Some great news for the school this week arrived in the form of a letter from David Laws MP. The letter congratulates us on the sustained improvement in GCSE results of our disadvantaged pupils since 2011. This is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates clearly that Roding Valley High School is very successful in supporting those students who might otherwise underachieve. I would like to highlight the hard work of all of our staff who have made this possible but would also like to congratulate the students themselves who clearly put in the necessary work to exceed their targets in many cases. The fact that the school has provided such a firm foundation for these young people is something that we should celebrate. The letter goes on to state that Roding Valley High School is one of the top 90 schools in England showing the greatest sustained improvement in terms of the percentage of students achieving five or more A*-C grades at GCSE including English and Maths. This is at a time when so many other schools have seen a decline in their outcomes so it puts us in a very strong position to move things even further forward. We are now in the top 3% of schools nationally by this measure which again is a magnificent achievement and I would like to congratulate the students, staff, parents and Governors for all of their ongoing hard work. I have included the document in this Newsletter for your interest. As well as academic successes we have also enjoyed an excellent Creative Arts evening on Tuesday which showcased the wide ranging talents of our students. Parents and guests enjoyed the Art Gallery presentation at the back of the Hall before sitting down to experience a medley of performances from our Key Stage 3 students. There was melodrama, comedy, singing and dancing and the quality of the pieces was invariably very impressive. I would like to thank Mr Savage (Head of Expressive Arts) and his team for their tireless work in helping the students prepare for the performance but would also like to congratulate each and every student taking part. There was a real energy and enjoyment throughout the evening and the students and audience were clearly revelling in the experience. It would be wrong to single out any individuals but I said on the evening that the "Lost Pirates" item will certainly live long in the memory. I wish you an enjoyable weekend. J Luck Headteacher
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Eva Randall 8Q Nominated for her resilience. Even though Eva has missed days through illness and even spent some time in hospital, Eva has maintained a positive attitude towards learning and towards her classmates. She has also been very willing to help her peers in any work that they are struggling with. Well done Eva
Kathleen McGlynn 10W Nominated for supporting and helping KS3 students around school. A positive and friendly attitude to everything she does. A delightful student and great role model for others. Well done Kathleen
Year 10 Vaccinations Could parents/carers of all Year 10 students ensure that medical forms have been returned by Monday 2nd March for the DTP/ MenC vaccinations. If your child has mislaid their form, please ask them to obtain a new one from Student Reception.
Year 11 Parents There is an OFQUAL Mathematics Examination scheduled for Thursday 5th March 2015 starting at 9.00am until 10.30am. Students have been issued with their individual examination timetables which have been printed on ORANGE paper. If you have any further questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me. Jenny Draper Exams Officer
Year 11 Photos 11th March The Year 11 group and individual photos take place on 11th March. If your child would like a friendship group photo taken, please ask them to organise their groups beforehand. Many thanks EXAMINATION INVIGILATORS REQUIRED
Roding Valley is currently looking to expand our team of Invigilators for the forthcoming May/June examina on series and is looking for efficient, flexible and well organised people. The role involves overseeing and supervising examina ons and ensuring awarding body’s’ guidelines and regula ons are followed. There are also internally scheduled examina ons held throughout the school year where you will be required. Hours will be on a varied/ad‐hoc basis held throughout a school day. There will be appropriate training for successful candidates. Please contact Jenny Draper, Examina ons Officer on 0208 508 1173 for further details.
GCSE Exams Timetable Please find below the FINAL Version of the forthcoming May/June 2015 GCSE Examination Timetable. Students will be issued with their individual timetables shortly. If you have any further questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me. Ms J Draper
Y10 Business/ Economics Trip to Barcelona Unfortunately, due to low numbers, the trip planned for May 2015 has been cancelled. Anyone who has paid their ÂŁ80 deposit will be contacted by the Finance Department in the coming days to organise a refund.
English Cambridge Language Speaking and Listening Exams A workshop preparation session will run after school on Tuesday 3rd March. All students taking this exam are expected to attend to get support and several opportunities to practise their presentations. This is 20% of their final grade so it is vital that students get to the session to work on their techniques and get advice on how to improve for the exams which will take place in March.
J Quirk
At 10.30am on Thursday, we will have a Drop Everything and Read session for the whole school. At this time all students, regardless of the lesson they are in, will pick up their reading books and read for 30 minutes. Please ensure that your child has their reading book on this day. A reading book is part of the equipment that they are expected to have in school at all times. It proved very successful and enjoyable last year. We are sure that this year will be even better.
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
Week ending 13th February 2015 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Oliver Wells 7X
Form with Highest Honours
7X
Class of the Week
7ux/MaEA nominated by Mr Rahman for the excellent feedback they consistently write in their Closing the Gap after tests. And: 7T/Hu nominated by Mrs Barron for being ‘Great Geographers’. And: 7ux/Fr4 nominated by Mrs Chambers for their great French projects.
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8R & 8U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Albie Offer 8T
Form with Highest Honours
8S
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Abigail Thompson 9T
Form with Highest Honours
9Q
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Demi Braxton 10T
Form with Highest Honours
10V
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11V
Pupil with Highest Honours
Daniel Sivarajah 11U
Form with Highest Honours
11U
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
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
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 10-11am
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
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