I hope that you all had a restful week's break and are ready for what lies ahead. I had the pleasure of accompanying the Roding Valley High School Ski Trip to Switzerland at half term which was a fantastic experience. Crans Montana was the resort we stayed in which is a World Cup Ski venue and internationally renown skiing location and it was perfect for our students. I am delighted to say that the behaviour and conduct of our students was first rate and they were a pleasure to spend time with. We had students from Years 8 up to Year 11 and it was great to see the individuals from different years supporting each other and enjoying each other's company. Well done to everyone involved. It was interesting to note that much of what we drum into the students in terms of their learning was evident on the slopes. The majority of the students on the trip had either never skied previously or had only had a couple of lessons. As such it was a new experience and they had to take in a lot of information in a short space of time. The students that made the most rapid progress were those that were wholly attentive towards the instructors and showed determination and resilience. The Aspiration, Respect and Endeavour of the school's vision were evident to all. There were inevitably many tumbles along the way, as well as good natured laughter, but the students that picked themselves up and tried again and again found that they were able to learn quickly and saw a real improvement in just a few days. It is slightly unfair to pick out individuals but I would like to mention Jack Stone and Aidan Webber in Year 11, Olivia Biddle, Sophia Filaitis and Kayley McCorkell in Year 10 and Tom Compton in Year 9. This group showed superb attitudes throughout the trip and worked incredibly hard to master the skills needed to throw themselves down the mountain in a controlled manner. At the start of the week they were feeling their way down the nursery slopes but by the Friday they were able to fly down black runs with confidence which was a tremendous achievement. I would also like to thank the staff that made the trip such a success. Mrs Musker ran the trip with calm authority and was ably supported by Mr Punungwe and Ms Wybrant. It is wonderful that staff are prepared to give up their break to support the students in this way. Trips of this kind are very tiring but well worth being a part of. I would encourage as many students and staff as possible to take part in the wide variety of trips and visits that we undertake as a school as it they are invariably positive experiences. Have a good weekend. J 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
Sixth form students help highlight the 'Make the Internet a Safer Place' message Sixth Form students at Roding Valley High School have taken part in a special project for Safer Internet Day on the theme of 'Play your part for a better internet'. The students and Head of Sixth Form, Mr Harris, ran a week of special assemblies, culminating in a Safer Internet poster involving as many students and staff as possible. This was then turned into a video that went viral with over 50,000 hits. To see the video, visit the school's twitter feed @RodingValleyHS. Safer Internet Day is co-ordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre. The celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. Mr Harris said: "The Safer Internet Campaign is just one of the many exciting and innovative out-of-class activities we use within the Roding Valley Sixth Form to engage students lower down the school, and reach out with a global message. "In this instance the message was 'Make the internet a Safer Place'."
New Year New Freezer?????? If this is your new year resolution and your old freezer is still working the Science Department would dearly love to have it. We will arrange for collection and of course save you the bother of getting rid of the old one. If you can help please contact Bill McNally or John Ryan in the science department. Many thanks for your co-operation. The Science Dept
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.
YEAR 10 PARENTS Please see below the generic timetable for the forthcoming Year 10 Examination Week. These examinations will take place under formal conditions for every subject area. Your son/daughter will receive an individual timetable from their Form Tutor during registration next week. Individual timetables will be printed on YELLOW paper. This sheet of information is very important, please encourage your son/daughter to take responsibility and look after their timetables. If timetables are lost, student’s can refer to the seating plans pinned up on the door at the Science Playground. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Mrs J Draper Examinations Officer
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 Please email me to book one of these times, or an alternative time if these are inconvenient, at asmith@rodingvalley.net
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.
Week ending 26th February 2016
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Highest Attendance
7Q
Form with the Highest Honours
7V
Student with the Highest Honours
Sophie Harper 7T
Class of the week
7q/HuS nominated by Mrs Cain for their very hard work and mature attitude
Highest Attendance
8Q
Form with the Highest Honours
8U
Student with the Highest Honours
Holly Avey 8U
Highest Attendance
9U
Form with the Highest Honours
9U
Student with the Highest Honours
Morgan Harvey 9U
Highest Attendance
10V
Form with the Highest Honours
10S
Student with the Highest Honours
James Blackledge 10S
Student of the week
Class of the week
Year 11
Highest Attendance
1T
Form with the Highest Honours
11U
Harry Boyd-Walker 10R and Ella Harris 10T nominated by Ms Cordwell for excellent attitude and progress in Geography, working above target, always engaged in lesson and helping and supporting others Jamie Reason 10U & Brandon Hall 10W nominated by Mrs Lafferty for being determined, hardworking and engaged with the learning 10C/Gg1 nominated by Ms Cordwell for working hard and having an excellent attitude – A pleasure to teach! 10B/Rs1 nominated by Mrs Cain for working exceptionally well and always being a pleasure to teach
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
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
Dear Parents/Guardians As we are entering the worst term for illness we would like to bring to your attention our medical arrangements. The school does not have a school nurse on site, all the students are assessed by the admin staff who are first aid trained. Only minor ailments can be treated. We do offer the facility of offering your child a Paracetamol but only when we have verbal authorisation from yourselves. Please ensure if you send your child to school and they have taken any Paracetamol product you make us aware of that during the conversation. If your child has a medical condition which needs monitoring in school please speak to their Head of Year in the first instance so the correct procedures can be put in place. Thanks for your support in this matter. Year 10 Work Experience Key Update All paperwork for privately organised own placements are due in by the end of February. Could this be brought in when Mr Murray returns to work and given directly to him or given in to Mrs Martin in the school library - please do not give them to any other member of staff. Students needing a placement from the school via the BEP database will make their selections with Mr Murray in February and March. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter - Mr S Murray
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Tuesday Lunchtime with Miss Wilson in ICT4
World Book Day This year World Book Day takes place on Thursday 3rd March 2016. The whole school will celebrate the day through a range of activities. This year to celebrate the centenary of Roald Dahl's birth, teachers will be dressing up as characters from his stories. All students will be given a ÂŁ1 book voucher that can be used in any bookshop as part payment for a book. Year 7 students will be given the opportunity to buy a ÂŁ1 book that has been supplied by our local bookshop. We will record the event and upload photographs onto the school website.
Maths Support Monday & Friday After school in M5 Maths Club Tuesday & Thursday Lunchtime in M3
Dear Parent/Guardian Our Immunisation Nurses will be visiting the school to administer the Meningitis ACWY vaccination. The vaccinations will take place on the following dates:Yr9 girls 10th March 2016 Yr10 girls 14th March 2016
Yr9 boys 20th May 2016 Yr10 boys 17th March 2016
The consent form and information leaflet will come home via students approximately 6 weeks before the vaccination is due. Please ensure the consent form is returned to the school immediately. The health authority require all forms to be returned, even if your son/daughter is not having the vaccination (please either write on the form you do not wish your son/daughter to have the vaccination or attach a note on the consent form). This will avoid your son/daughter being recalled at a later date.
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
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
Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com
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
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided