This week the Assemblies have focused on the topic of Britishness. This is an area we regularly refer to since the Government have publicised the importance attached to all students understanding what Britishness entails. This forms part of the work that we do at Roding Valley to ensure that our students are well adjusted members of society and are able to appreciate the type of society that we live in. The aspects of the topic that are highlighted are the concepts of Freedom of Speech as well as the fact that we have a democratic Government and we all have the opportunity to make our views heard. This forms part of the Anti-Radicalisation work that we are required to undertake as a school, but more than this I believe that it is important for our students to understand that what we take for granted in terms of Human Rights in this country is not the case worldwide. We will continue to educate our students about this topic and we make every effort to demonstrate how it forms a key part of the fabric of the school. With this in mind we are also working hard to embed the Vision that the we share for the school moving forward. There are three words that can be found throughout the school in departments and in corridors and I want students to take them as a cue for how they approach their time at Roding Valley.
Aspiration Respect Endeavour Aspiration refers to the fact that I want students to aim high and set themselves challenging targets. As teachers we do this with their academic subjects but I also want students to aim high in terms of their other interests and extra-curricular activities. Respect refers to how the students treat each other, the staff, the school itself as well as the local community. The importance of Respect is critical as I want students to be proud of where they go to school and ensure a harmonious working atmosphere. I hope that they make lifelong friends here and enjoy fantastic memories. It is also crucial that our students are excellent ambassadors for the school in Loughton and beyond. They look so smart in their uniforms that members of the public often comment to me about what a credit they are to the school. However, if individuals are getting it wrong it will inevitably be brought to my attention. Endeavour refers to the fact that I want students to work hard and try their best in everything they do. If they put every effort into their school work, their sport, their music, their drama and all of the other areas that they experience then they are highly likely to be successful and enjoy the progress that they make. Finally I would like to congratulate the Year 9 footballers who enjoyed a fine victory against a strong Davenant side on Wednesday on the Astroturf. A very committed yet mature performance from a number of our boys saw Roding Valley win 6 - 2 overall with fine displays throughout the team. It was good to see Jack Albertson do so well in his first match for the school, while Adan Mohammed, Ben Stone and Tom Spencer made life difficult for the Davenant defence throughout. Could I also congratulate Harry Gipson who has been selected for the Essex Rugby team at Scrum half next week when he plays at Allianz Park, the home of Saracens. I wish him every success. J Luck Headteacher
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YEAR 11 PARENTS Please note there will be Mathematics GCSE examinations in January 2016 for a small group of selected students. Please see below the generic timetable for these examinations. The selected students will have received their individual timetables via their form tutor and have been printed on bright green paper. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School
GCSE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE JANUARY 2016 - FINAL Morning Sessions Start 9AM
Duration
Date
Afternoon Sessions Start 1.30PM
Duration
Tuesday 19th January 2016
Edexcel Certificate in Maths Paper - Calculator (2F/4H)
2hrs
Due to circumstances beyond our control examination dates may be subject to change at the Examination Boards discretion. This is a generic timetable and students must refer to their individual timetables for precise timings of examinations relevant to them.
YEAR 11 PRE-PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS Please find below a copy of the forthcoming Year 11 PPE examination Timetable. All students will receive their individual timetables from their Form Tutor next week. Timetables will be printed on BRIGHT PINK paper and contain all information regarding examinations including conduct expectations and equipment requirements. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School GCSE PPE TIMETABLE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 - FINAL VERSION Periods 1 + 2 09.00 - 11.00
Periods 3 + 4 11.20 - 13.20
Period 5 14.05 - 15.30
Monday (2) 25 January 2016
Science (Additional) (1hr) (Foundation + Higher)
Business Studies U3 (1hr 30m) Economics U5 (1hr 30m)
French Listening & Reading (1hr 30m) (Foundation + Higher)
Tuesday (2) 26 January2016
History (1hr 15m)
Maths Paper 1 - Non Calculator (1hr 45m) (Higher sets 11a/MaCL 11a/MaCU 11a/MaE1 11a/MaEA 11AI/Ma 11b/MaCL 11b/MaCU 11b/MaE1 11b/MaEA 11IA/Ma 11IB/Ma) (Foundation sets 11a/MaS1 11b/MaS1)
Health & Social Care (1hr 15m)
Wednesday (2) 27 January 2016
Physical Education (1hr 30m)
Thursday (2) 28 January 2016
English Language Core 1hr 45m Extended 2hrs
Media Studies (1hr 30m)
Psychology U1 (1hr)
Friday (2) 29 January 2016
Maths Paper 2 - Calculator (1hr 45m) (Higher sets 11a/MaCL 11a/MaCU 11a/MaE1 11a/MaEA 11AI/Ma 11b/MaCL 11b/MaCU 11b/MaE1 11b/MaEA 11IA/Ma 11IB/Ma) (Foundation sets 11a/MaS1 11b/MaS1)
Science (Core) (1hr) (Foundation + Higher)
Chemistry (1hr)
Monday (1) 1 February 2016
Edexcel English Literature Paper 1 - (1hr 45m) AQA English Literature Paper 1 - (1hr 30m)
Music Listening & Appraising (1hr 30m) Computer Science (1hr 30m)
Tuesday (1) 2 February 2016
Geography (1hr 30m) (Foundation + Higher)
Psychology U2 (1hr)
Biology (1hr)
Wednesday (1) 3 February 2016
Business Studies U1 (45m) Economics U1 (45m)
Catering (1hr 15m) Resistant Materials (1hr 30m)
Physics (1hr)
Thursday (1) 4 February 2016
Statistics (1hr 45m) (Higher sets 11a/MaEA 11b/MaEA) (Foundation sets 11a/MaCL 11a/MaCU 11a/MaE1 11AI/Ma 11b/MaCL 11b/MaCU 11b/MaE1 11IA/Ma 11IB/Ma 11a/MaS1 11b/MaS1)
Spanish Listening & Reading (1hr 30m) (Foundation + Higher)
Religious Studies (1hr 30m)
Information Communication Technology (1hr 30m)
Edexcel English Literature Paper 2 - (1hr 30m) AQA English Literature Paper 2 - (1hr)
Friday (1) 5 February 2016
AUDITIONS We are holding auditions after school on Monday (18th January) for singers/ musicians who wish to perform at the KS3 Creative Arts evening in March. The auditions will be taking place in the Music Studio.
Year 10 Work Experience Key Update All paperwork for privately organised own placements are due in by the end of February. Could these 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
NEW ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION IN LOUGHTON We are exhibiting a selection of work from GCSE and A Level Art and Photography students at Loughton Arts Centre next week (16-22 January). The gallery is on Loughton High Street, next to Lopping Hall and is open from 10-4 Monday to Saturday. This is a new addition to our regular exhibition dates, and if you have the opportunity please pop in and view the ongoing creative efforts of our art students.
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 fast approaching, only two weeks away. We really have some very new and interesting exhibitors attending the fair this year. I have today put letters and invites to the Fest in Year 9-12 registers for you. Please read through the information carefully with your sons/ daughters and encourage them to start thinking about the kind of questions they may like to ask some of the exhibitors. This year we have even more exhibitors attending. Upon arrival at the college please sign in and collect your programme, this will give you details of where all the exhibitors are located. The exhibitors are expecting you to approach them and just chat informally, they will be very keen to offer you any information and advice about future career pathways. There will be careers advisors present throughout the event should you wish to speak to them. I will also be available throughout the evening so please come and see me if you need any help or advice with anything. I look forward to seeing you all there. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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
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.
Week ending 15th January 2016 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7R
Form with the Highest Honours
7R
Student with the Highest Honours Grace Reynolds 7T Student of the week
George Jones 7S nominated by Ms Patel for showing good independent skills during practical sessions – Well done George!
Class of the week
7wx/Ar2 nominated by Mrs Sargent for being very polite and attentive in class.
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8R
Form with the Highest Honours
8R
Student with the Highest Honours Tilly Crossman-Cox 8R Class of the week
8R/Gg1 nominated by Mrs Barron
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9U
Form with the Highest Honours
9V
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10V
Form with the Highest Honours
10R
Student with the Highest Honours Jessica O’Donovan 10T Year 11 Highest Attendance
11Q
Form with the Highest Honours
11X
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
100 Club Christmas 2015 Winners were: 1st - Mrs M Riaz £100 2nd - Mrs T Dolan £60 3rd - Mrs J Truman £40
The library will be hosting a Harry PoĆŠer Book Night event after school on Thursday 4th February until about 6.00 pm. It will be open to students in Year 7 and Year 8. Students who are interested in attending this celebration of the Harry Potter series should come to the library and put their names down on the sign-up sheets. Students can speak to the librarian if they have any questions about the event.
Be there or be a muggle!
Many congratulations to Ellie Blundy and Ella Margetts in year 8, who represented the school on Monday in the second round of the Future Chef Cooking Competition at Passmores school. Both girls worked very hard and the competition was tough!!! Ellie and Ella are through to the next round of the RIBI Young Chef at the end of January. Well done girls we are very proud of your achievements.
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.