On Thursday evening we held the annual Key Stage 4 Awards evening where we welcomed back last year's Year 11s. It was a lovely event with a fantastic turn out of former pupils and their parents. Speaking to a number of the leavers at the event was a great opportunity to hear about their experiences beyond Roding Valley. Lots of our ex-students are currently studying A Levels at other local schools but many told me that they wished they had had the chance to stay at Roding Valley for the Sixth Form and they are rather jealous that the current crop of Year 11s will be able to do just that. With this in mind I would like to remind you that the Roding Valley High School Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Thursday 11th December. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about the plans for next year and speak to the teachers and Heads of Faculty about the subject choices at AS and A Level. I am very excited about the new Sixth Form and see it as the final piece in the jigsaw to make the school complete. I am 100% confident that we have the students, staff and leadership to make it a huge success. I know that our Year 11s are working hard to reach the entry requirements and I expect the competition for places to be intense. Of course we will support the students every step of the way and will do everything we can to help them achieve their best possible grades. Also on Thursday evening the Year 10 Drama students performed the Christmas Pantomime Aladdin to a packed audience. I was lucky enough to see the production that afternoon as it was performed to some Primary School students and I was highly impressed with the quality of the performance. Every actor threw themselves into their role and the comic timing was fantastic. I would also like to thank all of the students who made the performance possible backstage as it really felt like a West End Show. The staff too deserve enormous credit as I fully understand the amount of work that goes into an event of this kind. Next week we have the Winter Concert on Tuesday and I very much hope that as many of you as possible join us for this event. I would also like to mention that the Parent Forum is being held on Monday at 6pm in the Hall. This is an opportunity to speak to me about any issues or ideas that you have regarding the school. I will make a brief presentation and will then take questions from the floor. I enjoyed the last Forum and took some useful points away from it and I see it as an important line of communication between the school and parents. Finally I would like to thank Steven Kay at Linens Direct for the donation of 100 tea towels to the school. These are being used in several departments and donations of this kind are always very welcome. I wish you all a very enjoyable weekend. 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
THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2014 CHALLENGE & ENRICHMENT SWEETIE WORKSHOP WITH FOOD TECHNOLOGY YEARS 7, 8 & 9 T1 & T2 3.15pm - 4.30pm 20 PUPILS ONLY FIRST COME FIRST SERVED COME AND JOIN US FOR SOME FUN SIGN UP IN T2 OFFICE WITH MRS COLLINGS
School Trips Year 8 Residential Trip - Skern Lodge 1st - 5th June 2015 There are a couple of places still available on the Skern Lodge Trip. If you would like to go, please ask for a letter at reception as soon as possible. Year 7 Residential Trip - Kingswood 8th - 12th June 2015 If you are interested in going on the Year 7 residential trip please make sure your paperwork is handed into reception as soon as possible. If you require details please contact 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 10 Geographers If you would like to order an Edexcel Revision Guide, please return the slip which was attached to the letters sent out this week. Thank you for your continued support Mrs Barron
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome A drink and biscuit are provided
West Essex Cross Country Championship Results Year 7 Girls
Year 7 Boys
8th
Sulola Olusesan
9th
Teagan Andrews
10th
Beth Kelly
13th
Mollie O’Shea
15th
Lottie Clemens
3rd
Year 8 Girls
Louie Cooper
Year 8 Boys
4th
Mia Anthony
10th
Max Collings
10th
Daisy Kelly
19th
Tariq Riaz
14th
Neve Bowden
20th
Tommy Sparks
Year 9 Girls 1st
Louise Gilbert
13th
Temitope Olusesan Year 10/11 Boys
Year 10/11 Girls 1st
Nancy Callagher
1st
Mitchell Scanlan
2nd
Jack Stone
3rd
Finn Sergent
5th
Cameron Coote
6th
Jack Giltnane
8th
Lewis Bowden
9th
Jack Beddall
10th
Callum Thurgood
Well done to all who braved the wet and windy conditions. Everyone did exceptionally well especially the medal winners: Gold Medal
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal
Louise Gilbert
Jack Stone
Finn Sergent
Nancy Callagher Mitchell Scanlan
Mr Fitch
Louie Cooper
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 28th November 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7V
Pupil with Highest Honours
Penelope Spence 7X
Form with Highest Honours
7Q
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8Q
Pupil with Highest Honours
Mahnoor Anjum 8R
Form with Highest Honours
8R
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9T
Pupil with Highest Honours
Lucy Harman 9S
Form with Highest Honours
9Q
Class of the Week
9qt/Fr3 nominated by Ms Langlet for their outstanding effort in their French paragraphs
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10W
Pipil with Highest Honours
Nathan Halliday 10W
Form with Highest Honours
10W
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11S
Pupil with Highest Honours
Christianah Amuwa 11T
Form with Highest Honours
11T
Year 11 Open Days coming up:
Roding Valley High School Thursday 11th December 2014 6.30pm DATE CHANGE: Trinity Catholic High School Open Day is now Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 5pm
Parents of Year 9 and Year 11 Date for your diary The Roding Valley High School Annual Careers Fest will be held on Thursday January 29th 2015 between 3.30-6.30pm at Epping Forest College. The Careers Fest is for parents and students in Year 9 and Year 11. The Careers Fest gives students in Year 9 the opportunity to find out about future career pathways and to consider their option choices and subjects they wish to take in Year 10. The information and advice available during the evening is very important for Year 11 students who are making decisions about careers and further education. It is an opportunity to talk to future sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers. This will be our fifth consortium careers fair held at Epping Forest College, every year it has been a very professional and successful event and this year there are already over 65 exhibitors including lots of new national and local employers as well as local sixth forms, colleges and universities. Further details will be available nearer the time. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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
Guitar Lessons
Drum Lessons
Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour.
One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends!
Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com
Learn to play the drums from as little as £5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk
if you are interested.
www.jwdrums.co.uk LIBRARY OPENING TIMES
School Shop Opening Times
The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times :
Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am
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.
Break: 11.00am - 11.20am
Tuesday: Before school 7.15 am - 8.10 am , break time and lunch times. Access for early opening is via the door by resources.
Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm
Julia Martin / Stephen Murray
After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm
Singing Lessons
PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.
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
email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com
ICT Coursework Sessions
Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4