King Edward VI School
Start of Term Bulletin 13th September, 2013
W
elcome back to King Edward’s to those returning to School after a very welldeserved summer holiday and a particular welcome to those pupils and staff who are beginning their time here. The School is full at 971 with a Lower Sixth Form of 144 and we have again celebrated some excellent academic results at both GCSE and A level.
Once again this year we are inviting parents and friends of King Edward VI School to join forces with our School choir and orchestra for the Carol Service at St Mary’s Church Southampton on
CALLING ALL PARENTS & FRIENDS OF KES
Monday 16th December at 7.30pm
The summer holiday has been busy with many of our students involved in activities abroad and in the UK while over the holiday period a number of projects have been completed including new history classrooms, the completion of work in the music department and a new roof for the biology department. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further carparking at Wellington Sports Ground in the space formerly occupied by Portsmouth Football Club.
If you sing and read a little music we would be pleased to welcome you into our SATB choir. There will be a few evening rehearsals for those who need to learn notes and then one massed rehearsal for pupils and adults. If you have sung in our adult choir previously you will automatically receive full details about repertoire and rehearsals. If you are a new parent to the School and would like further details please email Mrs Freemantle on hf@kes.hants.sch.uk.
The term has got off to an excellent start with another successful South Coast Kings Rugby tournament at Wellington as well as a fiercely contested game for our 1st XI girls’ hockey against stiff OE competition. Speech Day is on Friday 20th September and the Chief Guest is Dr Marek Ziebart, Professor of Space Geodesy at University College, London. He has worked with NASA and will be well worth hearing!
Staff and Parent Prayer Meeting A prayer meeting will be held on Tuesday 1st October between 1pm and 2pm in the Commemoration Room. Refreshments will be served and there will be the opportunity to talk and pray together. All parents, especially parents of new students are welcome.
I wish all members of the School community a stimulating and enjoyable term. AJ Thould New Pupils’ & Parents’ Evening 26th September at 7pm Parents of new pupils are invited to the Sixth Form Concourse and Dobson Theatre where refreshments will be served. This is an informal evening, run by KES PTA, where parents will have the opportunity to meet with some staff, members of the PTA and, most importantly, the parents of other new pupils.
A Fifth Year Physics trip is being organised to Thorpe Park on 10th October and the whole year group is invited to take part in this fun and educational day out.
Alongside this, Sixth Formers will be running a fun evening of activities for the new intake of children to give them a chance to meet others. Click First Year, Second & Third Year or Lower Sixth for more information. Parents of new Fourth Year pupils can click on the Second & Third Year link for details but please note that there are no activities arranged for Fourth Year pupils.
Students will attend a workshop in the morning, which is directly related to the Kinematics and Dynamics topics studied in the IGCSE course and there will be time afterwards for students to experience some of the rides for themselves. Email Mrs Burrows on peb@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information. 1
GCE Advanced Level Unit Resits Form: June 2014 Examinations
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES Co-curricular activities form an integral part of life at King Edward’s and we are very proud of the amount of opportunities on offer.
Forms to request GCE unit resits are available from the Examinations Office, or they can be downloaded from the School website. Upper Sixth candidates should complete the forms as soon as possible and ensure they are returned to Mr Dellar by 10am on Thursday 17th October.
We would like our students to participate in at least two activities. Click here to view the extensive Autumn 2013 list of Clubs and Societies.
This is a final deadline for all re-sit forms to ensure entry into the summer examinations.
Work Shadowing 2013/2014
Post Result Services: June 2013 Examinations
The Student Guidance Faculty will help Lower Sixth students find and organise work shadowing opportunities.
Forms to request an enquiry about results are available from the Examinations Office, or they can be downloaded from the School website. Pupils and parents should complete the forms as soon as possible and ensure they are returned to Mr Dellar by 10am on Thursday 19th September. Forms are also available to request original scripts which should be completed and handed into the Examinations Office by Thursday 26th September.
Click here for details of how invaluable this opportunity is and how to participate in the 2013/14 scheme. Students who have careers in medicine or veterinary science in mind are advised to contact Miss Jordan in the Guidance Office at their earliest convenience. COMMUNICATION
The scripts are not expected to arrive into School before the end of October.
Under normal circumstances parents may expect a response to communication within 3 working days during term time. Parents are asked to understand that staff are very busy and are not always in a position to respond immediately, though obviously any urgent matters will be prioritised.
HOMEWORK TIMETABLES Homework timetables can be found by clicking here and referring to which year you require. Parents’ Evening Dates Year
Date
Upper Sixth
Thursday 19th September 2013
First
Thursday 21st November 2013
Lower Sixth
Tuesday 26th November 2013
Fourth
Wednesday 11th December 2013
Fifth
Wednesday 5th February 2014
Third
Tuesday 25th February 2014
Second
Thursday 6th March 2014
During School holidays, issues which require urgent attention should be directed to the Main Office or to enquiries@kes.hants.sch.uk. SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING Wednesday 23rd October This evening is an occasion for Fifth Year pupils and external candidates, to find out more information about the subject choices on offer and wider Sixth Form life. Teachers and Sixth Form students from all academic departments will be present, so this is an excellent opportunity to find out more about A Level study and discuss your preferred options. There will be short presentations from the Deputy Head (academic) and the Director of Sixth Form, as well as a chance to hear from Sixth Formers about their choices and the academic and co-curricular opportunities available in the Sixth Form. 2
Himalaya Expedition Summer 2015
Dad’s Band After a successful gig playing at the KES Summer Ball, Seif and the Sound (seifandthesound.com) are looking to recruit a new keyboard player, preferably with backing vocal skills! Must be committed to regular rehearsals (no more than fortnightly). Contact Mrs Freemantle on hf@kes.hants.sch.uk for more details.
