Final push for school dream

On Sunday, June 12, the school will host a street party with food and live music, organised to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. The event will also provide the finishing point for the third annual Big Bike Bash. It will see more than 30 students, staff and friends of school ride a range of adapted and conventional bikes and aim to complete a 40-mile bike ride across Calderdale.

The street party will see the school grounds transformed into a red, white and blue wonderland as live music is performed by Skipton-based band Undercover, fronted by former head of Ravenscliffe, Mike Hirst OBE.

Whilst the crowds soak up the atmosphere at the party, the cyclists will have been pushing themselves to the limit through Elland, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Halifax.

There will also be a lap of the track and Spring Hall thrown in, as the aim of the event is to raise the profile of the Spring Hall project and the final chase for the funding needed to build and equip it. Over the last two years, the school and its friends have raised an additional £1.2m to the £1.6m pledged by Calderdale Council for the school.

Head teacher Martin Moorman said: “It is hoped that planning permission is now imminent and the building works will start in the autumn, with the new Sixth Form and Community Centre opening its doors in September 2017. The last piece of the funding puzzle is to attract the final £380,000.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor the Big Bike Bash team can do so via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/bigbikebash3. Tickets for the street party are available via the school office on 01422 358621, [email protected] or www.ravenscliffe.calderdale.sch.uk.

Two more events are being held to help the school’s cause. On June 18, the Friends of Ravenscliffe will host a ‘Rio Carnival Fun Run’ - a 5km run in Shroggs Park with participants dressed in a Rio theme.

To enter, email Danielle Delaney at [email protected]. On the same day, there will also be a music festival held at the school. There will be 11 music acts, food and a Real Ale bar. Tickets are £5 and can also be bought by emailing Danielle.