This week it has been the turn of the Year 10s to take their examinations in the Hall. This provides a chance for them to experience what it will be like when they take their GCSEs next year. For these internal papers we insist on the same standards of conduct as for the GCSEs themselves as we need to get them used to performing at the highest level. This year we have made it a focus to provide all of our students throughout the school the experience of sitting formal examinations as the changes that the Government has made for future years means that Controlled Assessments / Coursework will be a thing of the past. I am pleased to say that the vast majority of our students have responded well to the demands of this rigorous testing and we will continue to support them to achieve highly. On Thursday we were delighted to receive a visit from a party of 48 students and staff from a school in France. The group hailed from the beautiful city of Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of southern France and they were treated to a full day at Roding Valley High School. They engaged in a Maths Challenge, played a spirited game of netball and then enjoyed a range of lessons throughout the departments. It was great to see so many of our students interacting with our French friends and it was a good opportunity for our GCSE and A Level linguists to get some practise speaking the language. I would like to thank Mrs Lasfer for arranging the visit and for putting on such a varied array of activities. I spoke to the visiting teachers and a number of the students who all told me what a great time they had had. They were full of compliments about the school and our students which is always lovely to hear. Thanks also to all other staff and students who were involved in lessons and made them feel so welcome. Thursday was also the day of the BBC School Report. This is an annual event around the country whereby school children turn into intrepid reporters for the day and then create videos that are published on the BBC. This year our students had previously conducted their research in Stratford and were reporting on the impact that the 2012 Olympics and the development of the Westfield Centre have had on the regeneration of the area. Students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 worked collaboratively on the project and produced a professional video report that can be seen on the school website. I would certainly encourage you to have a look at our wonderful students in action. I would like to thank all those that took part and especially Mrs Musker, Miss Stockings and Miss Bates for all of their hard work and support. 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
From the School Governors The governors’ Personnel, Finance and Premises Committee met on 25 February when, as part of our regular work, we reviewed the school’s spending during the current year. We also considered plans for the budget 2016-17 which will be finalised after the Easter Holiday. In addition, members of the committee regularly visit the Finance Department unannounced to check on procedures/compliance and, during their last visit, as on previous occasions, all was in order. We learned that several newly qualified teachers, who had undertaken teaching practice at the school, will be joining Roding Valley. It is pleasing that they enjoyed working with our students and, of course, good to know that the school was pleased with their work. Gary Stone Chair Personnel, Finance and Premises Committee
BBC School Report On Tuesday 1st of March, a selected group of Roding Valley High School students travelled into the shopping, leisure and spor ng centre of East London: otherwise known as the regenerated Stra ord. We went there to inves gate the impact of the transforma on of Stra ord on the local area and wider community. Ini ally, our group divided into several sub‐teams which explored different areas of the reconstructed Stra ord. One team explored the Olympic Park and surveyed the public for their opinions on the legacy of the Olympic Games and the influence of the regenera on on the local community. Ques ons asked included, “How has Stra ord percep bly changed since the Olympic Games?” and “What is your opinion of Stra ord now?”, both of which had a generally posi ve response. Many people replied explaining how Stra ord had changed for the be er because of the more stable economy and polished area; however, it was also made evident that many people were concerned about the social cleansing that had happened in the area. Prior to the Olympic Games, Stra ord was a poor area with an extremely ethnically diverse popula on. Sta s cs show that in 2009, 64.6% of residents were recorded as being non‐white and many were in poverty as well. Since the Olympic Games, many have been forced to leave their homes due to the dras c increase of housing prices, due to the Olympic Games. But, now affordable apartments and houses are being built in the Stra ord area. Our report shows how the regenera on of Stra ord has had a posi ve influence on the surrounding areas and Stra ord itself. Please watch our YouTube video presen ng our findings at www.rodingvalley.net.
BAND MEMBERS FOR
Jake Omer in class 7V passed his level 7 drum exam with Merit. Jake is looking to start a band he has named 'The Impossibles' and anyone interested should contact him.
THE IMPOSSIBLES IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE BAND PLEASE CAN YOU CONTACT JAKE OMER IN 7V THANK YOU Well done Jake!
