Another busy week with the Sixth Form Open Evening last night. I was delighted with the turn out at the event and it is clear that our students see this as a real opportunity to stay on at Roding Valley and be successful at A Level. Students and their parents had the chance to speak to the teachers and Heads of Faculty about the courses on offer and there was a real buzz of excitement around the school. Our teachers are passionate about their subjects and this really came across in their discussions with the students. The school looked great and our visitors from Debden Park and Epping St Johns were most impressed with our students' enthusiasm and maturity. It's now down to the Year 11s to fill in their course applications and we look forward to receiving them in the New Year. The Winter Concert was also a great success this week. My thanks go to Jon Savage and Chris Argyrakis for all of their hard work in preparing the students for the show. The quality of the musical items was incredibly high and it was great to see the range of talent that we have at Roding Valley. The audience was full of praise for the singers and musicians and it was a lovely way to kick off the Christmas period. Very well done to all those who performed so well. On Thursday the Christmas lunch was a great success and I have never seen the canteen so busy. The food was fantastic and I would like to thank Pat Henrye and her team for working so hard to provide such a treat for the students. The staff that day were dressed in their Christmas jumpers to make the event more festive and to raise money for charity. All in all a great success and all those that took part did so in an excellent spirit, another indication of what a special place this is. I would also like to thank those parents who attended the Parents' Forum on Monday. It was very useful to have a wide ranging discussion about the school and I was grateful to hear your thoughts on what is working well as well as any areas for development. I will certainly be taking note of some of the suggestions that were raised. I wish you all a very enjoyable weekend. 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
Home Learning Research demonstrates that home learning is a significant factor in pupil progress and is an expectation at Roding Valley. Therefore we are launching 'Home Learning Support' each Friday from 3.05 - 4.15pm in IT5. This will be a supervised session where Heads of Faculty and Heads of Year will be directing pupils to attend where they are failing to meet the expectations of their teaching staff with regard to home learning. Should your son or daughter be placed in Home Learning Support they are required to attend and bring with them any home learning that requires completion or improvement. They will have access to ICT to help them to achieve this where necessary. You can support you son or daughter with their home learning by monitoring their planner each week, looking at homework that is completed and contacting teaching staff where you have any concerns. Ms J Bentley
Big Bang Workshop University of Essex 16 December 2014 The Science department has arranged a trip for 30 Year 9 students to attend ‘The Big Bang’ workshop at The University of Essex, Colchester. Students will take part in workshops, experiments and demonstrations focused on science, maths, engineering and computing. Some of the activities highlight the University’s excellence in research with demonstrations ranging from research into collective crowd behaviour and coral reefs to climate change and how our brains function. Leading companies and organisations also support the Big Bang Fair to highlight the vital role science, technology and engineering play in the UK’s economy and the career opportunities on offer. Mr Punungwe and Mrs Atinkinson will be leading the trip.
Year 7's are making up shoes boxes with gifts inside for children less fortunate for Christmas. The cost of posting the shoe boxes is £3.00. The students will decide on the age range and gender for their boxes and fill them with appropriate gifts such as toys / toothbrushes/ flannels /hairbands / notepads and pens. Please do not include any toy guns or replica weapons. Please note any sweets will need to have a long date stamp on them. The deadline for the wrapped boxes is Monday 15th December 2014 Thank you for all your support so far - we have lots of boxes underway. If you want to see the happiness these boxes provide, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yzx4pFcbdQ Jon Quirk HOY7
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.
