King Edward VI School
May Bulletin 24th May, 2013
A
Annual Athletics Sports Day 2013 Friday 28th June
s seems increasingly to be the case, the weather in April and May has kept us on our toes with everything from the first glimpses of summer sun to a return to hail and sleet! This has caused some problems for our sporting fixtures with damp wickets and wind-blown tennis but staff, students and parents have coped with their usual good humour. This is, of course, the examination season and for many a time of pressure as revision time flies by. Not all of our students find this straightforward and we were delighted to host a session with parents in May to discuss how to support children through the pitfalls of adolescence. There is also very useful guidance for students on our website to help them make the best use of their time.
1.00pm until 4.45pm on the School field Parents and friends are warmly invited to attend and we would be delighted to see you on the day Refreshments will be served in the Dining Hall between 2.30pm and 4.00pm Please note that this year parents will not be required to provide cakes, sandwiches or biscuits or to serve refreshments at this event
Preparations are well under way for our summer events with Sports Day, Activities Day and the Swimming Gala giving plenty to look forward to later in the term. This is also the year of our biennial Arts Festival with the focus on our 460th anniversary. The programme offers a wide range of events spread over three days with everything from music, drama, dance and art to some more rarefied offerings such as Juggle Jake!
All students are required on site until 4.45pm. If a pupil must leave before this time then agreement must be sought from their Head of Year in advance and the pupil will require a letter from home, also signed by their Head of Year KETA buses will leave at approximately 4.45pm and there will be NO LATE BUSES
There are two staff appointments to note for second half of term. Mrs Backen has decided to leave King Edward’s for personal reasons and will be succeeded by Dr. Wikeley. We have also appointed a new Head of Operations, Mr Baker, with effect from 3rd June following the move by Mr Goldie to Stroud School. This will be a quieter summer for development but we will be doing much work at our Wellington ground to prepare the facilities there vacated by Portsmouth Football Club for use by our students. The work in the music department will also be completed as well as the refurbishment of our history classrooms, a new roof for the biology department and some work on the School Hall. Please remind your sons and daughters that normal school regulations apply, particularly those relating to summer uniform which comes into force for the second half of term. Dress regulations may be consulted on our website by clicking here. I wish you a good break over half-term and hope to see a number of you at the many events that will follow in June and July. Head Master
KES Art Dept
Forthcoming Charity Commission Events 21st June: Green Team - Non uniform day Krispy Kreme Doughnut sale
25 june 2013
You are invited to the private view of the
Art Exhibition 1
A celebration of Art throughout the School First Year to Upper Sixth
Tuesday 25th June 6:30pm to 8pm in the Art Studios
Arts Festival 24th, 25th, 26th June
‘Looking Forward’ Evening for Fourth Year Parents 10th July at 7.30pm in the Dobson Theatre
The Arts Festival ‘Carnival’ runs for three days this year and is a fun and action packed event with a multitude of creative activities for students to explore and take part in. The festival concludes with the traditional lunchtime Street Theatre on the School field. Amongst the many activities on offer we have a circus skills workshop and face painting, which were very popular at our last Arts Festival. If you would prefer your son or daughter not to take part in these events please email Mrs Freemantle at hf@kes.hants.sch.uk.
Following the Looking Forward Day for Fourth Year pupils, this evening session for parents will feature presentations and discussion on the decisions students will need to make about their Sixth Form academic choices, co-curricular involvement, and preparation for university entrance. The day for pupils is designed to enable them to make informed decisions about their academic careers, and this evening session aims to support you as parents as you help them do this. Mr Thould, Mr Dellar, Mr Culver and Ms Greenwood will lead the discussions.
Watersports 2013 Information Evening 27th June at 7pm in the Hospitality Suite Please click here if you need to complete the Rockley Park medical questionnaire
Procedure for if your child is ill and unable to attend school To enable us to be sure of the whereabouts and safety of our students it is important that you contact the Main Office (02380 704561 or by email absent@kes.hants.sch.uk) as soon as possible, preferably by 8.30am, if your child is ill or is going to be late.
