Bulletin december 2013

King Edward VI School

Christmas Bulletin

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20th December, 2013

erm has drawn to a close with the cast of Grease emerging from an intense period of rehearsals and performance, Christmas charity sales have been in full swing in the Crush Hall and preparations for the Carol Service at St. Mary’s Church have kept our musicians busy. There have been, understandably, some very tired children (and staff!) wandering around the corridors.

We have had a good term on the sports field with some enjoyable highlights such as the county successes for the girls' hockey teams while our rugby players have been busy with particular success for the U16 side as well as the enjoyable South Coast Rugby Tournament. Our footballers, sailors and our basketball players go from strength to strength.

Students in the Fifth Year will have plenty of work to do as they prepare for mid-sessional examinations in January. We continue to appreciate your support with maintaining high standards of dress; we like students to remain smart at all times.

The new term begins on Tuesday 7th January and, until then, I wish you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

AJ Thould Head Carol Service

Parents’ Childnet Talk

A big Thank You to all parents who sang so enthusiastically in the choir at this year’s Carol Service. It was really appreciated by music staff and pupils alike.

Internet Safety Seminar for Parents Tuesday 14th January, 2014 at 7.00pm in the Dobson Theatre

Following the collection, £709.51 will be donated to the New Forest Nightstop charity which enables homeless young people to access safe, free, emergency accommodation in the local area.

You are invited to attend the Know IT All seminar presented by Childnet International.

This is a very informative presentation which will give you an insight on how your child uses online and mobile technologies and the pitfalls and risks that can be associated with it.

In a change to previous arrangements at the start of term THERE WILL BE LATE BUSES on 7th January 2014

The seminar will last for approximately one hour and refreshments will be available from 6.30pm Please click Childnet for more information.

Burns Supper and Ceilidh Saturday 1st February at 7pm in the School Hall

There will be an opportunity for parents to attend a short briefing on the introduction of iPads to KES at 6:30pm in the Dobson Theatre, preceding the presentation by Childnet.

The South Africa Team will be hosting this annual event in support of the Goedgedacht Trust Tickets are available via KESpay at £25 This is a black tie event

This may be of particular interest to Second Year parents.

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Charlotte Country Day School Exchange

THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY

Return Leg: Information Evening Thursday 9th January at 7.30pm in Hospitality Suite

The attention of pupils and their parents is drawn to the fact that the School day begins at 8.30am.

By this time, all pupils are required to be inside the School buildings, attending to their lockers, and making their way to their Group Bases, where they must be by 8.40am.

Open Instrumental Lesson Week During the week of 3rd –7th February, parents are warmly invited to come to the School and attend their child’s instrumental lesson. This will be a good opportunity to see the lesson in action and discuss instrumental progress with the teacher.

It is not sufficient to aim to arrive at the School grounds by 8.30am (or later), as there is not enough time to do all that has to be done and still be in group base at 8.40am.

It is recognised that from time to time, due to failings of public transport, some pupils may arrive late; but these occasions should be very rare, and when they occur with any regularity, alternative means of transport should be found, to ensure punctual arrival in School.

Parents are asked to contact the instrumental teacher in advance if they would like to attend and to sign in at reception on arrival.

Substance Abuse Talk for Parents Tuesday 21st January at 7.00pm in the Dobson Theatre

Your fullest co-operation is sought to ensure that pupils begin each day promptly.

Bob Tait of Drug Education UK, is a former member of the Royal Navy Drugs Education Team and he has been working with the School on Drug and Alcohol Education for many years.

He delivers sessions to our students in their First, Third, Fourth and Lower Sixth Years as part of our PSHE programme.

Mindfulness Training Annie Davison, our School Counsellor, has recently qualified as a Mindfulness Teacher for Teens.

Mindfulness is training in concentration and selfawareness which can help young people respond better to the demands of performing well at School and with interactions with their peer group and family. Students who have participated in this training have said it has helped them, not only with stress, anxiety and relationships but also with concentration and sleep problems.

This year Mr Tait will be giving a talk to parents on the evening of the 21st January which will deal with all forms of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. It will also contain advice about such matters as parties.

Mr Tait will talk for approximately one hour and then take questions.

In the Spring Term, Annie will be running a Mindfulness Course, which will be open to students of all age groups.

