ominous, and We are also given opportunities
be of interest to other eleven year olds as well as to adults. mock exams loom up. Under all in other departments, i.e. English,
this pressure, you really feel the where we can watch a Shakespear-
What were your first impressions? before." Martyn Harris, school's atmosphere. Ridgeway has ian performance, or Art, where a
"I was scared stiff on the bus, but Wroughton Junior. real team-spirit. Deadlines are or- special trip to Oxenwood was or-
when I was in the school it was fine. "French is ace because the teacher ganised so as to avoid subject ganised for a variety of Expressive
What amazed me was that we sat lets us play games and I can count clashes and pupils and teachers Arts' activities.
down, listened and worked." Peter up to ten. " Jonathon Dixon, alike are always willing to help. Our school is luckier than many
Greenhaigh, Westlea Primary. Wroughton Junior. Extra curricula ractivities are very as we have a sixth form. This means
"1 thought I would get lost be- "Maths work is not boring at good at Ridgeway. We have an we can continue to study further
cause it was so big. The other kids Ridgeway because wedo fun maths annual musical production, which education in a familiar environment
seemed to be like giants and we the and not justboringsums." Amanda is always well rehearsed and enter- and with a closer pupil-teacher re-
Ries." Helen Cook, OliverTomkins. Thompson, Wanborough. taining. This year, the school is lationship. We are offered a varied
performing 'Joseph and his number of courses. Sixth formers
Technicolour Dreamcoat.' Music can also opt for a leisure course or,
is also encouraged. for example, D.I.Y. or service in the
But at Ridgeway, it is not just community. Sixth formers have
what we do inside school that mat- special privileges. They do not have
ters. Outside interests are also en- to wear uniform, they have private
couraged. We have the Sir Henry study periods and are generally
Calley trophy, which is presented looked up to within the school.
each year to a student who has I have been at Ridgeway for five
shown outstanding dedication and years and have enjoyed each one.
commitment to the community. Pupils all get treated like adults,
Also hobbies can be included in what you say is of importance and
items of coursework. you do get listened to. Our exami-
In P.E. we have excellent oppor- nation grades in both G.C.S.E. and
tunities such as orienteering, rock 'A' levels are outstanding and
climbing, canoeing, girl's football. hopefully will continue to be so,
Recently pupils were offered the especially G.CS.E results this year!
chance to go on a weekend excur- I am glad to be a pupil of
The Year 11 group which contributed articles for this page (some of which have sion at Cheddar Gorge. The pupils Ridgeway; it has a very good repu-
to be edited out for lack of space). could go caving as well as orien- tation and atmosphere.
"I thought Ridgeway was going "The facilities are brilliant.
to be a very rough school and very There's a swimming pool, tennis
unfriendly. I thought this because court and a gym hail. There's one
people made up silly rumours and great big field, lots of mobiles and a enjoy the clubs. I have joined two,
Ibelieved them. When you're there big building. We have cookery gym and dance." Elizabeth Tew, "It makes me feel smarter wear-
for a few days, it's fun and excit- rooms with everything, wood- Wroughton Junior. ing a proper school uniform but it
ing." Emma Wagner, Toothill Pri- working rooms, science labs, blocks is expensive to buy." Anthony
mary. for deaf people and special people How do you like wearing the Corsham, Westlea.
"1 was hoping not to get any and weight lifting." Kelly Hamil- school uniform?
homework but we did." Jody ton, Toothifi. "The uniform is very smart. You How would you sum up The
Curtis, Wroughton Junior. have to wear a tie and blazer. At Ridgeway School?
"I was terrified of the bigger and What special things do you do first, it's strange but now lam used "There are so many people that
better people." Kelly Hamilton, outside of the classes? to it." Neil Bmtheridge, Wroughton you can't avoid making friends."
ToothilL "I play an instrument so I have a Junior. Amanda Thompson, Wanbomugh
special music lesson on Tuesdays." "I like it because you can look Primary.
What's the work like in your Amanda Hobbs, Wroughton Jun- much smarter." Mark Guirguis, "It's a nice place with nice chil-
classes? ior. Wroughton Junior. dren and teachers." Gareth
"My favourite subject is games "There are a lot more clubs and "Uniform is a drag ... you have to Ratcliffe, Gorse Hill Primary.
because it is rough and it gives me activities and if you go to netball, make sure you have the right "The work we do is sometimes
exercise." Shaun Donovan, Shaw football and cross-country you get things." Erika Garrett,Wroughton, quite hard. You need to try your
Ridge. a chance to play for the school Junior. hardest because I think the teach-
"1 like French because it's so dif- team." Amanda Brain, Wroughton "We wore uniform in our old ers expect you to do your best and
ferent -we play games and we speak Junior. school and we are used to it. I like a little bit more." Ewan Morrison,
differently." Parmjeet Dhillon, "The facilities are super" the idea of having a lower, middle Freshbrook.
Windmill Hill. Andrew Penderleith, Shaw Ridge. and upper uniform, each slightly "The best thing is that you feel
"French is wicked because I have "I enjoy anything that comes my different." Helen Cook, Oliver more independent." Erika Garrett,
never spoken a different language way at Ridgeway but I especially Tomkins. Wroughton Junior.
J'Jèxt month, we visit St Joseph's Roman Catholi