Last week we welcomed back our students from the Easter break and it was great to see them all get back into the swing of things straight away. It is pleasing to see that the measures that we have brought in over the course of the year have had a positive effect and it is clear that we are heading in the right direction as a school. Behaviour in lessons has improved significantly and the number of Senior Leadership Team call-outs continues to decline. We are insisting that low level disruption is unacceptable at Roding Valley High School and we will continue to take this hard line with the students to ensure that all students have the best chance of making progress. Punctuality in the mornings has also improved dramatically and this means that the day starts on a positive for the vast majority of the students and gets them into good habits in preparing them for the workforce. Attendance remains high and this is a crucial factor in our drive to raise academic standards. There is such a close link between attendance and academic success so thank you all for your ongoing support with this. The site team were busy over the Easter break and the school is looking in excellent shape. The tarmac areas alongside the brook have been resurfaced and new lighting has been fitted throughout the old building. I am delighted with the way the school looks at present and I really want our students to take a pride in their school. As such our ongoing battle over litter will continue as there is no reason why any rubbish is dropped. This will be a focus for the rest of the year and those caught littering will be expected to complete some community oriented work as an effective sanction. Finally I would like to say a very large well done to four of our students who have achieved a remarkable victory. Leyla Ozkan 7Q, Anna Barker 7Q, Olivia Marks-Micheli 8U and Lucy Forsdyke 9X travelled to Pensacola, Florida as part of the Casablanca Cheerleading team. The competition was fierce but the girls ended up beating the Americans in their own back yard and unsurprisingly this has led to a great deal of interest in the team. The girls have been invited on to the One Show and there have been numerous newspaper articles and radio interviews. Very well done to all concerned and the fact that one of the coaches of the team is an ex-Roding Valley student really puts the icing on the cake. J Luck Headteacher Message from the Chair of Governors Following the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on 15th April 2015, the Full Governing Body was asked to accept the budget for 2015/2016. Having heard the presentation we had no hesitation in giving our approval. In doing so it is clear that the school community is going to have to look to its own resources in future years. It is hoped that, following discussions with The Friends of Roding Valley High School, a letter will be sent to all parents in September 2015 with our views. It is likely to be a momentous year with the launch of the much wanted 6th form and we look forward to meeting the challenges we must face. Paul Wershof, Chair of Governors
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Governor’s Update The Personnel and Finance Committee met this week and were given a detailed presentation of the current state of RVHS finances and the budget for 2015/2016. All Governors were very impressed with both the professionalism of the presentation and the comprehensive understanding of the school finances. Despite the economic pressures on all public services the School is in a much better financial position than it has been for many years and we are immensely grateful to all staff for the way that they help improve the school by continuing to deliver a high quality service on an increasingly restricted budget.
100 Club Congratulations to the following winners Mrs J Raymond - £78 Mrs S Rivers - £45 Mrs Pett - £30
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
YEAR 11 PARENTS Please see below a copy of the forthcoming May/June 2015 GCSE Examination Timetable, please note there have been additions made due to a new unitised Mathematics exam being added. This exam will affect approximately 20 students and will be included on the relevant student's individual timetable. Students will receive their individual examination timetables during the week beginning Monday 20 April 2015 these will be printed on BRIGHT GREEN paper. May I also remind you that afternoon examinations will start promptly at 1.00pm not 1.30pm as in previous sessions. Students have already received a Guidance for Students & Parents booklet which is packed full of information regarding the forthcoming examinations but, if you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.
YEAR 10 PARENTS Please find below a copy of the Year 10 End of Year Examination Timetable. These exams will be conducted under full exam conditions and will start to prepare the students for the rigour and preparation to sit their actual GCSE's in the summer of 2016. Where possible the examinations will be sat in the Hall, any subject not shown on this timetable will be classroom based during lesson time. Break.
Celebrating Shakespeare's Birthday Thursday 23rd April The English Department are celebrating Shakespeare's birthday with the Year 7 students. Students will be getting involved in lots of creative activities that require parents help. So if you have any spare fabric, shoe boxes (empty of course) and material that can be used to recreate the Elizabethan era we would be hugely thankful. We need about 50 shoe boxes in total and lots of material to support what promises to be an exciting and unforgettable day for our students. Please send in relevant items via your child to hand in to the English Department. Thank you
Please find below a copy of the Breakfast Revision Timetable for the forthcoming GCSE Examinations. Breakfast Revision Sessions will be taking place in the Canteen from 8am until 8.45am for students sitting exams scheduled to start at 9am. Our Catering staff will provide students with croissants and juice free of charge. These sessions are hugely beneficial and we would urge you to encourage your son/daughter to attend. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. J Draper, Exams Officer
'Making it into Medicine' This Course which will be run at Mid-Essex Hospitals on the 26th of July is suitable for Years 10-13 and parents are also welcome to attend. 'Making it into Medicine' is a course which will be happening at the Mid-Essex Hospitals on the 26th of July from 12:0017.00pm. The course has been designed to encourage students who are contemplating a career in medicine, to provide advice on applications to medical school and will cover a range of useful topics such as personal statements, organising work experience, interviews and CV building. The course will be delivered by Dr Sivayoganathan and Dr Kennedy. For more details about the course and to book please visit www.medicmentor.org Student registration is ÂŁ45.00, but for parents registration is ÂŁ25. Students will receive a free course workbook and CV pack. Teas, coffees and snacks will also be provided. To see a detailed programme and book your place visit: http://www.medicmentor.org/making-it-into-medicine-course.html If you have any further questions, please email Samantha.heybridge@outlook.com
Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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.
Drop in times for Students with Special Educational Needs This year we are trialling some drop in times for parents of SEN students to enable you to discuss your son/ daughter's progress in detail. We will be available at the following times: Mondays 10-11am Wednesdays 1011am Thursdays 2.15-3pm Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at asmith@rodingvalley.net
Supported Homework Club
Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
Week ending 17th April 2015 Year 7 Highest Attendance*
7V
Pupil with Highest Honours
Isobel Bonning 7S
Form with Highest Honours
7S
Year 8 Highest Attendance*
8R & 8T
Pupil with Highest Honours
Harry Gipson 8W
Form with Highest Honours
8V
Pupil of the Week
8ux/Pe1 nominated by Ms Hudson 8ux/Pe2 nominated by Ms Draper
Year 9 Highest Attendance*
9Q
Form with Highest Honours
9X
Year 10 Highest Attendance*
10U
Form with Highest Honours
10V
Year 11 Highest Attendance*
11V
Form with Highest Honours
11T
*All attendance figures are for the week before the Easter holidays.
Are you aged 14 or over (by the end of August 2015)?
If so, then this volunteering opportunity could be for you:
Volunteers are needed to help children take part in the Summer Reading Challenge in local public libraries during the summer holidays. Volunteering experience is a very useful addi on to your CV and/or UCAS applica on form. Interested? See Mrs Mar n in the school library for further informa on, including a Volunteer Role Descrip on and applica on form.
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
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4
If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.
Maths Support
Monday, Wednesday & Friday After school M5
Maths Club
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
Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime M3
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 £5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk
Guitar Lessons Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour. Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com if you are interested.
www.jwdrums.co.uk
School Shop Opening Times
LIBRARY OPENING TIMES
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am
The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times :
Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
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
Singing Lessons Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot. email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com