MATHS ASSESSMENTS Year 8 and 9 students will be sitting their End of Term Assessments on the dates listed below. Students are expected to have their normal Maths equipment, as listed in the Student Planner, for all of their Assessments. Please note that the Year 8 Paper and the Year 9 Paper 2 are calculator Papers. Students will be expected to have a calculator for those tests. Year 9 Assessment QS Side Paper 1 Tuesday 15th March Period 2 [Non Calc] Paper 2 Monday 21st March Period 3 [Calc] UX Side Paper 1 Tuesday 15th March Period 3 [Non Calc] Paper 2 Friday 18th March Period 2 [Calc] Year 8 Assessment QT Side Friday 18th March Period 3 [Calc] UX Side Friday 18th March Period 5 [Calc] Mr S. Rahman KS3 Maths Coordinator
Pilot Careers Live 9 April 2016 Sofitel Hotel, Terminal 5, London Heathrow 10am - 4.30pm Pilot Careers Live is an exciting career event for anyone looking to take the first steps towards a professional pilot career. It will cover all there is to know on what it takes to become an airline pilot by bringing together leading pilot training companies, airlines and pilot career experts in one venue. Speakers and exhibitors include: British Airways, the RAF, CityJet and Flybe as well as many Approved Training Organisations and Universities from all over the UK. Visitors will be able to get a unique insight to life as a pilot with the airlines, flying for the military, aviation degree courses, advice on the selection process and the pilot training journey explained. It's all there! Questions the event will answer: What qualifications do you need? The selection process explained. What are the costs? When can you start? Life as a pilot – what can you expect? How to combine a university degree with pilot training. Pilot apprenticeships. What are the job prospects? What are the salaries? What does the training include? What are the different types of training available? Royal Air Force – what are the careers options? More information and Tickets For discounted student tickets and full information visit
www.pilotcareernews.com/live/london
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
New Year New Freezer?????? If this is your new year resolution and your old freezer is still working the Science Department would dearly love to have it. We will arrange for collection and of course save you the bother of getting rid of the old one. If you can help please contact Bill McNally or John Ryan in the science department. Many thanks for your co-operation. The Science Dept
Guitar Lessons 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.
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.
Week ending 4th March 2016
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Highest Attendance
7X
Form with the Highest Honours
7U
Student with the Highest Honours
Chloe Cooper 7X
Highest Attendance
8V
Form with the Highest Honours
8R
Student with the Highest Honours
Sophie Sherard 8R
Class of the week
Highest Attendance
9S
Form with the Highest Honours
9Q
Student with the Highest Honours
Lottie Harrison 9Q
Student of the week
Ross Walters 9X nominated by Mrs Lafferty for doing lots of super work, collaboration and engagement with the learning
Highest Attendance
10V & 10W
Form with the Highest Honours
10X
Student with the Highest Honours
Harry Johnson 10X
Student of the week
Olivia Biddle 10V nominated by Mrs Lafferty for superb effort and engagement – superb to teach!
Class of the week
Year 11
Highest Attendance
11Q
Form with the Highest Honours
11R
8qt/En1 nominated by Mrs Lafferty for being super all week and rounding the week off with a super sonnet to Mums!
10b/En2 nominated by Mrs Lafferty for working well in small groups helping each other to learn. 10A/Rs2 nominated by Mrs Sargent for being fully focussed and working well in her cover lesson. 10C/Fr1 nominated by Ms Langlet for all their hard work and effort to get ready for their exam.
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
Dear Parents/Guardians As we are entering the worst term for illness we would like to bring to your attention our medical arrangements. The school does not have a school nurse on site, all the students are assessed by the admin staff who are first aid trained. Only minor ailments can be treated. We do offer the facility of offering your child a Paracetamol but only when we have verbal authorisation from yourselves. Please ensure if you send your child to school and they have taken any Paracetamol product you make us aware of that during the conversation. If your child has a medical condition which needs monitoring in school please speak to their Head of Year in the first instance so the correct procedures can be put in place. Thanks for your support in this matter. Year 10 Work Experience Key Update All paperwork for privately organised own placements are due in by the end of February. Could this be brought in when Mr Murray returns to work and given directly to him or given in to Mrs Martin in the school library - please do not give them to any other member of staff. Students needing a placement from the school via the BEP database will make their selections with Mr Murray in February and March. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter - Mr S Murray
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Tuesday Lunchtime with Miss Wilson in ICT4
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
Maths Support Monday & Friday After school in M5 Maths Club Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime in M3
Dear Parent/Guardian Our Immunisation Nurses will be visiting the school to administer the Meningitis ACWY vaccination. The vaccinations will take place on the following dates:Yr9 girls 10th March 2016 Yr10 girls 14th March 2016
Yr9 boys 20th May 2016 Yr10 boys 17th March 2016
The consent form and information leaflet will come home via students approximately 6 weeks before the vaccination is due. Please ensure the consent form is returned to the school immediately. The health authority require all forms to be returned, even if your son/daughter is not having the vaccination (please either write on the form you do not wish your son/daughter to have the vaccination or attach a note on the consent form). This will avoid your son/daughter being recalled at a later date.
You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net and on Facebook at the ATTENDANCE MATTERS….. ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page. Student Absence
Our Twitter (@RodingValleyHS) account is a great place to keep up tochild date some of the latest and activities in report school. If your is with unable to attend School fornews any reason then please their absence by phoning the school number by 9.30am, you must also ring in You can upabsence. to our free electronic media release service at each day of also your sign child’s
rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com
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.
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 Shop Opening Times
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.
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am
Bottled water is sold at all outlets Large bottle 50p Small bottle 25p
Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm STUDENTS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.
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 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
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
Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com
Singing Lessons Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Alex Larke for more details and to book your slot. email: alex@thevocaltutor.com
Piano Lessons To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.com
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided