Students watched a powerful drama performance following the lives of three teenagers, exploring the challenges they face when alcohol becomes part of their social world. Through relatable characters and real-life scenarios, the performance highlighted how quickly risky situations can arise and the pressures young people may feel around drinking.

After the performance, students took part in an interactive workshop, encouraging them to reflect on what they had seen and discuss wider issues around underage drinking. Together, they explored the social and emotional reasons young people may turn to alcohol, the impact it can have on health, relationships and wellbeing, the role of peer pressure in decision making, and where to seek support for themselves or others.

From 9 students diving into Fine Art and Textiles taster sessions (including paper garments made in just 20 minutes! ), to lunchtime creative challenges exploring fine art, illustration, digital art, animation, game art, architecture and fashion design the energy and imagination on display has been amazing.

Students have designed mascots, created adverts, experimented with different media and styles, used industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, and even designed their own computer game characters

We’ve also loved hearing from our inspiring alumni, including Emily Stollery, Annie Wade-Smith and Amanda McDermott, who shared their journeys and showed just how many exciting career paths creativity can open up.

A real highlight of the week was our Year 12 trip to the University of Huddersfield, where students experienced university life first-hand through workshops in Fine Art, Illustration and Textiles. Huge thanks to the university staff and student ambassadors for such a motivating day

Thank you to everyone who got involved at lunchtimes, took on challenges, collected passports and earned house points - and well done to our Year 7s for getting started on their competition entries… more on that soon!

The future of the creative industries is looking very bright.

Huge congratulations to our winners:

• Yulianna and Amelia – Using the Scientific Method: Investigating the effects of different drinks on dentine using eggshells. Their project stood out for its clear planning, strong logic and particularly thoughtful evaluation and reflection on the strengths and limitations of their study.

• Miguel – Using the Engineering Design Process: A coded car parking management system that followed the full design cycle from problem identification to testing and improvement. Miguel impressed judges with his working one-in-one-out system and clear explanation of how it could be developed further.

• Tarunikaa – Science and Design: A creative and interactive model of the solar system and constellations, helping others understand how the night sky changes across seasons and hemispheres. The project combined strong scientific understanding with excellent communication.

• Reeti – Science Research Project: “Why haven’t we cured cancer yet?” An ambitious and highly researched project exploring complex biological processes and cancer treatments, delivered with confidence and genuine curiosity.

• Khadeeja - Judge’s Choice Award – Energy Bus: A highly innovative and sustainable design where passengers generate electricity while travelling, showing outstanding creativity, inclusivity and real-world problem solving.

Judging was carried out by Dr Kerry Parris, Lecturer in Medical Education at The University of Manchester School of Medical Sciences, who praised the depth of understanding and quality of discussion throughout the fair.

A huge thank you to King Beds in Halifax for kindly sponsoring the prizes.

Well done to all students involved – a brilliant celebration of science at Crossley Heath!

Katherine was selected for this award in recognition of her outstanding commitment, composure and leadership throughout the season. She consistently remained calm under pressure, providing a steady and reassuring presence that kept her team focused and united.

Playing with excellent skill and quiet determination, Katherine led by example rather than words, demonstrating resilience, maturity and sportsmanship throughout her time representing Crossley Heath. Through her performances and attitude, Katherine is helping to carry forward the proud sporting legacy of Heath Grammar School, which was long known for its sporting excellence.

We’re incredibly proud of you, Katherine, and look forward to seeing you continue to build on this legacy in the years ahead.

Since then, Daphne has continued performing through open mic nights, musical performances and school productions, including Oliver Junior in Year 7. She is incredibly proud to be part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show.

Aqib was always hugely passionate about our house system and was a true team player, consistently encouraging others to get involved and step outside their comfort zones. He threw himself into every opportunity with enthusiasm, supporting those around him and contributing positively to house events across the school.

From singing a solo as Freddie Mercury during House Music, to fully committing (blue paint and all!) to his role as the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, Aqib embraced each role with confidence - all while remaining a popular, well-liked and respectful presence around school.

