Welcome back to the new academic year. It was lovely to greet all of our students at the start of term and I was delighted with how smart they looked on entering the school on Monday. Clearly the shops have been doing a roaring trade on new shoes and I must say how impressed I am by the way the students have risen to the challenge of the new uniform expectations. Several members of the local community have already commented to me about how well turned out the students are and what a credit they are to the school so very well done to all concerned. I am delighted to say that our Year 11s performed very well in their GCSEs and there were some superb examination results. I must mention our Head Boy, Naru George, who achieved 12 A* grades as well as Sophie Humphreys, 9 A*s and 1 A grade and Olivia Tinker, 6 A*s and 5 A grades. Overall the students achieved 62% A*-C including English and Maths which was an impressive outcome given the higher than expected grade boundaries in Maths and English. I am very proud of the fact that our students achieved a positive Progress 8 score which is the Government's new measure for school performance. This means that our students secured better than expected progress across their best 8 subjects which demonstrates that the Teaching and Learning at Roding Valley is in fine fettle. It has been an exciting week in school as we have welcomed back our first Year 12s into our brand new Sixth Form. I must say it has been a pleasure to see them returning to Roding Valley and enjoying their form groups, their lessons and their new Common Room. They look fantastic in their "business dress" and have made a tremendously positive start to their A Level studies. We set very strict criteria for entering the Sixth Form here and the students that we have accepted have achieved excellent GCSE grades and are highly motivated. I am confident that this group of students will perform very well this year and I expect to be celebrating some excellent outcomes next August. May I just mention that the Year 10 Parent Information Evening is taking place next Thursday evening, 17th September. If you are the parent of a child in Year 10 please do make every effort to attend as the evening is designed to support you as parents to help your child achieve highly at GCSEs. We realise that this can be a stressful time for parents as well as the students so we want to arm you with everything that you need to know to navigate the waters of GCSE study. Since there are so many changes to the GCSEs this year it makes it even more important that you as parents attend the presentation so that you are fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Finally could I just request that has many parents and friends of the school as possible come along to the PTA Quiz Night on the 25th September. I am hoping that this will be an enjoyable event for all and a good opportunity to socialise and pit your wits against teachers, Governors and other parents. If you can make it I look forward to seeing you. J Luck Headteacher
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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.
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.
Message from the PE Department Please remember that the PE department has a no jewellery policy. Students are not allowed to wear earrings for PE lessons and will be asked to remove them so if your child is going to have their ears pierced this should be done at a time when they are not in school for enough time to allow the ears to heal, e.g. at the beginning of the summer holidays.
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
Friends, Parents Association, of Roding Valley High School Our next meeting is on Monday 14th Sept 2015 at 7pm. Please meet at the School Reception. Our email address is admin@rodingvalleypta.net or view us at www.rodingvalleypta.net
UPCOMING EVENTS For up to date information on all events please check the weekly Parent bulletin and/ or go to our website:www.rodingvalleypta.co.uk Our email address is:admin@rodingvalleypta.net if you have any questions or would like to offer help at an event. Quiz Night, Friday 25th September 2015 Halloween Disco, Friday 23rd October 2015 (Yr8+9) Yr7 Christmas Disco, Friday 11th December 2015
Roding Valley High School 100 Club We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join the 100 Club. It is a great way to support us in fund raising which benefits the school whilst also having the chance to win a cash prize. All of the monthly payments received by the club are distributed equally between the school and the prize fund.
Entry cost £1 per month minimum. The more you donate the more chances you have to win! Draw takes place termly (December, April and July) 3 cash prizes per draw 1st prize (50% of prize fund) 2nd prize (30%) 3rd prize (20%). (This may be subject to change)
For a simple monthly subscription your name will be entered into the draw three times a year where the lucky winners names will be drawn in assembly. To join this fantastic club simply fill in the form on the following pages and return it to the Finance Office so we can set up a monthly Standing Order with your bank, or alternatively you can pay a minimum annual fee of £12 pay through your ParentPay account. If you would like more information please contact us at finance@rodingvalley.net THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR SCHOOL AND GOOD LUCK!
Summer 100 Club Winners 1st Mrs Truman = £80.00 2nd Mrs Maclean = £48.00 3rd Mrs Kemp = 32.00 Congratulations!
