Thursday evening saw the school host the annual Open Evening for prospective parents and students. This was an incredibly popular event with huge numbers of visitors. The school hall was absolutely heaving for the two addresses that I gave and I spoke to numerous parents throughout the evening who were extremely positive about the school. The Open Evening is the culmination of our full programme designed to give prospective parents as much information, guidance and support that we can in order for them to make an informed decision about whether this is the right school for their child. I have been visiting a number of our feeder primary schools along with Ms Cordwell, Assistant Headteacher, as well as a number of Year 11 students. We have spoken to Year 6 students and their parents about the school and the changes that we are making and the students spoke in glowing terms about their own experiences of starting at Roding Valley and the progress that they have made in their time at the school. I would like to say at this point that the 300 students from Years 7 to 11 who helped out on the Open Evening deserve a huge amount of credit. Many acted as guides around the school for the visitors and others worked in departments, engaging the Year 6s and getting them involved in activities. A selection of fantastic photos from the evening are available on https://ww.flickr.com/photos/everythingeppingforest/sets/72157648168275740/ and they are certainly worth a look. The students were tremendous ambassadors for the school and I lost count of the number of visitors who told me how wonderful their guides had been and how much the students in the departments had entertained their children and made a great impression. I am very grateful to every student who played such a valuable role on such an important evening for the school. They came out in rain and wind and many were still here at the end helping staff tidy up. You should be very proud of your sons and daughters. The staff, too, deserve enormous credit for working hard to decorate the departments and design activities and themes for the visitors to enjoy. There were spectacular experiments in Science and the English faculty was transformed into themed rooms with students in costume adding to the experience. As I mentioned the evening was extremely busy but the staff were incredibly positive about the school and showed our visitors what a wonderful school this is. I would like to thank them all publicly for their commitment. Every department put on a show and I was delighted with the overall impression. Next week is a busy one as well with Year 7s going on a Humanities trip to the British museum and the Year 11 Geographers going on their fieldwork. On Thursday we have the Year 7 Parent Information evening which is designed to provide some practical ideas for parents to help support their children to be successful in school. I look forward to seeing many of you there next week. I would also like to mention that the first Parents' Forum of the year will be held on the 20th October and I see this as a great opportunity to discuss the progress that we are making and hear your views. This will take place in the school hall from 6pm. I would like to congratulate the Year 10 boys football team who progressed to the next round of the English Schools Cup Competition. They braved the elements to win 5 - 2 away in Shepherd's Bush and we await to see who they will draw in the next round. Credit must also go to Jack Stone who won the Senior Boys Cross Country this week and the Senior Boys were also victorious in the team competition. Very well done to you all. Mr J Luck Headteacher
You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net , on Facebook at the ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page or on Twitter (@RodingValleyHS). You can also sign up to our free electronic media release service at rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com
Media Release Boys take part in Day of Dance
Year 7 boys at Roding Valley High School took to the dance floor to try a variety of dance styles. The Day of Dance, held with the support of Vanessa Gayton from Epping Forest Arts and the DNA Studios based at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey, saw more than 100 boys try out capoiera (a Brazilian martial art), contemporary, street and break dancing before putting on a performance for their classmates in the afternoon. PE teacher Keith Bailey said: "Dance is now in the national curriculum so all the boys in the lower school have to experience dance.” Headteacher James Luck said: “The day was a great success and the feedback from the boys has been incredibly positive. “They threw themselves into the dances and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. “The instructors commented on how well the students had done and were impressed with the behaviour and politeness of the students throughout.”
Media Release Key Stage 3 Awards Evening Success in all aspects of school life was recognised when Roding Valley High School held its Key Stage 3 Awards Evening. Headteacher James Luck said: “I was delighted that the Key Stage 3 Awards Evening went so well. It was very well attended with proud parents supporting their hard-working sons and daughters. “It was great to hear so many Heads of Faculty speaking in glowing terms about the enthusiasm and work rate of the students who have made so much progress since joining Roding Valley High School. “I very much look forward to seeing this cohort become a great success at GCSE and then A-Levels in our brand new Sixth Form.”
Matthew Tinker, who received numerous awards during the evening, is presented with an award from Louisa Routledge (Head of English). Matthew won an unprecedented number of Subject awards on the night and is certainly a star in the making.
