I hope that you are all feeling a little more rested after the Easter break but of course this means that we are back into the swing of a very busy summer term. It was great to see so many of our Year 11 students in over the first week of the holiday taking part in the Revision Programme. The sessions were highly challenging and focused on the best ways to prepare for the summer examinations. It was very encouraging to see the majority of the year group in over the course of the week and I would like to thank the teachers who gave up part of their break to come in and deliver such a thorough coverage of the subjects. It is vital that the Year 11s make the most of the next few weeks in the lead up to the public examinations and attend as many extra revision classes after school as they can, in addition to maximising the work that they do in their lessons and at home. They have had a great deal of guidance and advice about the best ways to prepare but I would ask all parents to take an interest in the work that they are doing and help them in any way you can. It was also a busy Easter for a number of our Year 8 students who enjoyed a wonderful ski trip to Switzerland. I've spoken to a number of the students who all said what a fantastic time they had and many have said that they would like to go again so I can only apologise to parents for future expenditure in this direction. Again I would like to thank the staff who gave up a week of their break to supervise the students and in particular I would like to thank Mrs Musker who was running her second ski trip in three months and Mr Punungwe who also performed spectacularly on both ski trips last term. Next week it is the turn of the Year 7s to sit their Core Subjects Examinations in the Hall. It is important for all of our students to get used to the pressures of this type of assessment and I wish the year group all the very best. They have settled in very well as a year at Roding Valley and we are expecting that their assessments will show pleasing levels of progress in the time that they have been with us. Finally I would like to congratulate the Year 11 GCSE Music students who performed their pieces in front of a select audience on Thursday evening. As ever the standard of performance was very high and there was a wide range of musical styles on display. Thank you to Mr Savage for co-ordinating the evening and for the students for putting in so much hard work and preparation. These are the pieces that they will be showcasing for their Music GCSE examinations next week so I wish them all every success. James 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
Week ending 25th March 2016
Year 7 Year 8
Highest Attendance
7R & 7V
Form with the Highest Honours
7V
Student with the Highest Honours
Elysia Filaitis 7S
Highest Attendance
8Q
Form with the Highest Honours
8X
Student with the Highest Honours
Tyler-Blue Kirby-Arif 8X
Class of the week
8ux/Fr1 nominated by Ms Langlet 8ux/En3 nominated by Ms Ahmad for their excellent PQD chains that are now the length of the classroom! 8ux/En4 nominated by Ms Cordwell for excellent attitude, focus and work in a cover lesson
Year 9 Year 10 Year 11
Highest Attendance
9R
Form with the Highest Honours
9X
Student with the Highest Honours
Samuel Copeman 9X
Highest Attendance
10T
Form with the Highest Honours
10R
Student with the Highest Honours
Gabrielle Murray 10R
Student of the week
Highest Attendance
11S
Form with the Highest Honours
11English
Sidney Jethva 10T nominated by Ms Wilson for good work in Computer Science and supporting students in class.
For the Attention of Year 8 students and parents
Form Class Maths Competition
Last year we enjoyed two Jack the Ripper tours on two separate summer evenings. We would like to take year 8 students again this year. Letters of interest will be handed out on Monday. Please note that a parent or nominated guardian will need to attend with each student..... at this stage it looks as though these will be in the first week of July.
The competition is held twice a month and is accessible to all year groups and abilities. It will help students to develop problem solving skills which are needed for the new GCSE specification.
More info to follow when I have an idea of numbers.
I would ask all parents/guardians to strongly encourage and support the students in entering this fun challenge.
Miss Preston Head of Humanities
Mrs Vermaak Maths Department
Roding Valley High School: Full Governing Body Meeting 17 March 2016 In March the full governing body met to consider the Spring term and to look forward to the Summer term. The exam season is well and truly upon us. We received up-dates on various aspects of school life including policies which are regularly reviewed ,We considered reports from our committees and confirmed the appointment of a new healthy schools governor. We also considered the progress of the sixth form and the proposed building work to accommodate new pupils from September 2018. We are now hopeful that the formalities will be completed by the end of this school year and an application for planning permission submitted. The sixth form has more than 160 applicants for September next. Competition for places will be fierce and good GCSE results in August will be critical to ensure entry. We also considered the required business of the governing body. We have two new governors who will become co -opted members with skills including fund raising, PR and special educational needs which will benefit the school. Paul Wershof Chair of Governors
Maths Support Monday & Friday After school in M5 Maths Club Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime in M3
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
ICT Coursework Sessions
Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at asmith@rodingvalley.net
Every Tuesday Lunchtime with Miss Wilson in ICT4
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.
Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com
Dear Parent/Guardian Our Immunisation Nurses have visited the school and administered the Meningitis ACWY vaccination to Y9 girls and Y10 boys and girls. Y9 boys will receive their vaccinations in May on the date below. Yr9 boys 20th May 2016 The consent form and information leaflet have gone home. Please ensure the consent form has been returned. The health authority require all forms to be returned, even if your son is not having the vaccination (please either write on the form you do not wish your son to have the vaccination or attach a note on the consent form). This will avoid your son being recalled at a later date. If any student has missed the vaccinations already given out please can you contact the school if you still wish them to have the injection. Thank you.
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
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.
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
YEAR 11 PARENTS - APRIL CORE EXAMINATIONS English, Maths and Science exams have been scheduled during April which will give all Year 11 students a further opportunity to ensure they are focusing on all topics before the GCSE's begin in May, enabling us to identify any shortcomings. All students have received their individual timetable, these have been printed on bright pink paper. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer
YEAR 11 CORE EXAMS - APRIL 2016
Periods 1 + 2 09.00 - 11.00
Monday (1) 18 April 2016
Science Core/Additional (Foundation/Higher) - 1hr 30m Triple (Higher) - 1hr 30m YEAR 7 PARENTS
Please be aware that formal assessments will be taking place for all Year 7 students next week. Your son/daughter has been issued with a timetable showing assessment/dates/times/rooms/seat number personal to them. Timetables have been printed on BRIGHT YELLOW paper. Please also see below a generic overview of the assessments that are taking place. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer
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
Fantastic programme launches 23rd April in Loughton A range of inspiring classes that use a variety of artistic techniques and mediums including drawing, screen printing, graffiti, painting, illustration, contemporary art, sculpture, and animation. Carley teaches children of all ages to think like an artist and express their individuality through their own art practice in a supportive and fun environment. There is a promotional offer on at the moment of ÂŁ12.50 all materials included. The discount code for this is NEWESSEX For more information on how to join in go to: http://www.minimonetsuk.com/
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
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