Once again there has been lots to keep us busy at school this week. The Roding Valley High School Election took place on Thursday 7th May to coincide with the real thing. I would like to thank the Humanities Department for organising the event and Ms Preston, Mr Goodall and Mr Murray especially for overseeing the Year 7 voters and for delivering the assemblies to inform the students about the Democratic process and why it is such an important aspect of British life. It was the work of Matthew Tinker, Doncho Atannassov and Ben Humphreys which was crucial in making the election a success and I would encourage you to access their video of the outcome on the school website as it is an entertaining overview of democracy in action. I would also like to mention the visit of a number of World War 2 Russian Veterans last week. Mr Standbridge organised the visit in conjunction with the Russian Embassy and it provided an opportunity for a number of our students to meet individuals who had experienced the horrors of war and had a tale to tell. This was the culmination of the Cross Curricular "War week" where a number of faculties delivered lessons and highlighted aspects of conflict. I have spoken to a number of students in attendance at the event all of whom enjoyed the visit and found the words of the veterans emotional and compelling. I would also like to remind parents that the Parents' Forum is being held this evening in the Media Suite. It will start at 6pm and will involve a presentation and discussion from the English faculty with regard to the changes to the way in which English will be examined in the future. This is a critical time for schools as there are many changes to exams and specifications that need to be prepared. It is vital that parents take every opportunity to understand these changes so that the students are given the support required to succeed. A big thank you to the Friends of Roding Valley who organised and ran the Year 7 disco on Friday evening. An excellent turn out from the students and a lovely atmosphere. Thank you also to the staff who gave up their evening after a long working week to ensure that the students had a good time. Finally, a reminder that the Year 10 Drama production takes place in the Drama Studio on Tuesday 12th starting at 7pm. I believe that some tickets are still available so please try to come along and support if you can. J Luck Headteacher
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YEAR 11 PARENTS Please see below a copy of the forthcoming May/June 2015 GCSE Examination Timetable, please note there have been additions made due to a new unitised Mathematics exam being added. This exam will affect approximately 20 students and will be included on the relevant student's individual timetable. Students will receive their individual examination timetables during the week beginning Monday 20 April 2015 these will be printed on BRIGHT GREEN paper. May I also remind you that afternoon examinations will start promptly at 1.00pm not 1.30pm as in previous sessions. Students have already received a Guidance for Students & Parents booklet which is packed full of information regarding the forthcoming examinations but, if you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.
YR10 PARENTS - CHANGE TO END OF YEAR TIMETABLE Please find below a copy of the Year 10 End of Year Examination Timetable. Please note that Physical Education has now been added. These exams will be conducted under full exam conditions and will start to prepare the students for the rigour and preparation to sit their actual GCSE's in the summer of 2016. Where possible the examinations will be sat in the Hall, any subject not shown on this timetable will be classroom based during lesson time. This is a generic timetable and students must refer to their individual timetables for precise timings of examinations relevant to them. Students will receive their individual timetables shortly
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
Please find below a copy of the Breakfast Revision Timetable for the forthcoming GCSE Examinations. Breakfast Revision Sessions will be taking place in the Canteen from 8am until 8.45am for students sitting exams scheduled to start at 9am. Our Catering staff will provide students with croissants and juice free of charge. These sessions are hugely beneficial and we would urge you to encourage your son/daughter to attend. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. J Draper, Exams Officer
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
Are you aged 14 or over (by the end of August 2015)? If so, then this volunteering opportunity could be for you: Volunteers are needed to help children take part in the Summer Reading Challenge in local public libraries during the summer holidays. Volunteering experience is a very useful addition to your CV and/or UCAS application form. Interested? See Mrs Martin in the school library for further information, including a Volunteer Role Description and application form.
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.
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 10-11am Wednesdays 1011am Thursdays 2.15-3pm Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at asmith@rodingvalley.net
Supported Homework Club
Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
Year 11 Revision Please find below the half term revision programme for the Year 11 students which needs to be completed and handed back into student reception by Wednesday 13th May. Would all Year 11 parents also ask their sons/ daughters to return the purple Motivation Forms if they haven’t already done so. Thank you. Miss S Dyer, Assistant Headteacher—Key Stage 4 Student Achievement & Support
Week ending 8st May 2015 Year 7 Highest Attendance*
7U
Student with Highest Honours
Chloe Julians 7U
Form with Highest Honours
7S
Year 8 Highest Attendance*
8R
Student with Highest Honours
George Lane 8W
Form with Highest Honours
8T
Year 9 Highest Attendance*
9S
Student with Highest Honours
Eddie Broder 9R
Form with Highest Honours
9X
Class of the week
9qt/En5—nominated by Mrs Lafferty. They have engaged with poetry and been great at using their noticing skills.
Year 10 Highest Attendance*
10T & 10X
Student with Highest Honours
Natasha Hooper 10T
Form with Highest Honours
10T
Student of the Week
Charlotte Garvey 10R for always trying hard in Maths and for outstanding effort in Science. Isabella Agombar 10Q for moving up a set in Maths and also trying really hard.
Year 11 Highest Attendance*
11U
Form with Highest Honours
11U
Eva Randall 8Q awarded January 2015
For showing an extremely positive attitude and resilience. Also very willing to help her peers in any work they are struggling with
Humanities Cross Curricular War Week As part of our recognition of 70years since the end of WW2 we have had a range of activities and lessons across the school. This week we have had the great honour of receiving a number of Russian Veterans from 'The Great Patriotic War'. They have come to London to commemorate 70 years since the war ended (which they recognise on the 9th May). A number of students were able to meet with and listen to their testaments. Among the veterans (the eldest of whom was 91) there was a pilot, a concentration camp survivor, a naval captain and petty officer. Each told their story through an interpreter to a rapt audience of staff and students. Thank you to Mr Standbridge who was able to put such a special event in place.
On Wednesday afternoon we had a visit from Elham Saudi who is a Human Rights Lawyer whose focus is Libya. She and a colleague spent the afternoon with a group of year 10 students. They discussed and debated issues such as imprisonment, war crimes, death penalty and other Human Rights issues.
Across other areas of the curriculum staff have taught lessons which are in some way related to WW2 . Some examples are: in Art - propaganda posters, in Geography - Kindertransport, in ICT - Enigma/Coding, in Music - Music of the war, in Health and Social Care - medical treatment before the NHS, in Food Tech -cooking with rations and in Languages Normandy. There were also many more great lessons - (photographs will be available of all events)
On Thursday afternoon, all year 7's, who registered to vote, had a mock election in the hall - adding crosses to ballot papers and making informed decisions! Results of the voting will be made public to Year 7 imminently!!
On Friday afternoon, we will be adhering to the national 2 minute Remembrance silence at 3pm. More photographs and more details of these events coming soon! Thanks to all staff who have taken part, supported and help organise these events to make them so successful.
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
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4
If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.
Maths Support
Monday, Wednesday & Friday After school M5
Maths Club
at Roding Valley High School, Loughton Tuesdays 6.30pm (please use Brook Road entrance) Our successful ProPoints Plan makes weight loss as effortless as possible. Whatever you like to eat, you can lose weight; no food is off limits with WeightWatchers — Your Way. You’re guaranteed a warm, friendly welcome, motivating activity, advice and support, inspiration, a confidential weigh-in and successful weight loss. I look forward to meeting you! Contact Julie Faulkner 07981 744746 jfaulkner@weight-watchers.co.uk See our website for current offers www.weightwatchers.co.uk
Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime M3
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
School Shop Opening Times
LIBRARY OPENING TIMES
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am
The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times :
Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm STUDENTS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
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. Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
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