King Edward VI School
Easter Bulletin
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31 March, 2017 he second half of term concluded with an outstanding sell-out Spring Concert at Turner Sims Concert Hall and our Thanksgiving Services held at both KES and St Nicolas’s Church. We have also had a very good term on the sports field as the chill has given way to the first hints of spring sunshine.
It has been a busy half of term with a combination of a variety of school trips and activities, the visit from students from Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina, trips abroad for our students including historians in Munich, linguists and artists in Salamanca and Florence, scientists at Space Camp in Belgium and CERN in Switzerland, various charity events, the annual dinner dance raising funds for the South Africa project and the KES PTA Quiz. There are some rather exhausted students (and staff!) in need of a break but School activity continues over the holiday. Over April our students are involved in visits to Andalucia, New York, Prague, Iceland, Italy, Morocco, Montpellier, the annual ski trip to France and, with perhaps a little less glamour, the New Forest and Dartmoor to begin the Duke of Edinburgh expedition season. I wish you a good break over Easter and hope to see a number of you at various events in the summer including the Arts Festival and Sports Day in June with, we all hope, some sunshine! AJ Thould Head Master
KETA Bus Service Cancellations
OBNO needs your out grown but not outworn clothes as we are running low on stock. If you have any items of school uniform that you no longer need then please consider giving them to the OBNO shop. We stock school uniform, Sports kit (new-style sports kit only please), ski wear, wetsuits and much more Click here for more information.
To cancel a pupil’s place on the KETA bus service a term’s notice is required in advance to keta@kes.hants.sch.uk THERE WILL BE LATE BUSES ON THE FIRST DAY BACK AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAY
Spring Concert at Turner Sims The second of this term’s spring concerts took place on 15 March and featured KES senior musicians in Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Chamber Choir. The quality of the performances was outstanding, once again, highlighting the depth and breadth of music in the School.
Summer Term Leave of absence Thursday 4 May - Fifth Year Leave of Absence begins at 4:00pm Friday 26 May - Upper Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4:00pm
If you were unable to attend please click here to see and hear the highlights.
Fifth Year Book Collection: Friday 16 June at 10.30am
Pupils leaving the School
Upper Sixth Book Collection & Leavers’ Assembly: Friday 30 June at 8.40am All Fifth Year and Upper Sixth pupils are required to attend on their respective days
For all pupils, other than those in the Upper Sixth, who intend to leave KES at the end of this academic year, a reminder to parents that written notice must be received in all cases by the Registrar or the Head before the end of the spring term.
Tuesday 2 May is a Monday timetable
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the Registrar on 02380 799216. 1
HIGHER EDUCATION MATTERS
STUDY SKILLS Do you feel your child would benefit from developing their study skills? A Study Skills club is now running for pupils, where they can work with a member of staff on a weekly drop-in basis at lunch time. If you are interested pleased email Mr Nichols on rpn@kes.hants.sch.uk
UPPER SIXTH
Upper Sixth Starting University in September 2017 Finance Information If your son/daughter is hoping to start a full-time course at university or college in September 2017, he/she must apply online for student finance.
35mm Camera Club Mr Piggott wonders if parents have any disused and unloved manual 35mm film cameras that they might want to donate to the Art department. Please contact him on glp@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.
Applications should be made as soon as possible, to ensure the money is in place at the start of the university course. Students do not need to have a confirmed place – they should use their first choice and change it online at a later date if necessary. The deadline for completed applications for finance is 31 May 2017.
Staff and Parent Prayer Meeting Tuesday 9 May 1.00pm to 2.00pm in the Commemoration Room. All parents are welcome to attend.
Please be aware that the School does not have any input into this particular aspect of Higher Education. Any queries need to be dealt with directly by going to www.gov.uk/student-finance.
TRIPS & VISITS HUB
LOWER SIXTH
We have an extraordinary amount of trips taking place over the Easter break. Please see below a reminder of dates and places.
University Open Days Students need to see KJ in the Student Guidance Office to confirm their attendance on our university visits. Students will also need to register online with each university for individual lectures. There are still a few places left on our trips to Bath and Birmingham.
Andalucía New York Skiing in France Prague Exchange Iceland Rome & the Bay of Naples Morocco Montpellier
Summer Internal Examinations
31 March - 4 April 31 March - 5 April 1 - 8 April 1 - 7 April 2 - 6 April 4 - 11 April 15 - 22 April 16 - 22 April
Duke of Edinburgh Dates
Lower Sixth Wednesday 26 April to Wednesday 3 May First and Second Year Friday 19 to Wednesday 24 May
Silver Practice - Dartmoor: 1 - 4 April Gold Expedition in Wales: 3 - 7 April Bronze Practice - New Forest: 11 - 13 April Silver Practice - Dartmoor: 18 - 21 April
Third and Fourth Year Wednesday 7 to Tuesday 13 June
Important – Trips Security Information
First and Second Year exams will each be 45 minutes, whilst Third and Fourth Year exams will be up to 90 minutes long. Where possible, Third and Fourth Years will be given an opportunity to sit their exams in the large examination venues in preparation for their GCSEs.
For parents’ convenience, when sending in passport copies for upcoming trips, a copy will now be securely stored to be used for forthcoming visits in the same academic year and parents will be reminded to send new copies in September. Parents who do not wish for their child’s passport to be stored for this purpose must confirm this in writing to trips@kes.hants.sch.uk.
In order to help pupils prepare, the School has developed a Student Learning Section of our website. This can be found under Academic/Curriculum/Student Learning. There, pupils can find information on everything from successful study skills advice to appropriate year revision guides.
