It has been the turn of the Year 10s to sit their examinations in the Hall this week. I look forward with interest to seeing how they have done, especially as they will be the first cohort of students to tackle the new examinations which will receive a grade from 9 to 1 rather than A* - G. The current Year 10s will be sitting the new style exams in English and Maths and a huge amount of work has been completed to ensure that they will be ready for the increased degree of challenge that the Government has insisted on. As they move into Year 11 we will continue to work the students hard to give them every chance of success in 2017. The Year 7 trip to the Forest of Dean was a great success and the students have returned in buoyant mood. Although the week was rather damp the students threw themselves into the wide variety of activities and had a wonderful time. I would like to thank Mr McManners, Head of Year 7, for leading the trip but he was ably supported by Ms Wybrant, Ms Stockings and Mr Punungwe. I am delighted that there are so many opportunities for students at Roding Valley to take part in extracurricular events and I would always encourage students to try and get involved with the activities that are taking place every day after school as well as any trips and visits that they may have the chance to go on. Finally I would like to mention another superb achievement for two of our students. Santiago Aldridge (10S) and Matty Noble (12R) are proud members of the Redbridge Youth Theatre Workshop who entered a competition against over 500 other young theatre companies. They performed Carl Grose's Gargantua at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and such was the quality of their performance they have been chosen to close the show at the largest Youth Theatre Festival in the country. Matty and Santi now find themselves playing on the Olivier Stage of the Royal National Theatre on London's South Bank. Clearly this is a fantastic achievement and a great opportunity for them both and I wish them every success. The date for the performance is the 4th July and tickets are going fast so if you would like to go along I would encourage you to book immediately. James Luck Headteacher
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RVHS Referendum On Wednesday Year 7 and Year 12 students took a secret ballot in the EU referendum, making a decision on whether Britain should leave or remain. The Year 7s made their decisions based on considerations after a number of lessons spent investigating for themselves. We were very impressed with the behaviour and attitude of the Year 7 who took the process very seriously and had lots of questions and opinions. Thank you to the 6th form students who supported. Also to Mr Goodall and Mr Murray who helped with the voting and counting process. Really interesting results - compare the Year 7 result with the Year 12 !! Miss Preston Head of Humanities
�Year 12 Referendum Results
Year 7 Referendum Results→
Dear Parent/Guardian As you may be aware, ParentPay have now changed their website, but with this comes an extra step that needs to be completed in order to update your child’s online School Meals & Trips Account. Once you have uploaded an amount to “your account” you then need to complete the following steps: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Once you are on your home screen it should appear in the top right hand corner “your account” with the value that you have just topped up Under your child’s name, select “pay for items” It will then give you a list of all items you are able to pay for. Please click “view details and pay” next to your chosen item A box will then appear and in the “edit amount” box please enter the value you would like to add to your child’s lunch/trip account
Please be advised that if the above steps are not completed the money will not appear on your child’s account. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the finance office who will be pleased to help you with your query. Kind Regards Karen Salmons finance@rodingvalley.net 02085081173 Finance option 3
Student Access to the School WiFi Please can you return the completed ICT Acceptable Use Agreement to the school office so we can issue your child with their individual password to access the school WiFi. All parents who have issued us with a valid email address have been emailed another copy of the agreement and there is a copy on the school website under the letters home section. Regards Karen Salmons Business Manager
The Lion King We are currently trying to source: * Material and fur * Brown/beige/tan coloured long sleeved tops & trousers/ leggings/joggers * Any animal fancy dress/accessories * Headbands/Alice bands * Feathers If you have any of these items, or similar, that you no longer require or think would be of use, could you please send them into school or speak to Mrs Walker in drama. Many Thanks
For the Attention of Year 8 students and parents JACK THE RIPPER TOUR 2016 The tour is now booked for the first week in July and your son/ daughter will receive a letter in their register in the next few days with dates and times/details. There are still a few spaces, so if you would like to come along with your son/daughter, please let me know asap (student and parent name) tpreston@rodingvalley.net The cost is ÂŁ10 per person - please could you send payment in for yourself and your son/daughter. Miss Preston Head of Humanities
Yr7&8 WESSA District Tennis Tournament @ Epping Tennis Club Friday 17th June The annual WESSA district tennis tournament was held last Friday at Epping Tennis Club. Roding Valley had 12 pupils entered into the competition which was split into 8 separate competitions. Overall, we had 5 2nd place finishes and 2 1st place. Congratulations to Billy Roberts who won the Yr8 Boys, seed 1 competition & Mia Ali for winning the yr7 seed 1 competition. Congratulations to all involved for the brilliant tennis that was on display. #bringonwimbledon Mr Jones Teacher of PE
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
Breakfast Revision Please find below a copy of the Breakfast Revision Timetable for the remaining AS & 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 Mrs Draper, Exams Officer.
YEAR 9 PARENTS Please see below the timetable for the forthcoming Core Examinations for all Year 9 students. All students have had their individual exam timetables emailed to their school email accounts. They will also receive one hard copy which will be printed on yellow paper. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Draper, Exams Officer.
Year 10 Careers Programme Over the past few weeks all students in Year 10 have participated in careers group work sessions in the Careers Office. Post 16 Options have been discussed and students have been encouraged to start some thorough research into which pathway they wish to follow at the end of Year 11. Parental Involvement Encourage them to start researching which A levels or courses they may choose study. In September I will provide Parent’s with detailed information about further education and the open day dates of local colleges and sixth forms. Mock Interview Day Thursday 14th July 2016 All students in Year 10 have received a letter for parents this week with details of the mock interview scheme on Thursday 14th July. All students at the end of Year 11 will have to have an interview either at sixth form, college or with an employer. This scheme aims to prepare students to perform more effectively at interviews. Students will be learning how to write their CVs and Letters of application during their lessons. All CVs and letters of application MUST be passed to Mrs Mason. Students will be notified by Monday 11th July where, and at what time, their interview will be. Some students will be going out to the employer’s premises, but most interviews will take place in the school. Students may, if they wish, update their CV once they have completed their Work Experience Placement, just hand in a new CV to Mrs Mason once updated. Students do not have to wear school uniform for the Mock Interview day, however we do expect them to dress smartly as if they were attending a ‘real’ interview. As a guide boys should wear a shirt, tie, and trousers, girls should wear a skirt/dress/ trousers with blouse/shirt please do not buy anything for the interview as their uniform is very smart and ideal for an interview. Students follow a normal school timetable and just attend the appointment time of their interview. If you have any immediate concerns please contact me at the school. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
From June until September we are exhibiting examples of our student’s work at County Hall in Chelmsford. This is the first time we have ever exhibited at this venue after we were selected from every primary and secondary school in Essex. The exhibition is in the gallery approaching the ‘Members Dining Room’ which sounds extremely Hogwarts and is, unfortunately, in a secure area so cannot be accessed by members of the public. ie, you and me. County councillors presumably like to hoard the very best student artwork in Essex for themselves. Yet another shining example of the exemplary work that is done throughout Roding Valley
Loughton Arts Centre Friday 25 June through to Thursday 8 July The Arts Centre is located on Loughton High Street next door to Lopping Hall and is open from 10-4 Monday to Saturday. I hope you and your family are able to visit the exhibition and celebrate our student’s success. When you visit do fill out the visitor’s feedback book so we can help promote all of the work to the local community.
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
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
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.
Singing Lessons
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.
Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Alex Larke for more details and to book your slot. email: alex@thevocaltutor.com
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
Piano Lessons To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.com
Access to Water in School Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com
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.
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.