SCHOOL LUNCH REMINDER The deadline for changes to school lunch arrangements for the Autumn Term is: Wednesday 3th July The price for a lunch from September is £3.55
If the illness is on-going please contact the Main Office on each day that your child is absent.
It will not be possible to meet requests that arrive after the deadline Please email dinners@kes.hants.sch.uk giving pupil name, tutor group and the change intended No action is required if arrangements are to continue as at present
We would also be grateful if you would reinforce the need for your child to report to the Main Office if they arrive late to School.
Any request using the dinners@kes email address will be acknowledged
This year’s Fifth Year pupils have taken the initiative to organise their own Fifth Year Prom on 24th June. Likewise, the Upper Sixth Form leavers have organised their own Leavers’ Ball on the evening of Leavers’ Day. We understand that both Upper and Lower Sixth Formers have bought tickets for the Ball.
Leavers’ Celebrations
Grease Auditions Auditions for the Autumn term production of Grease are taking place and there has been an enormous response. If Fifth Year and Lower Sixth students are interested but cannot make the audition dates due to exams, please contact Mrs Piggott.
As parents, we thought you would wish to know that the School is not assisting with any arrangements for these events and therefore can accept no responsibility for the conduct of the evening nor for the welfare of the pupils, their behaviour, accident or damage either at the events or during their travel to and from the venues.
TEMPORARY BUS PASSES Pupils wishing to obtain a temporary bus pass to enable them to travel on a different route must arrange this through Mr Baker, giving at least 48 hours’ notice. Temporary passes will only be available on buses where there is spare capacity.
We do, however, wish them every success in what we hope will be both enjoyable and memorable events. First Year Music Concert Parents are welcome to attend on Wednesday 26th June at 4.15pm in the Music Recital Room. There will be no parking on site for this event.
We have been asked by 12th Eastleigh Scouts if we can help them find a new District Commissioner. Please contact the Head Master for more details. 2
Upper Sixth Leavers’ Dinner
Important deadline for returning School text books
If you would like to attend this event please be aware the deadline for purchasing tickets is Monday 10th June. Payments can be made via KESpay and tickets are priced at £9 for adults and students.
Fifth Year Replacements will be ordered for any books not returned on or before Thursday 20th June. You will therefore be charged for books lost or not returned by this date. Please be aware that refunds or credits are NOT available for books returned after 20th June, 2013. Upper Sixth After taking account of outstanding monies and school text books which have not been returned we aim to refund your deposit at the earliest opportunity. Please be aware that replacements will be ordered for any books not returned on or before Thursday 27th June, 2013. We will therefore not be able to adjust your deposit balance or reimburse you for any books returned after this date.
EXAMINATION GUIDANCE Internal Examinations take place for the First to Fourth Years during the period 13th - 19th June. All pupils will be given guidance on revision. Lower School pupils will be given a Revision Guide to help them develop their own individual skills in study and revision. Upper School pupils can view subject specific revision guidance on the website.
Theatre Studies Evenings
Parents are cordially invited Year Theatre Studies evenings on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd July. Mr Mason’s and Mrs Price’s groups will be performing on Tuesday and Mrs Piggott’s groups on Wednesday. Both evenings start at 7.30pm and will take place in the Dobson Theatre.
Copies of all guides can be found by clicking Revision Guides
to the Third
A Level and AS Examination Results Students can collect their A2 results in the Sixth Form Study Centre from 9:30am on Thursday 15th August, and AS results from 2pm on that date. For those Sixth Form students who need support or advice concerning the immediate next stage of their career (current university offers or A2 choices), a face-to-face post examinations clinic is available on the Thursday and Friday between the hours of 9.30am and 12noon and in the afternoon, from 2pm until 4.00pm. Upper Sixth students currently holding offers are reminded that they will need their UCAS identification number. A further clinic will be available on the following Monday morning from 9.30am until noon for any issues that have not been fully resolved in the previous week.