PLEASE FILL IN AND RETURN TO FINANCE OFFICE Contact name, address and telephone number: Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Telephone Number………………………………………………………………………………………. Student Name ………………………………………………………. Form ……………. Student Name ………………………………………………………. Form ……………. Student Name ………………………………………………………. Form ……………. I will agree to pay by Bank Standing Order/Parent Pay (please delete as appropriate) Parent Pay Annual Payment If paying by Parent Pay, please fill in transaction details below once you have paid on-line. Amount…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Date………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Transaction ID …………………………………………………………………………………………
If you wish to pay by monthly standing order please fill in Standing Order Mandate on the next page
PLEASE FILL IN AND RETURN TO FINANCE OFFICE FOR MONTHLY STANDING ORDER
Please write the address of your own bank on the mandate form and complete all boxes marked with an * and return this whole sheet, including Bank Mandate Form to the Finance Office. Prizes will be paid into the bank account stated below.
To: ……………………………………………………………………. Bank STANDING ORDER MANDATE Postal Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Please Pay For the Credit of The sum of Commencing
Bank:
Branch Title (not address):
Sort Code number:
Lloyds TSB Bank Plc
Loughton
30-92-58
Beneficiary’s Name:
Account number:
Surname & Initials of payee (for reference):
RODING VALLEY 100 CLUB
22676260
Amount:
Amount in words:
£
*
*
Date of first payment:
Signature(s) *
and thereafter every
* Due date and frequency:
MONTHLY ON 1ST
*Account to be debited (name of account holder/s as it/they appear(s) on your statement)
……………………………………………
:
until further notice in writing or
*Sort Code:
Date of last payment:
*
and debit my/ our account accordingly
*Account Number:
Signature(s) ………………………………………………
Date: ……………………………………. Banks may decline to accept instructions to charge Standing Orders to certain types of account other than Current Accounts. Note: The Bank will not undertake to: a. Make any reference to Value Added Tax or pay a stated sum plus V.A.T., or other indeterminate element. b. Advise remitter’s address to beneficiary c. Advise beneficiary of inability to pay d. Request beneficiary’s banker to advise beneficiary of receipt e. Accept instructions to pay as soon after the specified date as there are funds to meet the payment, if funds are not available on the specific date. N:\Templates\Forms\SSB\September 2013/SJO
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 ÂŁ5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk
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.
www.jwdrums.co.uk
Students are regularly coming into school with cheques with the payee being left blank
Singing Lessons
Can you please ensure that all cheques are made payable to
Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.
Roding Valley High School
email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com
The school cannot be held responsible for any cheques which go missing and are then cashed elsewhere
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 WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
GCSE Health and Social Care Calling all parents/guardians that work in Health Care, Social Care or the Early Years Sector! As part of GCSE Health and Social Care, year 10 students are required to investigate three care roles. It would be great if we could have parents/guardians that work in any of the above sectors to speak to the students about their roles and what their job involves. Roles that students have expressed an interest in already are: midwife, dentist, nursery nurse, physiotherapist and social worker. If this is something you might be able to help with could you contact me via email on sbarrett@rodingvalley.net or ask to speak to Mrs Barrett or Mrs Abbott if you telephone the school. Thanks in advance. Mrs Barrett Health and Social Care
Essex Police - Careers Event for 15-17 year olds - 10th October 2015 Are you interested in a future career in law enforcement? Essex Police are giving you the chance to discover areas of policing not usually seen by members of the public at 'Next Step' - a Youth Engagement Event at their headquarters in Chelmsford on October 10, 2015. The event is open to young adults aged 15 to 17 who want to find out more about different areas within the police. You will have the chance to take part in activities including public order training, learning about finger printing and DNA with Crime Scene Investigators and understanding what training and development opportunities are on offer at Essex Police College from new recruits to Chief Officers. The day will begin at 10am and finish at 4pm. Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis, and all applications need to be received Wednesday, September 16th. An application form and parent or carer consent form MUST be returned by Wednesday 16th September which can be found via the following link: https://www.essex.police.uk/news_features/other_stories/youth_engagement_event.aspx There is a short video from an event in May 2015 that you may wish to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qkfw0cpfqY If you have any questions, please email: youth.day@essex.pnn.police.uk Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
RVHS Get Caught Reading Twitter feed: Over the summer break I asked students and staff to send me photos of themselves reading a book in an 'interesting' location. I have been uploading the results to a school Twitter feed with the following address: @RVgetcaughtreading, together with various 'retweets' that I found of interest. If you have a Twitter account you can follow my Twitter feed or access it via the school's main Twitter account: @RodingValleyHS. Any students who would like to send in photos of themselves reading, to be included in my Twitter feed, can send them to my school email address: jmartin@rodingvalley.net, and I shall upload them. Follow @RVgetcaughtreading and see the weird and wonderful places where students and staff chose to get caught reading! Julia Martin School Librarian 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. Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
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