The first thing I should mention is to remind everyone that there is no school for students on Monday, 1st December. The school is closed as staff will be involved in an INSET day designed to provide ongoing training for all staff. On Thursday 4th December we are holding our annual Key Stage 4 Awards Evening where our former students will be returning to the school to accept their certificates and prizes. Since these are the students who achieved the school's best ever examination results it should prove to be a real celebration. I'm looking forward to meeting our alumni and hearing about how they are getting on with their lives after Roding Valley. I am also pleased to be able welcome back Mr Banks who was very keen to see his former students again and applaud their successes. It has been another busy week for our current Year 11s as they are working hard in lessons and with Controlled Assessments. They have also been given the opportunity to attend 6th Form Taster Lessons across the range of subjects to help them make their decisions about which A Levels they may choose to study next year. I would like to thank the teachers who have planned and delivered engaging, entertaining sessions to whet the appetite of the students and the feedback that I have had has been very positive. Students have informed me that they enjoyed the opportunity to work in smaller groups and be challenged to discuss concepts at a higher level than they are used to at GCSE. The teachers have also told me that they have been impressed with the enthusiasm of the students and their mature approach to these extra sessions. I very much hope that these students will prioritise attending the 6th Form Open Evening on the 11th December where they will have the chance to speak to the teachers and Senior Leaders about their subject choices and will learn more about the exciting times ahead for themselves and the school. I would also like to congratulate a number of students for some excellent performances on the football field this week. I was delighted to hear about the Year 10 boys' ongoing success in the English Schools FA Cup. This is a fiercely contested competition and the team have already been pitched against some strong sides. To travel to Luton and come away with a win is a tremendous result and I would like to congratulate the team and Mr Fitch for their efforts. In addition to this I would like to mention that we have also had students representing Essex at Football in the last week. Sidney Jethva and Jamie Grace represented the county at Under 14 and both played with distinction. At Under 15 Conor Tyrrell and at Under 16 Darnell Ramsey were selected in strong county line ups and deserve a mention. It is great for Roding Valley to have such talented individuals playing at this level and they are a credit to the school and to their parents. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your ongoing support of Roding Valley High School. Mr J Luck Headteacher
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Winter Concert
Tuesday 9th December 7pm Main Hall ÂŁ5.00 adults ÂŁ3.50 concessions Ticket includes mulled wine/fruit juice & mince pie Tickets available from Student Reception
Home Learning Research demonstrates that home learning is a significant factor in pupil progress and is an expectation at Roding Valley. Therefore we are launching 'Home Learning Support' each Friday from 3.05 - 4.15pm in IT5. This will be a supervised session where Heads of Faculty and Heads of Year will be directing pupils to attend where they are failing to meet the expectations of their teaching staff with regard to home learning. Should your son or daughter be placed in Home Learning Support they are required to attend and bring with them any home learning that requires completion or improvement. They will have access to ICT to help them to achieve this where necessary. You can support you son or daughter with their home learning by monitoring their planner each week, looking at homework that is completed and contacting teaching staff where you have any concerns. Ms J Bentley
Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 11 December 2014 6.30pm to 8pm (Entrance via Brook Road)
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.
Year 8 Residential Trip to Skern Lodge June 2015 Reminder Please return your reply slips to Student Reception as soon as possible.
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
English Schools FA Cup - 4th Round Thursday 27th November Stopsley High School, Luton -v- RVHS Roding Valley Year 10s advance on into the 5th Round of the English Schools FA Cup after beating the Bedfordshire Champions, Stopsley High School 4-3 away from home. A poor start saw the Coventry City striker put them 1-0 up. They had four good players, all with good pace that continued to give us problems. We responded well with two quick goals from Dru Yearwood, expertly finished after good work from Harry Carter and Jack Kibblewhite who both had excellent games. Stopsley responded 2-2. Then Daniel Prime, from his position at right back, hit a long shot. 3-2 at half time. The second half saw Dru add a forth goal. Stopsley never gave up and scored again. 4-3. With 10 minutes to go, they were awarded a penalty rather harshly but justice was done when the shot went over the bar. 4-3 to The Valley. Well Done. 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
Exam Dates - Maths Year 7 - Friday 5th December Year 8 - Thursday 4th December Year 9 - Monday 24th November Year 10 - Wednesday 3rd December Year 11 - Wednesday 10th December
Week ending 21st November 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7Q
Pupil with Highest Honours
Yasmin Mushtaq 7S
Form with Highest Honours
7V
Class of the Week
7qt/Sc1 nominated by Ms Sargent for being very well behaved, listening to instructions clearly, getting on with the work with no fuss or disruption and working well on the human transference of energy experiment
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Samantha Lignickyte 8Q
Form with Highest Honours
8Q
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Harry Barrett 9Q
Form with Highest Honours
9Q
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10Q
Pipil with Highest Honours
Olivia Aldous 10V
Form with Highest Honours
10S
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11U
Form with Highest Honours
11T
Year 11 Open Days coming up: Redbridge College Tuesday 2nd December - Chadwell Heath Wednesday 3rd December - Ilford Skills Academy
Roding Valley High School Thursday 11th December 2014 at 6.30pm DATE CHANGE: Trinity Catholic High School Open Day is now Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 5pm If you require any further information or advice please contact me. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
Our Science Department
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
would like to say a really big thank you to everyone who has donated tea towels. These will be put to very
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
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 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
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4
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. 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