All trip information packs posted on the website will now be password-protected. Parents must use their MySchoolPortal login details to access. 2
Save the date for the UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR
KES PTA BBQ & Ceilidh Saturday 8 July, 2017
Following on from her very well received talk about teenage temperament in May 2015, we are delighted to be inviting back Lorraine Lee for two separate evening presentations this summer term about understanding boys’ and girls’ behaviours.
at Wellington Sports Ground More information coming soon!
The talks will take place in the Hospitality Suite on 10 May (boys) and 24 May (girls) both starting at 7pm. Lorraine has worked as a Parenting Practitioner in Southampton for over 10 years and has worked very closely with Southampton City Council. There will be a First Year Pupil and Parent Rounders Tournament held at: Wellington Sports Ground on Friday 23 June at 6.30pm Refreshments will be provided If you are interested in taking part in this fun event, please email Miss Stone on amls@kes.hants.sch.uk with your child’s name, Tutor Group and indicate who will be partnering them.
Each presentation will last for about one hour with the opportunity for further discussion afterwards.
HPV Vaccination Programme The second dose of the HPV vaccinations for Second Year girls will take place on 10 May. Girls need to check the medical room door for timings.
First Year: INDEPENDENCE We are looking forward to a fun -filled couple of days. All students will be contacted in due course with more details about their chosen activity.
A two-day adventure for the whole year group to Fairthorne Manor. Second Year: CONFIDENCE Second Years have already chosen their options: Normandy trip, Climbing, Photography or Watersports in Poole.
Third Year: COLLABORATION For those who haven't opted for the Battlefields trip there will be a repeat of last year's hugely successful Dragon's Den, which is based in School. Fourth Year: COMMUNITY Those not doing their Duke of Edinburgh expedition or going to Wimbledon have been asked which activity they would like to do with our local Primary School children. Last year we had multi-sports at Wellington with 180 primary school children taking part. That is an option this year along with Sport, Dance, Public Speaking, Science, Mathematics, Art or Drama at School. Lower Sixth: SELF-IMPROVEMENT There is something for everyone in the Sixth Form. Many will be on the Geography or Biology field trip or going to Wimbledon whilst others can opt for University Open Days, an introduction to the Extended Project, running a cafe for Dragons Den or building a Cactus garden at Stroud. Parents are reminded that no breakfast or lunch will be available on either 6 or 7 July even if the activities are on the School site. Parents have not been charged for lunches on these dates. 3
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Mon 24 April Fri 28 April Mon 1 May Mon 15 May Thurs 25 May Friday 26 May Wed 31 May
INSET Day: School closed Second Year Camp: Dartmoor: returns 1 May BANK HOLIDAY Fourth Year GCSE RS Examination (am) First and Second Year Spanish trip to Catalonia departs: returns 30 May Break up for half term Second Year Camp: Dartmoor: returns 3 June
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
As ever, there are one or two students who could do with a haircut and please note that pupils will be expected to return in normal school uniform next term. When the weather is sufficiently warm we will inform the School of the introduction of summer dress. SPORTS NOTES
Summer Games Kit Parents are reminded that students in the First Year and new students in the Third Year will require the new summer games white polo shirt for their games lessons. This will be available online from Stevenson’s from 21 April and can be pre ordered. All other students in Second to Fourth Years may wear their old white shirt but if a replacement is needed we recommend that they purchase the new shirt. The new shirts will be compulsory for all students in summer 2018. Please click here for a reminder of the School uniform policy. Cricket helmet guidance It is school policy in line with ECB regulations for junior cricket that all batsmen and wicket keepers are required to wear a cricket helmet. The School will make available protective helmets for students but those who play cricket regularly should consider purchasing their own. When purchasing a new helmet this link to the ECB cricket Helmet Guidance might be of use. The BS standard mentioned is not compulsory as many older helmets will still be safe but players and parents should ensure a junior size ball cannot slip through the grille and the grille is correctly screwed on. Summer term practice schedule and sports fixtures The practice schedule for the summer sports teams can be found by clicking here. All fixtures can be found by going to the Sports Website. Collection from Saturday Away Sports Fixtures Parents are asked to park inside the school gates in the parking bays by the astro when waiting to collect students who have been playing in away fixtures. The gates should be open for access but if not please use the code issued at the start of the academic year. There continue to be problems for the Princess Coaches on return and there have been a number of occasions when they have had to park in the middle of the road to drop students off. The safety of our students is paramount. WATERSPORTS 2018 The cost of the trip will be £580, including all meals on the site and travel. If you would like your son or daughter to take part in this trip, please pay a deposit of £100 via KESpay as soon as possible since places are limited. Two further payments will be required: £240 in September 2017 and the balance of £240 in February 2018. In the meantime, should you have any questions about the trip, please contact Dr Gamblin at School on sdg@kes.hants.sch.uk.
The School has provisionally booked places for a trip with Rockley Watersports from Sunday 19 to Sunday 26 August 2018, near the end of next year’s summer holiday. This popular trip is open to pupils currently in the First, Second and Third years. The trip involves travel by coach and ferry to the south west of France. The centre, La Rive, is located on Lac Biscarosse, which is about 35 miles from Bordeaux. The group will stay on a four-star campsite, which has its own secluded area amongst pine trees. Rockley Watersports activities include windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, body boarding and mountain biking. All activities are wellsupervised by highly qualified staff to ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable stay. All water based activities require the use of a buoyancy aid. Pupils must be able to swim 50m.
As numbers are restricted, there will be a reserve list kept throughout the year.
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