This award celebrates Aqib’s energy, teamwork and willingness to give things a go. He's already greatly missed, and we’re excited to follow his achievements as he moves on to the next chapter.

Congratulations, Aqib!

The standard was incredibly high, making judging very difficult, but special congratulations go to our winners:

Ajay (7F) – Runner up

Safiyah (9E) – Runner up

Muhammad-Musa (7C) – Winner, with an impressive model of Durdle Door!

Thank you to all students who entered and to the Geography team for organising such a brilliant competition. A fantastic example of imagination, geographical knowledge and house spirit in action!

Zara’s involvement doesn’t stop there, she’ll be returning again tonight as an Ice Marshall and will also play a role in the medal ceremony, making this an unforgettable few days at the championships.

A brilliant achievement and a wonderful example of dedication and commitment. Well done, Zara!

A special thank you to alumnus Thomas Backhouse, who returned to Crossley Heath as a guest pianist. It was a real privilege to welcome him back and to be inspired by his performance.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the festival such a success!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Rana, winner of The Vernon Brearley Prize for Public Service (in addition to the Sheila Francis Jackson Memorial Trophy for Poetry!)

Since Year 7, Rana has shown an outstanding commitment to serving others and making a positive difference to school life. From her early involvement in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Group and Student Council, to supporting younger students through transition, Rana has consistently used her voice to improve the experience of those around her.

Over the years, Rana has led and supported a wide range of initiatives including drama club, house events, Duke of Edinburgh, volunteering with YMCA and a local youth club, cadets, student panels, MedTech leadership, and the prom committee. She has also represented the school with confidence and maturity through public speaking, media work, parliamentary visits, and meetings with local MPs.

What truly sets Rana apart is her character. She is a wonderful example of our Crossley Heath values in action:

Kindness through her service to others

Courage in stepping forward to lead and speak up

Excellence in her sustained commitment over many years

Rana, we are so proud of everything you have achieved and the positive impact you continue to make. A very deserving winner - well done!

It was a brilliant opportunity to work with professional musicians, develop their skills and enjoy making music together in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Our students had a wonderful time and represented Crossley Heath brilliantly. A really enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved!

Luke had an exceptional evening, receiving an impressive 6 awards in total - a tally that must be close to a Prize Giving record (former students, we’d love to hear if anyone can challenge it!). His awards on the evening included those for Exceptional Attainment at A Level, Computer Science, and Head Boy (among others!) - reflecting both his academic excellence and wider contribution to school life.

Luke is also one of the first two recipients of our Crossley Brothers Scholarships, a new annual award that supports our top two A Level performers with a £5,000 per year cash scholarship for the duration of their three-year degree, alongside a range of wider opportunities. These include access to leadership development, a London-based conference, and the chance to engage with our alumni network as he takes his next steps.

Luke is an ambitious, driven young person who has consistently made the most of every opportunity available to him, and we know he plans to continue doing so through work experience, internships and professional development alongside his university studies.

Congratulations, Luke. We’re incredibly proud of you and look forward to following your journey as it continues.

The event gave students the chance to hear directly from a panel of inspiring local professionals, including Fee Mak from BBC Radio Xtra and Pete Marquis from Porsche, who shared their journeys, experiences and advice about building successful careers in very different industries.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to ask questions, gain real world insight and start thinking about where their own ambitions could take them. A huge thank you to everyone involved.

Myra-Sofia’s talent, confidence and dedication have truly shone through, and this is a fantastic milestone in her acting journey. We can’t wait to see what comes next for her and we’ll all be cheering her on as she continues to shine.

Well done, Myra-Sofia!

Each year, we invite a distinguished former student to return and share reflections on their journey beyond Crossley Heath. This year, we were delighted to welcome back Luke Tryl, former Head Boy (2005).

Since leaving Crossley Heath, Luke has had an exceptional academic and professional journey. He studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Oxford, achieving a First Class degree and serving as President of the Oxford Union. His career has since spanned politics, public policy and education, including senior roles at Ofsted and as a Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education. He is now UK Director of More in Common, where he leads ground-breaking research into public opinion on issues such as immigration, climate change, mental health and social cohesion, and is a regular contributor across national media.

