Firstly, following the email from Mr Wershof, Chair of Governors, earlier this week, I am sure you will join me in wishing Mr Luck every success with his future plans. In the interim period I will continue to lead the school, I am being ably supported by the Local Authority, Boswells School and Mr Banks. We have been busy all week at Roding Valley High School, both during the day and in the evenings. Our PTA held one of their fantastic quiz nights—a good time was had by all and a good sum was raised. All monies raised by the PTA are ploughed back into the school, so thank you if you came along, thanks to the PTA for all their hard work and a warm invitation to other parents to join us for such events. It all goes towards helping your children and the school. The Year 7 Study Skills Day was a huge success this week, the day was organised by Mr Naidoo and Mrs Hodges and the content was delivered by the Year 7 form tutors. The students were taught various revision and study techniques including mind mapping. These skills lay the foundations of good study habits which will support them with the increased challenge of the new 9-1 curriculum. I would like to draw your attention to the Easter Revision schedule in the body of the bulletin. I am extremely grateful to staff who provide these additional opportunities for students to prepare for their GCSEs and A levels. Please note that only the Maths Block will be open during the holiday for all revision classes as well as for the English Speaking and Listening appointments. For our Year 11 parents I would like to draw your attention to the DFE announcement this week (28th March 2017) which lowered the new GCSE pass from a grade 5 to grade 4. This affects Maths and English only. https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/new-gcse-pass-lowered-grade-5-4-dfe-u -turn As you may be aware, the DFE has recently announced changes in the interpretation of the 9-1 grading for the reformed maths, English and English Literature GCSEs. A grade 4 will now be recognised as a “standard” benchmark pass which will mean that it is “the level that pupils must achieve in order not to be required to continue studying English and maths post 16”. A grade 5 will now be regarded as a “strong pass”. Under the new ruling, a grade 4 will be regarded as a being equivalent to the old C grade and this will be sufficient to give students access to post-16 education. Achieving a grade 4 in Maths and English Language will mean that students will not need to re-sit these exams post-16. These changes will have no impact upon the school’s continued support given to all students to help them to reach their target grades and achieve their expected levels of progress. Please do not hesitate to contact either Mr Vermaak (Head of Maths) or Mrs Routledge (Head of English) if you wish to discuss these issues further. When we return Exam season will be upon us with revision leading up to the exams which start for our GCSE, AS and A2 level students in early May. We encourage them to revise over the Easter break but also to make sure they get plenty of rest, exercise and food (maybe even a little chocolate Easter egg?) as well as to hit the books. Everything in moderation. Mrs Draper has, as usual, excelled at putting together examination packs and an outline of the exam timetable follows later in the bulletin. Finally may I ask that you take advantage of the Easter Break to check your child’s Parent Pay account to ensure that they are topped up ready for the new term. I hope you enjoy your Easter break. Mrs Jenner Acting Headteacher
GCSE ICT: Intervention sessions on Tuesday lunchtimes in IT3 with Mr Hussain
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 If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.
After school sessions mainly targeted at Year 11s (but any student from all key stages KS3, KS4 and KS5 are welcome) in order to help support students to close the gap in either coursework or homework/classwork.
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Year 11
Highest Attendance
7W
Form with the highest Honours
7R
Student with the highest Honours
Lili Warden 7W
Student of the week
Aryan Patel & Beau Hendy 7R nominated by Mrs Chambers for giving up all their break and lunchtime yesterday to help at 7R bake sale – Went well beyond the call of duty!
Highest Attendance
8Y
Form with the highest Honours
8R
Student with the highest Honours
Emilie Buckley 8S
Class of the week
8B/Gg1 nominated by Miss Stockings for outstanding effort in every piece of Geography work they do, be it cover work, homework or class work.