Essex Cup Round 3 Thursday 11 December Saffron Walden County High -v- RVHS They say ‘football is a funny old game’. Away to Saffron Walden School in the County Cup saw us go down two goals to one. We started well, looked solid in defence with Cally Morley making his first start for two years and James Stone making his debut. Both players acquitted themselves well replacing two players who were ill. We went a goal ahead with Joe Tinsley finding the net. Walden never got behind us. Danny Biggerstaff, Keeper, only had a couple of long strikes to easily deal with. Then we gave away a free kick outside the box which the lad hit well into the corner of the goal. At half time the instructions were to be patient as we were in control. This resulted in us hitting the target three times only for their goalkeeper to save the shot with a slight tip which resulted in all three efforts hitting the bar or post. With ten minutes to go, our only mistake in defence, by an experienced player, saw Walden rush in and put the ball past our own rushing Keeper. Jack Kibblewhite then again hit the bar and for all our efforts we just could not find the net. Next Monday we entertain East Barnet, the Middlesex Champs, in Round 5 of the English Schools Cup. 2.15pm kick-off. Players to meet at 1.20pm. P Fitch
Essex Cup Chingford 4 RVHS 2 A thrilling cup tie. From the kick off RVHS played neat touches, trying to create chances on a wet muddy pitch. We lacked a cutting edge and wasted chances in the first half going 1-0 down at HT. But we soon raised our game - Stanley Nash impressed again. Callum took his chance to shine with a cute quality finish. Fabian s quick diagonal runs and quicksilver Archie's crosses caused the opposition real problems. Our defence were calm, combative and resolute; with Ricky (our JT) having a big presence at the back. Casey, Roding Valley’s Captain, ran himself into the ground. We hit the goalpost and crossbar twice in the last 10 minutes! The all round performance was very good. In truth ,we deserved better for our endeavours, tactics and attacking football. K Bailey
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
Week ending 5th December 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Chiraze Houadef 7Q
Form with Highest Honours
7Q
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Farah Baldwin 8Q
Form with Highest Honours
8Q
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Jennifer-May Mallen 9X
Form with Highest Honours
9T
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10Q
Pipil with Highest Honours
George Roberts 10S
Form with Highest Honours
10S
Pupil of the Week
Bilal Riaz 10U nominated by Mrs Chambers for doing a ‘real’ French GCSE speaking exam, without notes, in front of the whole class so that he and everyone else could learn and benefit from the experience. Very brave and well done
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11S
Pupil with Highest Honours
Callum Drinkwater 11U
Form with Highest Honours
11U
School Trips Year 8 Residential Trip - Skern Lodge 1st - 5th June 2015 There are a couple of places still available on the Skern Lodge Trip. If you would like to go, please ask for a letter at reception as soon as possible. Year 7 Residential Trip - Kingswood 8th - 12th June 2015 If you are interested in going on the Year 7 residential trip please make sure your paperwork is handed into reception as soon as possible. If you require details please contact reception.
Open Days coming up: DATE CHANGE: Trinity Catholic High School Open Day is now Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 5pm
Application Deadlines:
Roding Valley High School : Friday 16thJanuary 2015 - Hand in to Mrs Mason West Hatch: 31st January 2015 - Post direct to West Hatch Davenant School: Monday 19th January 2015 - Hand in to Mrs Mason Trinity School: Monday 23rd February - Hand in to Mrs Mason Epping Forest College : Thursday 22nd January 2015- Hand in to Mrs Mason
Parents of Year 9 and Year 11 Date for your diary The Roding Valley High School Annual Careers Fest will be on Thursday January 29th 2015 from 3.30-6.30pm at Epping Forest College. The Careers Fest is for parents and students in Year 9 and Year 11. 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 Year 11 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 fifth consortium careers fair held at Epping Forest College. Each year it has been a very professional and successful event and this year there are already over 65 exhibitors 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. If you require any further information or advice please contact me. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
Guitar Lessons
Drum Lessons
Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour.
One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends!
Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com
Learn to play the drums from as little as £5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk
if you are interested.
www.jwdrums.co.uk LIBRARY OPENING TIMES
School Shop Opening Times
The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times :
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am
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.
Break: 11.00am - 11.20am
Tuesday: Before school 7.15 am - 8.10 am , break time and lunch times. Access for early opening is via the door by resources.
Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm
Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm
Singing Lessons
PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.
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
email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com
ICT Coursework Sessions
Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4