Rehearsals are going well for the First and Second Year production of Haroun and the Sea of Stories. The Art and Drama departments are a hive of activity, with over 50 in the cast and lots of pupils supporting the production team by painting, sculpting and creating an unusual array of props. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Music Department Quiz - Friday 21st June 19:45 - 21:00 Dining Hall Adults £5 Children £3
In an effort to raise money for the Italy Tour, the Music department are putting on a musical quiz extravaganza and YOU are invited. Be guided through the evening by the loud trousers and legendary wit of quizmaster Piggott as we sort the quavers from the crotchets in our attempt to find the best music brains in the land. Bring your own food and drink to enjoy (plates, cutlery and glasses will be provided, as will tea and coffee). Contact Mrs Cooke on phc@kes.hants.sch.uk for tickets. 3
SUN SAFETY
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Fri 24th May Break up for Summer Half Term Mon 3rd June Second half of Summer Term commences Thurs 13th June Internal examinations commence First Year finish Monday 17th June Second Year finish Tuesday 18th June Third & Fourth Year finish Wed 19th June th Thurs 20 June Fifth Year Book Collection Sun 23rd June First Year Pupil & Parent Tennis Tournament Thurs 27th June Upper Sixth Book Collection & Leavers’ Assembly Fri 28th June Sports Day Fri 5th July Activities Day to Wed 10th July Lower School Swimming Gala n 24th ne o M 6th Ju Fri 12th July End of Term - NO LATE BUSES Wed 2 estival Arts F
Please could parents remind their son/ daughter to apply sun screen before school during the summer months. It is also important to reapply sun screen throughout the day and specifically before sports fixtures where pupils are outside for long periods. Pupils should provide their own sunscreen for this. It is advisable that a sunscreen of at least Factor 15 or above is used. Pupils are allowed to wear a predominantly white or navy sun hat/ cap for P.E. and Games. For more advice regarding sun safety please refer to www.sunsmart.org.uk
Just a reminder that all payments for activities should be paid by 31st May and that no breakfasts or school lunches will be provided on the day even if your child is taking part in an activity on the School site.
Permission for Absence
First & Second Year
It is expected that family holidays will be taken in the School holidays and ideally all appointments should be arranged outside School hours but there may be occasions when you need to request time out of School for your child. If this is the case your child’s tutor should be informed, in writing, in advance of any appointments and requests for permission for absence for other occasions should be made to the Head of Year, giving plenty of advance notice.
£6 Friday 28th June - 6pm to 9pm Tickets will be on sale via KESpay from 24th May and includes a light meal
Sixth Form Geography Presentation Craig Allison from the University of Southampton, Geography Department will be working with our Lower Sixth geography students on Monday 10th June as they come back to study their A2 course. He is involved in research on a visualisation project for the Office for National Statistics looking at census data and migration patterns. The students will be introduced to new software using GIS (Geographical Information Systems) – a rapidly growing area of geographical sciences for undergraduates in the UK.
Refreshments can be purchased on the evening
PARENTS’ EVENINGS 2013/2014
TERM DATES 2013/2014 Autumn Term 2013: Wednesday 4th September – Friday 20th December (Half-term Friday 25th October – Monday 4th November inclusive) Inset Days: Tuesday 3rd September, Thursday 24th October & Monday 18th November Spring Term 2014: Monday 6th January – Friday 28th March (Half-term: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February) Inset Days: Friday 14th February & Monday 17th March Summer Term 2014: Tuesday 22nd April – Friday 11th July (Bank holiday – Monday 5th May) (Half-term: Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May) 4
Year
Date
Upper Sixth
Thursday 19th September 2013
First
Thursday 21st November 2013
Lower Sixth
Tuesday 26th November 2013
Fourth
Tuesday 3rd December 2013
Fifth
Wednesday 5th February 2014
Third
Tuesday 25th February 2014
Second
Thursday 6th March 2014