DIXIT - 7 June 2019

DIXIT

EDITION 55 7th June 2019

The weekly newsletter for the Holyport College family

Sixth Form Grand Tour -Rome and Sorrento

Over half term we visited Italy on a cultural tour seeing some fantastic sights such as the Colosseum, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. Within the first 10 minutes of being in Rome our renowned Head Boy, Victor Jimenez, lost his passport in the toilets. The next day we went sightseeing around Rome and saw the Colosseum, The Roman Forums, The Pantheon and The Trevi Fountains. The following day we took a train to Naples and went to the Herculaneum, it’s very historical and interesting to see the aftermath of the pyroclastic wave. We then went to our hotel and swam at our private beach and had a rooftop party! On Thursday we explored Pompeii for 3 hours and then we climbed Mount Vesuvius where it poured with rain when we all got to the top.

On our last day we all enjoyed limoncello and ice cream and explored the markets. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and all want to go back ASAP. We would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Miss Shears and Mr Walker.

Sophie, Olivia and Saskia

@holyportcollege

www.youtube.com/holyportal

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DIXIT 7th June 2019

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IN THIS EDITION

From the Lake Year 9s volunteer at the National Schools Regatta

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From the Academic Committee This week’s subject of inquiry—Psychology

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From the CCF Miss Loudoun reports from her training week

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From the Partnership The first ever Eton/Holyport exchange

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From the College Introducing our new communication system and summer activity days

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From the Community Important immunisation information

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From the Friends Dad’s Club barbecue at Holyport Fair

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From the Refectory Next week’s lunch menus

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From the Calendar Upcoming events and dates for your diaries

@holyportcollege www.youtube.com/holyportal 2

FROM THE LAKE

DIXIT 7th June 2019

Volunteering at the National Schools Regatta A group of Year 9 students volunteered at the National Schools Regatta at Dorney Lake on 24th May. This is THE big junior rowing regatta of the year with competitors travelling from across the UK including Northern Ireland! Our team of Year 9’s were trained by the media team to use the professional cameras and film the races which were being streamed live on the regatta’s website and Facebook feeds.

To see their footage visit www.nationalschoolsregatta.co.uk

@HolyportExpArts

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DIXIT 7th June 2019

FROM THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE

This week’s subject of inquiry: Psychology Film recommendation: Three Identical Strangers

The drama and mystery filled psychological documentary ‘Three Identical Strangers’ not only tells the compellingly unbelievable story of identical triplets split up at birth and reunited as adults, but also opens up to the viewer the vast world of Psychology.

This includes the heavily debated ethical side of the wide research it involves, how justifiable it is argued to be, as well as the lasting nature/nurture debate.

It is a great watch for those who are thinking of pursuing Psychology at A-level and at university, but also for anyone looking for something enjoyable to watch with a flair of psychology to it.

@HPCSixth

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FROM THE CCF

DIXIT 7th June 2019

Miss Loudoun spent the week alongside 34 other school Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV's) on the Frimley Basic Course finishing her CCF Officers commission to Second Lieutenant.

The intense week involved: assault course training, resulting in lots of start running to walls and getting a lot of bruises, numerous lectures and practical lessons on weapons handling and firing techniques. My first day at the ranges was shooting and operating the Butts targets; which involved a bit of creative collage sticking over bullet holes. I encouraged others to personalise their targets in creative ways, adding fangs, eyes and flowers. Early on Wednesday we set off for a day and a half's training activities and cadet leadership assessment and activities in the field. Thursday involved cleaning and washing after their tactical missions and getting ready for the Mess night formal meal where the shooting competition scores were announced.

It took a while to get used to only having two hours of free time a day and only being able to eat and regulate my own body temperature on hot days when instructed to do so. Overall the course has been excellent both educationally and through the network of other school teachers and volunteers I met.

@Holy_Sport

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DIXIT 7th June 2019

FROM THE PARTNERSHIP

First ever Eton-Holyport Exchange a real success!

