Hathershaw Highlights

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim families after what I hope was a peaceful Ramadan. Happy Easter to our Christian families who have this to celebrate on the horizon. The days are getting longer and the warmer weather is hopefully insight, although you never know in the North West of England! The spring term has been a productive one, but for our year 11 students, the hard work starts in the coming weeks as GCSE exams begin. As many of you will know, the national picture in terms of teacher recruitment is a challenging one. However, the good news is that despite a very small number of staff leaving us at the end of the school year, we have already recruited to these positions for September. One of the reasons staff have chosen to work at Hathershaw is because of our good reputation and inclusive ethos, something that has been reflected in the feedback that you have provided which can be found here. Have a lovely break and I hope the weather is kind to us.

Best wishes.

Mark Giles

Principal

Our dodgeball team put on an outstanding performance at the Oldham Schools Dodgeball competition in March, finishing as runners-up. The team displayed great teamwork, determination, and skill throughout the event.

A special mention goes to Kyah, who captained the team with excellent leadership skills. Congratulations to Kyah and the entire team on their fantastic achievements!

A huge well done to our KS3 bowling team, who triumphed at the NW Finals in Rochdale and will now represent Oldham in the regional finals! The team delivered an outstanding performance, with three players scoring over 100 and earning a place in the prestigious 100 Club. Congratulations to all—good luck in the next round!

The Day 6 Saturday Tuition program offers extra support in Core subjects, Humanities, and French for Year 11 students, with an average of 44 attending each week since September. Peer tutors from OSFC, trained by the organisation Yipiyap, help deliver these sessions. Anne Morris, Founder and CEO of Yipiyap, recently visited Hathershaw during one of these sessions and praised the program, describing the OSFC tutors as polite, warm, and intelligent role models who are growing in confidence while remaining relatable to Year 11 students. She also commended the Hathershaw students for their dedication, motivation, and engagement, noting that they were focused and driven by their future aspirations. Describing the visit as a "pinch me" moment, she highlighted the positive learning environment and the success of the program, calling it the best Saturday morning she had experienced in a long time.

A group of our Year 8 and 9 students attended the MEGAHUB event at Oldham College on March 12, an exciting opportunity to explore the world of AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, and VR gaming. Students took on authentic tech challenges, working in teams to develop AI prototypes and pitch innovative solutions to future societal challenges.

The event provided valuable hands-on experience, encouraging creative problem-solving and teamwork while giving students insight into the rapidly evolving technology sector.

Building on this, we’re excited to launch a Super Curricular Club in the summer term. This after-school program will offer an immersive enrichment experience for students interested in gaming and technology, with a focus on Esports and Cybersecurity. Stay tuned for more details!

Four of our talented dancers—Cienna-Mai, Lacey, Charlie, and Kaitlin—are taking part in an exciting world record attempt with pupils from Oldham Sixth Form College, aiming to set the record for the most backing dancers performing simultaneously worldwide. They are currently in rehearsals for the big event in May, where they will take to the pitch at Boundary Park, performing live alongside Sigala! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to be part of something huge—watch this space for updates!

Students from our Hearing Resource Centre recently had the opportunity to explore a variety of horticulture careers at RHS Bridgewater in Worsley. During the visit, they learned about exciting careers in fields such as arboriculture, gardening, mechanics, water science, and climate change science. The students were able to ask questions about post-16 apprenticeships and career opportunities. To wrap up the day, they got hands-on by making paper pots and planting sweet pea seeds, gaining practical experience in gardening. It was an incredible ‘out of classroom’ learning experience for all involved!

During Science Week on the 10th March , the Science Department hosted an exciting competition that had students hunting for answers around the department. Each day, students were tasked with finding the answers to 10 daily questions, which were cleverly hidden in various locations. Once completed, they handed in their answers to a science teacher for a chance to win some fantastic prizes - if they managed to correctly answer all 10 questions.

The prizes were all science-themed and included cool items like a solar-powered car, a Newton’s cradle, and a mesmerizing levitating globe.The competition was a huge success, with students showing great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the week and coming away with some hands-on educational tools.

Year 7 and 8 classes were bubbling with excitement this half term, as students watched their homemade bath bombs fizz and dissolve before their eyes! This hands-on experiment brought chemistry to life, showing the magic of chemical reactions in a fun and engaging way. From carefully mixing ingredients to seeing their creations come to life in water, students explored the science behind bath bombs while filling the classroom with amazing scents. Who knew learning at Science Club could be this fun—and smell so good?

Key Stage 3 students Zulaikha and Lawi showcased their creativity and scientific thinking in the prestigious University College London (UCL) competition, which challenged young people aged 8–19 to devise innovative ideas or inventions aimed at improving indoor air quality. Their innovative designs are a brilliant example of how our young scientists are already tackling real-world problems. With their impressive ideas, these students are proving that the future of science and innovation at Hathershaw is brighter than ever.

The Science Society extra-curricular club took a deep dive into the mystery of crop circles, uncovering the science—and the myths—behind the strange formations spotted in Dorset last year. From scientific explanations to wild conspiracy theories, students explored the possibilities and debated the truth. In true Hathershaw spirit, we even attempted a rain dance on the football field—just in case a UFO decided to make an appearance! No sightings yet… but we’ll keep watching the skies!

Falak proudly holds the remains of our methane rocket after a thrilling launch—followed by a dramatic mid-air explosion! This exciting experiment gave our Junior Med School students a hands-on experience with chemistry in action. A huge well done to all involved, who are not only launching rockets but also preparing to launch their future careers in healthcare.