Team: Jack Beddall Joe Busby Harry Carter Lewis Crowe Jake Honeywood Jack Kibblewhite Henry Moorcroft Daniel Prime James Searle Jake Smith Jack Stone Callum Thurgood Joe Tinsley Dru Yearwood A 4pm Kick Off in the second round of the English Schools U15 Cup at Shepherds Bush made it a long evening for us all. We started well with James Searle receiving the ball from Jack Stone and scoring from a right angle. The opposition then made it 1-1. But not for long after Daniel Prime scored from just inside the half way line beating the keeper in the top corner. Jack Biddall added a third with a header from a corner. They responded well and scored again - 3-2. Dru Yearwood and Callum Thurgood added two more to make it 5-2. Well done to the Squad. Mr Fitch
We are again collecting the Morrisons Let’s Grow vouchers. Please send your vouchers into the school so that we can claim free gardening and cooking equipment.
Student Absence If your child is unable to attend School for any reason then please report their absence by phoning the school number by 9.30am, you must also ring in each day of your child’s absence.
020 8508 1173 On their return to School please ensure your child brings with them a letter explaining the reason for the absence for our records.
Medical Appointments When possible please make sure you make any medical or dental appointments outside of school time. If this is not possible then please try to ensure that your child attends before and/or after their appointment.
Holidays in Term Time It is not school policy to authorise any holidays during term time except in exceptional circumstances. If you put in a request a ‘Leave of Absence’ form must be completed (these are available at Student Reception). Please be aware if the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case may be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school. For full details regarding attendance please see our Attendance Policy which can be found in the ‘Parents’ section on our website or contact Mrs Jeanette Low our Attendance Officer on the school number 020 8508 1173.
Future Chef Cooking Competition The date has now been changed to
Thursday 23rd October Please see Mrs Collings for information
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
The first race of the Woodford Athletic Club Cross Country League took place on 2nd October after school at Claybury. Results: Secondary Girls Years 7 and 8 combined: 4th Sulola Olusesan 7U 11th Mia Anthony 8S 38th Teagan Andrews 7V 40th Beth Kelly 7R Team position: 5th place out of 13 teams Senior Girls Years 9 and 10 combined: 6th Louise Gilbert 9R 8th Nancy Callagher 10W Secondary Boys Years 7 and 8 combined: 5th Adan Mohamed 8W 9th Max Collings 8Q 11th Jack Albertsen 8U 44th Tariq Riaz 8U Team position: 4th place out of 11 teams Senior Boys Years 9 and 10 combined: 1st Jack Stone 10X 4th Finn Sergent 10T 6th Cameron Cooke 10V 8th Jack Beddall 10X 9th Callum Thurgood 10W Team position: 1st Second and third races take place on 9th and 16th October. Mr Fitch
Drop in times for Students with Special Educational Needs This year we are trialling some drop in times for parents of SEN students to enable you to discuss your son/ daughter's progress in detail. We will be available at the following times: Mondays 9-10am
Wednesdays 10-11am
Thursdays 2.15-3pm
Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at mwilson@rodingvalley.net
School Website Please visit our school website to find details of any recent letters home, the Student Bulletin and previous copies of the Parent Bulletin
FUTURE CHEF COOKING COMPETITION SCHOOL HEAT THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER 3.30pm-5.15pm YEARS 8-10 T1 & T2 COME TO T2 AND SEE MRS COLLINGS TO SIGN UP!!
www.rodingvalley.net
Watch the film, draw the characters
Bring your lunch
Week ending 3 October 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7W
Pupil with Highest Honours
Elise Murray 7R
Form with Highest Honours
7R
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8R
Pupil with Highest Honours
Samuel Copeman 8V
Form with Highest Honours
8X
Class of the Week
8UX/Sc1 nominated by Ms Boyle for engaging with the cover work, lots of class participation and being very enthusiastic
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9T
Pupil with Highest Honours
Issac Hammond-Chorley 9U
Form with Highest Honours
9R
Class of the Week
9uv/Fd1 nominated by Mrs Goosen for outstanding attitude during a groupwork activity. Very impressive products produced
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10X
Form with Highest Honours
10W
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11T
Pupil with Highest Honours
Blake Doyle 11U
Form with Highest Honours
11U
Learn about architecture and create models of buildings
3D and computer design
A3
Room Wednesdays at 3.15pm
Everyone welcome
Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Learn to play the drums from as little as £5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk
Guitar Lessons Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour. Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com if you are interested.
www.jwdrums.co.uk LIBRARY OPENING TIMES The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times : Monday - Friday (excluding Tuesday): Before school 7.15 am – 8.30 am , break time , lunch times and after school for homework club 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm. Tuesday: Before school 7.15 am - 8.10 am , break time and lunch times. Access for early opening is via the door by resources.
School Shop Opening Times
Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
Singing Lessons Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.
email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com