Whilst the partnership between the Eton and Holyport has been present from the start of the College, this year it has gone from strength to strength and on Wednesday and Friday culminated in our first ever academic exchange. Four Year 10 boys from Eton (known as E Blockers) came over to Holyport to shadow four of our students and in addition to having subjects such as Maths, Physics, English and Languages they got to sample the delights of Holyport snacks at break and lunch in the dining hall. Thomas Wood (HC) said that he enjoyed showing his partner around Holyport College. Whilst that was going on here, over near Windsor, four Year 12 students from Holyport were having a day in the life of an Etonian. The day started with chapel and then a vast array of lessons – some of which we don’t offer here including A Level Greek! Baba Sowole was pleased to get to see what life was like at Eton and also catch up with some of his friends he already has over there from the Investment Club.

Today sees the return leg with Holyport Year 10s at Eton and Eton Year 12s (C Blockers) over at Holyport. Small initiatives like this help to cement the partnership between the two Colleges and make sure that it is something that is tangible and real.

It looks likely that next year there will be high demand for places on the exchange programme from both ends!

@HPCSixth

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DIXIT 7th June 2019

Introducing EduLink One Holyport College has recently purchased a new piece of software which will simplify and improve communication between staff, parents and pupils at the college. This is an exciting and user friendly way to interact which also has the benefit of being fully integrated with the college’s database. As a result, parents and carers will be able to see House Points and Behaviour points as well as any detentions their students have been placed in. In addition they will have access to attendance data and will be able to see the preps that their students have been set (this is currently being trialled by staff). In September it is hoped that this new product will replace Schoolgateway and our current parents’ evening software as well as offering many additional benefits.

The software we have purchased is called EduLink One and is provided by Overnet Data. You can find their webpage here: https://www.overnetdata.com/edulinkone Between now and the end of term we will be making EduLink One available to staff, parents and pupils alongside our usual methods of communication. This transition period will give all users the opportunity to interact with the software and to give the college feedback about it. Staff and selected pupils have already begun to use EduLink One and they are excited about the potential benefits that using this software will bring. I hope that parents and carers will be similarly impressed and will enjoy the functionality that EduLink One offers.

If parents and carers would like to download the EduLink One app to their mobile devices in preparation for next week then it can be found by searching for ‘EduLink One’ in their app provider.

What happens next: Week commencing 10 June  parents and carers will be emailed their login details for EduLink One  an email will be sent out to parents via Schoolgateway to inform them that this has happened Parents and carers will then be able to access information about their students via the EduLink One webpage or the App. Week commencing 17 June  parents and carers will be able to update the contact details the college holds for them and their students  instructions for using EduLink One will be made available to parents and carers  Year 7 and 8 reports will be sent out using EduLink One as a test of its capability (reports will also be sent using Schoolgateway in the usual way) Friday 21 June  a demonstration and Q&A session will be provided for parents and carers on Friday afternoon before the Exeat weekend. Precise times and venues will be decided and advertised nearer the time September 2019  EduLink One will replace Schoolgateway and the College’s current parents’ evening package.

Overnet Data are GDPR compliant.

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FROM THE COLLEGE

DIXIT 7th June 2019

A reminder about the summer activity weeks we are holding at the College this year.

The aim of N.R.G. is to offer 9 - 12 year olds something more grown up than the childish primary school sports camps that they have grown out of. The facilities at the College allow a range of activities to be offered onsite, they be will organised by trained PE teachers and supported by senior students. Every afternoon students will be transported off site, using College mini-buses, to participate in a range of activities at local leisure facilities including; ice skating, Liquid Leisure, bowling, climbing etc.

These weeks are available to all children from the local community, who will be entering Years 5 - 8 from this September. I have attached further details and would ask you to use the link, included in the flyer emailed to parents and carers yesterday, to register your interest.

I would also be incredibly grateful if you could share, post, email this to anyone else you think maybe interested in these fun filled weeks.

As ever, happy to answer any further questions and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards Adam Bicknell

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FROM THE COMMUNITY

DIXIT 7th June 2019

Information sent on behalf of Berkshire Healthcare School-aged Immunisation Team

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING MEASLES MUMPS AND RUBELLA VACCINATIONS There has been a sharp increase in the number of cases of measles reported nationally and globally https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47940710 as well as an increase in Mumps cases for 15-24 year olds. Berkshire Healthcare provides immunisations against infectious diseases for all school-aged children, and we want to assure you it is not too late to get your child vaccinated. Children are at risk to themselves and the wider community if they have not received two doses of MMR (usually given at 13 months and 3 ½ years). Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, initial symptoms may be similar to coldlike symptoms such as a runny nose and high temperature.

