As the year draws to a close it is a good time to reflect on what we have achieved over the last 12 months. It has certainly been an incredibly busy year at Roding Valley High School and overall I am pleased with the progress that has been made. In the summer the students achieved a good set of results and the School Hall was full of happy and excited students, parents and staff on August the 20th. Our Open Evenings for both prospective Year 7s and Sixth Formers have been very well attended and it seems as if the reputation of the school has never been better. As I tour the school every day and visit lessons I am impressed with the attitude and work rate of the students and there is a calm and ordered working atmosphere. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of the staff at Roding Valley High School. The teachers put in a tremendous amount of work and certainly go the extra mile to develop the students. The support staff also play a crucial role in making the school a success and I am delighted with the way everyone pulls together. I've said on many occasions that this is a wonderful school and it is largely down to the fantastic staff that we have here who work tirelessly to ensure that students get the best support. I mentioned last week that instead of holding the usual Parents' Forum on Monday the 14th December, I would be running a series of meetings with parents if they have specific concerns or issues that they wish to raise with me. If anyone would still like to make an appointment please contact Mrs Sabin, on 020 8508 1173, to arrange a time between 6pm and 8pm on Monday evening. Since this is the last Bulletin of the year I thought I had better include a quick reminder that the school will close for the holidays on Thursday 17th December and students will be dismissed at 12.20pm. Students return in the New Year on Tuesday 5th January and will start at the normal time. Registration will begin as usual at 8.40am and they will go straight into lessons for Period1 on that day.. May I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that you all have the chance to have a rest over the break and our students return with their batteries fully charged for the challenges of 2016. 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
Week ending 11th December 2015 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7T
Form with the Highest Honours
7W
Student with the Highest Honours Anagel Felicio 7W Class of the week
7qt/Fr4 nominated by Ms Langlet for working really hard and being so enthusiastic 7ux/MaE1 nominated by Ms Kaur for continuous excellent work and great behaviour
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8W
Form with the Highest Honours
8S
Student with the Highest Honours Grace Plaster 8S Student of the week
Joshua Worrall 8W nominated by Ms Cordwell for his quick action and mature attitude in an emergency situation outside of school
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9W
Form with the Highest Honours
9X
Student with the Highest Honours Thomas Abbott 9X Year 10 Highest Attendance
10Q
Form with the Highest Honours
10T
Student with the Highest Honours Neehal Chowdhury 10T Student of the week
Ediz Ali 10Q nominated by Mr Patel for making a real effort in Science and showing good progress – Focused and very helpful to others
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11S
Form with the Highest Honours
11W
Students of the Week
Elliott Gipson 11W Olivia Aldous 11V nominated by Mr Hayes for improved focus in Spanish lessons Joe Reynolds 11V nominated by Mr Hayes for good contributions in last week’s French lessons Kyanne Morris 11T nominated by Mr Baidoo for commitment to Art and a very good PPE outcome James Clune 11U nominated by Ms Patel for always having a positive attitude to learning and trying his best – Well done James!
YEAR 12 PARENTS Please see below the Yr12 Examination Timetable for the forthcoming exams. Students were issued with their individual timetables during Parents Evening, these have been printed on bright pink paper. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Mrs J Draper, Exams Officer
Maths Support Monday & Friday After school in M5 Maths Club Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime in M3
Attention all RVHS students Send photos of yourself reading a book or Kindle to Mrs Martin at: jmartin@rodingvalley.net and see your picture(s) on our @RVgetcaughtreading Twitter feed. The more weird & wacky the better! Mrs Martin, School Librarian
Parents of Year 9 – Year 12 Date for your diary
The Roding Valley High School Annual Careers Fest will be on Thursday January 28th 2016 from 3.30-6.30pm at Epping Forest College. The careers fest is for parents and students in Year 9 through to Year 12. The Careers Fest gives students in Year 9 the opportunity to find out about future career pathways and to consider their option choices and subjects they wish to take in Year 10. The information and advice available on the evening is very important for Years 10, 11 and 12 students who are making decisions about careers and further education. It is an opportunity to talk to future sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers. This will be our sixth consortium careers fair held at Epping Forest College, every year it has been a very professional and successful event and this year there are already over 65 exhibitors attending including lots of new national and local employers as well as local sixth forms, colleges and universities. Further details will be available to you nearer the time.
Application Deadlines
Roding Valley – Friday 15th January
Trinity – Wednesday 20th January West Hatch – Friday 29th January Davenant – Friday 29th January
APPLICATION PROCESS TO OTHER SIXTH FORMS AND COLLEGE HAS CHANGED Epping Forest College have changed their application process – they would now like students to apply direct to them, there is no deadline date, however to ensure a place on the course you would like to apply for, applications should be sent to the college no later than the end of February 2016. ALL APPLICATIONS TO OTHER SIXTH FORMS AND COLLEGES NEED TO BE SENT DIRECT TO THEM BY THEIR DEADLINE DATES.
If you require any further information or advice please contact me. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
School Shop Opening Times Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm
Students are regularly coming into school with cheques with the payee being left blank Can you please ensure that all cheques are made payable to
Roding Valley High School The school cannot be held responsible for any cheques which go missing and are then cashed elsewhere
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net and on Facebook at the ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page. Our Twitter (@RodingValleyHS) account is a great place to keep up to date with some of the latest news and activities in school. You can also sign up to our free electronic media release service at rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com
Letters home to parents/guardians The school is endeavouring to become more environmentally friendly by sending home all letters to parents/guardians electronically rather than using so much paper. To this end we have sent letters home with students asking for all parents/guardians to confirm their email addresses. Could we ask you to complete the slip at the bottom of the letter and return it to Student Reception by the last day of this term. Thank you.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS….. 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 or medical evidence if requested 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 holiday 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. Guidance for Common Ailments Please see, on the following page, guidance from the NHS of common childhood illnesses; this advises what type of illness requires time off from school and what does not. Should you require further guidance please contact the school.
The Humanities Faculty has a Twitter account designed to promote sites of interest, pre-reading, revision, humanities information, news and general humanities support. It is aimed at all KS3, KS4 and A-level Humanities Students and can be followed @humsrvhs
Drop in times for Students with Special Educational Needs Drop in times for parents of SEN students are to enable you to discuss your son/ daughter's progress in detail. We will be available at the following times: Mondays 11.20am—12.20pm Wednesdays 12.20pm—1.20pm Thursdays 10.00am—11.00am Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at asmith@rodingvalley.net
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Tuesday Lunchtime with Miss Wilson in ICT4
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 7.15am – 8.30am, break time, lunch times & after school for homework club 3.15pm – 4.15pm. Tuesday: Before school 7.15am - 8.10am, break time and lunch times. Access for early opening is via the door by resources.
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 - www.rodingvalley.net
PE Twitter Account The PE department have activated a Twitter account where regular PE updates, extra-curricular news and curriculum information will be regularly published. Follow @RodingValleyPE to keep up to date with our department. Mr Hudgell
Needed! Any unwanted good quality badged uniform, skirts especially, for the PTA to sell on at a huge reduction. Good quality used uniform is always available from the school from 3.15pm - 4.15pm daily.
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
Piano Lessons To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.com
Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available.
Singing Lessons Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Alex Larke for more details and to book your slot. email: alex@thevocaltutor.com
Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com
Guitar Lessons Access to Water in School Parents, please be aware that the canteen has jugs of water available both during lunchtime and break time for all students to access. Bottled water is sold at all outlets Large bottle 50p Small bottle 25p If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.
Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at ÂŁ12 per half hour. Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com if you are interested.