This expedition is open to current Fourth and Fifth Year students. The closing date for applying is the last week of September. Click here for more details or email Mr Havers on gph@kes.hants.sch.uk to discuss further. There are copies of both the Parents’ Guide and Sixth Form Parents’ Guide on the School website. These publications contain a wealth of information about life at King Edward’s. Click here to access copies of each Guide. If you would like a paper version, please ring the Main Office and a copy will be sent in the post.
FIRST YEAR TOY APPEAL FUN RUN The local Toy Appeal, run by Southampton Voluntary Services, has spread the festive spirit to thousands of children over the last few years. On Tuesday 8th October the First Year pupils, along with some Sixth Formers, will run a lap of the School as their favourite toy or character to help raise money to buy Christmas presents for those children in the South who may not otherwise get one.
KETA TRANSPORT 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. He can be emailed on ngb@kes.hants.sch.uk . Temporary passes will only be available on buses where there is spare capacity. Sports Fixtures
5th 6th 7th December
Parents should be reminded that inter school sports fixtures play a significant role in the cocurricular life at King Edward’s. It is therefore an expectation that if selected, pupils will be available to represent the School. For further information on our expectations please click here.
Ceremony of Admissions DVD The School has produced a DVD showing footage from the Ceremony of Admissions. If you would like to purchase your own copy of the DVD, please click here and complete the online survey by Friday 11th October. Payment of £4.00 can be made via KESpay.
Further details relating to fixture dates and times can be found on the sports pages of the website, click here to access.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to meet any requests after this date.
Sixth Form Exchange to Angers Procedure for if your child is ill and unable to attend school
There is an Information Evening for the Angers trip on Tuesday 15th October at 7pm in the Hospitality Suite for students and parents. A gentle reminder also that black and white copies of passports and EHIC cards are required by Mrs Jones as soon as possible.
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.
NOTE FROM THE MEDICAL TEAM If a pupil sustains a significant injury, parents are asked to ensure that their son or daughter visits the medical room as soon as they return to School. If the pupil is incapacitated suitable arrangements will then be put in place to help them.
If the illness is on-going please contact the Main Office each day that your child is absent. 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. 3
Thursday 19th Sept Friday 20th Sept Thursday 26th Sept Wednesday 23rd Oct Thursday 24th Oct Friday 25th Oct - Monday 4th Nov Tuesday 5th Nov Friday 15th Nov Monday 18th Nov
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Upper Sixth Parents’ Evening Speech Day at Mayflower Theatre New Pupils’ & Parents’ Evening Sixth Form Information Evening INSET Day Half Term Autumn Term resumes Open Evening: School ends at 3pm INSET Day
Sailing Club and Beginners’ Sailing Course
Please note: A more comprehensive calendar, which is updated and reviewed regularly, is available on our website.
KES PTA New Parent Wine Tasting Evening Friday 8th November Click here for information and booking details
The KES Sailing Club is looking for new members. We sail most weekends at Weston Sailing Club. It is open to all members of the School regardless of experience. We are a RYA recognized training establishment and each year we run a beginners’ sailing course aimed especially at Lower School pupils. Successful pupils will be awarded RYA Stage 2 sailing certificates. On completion of the course pupils can improve their skills by attending general weekend sessions.
LINK TO HOPE SHOE BOX APPEAL The Charities Commission is again collecting shoe boxes this Christmas. Pupils are encouraged to fill a shoe box with presents and other useful items to be sent out to children in Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Albania. Leaflets can be collected from the Main Office with information about what may or may not be included. Please remember to attach your £2 for postage and do not seal the lids. Completed shoe boxes should be taken to the Main Office by 18th October. More information here.
This year we are aiming to run the course on Saturday 21st September between 11am and 3pm, Saturday 28th September between 2pm and 5pm and Saturday 5th October between 9.30am and 1.30pm. Attendance at all three sessions will be needed to complete the course. The fee is £75, which includes a year’s membership to the School Sailing Club. Contact Mrs Burrows if you need further information on peb@kes.hants.sch.uk
Faure Requiem On Monday 21st October, parents and staff will be joining with the Chamber Choir to sing Gabriel Faure’s transcendently beautiful Requiem in St. Michael’s Church, Southampton. The concert will begin at 7.30pm – entry is free to all. Please email blw@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.
Term Dates Autumn 2013 to Summer 2015 Autumn Term 2013: Wednesday 4th September – Friday 20th December (Half-term Friday 25th October – Monday 4th November incl.) INSET Days: Tuesday 3rd September, Thursday 24th October and Monday 18th November
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 2014: Tuesday 7th January – Friday 28th March (Half-term: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February) INSET Days: Monday 6th January, Friday 14th February and Monday 17th March
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
Summer Term 2014: Wednesday 23rd April – Friday 11th July (Bank holiday – Monday 5th May) (Half-term: Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May) INSET Day: Tuesday 22nd April
Summer Term 2015: Tuesday 21st April – Friday 10th July (Bank holiday – Monday 4th May) (Half-term: Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May) INSET: Monday 20th April 4