Please click Drugs talk for more information.

You can find more about it by clicking here to access details from the School website. The sessions will take place on a Thursday lunchtime for nine weeks and there will be a limited number of places available. More information about the specific course can be found www.mindfulnessinschools.org.

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION It is important that the records we hold for your child are as up to date as possible in case of an emergency. Please check your contact details on the Parent Portal and notify us of any changes http://parents.kes.hants.sch.uk/

If you, as parents, are interested in learning more about Mindfulness, then please contact Annie on ad@kes.hants.sch.uk.

If you have not already signed up to the Portal, please email isams@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

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Staff & Parent Prayer Meeting

SUMMER TERM DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wed 7th May

Fifth Year Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Fri 9th May

Lower Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Fri 23rd May

Upper Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Thurs 12th June

Lower Sixth return to lessons

Thurs 19th June

Fifth Year Book Collection

Tues 24th June

Leavers’ Dinner

Wed 25th June

Leavers’ Day

Tuesday 14th January, 2014 1.00pm-2.00pm in the Commemoration Room MEDICAL UPDATES If you have new medical information relating to your child or changes to information already held on our database, please notify the Senior School Nurse on schoolnurses@kes.hants.sch.uk.

Charities Commission

The Examiner

Charitable activities have remained a key element of School life and this Autumn Term has been particularly busy for members of the Charities Commission.

The History department is very keen to broaden its contributor base for the new History magazine, The Examiner. As such, they would be delighted if any parents would like to contribute an article on any historical issue or event. The department would be particularly keen to see some material on local or family history but, in essence, the magazine can cater for all interests and all periods, however distant or obscure.

The First Year, in their colourful and imaginative fancy dress outfits, raised an incredible £2162.80 for the local Toy Appeal, whilst the School put together 130 shoe boxes for the Link to Hope Christmas Appeal. Other main events have included the Summer Camp Disco, doughnut sales, football competitions, sales of KES honey, Children in Need and Christmas Stalls.

Should this be of interest, please contact Mr Diver on njd@kes.hants.sch.uk. The deadline for the next issue is the end of January, 2014.

This term's non-uniform day raised money for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan; all of the £1463.87 raised on the day was donated to Oxfam and Save the Children. A 'flag of hope' was also sent out to a Philippine community via Oxfam.

Higher Education Evening Tuesday 4th February 7.00pm in The Dobson Theatre

The total raised for this term has exceeded £6,100!

This Information Evening is designed to help Lower Sixth parents understand current procedures for applications to universities. More than 98% of our students leave us to go to university and we will begin our Higher Education Programme with our current Lower Sixth students at the beginning of February.

Green Team Christmas Card Recycling An estimated 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in Britain, the equivalent of 200,000 trees. Around 1 million of these Christmas cards are thrown away every year.

Please help us to reduce this number and save resources.

Don’t throw away your used cards; bring them into school where there will be a special green bin in reception for you to deposit them in until 24th January. The Green Team will then make sure that your cards are recycled or reused in a way that will benefit the environment.

If you are a parent of a student in the Lower Sixth, please follow this link to access our information regarding preparation for University applications and our Higher Education programme.

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY th

Mon 6 Jan

INSET Day: School closed

Tues 7th Jan

Term commences

Wed 8th Jan

Fifth Year Mid-Sessional Examinations begin - conclude 15th Jan

Thurs 9th Jan

Fourth Year Morrisby Test

Tues 14th Jan

Second Year PSHE Day

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Tues 21 Jan

Third Year PSHE Day

Sat 25thJan

Admissions Exam

Please note: A more comprehensive calendar, which is updated and reviewed regularly, is available on our website at http:// www.kes.hants.sch. uk/calendar

Tuesday th 28 January, 2014 Friday 7th March at 7.30pm in the School Hall for parents and friends Teams of 8 The cost is ÂŁ12.50 per head with supper included Click Quiz for more information and booking form

Student pick up after school trips or sports fixtures Parents are reminded that coaches have to be able to park in the coach bays in Hill Lane on returning from away fixtures. Parents are asked to ensure that there is space for them to do so in order to avoid congestion.

See Dr Sinnett-Jones or a member of the Summer Camp Team for details 4