King Edward VI School
May Bulletin 23rd May, 2014
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s I write, the sun has emerged and summer has suddenly arrived, if only for a few days. AS level and GCSE Examinations are in full swing and students are head down as they revise but it is not all academic pressure. We have enjoyed some welcome cricket played very enthusiastically on the new square at Wellington while our ballet dancers are energetically involved in a Northern Ballet workshop in the air-conditioned bliss of the dance studio.
Annual Athletics Sports Day 2014 Friday 27th June 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
The principal focus of the School in June will be on examinations and there is very useful guidance for students on our website to help them make the best use of their time. Please remind your sons and daughters that normal School regulations apply, particularly those relating to summer uniform which is introduced for the whole School after Half Term.
Refreshments will be served in the Dining Hall between 2.30pm and 4.00pm 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
Our major project for the summer will be a significant extension of the sports facilities on site with a new fitness area as well as a new pavilion viewing gallery at Wellington in October. Plans are also nearing completion for the new Theatre we intend to begin building at Easter in 2015.
KETA buses will leave at approximately 4.45pm and there will be NO LATE BUSES
There is much to look forward to when we return from half term with Sports Day, Endeavour and the Swimming Gala all subject, as ever, to the vagaries of the English summer weather. I wish you a good break and hope to see a number of you on the boundary. AJ Thould Head Non-uniform Day Friday 20th June This year our theme is waste and recycling. Please start collecting milk bottle tops (they must be clean and free of any paper or foil inserts or labels). They will be made into traffic cones, fence posts, flower pots and plastic mesh around new trees as well as supporting New Forest Mencap.
You are invited to the private view of the
Art Exhibition
A celebration of Art throughout the School 1
‘Looking Forward’ Evening for Fourth Year Parents 9th July at 7.30pm in the Dobson Theatre
Permission for Absence 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.
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 2014 - 17th to 24th August A place has become available for a current Second, Third or Fourth Year pupil to join us on this summer’s trip. Staying on a four-star campsite approximately 35 miles from Bordeaux, activities include windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, body boarding and mountain biking. All activities are well-supervised by highly qualified staff to ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable stay. The cost of the trip is £560, including all meals on the site and travel. If you would like your son or daughter to take part on this trip please contact Dr Gamblin on sdg@kes.hants.sch.uk.
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 2nd July The price for a lunch from September is £3.75
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
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.
No action is required if arrangements are to continue as at present
Leavers’ Celebrations This year’s Fifth Year pupils have taken the initiative to organise their own Fifth Year Prom on 1st July. Likewise, the Upper Sixth Form leavers have organised their own Leavers’ Ball on the evening of 26th June. We understand that both Upper and Lower Sixth Formers have bought tickets for the Ball.
Any request using the dinners@kes email address will be acknowledged First & Second Year Summer Camp Disco
Around the World in 80 Days Friday 27th June - 6pm to 9pm
£6 per ticket
Tickets will be on sale via KESpay after half term and price will include a light meal Refreshments can be purchased on the evening
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 the Main Office 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 and Second Year Showcase Concert - Wednesday 25th June - 7.30pm - Music Recital Room This year we are having a showcase concert combining talented solo performers from the First and Second Year with Lower School ensembles including first year and lower school choir and flute choir. Refreshments will be served during the interval. This is a free event without tickets so please arrive early to get a good seat. 2
EXAMINATION GUIDANCE
Important deadline for returning School text books
Internal Examinations take place for the First to Fourth Years during the period 12th - 18th June.
Fifth Year Replacements will be ordered for any books not returned on or before Thursday 19th 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 19th June, 2014. 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 Wednesday 25th June, 2014. We will therefore not be able to adjust your deposit balance or reimburse you for any books returned after this date.
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. Copies of all guides can be found by clicking Revision Guides.
Third Year Theatre Studies Performance Evening
The examination performance evening will now take place on Thursday 5th June from 6.30-8pm. All parents and friends are invited to attend and support the pupils as they present a range of extracts from interesting modern plays. Performers will be expected to stay after school on the evening of the performance and are advised to bring a packed tea. Photographs and Videos
A Level and AS Examination Results
Please be reminded that photographs and videos taken by parents at School events should be for personal use only and may only be uploaded onto social media sites with appropriate privacy settings in place. It is important that images of other pupils are not made publicly available without their consent.
Students can collect their A2 results in the Sixth Form Study Centre from 9.30am on Thursday 14th 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.
The School’s e-safety policy may be found here for clarification.
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.
Junior Drama Club Summer Showcase
DO YOU HAVE A VIEW ON SCHOOL DINNERS?
An Enchanted Evening
Sodexo are keen to gather the views of both students and parents on the quality, variety and service of food provided at King Edward’s. They have designed two surveys, one for parents and one for students with all responses going directly to Sodexo. Please encourage your son or daughter to complete the student survey - this might provide you with an opportunity to hear their views before you complete the parent survey! Please click the links below and complete the survey by Monday 30th June 2014. http://www.sodexosurveys.com/f/85700/71d9/ - pupil link http://www.sodexosurveys.com/f/84430/38c1/ - parent link
Parents are welcome to join us Admission is free
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
SUN SAFETY
Fri 23rd May Mon 2nd June Thurs 12th June
Break up for Summer Half Term Second half of Summer Term commences Internal examinations commence First Year finish Monday 16th June Second Year finish Tuesday 17th June Third & Fourth Year finish Wed 18th June Thurs 19th June Fifth Year Book Collection th Thurs 25 June Upper Sixth Book Collection & Leavers’ Assembly th Fri 27 June Sports Day rd th Thurs 3 /Fri 4 July Endeavour Wed 9th July Lower School Swimming Gala Fri 11th July
End of Term - NO LATE BUSES
Please could parents remind their sondaughter to apply sunscreen before school during the summer months. It is also important to reapply sunscreen 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
Upper Sixth Leavers’ Dinner
TERM DATES 2014/2016
If you would like to attend this event on 24th June, please be aware the deadline for purchasing tickets is 9th June. Payments can be made via KESpay and tickets are priced at £9 for adults and students.
Autumn Term 2014: Wednesday 3rd September – Thursday 18th December (Half-term Friday 24th October – Monday 3rd November incl.) Inset Days: Tuesday 2nd September, Thursday 23rd October and Monday 17th November Spring Term 2015: Tuesday 6th January – Friday 27th March (Half-term: Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February) Inset Days: Monday 5th January, Friday 13th February and Monday 16th March
No breakfasts or school lunches will be provided during Endeavour, even if your child is taking part in an activity on the School site. Parents have not been charged for lunches on these two days.
Summer Term 2015: Tuesday 21st April – Friday 10th July (Bank holiday – Monday 4th May) (Half-term: Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May) Inset Day: Monday 20th April
PARENTS’ EVENINGS 2014/2015
Autumn Term 2015: Wednesday 2nd September – Thursday 17th December (Half-term Friday 23rd October – Friday 30th October incl.) Inset Days: Tuesday 1st September, Thursday 22nd October and Monday 16th November Spring Term 2016: Tuesday 5th January – Thursday 24th March (Half-term: Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February) Inset Days: Monday 4th January, Friday 12th February and Monday 14th March Summer Term 2016: Tuesday 19th April – Friday 8th July (Bank holiday – Monday 2nd May) (Half-term: Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June) Inset Day: Monday 18th April
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Year
Date
Upper Sixth
Thursday 18th September 2014
First
Thursday 20th November 2014
Lower Sixth
Tuesday 25th November 2014
Fourth
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
Fifth
Wednesday 4th February 2015
Third
Tuesday 24th February 2015
Second
Thursday 5th March 2015