My first half term at Roding Valley seems to have flown by and I can't quite believe that we are already eight weeks into the academic year. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first half term and would once again like to thank the students, parents, staff and Governors for making me feel so welcome. I feel privileged to be leading such a wonderful school and I am sure that we are heading in the right direction to become an Outstanding school. This has been an incredibly busy few weeks with a number of key events taking place. In addition to the highly successful and very well attended Open Evening we have also enjoyed the Sixth Form launch evening which was a true celebration of the fact that Roding Valley will have a Sixth Form for the first time. I have spoken to large numbers of Year 11 students, parents and staff and we are all in agreement that this is a fantastic opportunity for the school and absolutely the right thing for our students. I believe that our students will benefit enormously from staying on to complete their A Levels here with the support and guidance of teachers who know them well and have developed such positive relationships with them over the years. This would be very difficult to replicate if they had to start afresh at another school's Sixth Form. The Key Stage 3 Awards evening was another highlight this half term and it was great to welcome so many students on to the stage to receive recognition for their hard work and their success in the lower school. In addition to this there have been Parent Information Evenings to help parents support their children to be successful in school and I was delighted that so many of you took the time to come along and take a real interest in your child's progress. At Thursday's Challenge and Enrichment evening there was a further opportunity for parents to see how their children are being supported and stretched to achieve their very best. On top of all of this we have had many trips and visits for the students to a range of locations. The school has had a number of sporting successes as well. I was lucky enough to have watched a magnificent performance by the Year 11 boys' footballers winning 4 - 0 in the Essex Schools Trophy. They worked hard as a team and produced some superb football at times that the opposition could not come close to matching. I look forward to them going all the way in the competition. The Year 7 boys were also victorious this week beating Chobham Academy 5 -2 and I think we have some real talent there as well. If I could make one request to parents I would ask that you try to avoid dropping your children off at the front of the school unless they have an injury or you need to speak to a member of staff. It has been getting rather congested at times this week with some parents driving in just to drop the students off and I would appreciate it if you could avoid doing this if at all possible. I very much hope that you have a lovely half term. Thank you for your continued support. Mr J Luck Headteacher
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Another roaring successful cooking competition was held yesterday in the Food Technology Department. We had a very good turn out from Years 8 to 10. The judges were definitely in for a hard time in calling this one!! On offer for their taste buds were turkish soup, a giant sausage roll, pasta dishes, turkish meatballs, chicken kiev, mini homemade meat pies and homemade burgers & wedges!! What a choice.... All the students worked extremely hard and their efforts did not go unnoticed. We had 2 winners this year MIYA ATHERTON 9T and RHYS GREENAWAY 8X. The 2 runners up were ABIGAIL WARD 8U and MAX COLLINGS 8Q. Well done to everyone who took part. A massive Thank You to our 2 dedicated helpers Antoni Nowak and Matthew Tinker, and a very big thank you to our 3 judges Miss Preston, Miss Dyer and Mrs Cain. We would also like to thank parents/carers for their continued support. The next competition will be held in November. Food Technology
Essex Cup Competition Chobham Academy 2 Roding Valley High School 5 A dominant victory played on a windy Hackney Marshes. RVHS were 3-0 up at half time playing good possession football which created many chances to score in the second half during which we were clinical in our passing and shooting. The tactics were spot on. Scorers: Casey Pettit (2) Casey Lockhart (1) K Bailey
Essex Cup - Round 2 RVHS v Buxton School, Leytonstone Wednesday 22nd October Year 11 moved onto the third round of the Essex Schools U16 Trophy. A great start saw Frankie Pope play a wonderful ball to Tom Stephenson who put the ball beyond the Buxton keeper. Our pressure began to take its toll with Jack Elliott adding a second goal. 2-0 at half time. A solid, hardworking team performance saw us add two more goals - both scored by Brin Miller. 4-0 to The Valley. Our next round will be Trinity School away. Mr Fitch
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.
Our Science Department is in desperate need of tea towels. If you have any spare, be old or new, can we please
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4
ask that they are passed on to them.