Measles is a notifiable disease and if your child has not received two combined MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) doses of the vaccine or, has previously received the singular MMR vaccines, they will NOT be protected and they are AT RISK of contracting the illness as well as passing it on to others, especially at risk are the vulnerable (babies and individuals with life limiting conditions). Two combined MMR doses are required for full protection. If you are unsure about your child’s immunisation history, check their Red Book.

There is no charge for this vaccination and we offer a number of community clinics across Berkshire both after school and on Saturdays, the service is available to all children attending state, independent and special schools. This vaccination is not routinely available from GP practices for children of school age.

If your child attends a school in Wokingham, Reading or West Berkshire and you would like your child to be vaccinated please contact us by emailing bks-tr.SchoolimmunisationTeam@nhs.net or calling 01189 207575.

If your child attends a school in Slough, Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead or Bracknell Forest and you would like your child to be vaccinated please contact us by emailing bks-tr.SchoolimmunisationTeam@nhs.net or calling 01753 636759.

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DIXIT 7th June 2019

FROM THE FRIENDS

Hear Ye Hear Ye! Let it be known throughout Holyport that the Holyport College Dads Club will be running a Medieval BBQ at Holyport Fair This the 15th day of June 2019 - from 1pm

A delicious selection of Burgers & Hotdogs, Vegetarian & Vegan options will be available.

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DIXIT

FROM THE REFECTORY

7th June 2019

Next week’s lunch menus Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Chicken Katsu

BBQ Steak Fajitas

Szechwan Pork

(v) Quorn Nugget katsu

(v) Quorn Fajitas

(v) Vegetable Fu Yung

2nd option - Pasta & Jacket Bar

2nd option - Pasta & Jacket Bar

Wedges Seasonal Vegetables

Vegetable Chow Mein

Salad Counter

Salad Counter

2nd option – Pasta & Jacket Bar

Rice Stir fry Vegetables

Salad Counter

Friday

Saturday

Burgers (v) Spicy bean Burger

Soup Salads Panini’s

Thursday

Pesto & Parmesan Chicken (v) Pesto & Parmesan Aubergine

2nd option – Noodles & Jackets

Tomato Pasta

Salad Counter

Sunday

Brunch –Selection

2nd option – Fish n Chip Bar Fries Salad Salad Counter

Salad Counter

If you suffer from a food allergy or intolerance you are

advised to consult with the Sodexo manager or head chef.

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DIXIT

FROM THE CALENDAR

7th June 2019

Some Dates for Your Diaries Saturday 15th June—Holyport Village Fair Friday 21st June—Exeat weekend Thursday 13th June—GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition Monday 15th July—Sports Day Tuesday 16th July—end of term

STOP THE PRESS! The final arrangements for the Brecon Beacons trip have been sent out this week. Please can all parents and carers check their emails and complete the forms as requested.

We will be leaving at 10.30am on Friday 14th June and returning Sunday 16th June at 7.00pm (traffic depending).

Please check school Twitter for travel and trip updates!

Hope all the students are look forward to the trip as much as the staff are!!

Mr Cohen

We have been asked to share the link to a safety video regarding water safety during the warmer weather. Although the video does seem to be aimed at the parents and carers of younger children, it is worthy of a wide distribution. Please do pass on the link to others who are the parents or carers of younger children.

Children safety video clip: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5_LTEfun_oNV0c1ZEptdndrUVU Reminder to boarding parents - Liquid Leisure and Thorpe Park payments are now overdue. We also have a few extra spaces for boarding students if they would like to go.

Parents’ Evening Dates 2018/19

Reporting Dates

Year 7 and 8 parents’ evening: Monday 5th November 2018

Year 7/8/10 interim reports—18th January 2019

Year 11 parents’ evening: Wednesday 5th December 2018

Year 9 full reports—25th January 2019

Year 10 parents’ evening: Wednesday 6th February 2019

Year 11 mock exam reports—30th January 2019

Upper Sixth parents’ evening: Monday 25th February 2019

Year 13 mock reports—15th February 2019

Year 9 parents’ evening and GCSE options presentation: Wednesday 24th April 2019

Year 7-10 interim reports—8th March 2019

Lower Sixth parents’ evening: Wednesday

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Year 11 full reports—29th March 2019

May 2019

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