Luke’s speech on the evening was thoughtful, engaging and deeply inspiring. He spoke about the importance of curiosity, humility and genuine human connection, reflected honestly on non-linear career paths and setbacks, and encouraged students to back themselves, understand others and use their talents to help shape a more connected society.

We are incredibly grateful to Luke for returning to school and sharing his insight, experience and wisdom with our students.

It’s a simple way for us to stay in touch and share news, events and opportunities that are relevant to you. If you’re just starting out in your career, we can share job opportunities through the platform. If you’re further along, there’s even the option to advertise roles and connect with talented Crossley Heath alumni.

It’s also a great way to reconnect with former school friends and remain part of the Crossley Heath community, wherever life has taken you.

Sign up here: https://alumni.crossleyheath.org.uk/usersignup

Here’s to staying connected in 2026!

From week commencing 12 January, the corridors of school will once again be filled with music as our talented pianists perform on pianos positioned around the building during break and lunchtime. It’s a wonderful celebration of student talent and a chance for our musicians to share their skills with the whole school community.

The festival will culminate in a special evening concert on Thursday 15 January, featuring performances from students, staff and guest musicians.

Tickets for parents and carers are available on ParentPay for £5, with all funds raised going directly towards enhancing the Music Department’s equipment and resources.

Refreshments will be available on the night.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a joyful celebration of music and creativity at Crossley Heath.

As a school, we are proud to support the excellent work St Augustine’s do with refugees and people seeking asylum in Calderdale. This visit helped strengthen our growing links with this important local charity and reflects our commitment to kindness, compassion and community.

Well done to our choir for representing Crossley Heath so beautifully and for using their talents to make a positive difference.

This morning, we continued our Christmas celebrations with our Crossley Heath Christmas Celebration, a multi faith service held at the Minster for our Year 7 to 9 students. The service focused on the shared values at the heart of all faiths and communities, peace, kindness and giving to others, through thoughtful readings, stories from around the world and musical performances. It was a meaningful celebration of the true spirit of Christmas.

Thank you to all our students and staff who contributed so thoughtfully to both events, and to everyone who supported the collection, which will be shared between Halifax Minster and St. Augustine's Centre Halifax. These moments perfectly reflect the values that make Crossley Heath such a special community.

Thanks to our alumnus and former Head Boy, Fabrizio De Vito, who now works at OC&C, our students got the chance to take part in this fantastic schools outreach initiative.

Working in small teams, they built key skills in creative thinking, commercial awareness, critical analysis and presenting - developing bespoke business pitches through brainstorming, financial planning, competitor benchmarking and creating professional slide decks. They then pitched their ideas to a panel of OC&C employees, including Fabrizio himself.

A brilliant experience - and with work experience placements now on offer, several students will be taking their new skills even further!

The Courage and Excellence designs are fairly self-explanatory, but the Kindness icon is especially meaningful. The yarn is a nod to Thomas Porter, a Manchester yarn merchant. In 1887, Thomas made a hugely generous endowment to our school, on the condition that the institution be renamed The Crossley and Porter Orphan Home and School.

Thanks to the kindness of Thomas Porter (and, of course, the Crossley brothers), our school exists today, so it felt only right that kindness sits at the very heart of our values.

These designs were inspired by a student competition and beautifully brought to life by Mrs Tomlinson. We’re thrilled with how they’ve turned out.

You’ll be seeing them rolled out across school over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for them popping up!

Carol Concert cover – illustrated by Lili

Christmas Celebration Concert cover – illustrated by Elijah

We also just wanted to share a reminder that our whole Crossley Heath community is warmly invited to join us for a lovely evening of music and festive cheer this Thursday! Our Carol Concert is at Halifax Minster, this Thursday, from 7pm. No ticket is required, and there will be delicious hot drinks and mince pies served on the night.

We’d love to see you there