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
Woodford Schools Cross Country closed on 16th October 2014 after three consecutive weeks. In the Senior Girls race for Years 9 and 10, Louise Gilbert (Y9) finished in 4th place. Nancy Callagher came home in 7th Place. Louise maintained an excellent 4th place overall in the individual competition. The Junior Girls (Years 7 and 8) saw our Roding Valley girls finish in an excellent 3rd place in the team competition, especially as our team is made up with Year 7 girls. In the final race, Sulola Olusesan finished in 6th position and in overall 3rd place in the individual competition. Teagan Andrews came home in 14th, Beth Kelly 16th and Lottie Clemens 27th. A special well done to these young girls. Our Junior Boys team, depleted because of football commitments, today saw Max Collings finish in 3rd place, which also resulted in Max being 3rd overall in the three races. A big well done to Max. Jack Albertsen had his best run by finishing 4th and Tariq Riaz 27th. All three boys ran in all three races. Our Senior Boys retained the title with the 10th win in 11 years. Jack Stone came 3rd but was crowned overall champion. He was supported by Finn Sergent who was 5th, Cameron Coote 7th, Jack Beddall 8th and Callum Thurgood 10th. Cameron and Jack also finished 4th and 6th in the individual competition. Well done to all for their commitment. P Fitch
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 9-10am
Wednesdays 10-11am
Thursdays 2.15-3pm
Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at mwilson@rodingvalley.net
Zumba classes star ng at Roding Valley High School In the Main Hall, ALL WELCOME (enter via the side entrance) Tuesday 4th November – 16th December 2014 5pm ‐ 6pm 7 week booking £20 per adult, £10 per child, 15+ only OR Pay as you go £4 per adult, £2 concessions Pay cash, cheque (made payable to RVHS) or by ParentPay Qualified Zumba instructor This event is being run by the Friends commi ee to raise funds for the School
MEDIA RELEASE
Students to take part in Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition A team from Roding Valley High School will be aiming for a hat-trick of victories when the school takes part in this year’s Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition. This year the debate will focus on whether or not the voting age should be reduced. Students from seven of the district’s schools will battle it out in the annual competition which is organised by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing. The Roding Valley High School team of Olivia Tinker and Hannah Smith will be speaking against the motion: "This House believes that the age at which people can vote should be reduced from 18 to 16.” Miss Atkinson, the school’s Challenge and Enrichment Co-ordinator, said: “This year the students are really feeling the pressure to retain the cup. The team have some big acts to follow but are feeling confident.” Olivia, who was part of the research team for the school team last year, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of the team this year, this time with my younger brother (Matthew) who is in the position I was in last year. “We are both very much looking forward to the evening.” Mrs Laing said: “The issue of the voting age should prove to be a great topic for debate. “The debating competition is always a good evening and it is always marvellous to see such a high standard of public speaking from the students who take part.” The competition is being held at Roding Valley High School, Loughton - as the current holder of the trophy - on Friday, November 7 (6.30pm start). www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk
We are again collecting the Morrisons Let’s Grow vouchers. Please send your vouchers into the school so that we can claim free gardening and cooking equipment.
The Friends of Roding Valley High School hosted their Year 7 Disco last Friday.
Roding Valley –v– Davenant Year Year Year Year
7a 7b 8 9
lost 7-10 won 6-4 lost 7-20 won 14-5
Students had a fantastic time and raised £600. Please support the Friends at their next event, Zumba, between 4th November and
Week ending 17 October 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7T & 7U for 100% attendance
Pupil with Highest Honours
Freddie Hammerston 7R
Form with Highest Honours
7R
Class of the Week
7qt/Ma1 nominated by Mr Ahmad for working really well and showing good progress. 7ux/Ma1 nomianted by Mr Qureshi for working really well as a class and being very cooperative.
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Ella Selby 8W
Form with Highest Honours
8U
Class of the Week
8uv/IT1 nominated by Ms Sargent for working very well and quietly whilst still remaining quiet.
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Zoe Donnelly 9V
Form with Highest Honours
9X
Class of the Week
9ux/Ma3 nominated by Mr Ahmad for working really well and showing good progress.
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10Q
Pipil with Highest Honours
Freddie Morrell 10X
Form with Highest Honours
10X
Class of the Week
10a/Sc1 nominated by Mr McManners for working really well on their debating and showing good leadership and independent learning.
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Georgina Pollard 11T
Form with Highest Honours
11T
Zambia Drop Down Day Tuesday was the Humanities Drop Down Day and our focus was Zambia. Roding Valley has very special links with a school called Greater Joy through a charity called Beyond Ourselves. Students from Roding have previously visited and we would like to continue this in the future. Our day was designed around learning about Zambian culture, education and background with a specific focus on fundraising. Students enjoyed the Zoolab visitors - scorpions, snakes and rats to name but a few. They filmed short promo clips, decided upon and created resources for a fundraising event of their own, learnt about the history and geography of Zambia and even had an opportunity to look at a variety of genuine resources from the homes of Zambian families. We were delighted with the enthusiasm and the students who have offered to be part of a working party and intend to make contact with those interested in the near future. Thank you very much to teaching staff and support staff for all their efforts in ensuring our day ran smoothly. Tara Preston
Year 11 In the last week, all students have been given talks during tutor time about their post 16 option choices. During half term they need to carefully consider the choices they are going to make. Further research over half term will help them reach some of these decisions. All students have been given home user codes to access the Job Explorer Database and Higher Ideas programme. This will enable them to look at which A levels or BTEC they may choose and the degree courses they lead on to. The Apprenticeship Pod from Essex County Council visited the school yesterday and also gave out further information and advice regarding apprenticeships. I will also be running workshops in February to show students how to search and apply. Open Days coming up: Epping St Johns Sixth Form 4th November 6.30pm-8.30pm – (If you are applying to Roding Valley Sixth Form and one of your subjects will be either Sociology, Engineering BTEC or Product Design it would be good to visit the Open Evening to meet the tutors who will be delivering these lessons and to have a look around). Havering College 4th November 4pm-8pm Davenant Foundation School 5th November 6.30-9pm Herts & Essex High School 6th November (check web for time) Harlow College 6th November 5.30pm-7.30pm Leyton Sixth Form College 6th November 6.30pm Shenfield High School 6th November 6pm Epping Forest College Saturday 8th November 10am-1pm As you can see from the above dates some of the college dates clash, do not worry there will be further open dates for colleges in the new year. However there will only be one opportunity to visit a 6th Form Open Evening. Whilst there, you will be able to pick up a prospectus and an application form and find out about courses available. Some of the sixth forms will have headteacher talks, look on their websites for further details. If you require any further information or advice please contact me. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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
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 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 7.15 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.
School Shop Opening Times
Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
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