Highest Attendance
9RS1
Form with the highest Honours
9RS1
Student with the highest Honours
Elouise Booth 9RS-1
Highest Attendance
10U
Form with the highest Honours
10U
Student with the highest Honours
Jack Gower 10U
Highest Attendance
11X
Form with the highest Honours
11Q
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A couple of updates and date confirmations: The formal study leave for Year 12 will commence on Monday 15th May. Year 12 students will return to lessons on Monday 12th June. The last school day for Year 13 will be Friday 26th May. Any afternoon exams that take place before this time will be supported with study leave for the morning session that precedes it. Mr Mammen Deputy Headteacher. rmammen@rodingvalley.net Year 7 Drop Down Day On Wednesday 29th March the Year 7 students experienced a wide range of helpful revision strategies that they could all implement into their own individual studies. The day was a huge success with many students engaged in mind mapping, highlighting keywords and designing revision posters/leaflets. These useful techniques will guide them towards effectively revising at home, in preparation for future assessments and examinations at Roding Valley High School. Mr Hudgell Progress Leader of Year 7
Y11 English Revision Timetable The revision sessions will take place on the following dates over the next few weeks after
EASTER EASTER 18/04/2017 Paper 1 Ques on 4 24/04/2017 Paper 2 Ques on 2 08/05/2017 Paper 2 Ques on 4 15/05/2017 Literature Paper 1 22/05/2017 Literature Paper 2
100 Club Draw Easter 2017 1st Prize: Mrs S Cann £78.00 2nd Prize: Mrs A Ozerin - £47.00 3rd Prize: Mrs J Welton - £31.00
Inside Justice trip Our students visited the university of Essex on Thursday to attend the forensic science conference 'Inside justice'. It featured Louise Shorter with her team of experts as well as special guests, Terry Waite CBE and Noel ‘Razor’ Smith delivering powerful and insightful speeches exploring the justice and prison system, and the wonders of forensic science. Our students were presented with a fictitious crime scene where a murder had taken place. They volunteered to join the experts to complete the examination using new emerging technology to solve the crime. We discovered how fingerprints and fibre evidence can lead us to the killer and even show how DNA evidence can place you in a room you’ve never even entered! The students were fascinated and engaged throughout and took away a great deal from the experience with some even considering studying forensic psychology, criminology and science at university in the future in the hope to pursue a career in the field. Miss Williams & Miss Wybrant
6th Form Preparation for Public Examinations Early indications in terms of student progress are extremely positive. The results from the last PPE results show that in the main students are on track to achieve their target grades. Students should now make sure they are sufficiently preparing for the next weeks PPE’s, ensuring that they are revising the complete specifications so that the results of the PPE’s can give a better reflection of the Summer Examinations. Students should now be:
working through 2-3 hours of revision per night
working on one past paper per week at the very least
using Power Hours with their revision books and applying the theory of “an hour a chapter”
watching YouTube Playlists where possible
making a complete revision timetable from now until the end of the Summer Exams
Year 8s reach another Final The Year 8 football team progress through to their second final in two years by winning their District. Impressive victories such as (11-0, 13-0, 2-1 and 7-1) have seen the squad reach the District Cup Final on Wednesday 19th April 2017. “The squad have been as determined as ever this season and have played some very exciting, attacking football. To be able to score 33 goals and only concede 2 in four games is credit to the determination and work ethic of the players.“ Mr Hudgell Progress Leader of Yr7 (Yr8 Football Coach)
This company provide many resources to help students with their GCSE revision. Any Year 11 parents interested in this please go to this link: https://www.schoolexams.co.uk/
The PTA would like to thank all those that were involved in quiz last week, raising over £750 which will be used to support projects around the school to help all our children in their education. It was a fun night with plenty of cheer and good spirit, the quiz covers such a wide range of questions that everyone knows something. Every penny that we raise through your very kind donations and support is carefully managed to get the best value for the projects we sponsor. The PTA is open to all, we are always interested in new ideas and help, please feel free to get in touch: pta@rodingvalleypta.net
GCSE and GCE Examination Timetables Please see on the following pages the FINAL GCSE and GCE Examination Timetables for May/June 2017. All students in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 have been issued with an Examination Booklet containing all relevant information regarding the forthcoming exam season. Tucked inside the front cover of this booklet is a Statement of Entry, this indicates all subjects that each student has been entered for and the level of entry (where applicable). Some subjects only have one tier of entry; some have Foundation or Higher tiers. All information must be thoroughly checked. In particular, all personal details (date of birth, spelling of names) are accurate as these will appear on certificates and could prove difficult to change once certificates have been awarded and you may be charged a fee. If you feel something is wrong or missing, you must speak to Miss Draper the Examinations Officer immediately. Students will receive their individual examination timetables after the Easter Break. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School
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
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
KS4 Computer Science revision/ intervention sessions are running in IT4 on Thursday lunchtimes Come up to Homework Club Monday after school to become a times tables expert. Time: 3.05pm - 3.40pm Place: Learning Zone ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE GIVEN EVERY TIME!
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.
Piano Lessons: To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.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 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 ÂŁ12 per half hour. Please contact Rachel Espeute on racheleds@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested.