I would like to start this week’s bulletin by taking the opportunity to wish Mr Davies (Deputy Headteacher) a long and happy retirement when he finishes his teaching career next Tuesday after over 30 years of service. On a personal note, I would like to thank him for everything he has done for the school, in particular the support he gave me when I started as Headteacher. He is a popular, successful and hugely respected professional and his presence in the classroom, corridors and playground will be missed by everyone at the school. We started the week with the Year 11 Final Assembly and Prom and both events went incredibly well with over 200 students attending the prom on Monday night. I thought I had seen every type of sports car or novelty vehicle there was that could drop students off at a prom but the fire engine, complete with sirens, was a new one for me! The students were a credit to the school in the way in which they behaved and a great night was had by all. We took the decision yesterday to postpone the Year 9 Sport Day until Monday 21st July when temperatures were due to be cooler. There was no way we could safely have students participating in a Sports Day in the heat and humidity of today and I am sure parents will understand this. Whilst the forecast is cooler for Monday, can I please remind parents of Year 9 students to ensure they have sun cream and water for the day. Congratulations to our Year 10 students who undertook their ‘Mock Interviews’ this Wednesday and the feedback from the employers who came in and interviewed our students was incredibly positive. Year 10 Media Studies students were visited by BAFTA Screenwriter and Director Paul Viragh yesterday afternoon. Paul came to us as part of the ‘Speakers for Schools’ programme which we have signed up to (http://www.speakers4schools.org/) and spoke to students about his career writing scripts and directing movies. It was a fascinating presentation and we are delighted that he could join us. The strong tradition of successful debating teams at the school continued as our next generation of debaters travelled to Burnt Mill School in Harlow to compete against Burnt Mill and Bishop Stortford Boys School. Olivia Tinker(10S) and Hannah Smith (10V) stole the show in what turned out to be a battle of the sexes with an allgirl opposition team against the boys of Stortford. Olivia Biddle (8V) and Zoe Donnelly (8V) came second in the competition while Year 7 boys Tariq Riaz (7U) and Samuel Copeman (7V) also made an excellent impression on the judges. Once again the fine tradition of successful debating teams at Roding Valley continues and we now have an enviable reputation as one of the strongest schools in Essex for debating. Well done to everyone involved! Congratulations also to our Head of History, Mr Goodall, who, writing under the alias Anthony Fitzgerald, has published a novel. ‘The Harvest’ is a Science Fiction novel aimed at adults and is available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Harvest-Anthony-FitzGerald-ebook/dp/B00LG74EAS I have written to parents this week detailing the arrangements for the start of next term. This letter is being posted home with your child’s report and the updated version of the school badge which is to be worn on blazers from September. Term ends on Tuesday 22nd July and students will be dismissed from 12.20pm. Periods 1-3 will be normal lessons on this day and students are required to bring any necessary books or equipment for these lessons. Finally, I would like to ‘sign off’ my last parent bulletin with a few words. It has been a real honour to serve as Headteacher at Roding Valley High School since January 2010. The school has come a long way in the last 5 years and I am immensely proud at what we - staff, students, parents and governors -have achieved together. I would like to firstly thank all the staff at Roding Valley. They all work tirelessly to ensure that the students get a superb education and I have been very fortunate to work with such talented and dedicated professionals. I would also like to thank the Governors who have supported the school in making the changes we needed to make in order for us to be where we are today. Finally, I would like to thank every parent for their support over the last 5 years. Without us all working together, we would not be in the strong position we are in now. I look forward to hearing about the future success of the school as it moves into its next exciting phase with the establishment of the new 6th Form. With my very best wishes Paul Banks Headteacher
Cultural Dance Show Monday 21st July 7pm School Hall Tickets £3
RESULTS DAY THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2014 Please see the arrangements below for your son/daughter's collection of Results. YEAR 11 RESULTS CAN BE COLLECTED BETWEEN 10.00AM-12.00PM YEAR 10 RESULTS CAN BE COLLECTED BETWEEN 12.00PM-1.00PM ·
Students can collect their results from the Hall between on THURSDAY 21 AUGUST 2014. Students must use the Brook Road entrance (Baguette Bar).
· A delegated person can collect the results, but they must have a signed letter from the student stating that the person has permission to collect the results on their behalf. Parents/Guardians collecting on their child’s behalf also require a letter. Please ensure the note bears the name of the person delegated to collect the results. Results will not be given out over the telephone or via email. · If a stamped addressed envelope is provided, the results will be posted but please be aware that RVHS cannot be held responsible for lost or missing mail. · If arrangements have not been made for any of the above, results will be held in Reception for collection once the new term starts in September. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the students good luck with their examination results and every success for the future. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me before the end of term. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer
Year 10 History
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.
PE Kit At the end of this academic year, RVHS is changing the PE kit.
FOR FURTHER MATCH REPORTS, RESULTS, FIXTURES AND TEAM SELECTION, LOG ONTO rvhspeblog.com
If you have any items that have been lost or are too small, please call the office where we have a large selection of donated, good quality PE kit that your child can have until the end of term.
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
MEDIA RELEASE Roding Valley High School students triumph in debating competition A group of Roding Valley High School students have triumphed in the Young Persons Parliamentary Debate held at Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow. Roding Valley competed against Burnt Mill and Bishop Stortford Boys School with two out of three teams making it to the final debate against Bishop Stortford School. Year 10 Roding Valley students Olivia Tinker and Hannah Smith stole the show in what turned out to be a battle of the sexes with an all-girl opposition team against the boys of Stortford. Year 8 Roding Valley students Olivia Biddle and Zoe Donnelly came second in the competition while Year 7 boys Tariq Riaz and Samuel Copeman also made an excellent impression on the judges, particularly as Year 7 students competing against older students. Headteacher Paul Banks said: “Once again the fine tradition of successful debating teams at Roding Valley continues. “It is great to see this 'next generation' of young debaters coming through so well and I am delighted with this triumph over two schools with very strong teams. “The school is establishing an enviable reputation as one of the strongest in Essex for debating and I look forward to this continuing.”
Drum Lessons
Guitar 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 PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
Singing Lessons
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome
Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.
email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com