It has been another busy week at Roding Valley High School with the Year 11s completing their Pre-Public examinations. These exams are a very important part of their preparations I am delighted to say that their behaviour in the exams has been exemplary and their attitudes to study have been first rate. We have very high hopes for this cohort of students in the summer and if they continue working hard and exhibiting such determination to succeed it should be a great year for them and for the school. I would like to thank Julia Martin, our school librarian, for organising and running the Harry Potter Book evening on Thursday of this week. This was an opportunity for our Year 7 and 8 students to take part in a range of activities based around the books of J.K. Rowling. There was a lovely atmosphere in the Science Room when the "Potions" session was in full swing and Mr Ryan and Mr McNally outdid themselves with the weird and wonderful experiments that were taking place. It was great to see so many students enjoying themselves and being so enthused by the stories of the wizarding world. I thought I knew the tales pretty well, having read them to my own children many moons ago, but I'm afraid that my knowledge was easily eclipsed by the encyclopaedic details recalled by some of our students. It was wonderful to see so many staff enter in to the spirit of the event and give of their time so generously. I'm sure the students would join me in thanking all of the staff who helped Mrs Martin make the evening such a success. Thank you to all of you who attended the Parents' Forum on Monday. Mrs Lafferty and Mrs Vermaak led the presentations focusing on Literacy and Numeracy and I have had lots of positive feedback from parents who found the session very helpful and informative. It would be great to see as many parents as possible at these events in the future as it really is a valuable opportunity to find out about what we are working on as a school and how we are supporting the students to achieve highly. Have a good weekend. J Luck Headteacher
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Meeting of the Governors’ Student Related and Curriculum Committee 28 January 2016 Governors received a detailed presentation regarding the Technology Faculty. Some of the key points concerned: The Health and Social Care website (which is regularly updated) That in 2015 all student passed BTec Production Students had the opportunity to watch professional chefs working. (Governors noted the success of students in regional food competitions.) Governors heard that student attendance throughout the school is continuing to improve, and that the number of fixed term exclusions has fallen considerably. This indicates that strategies developed by the School are working well. Detailed data concerning the progress of Year 11 students was presented; this detailed monitoring can only enhance the chances of student success. Initial proposals for the re-development of the Science Laboratories were presented to governors. Governors considered an urgent proposal of a Student Use of Computer Network Policy. Frank Solarz Chair of the SRC Committee
Drop in times for Students with Special Educational Needs
Supported Homework Club
Drop in times for parents of SEN students are to enable you to discuss your son/ daughter's progress in detail.
Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome
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
A drink and biscuit are provided
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
Harry Po er Book Night There was lots of fun and mayhem at the Harry Po er Book Night a er school on Thursday 4th February ‐ thanks to everyone involved in making it the success that it was. Students were sorted into their houses, had a great po ons lesson in the Dungeons and then a feast in the great hall (library!) followed by a game of wizard chess (courtesy of Elloise Lemon) a fun quiz and a chance to have some photos taken. We also had a fancy dress compe on and the best costumes won their wearers a prize of some Ber e Bo ’s Every Flavour Beans and a Chocolate Frog each! Well done. Massive thanks to everyone in the Science Department who converted S2 into Hogwart’s Dungeons for the evening. Par cular thanks to Professor Snape (Mr Ryan) and Professor Slughorn (Mr McNally) who made it happen and did some spectacular demos, and the rest of the Science Department who joined in the fun. Thanks to Mrs Sabin, Miss Stockings, Mrs Rutland and an unrecognizable Mrs (Dobby) Mason for all your help in the library, to Mr Day for all the fab artwork and to Mrs Abbo for the equally fab cake!
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.
The Food Technology Department would like to wish Ella Margetts 8U and Ellie Blundy 8U, the very best of luck for tomorrow, Saturday 6th February, when they will both be representing the school in the District Final of the RIBI Young Chef Competition at Redbridge College.
Year 11 GCSE Art & Photography All students have now been issued their exam paper. Students must be completing regular homework, planning and preparation for this exam project up until their practical exam at the end of April 2016. Please speak to your child about this and encourage your child to complete homework, planning and prep work for their exam project so that they know you are aware that they should be doing work at home. Feel free to contact your child's teacher should you have any further queries. Thanks. Mrs S Costello
Active Reading Project
We are launching a Maths competition in February. Every student in the school will have the opportunity to solve a Maths related problem and entries will be made using a postbox outside the Maths Of ice. Prizes will be given to the irst correct entry in every year group. Questions will be given to all students during form time.
We are also going to have a numeracy activity during form every second week. The questions are using logic thinking and problem solving skills � hoping to prepare students for the new GCSE style questions. Any questions � contact Mrs Vermaak in the Maths Dept.
The active reading booklet project started again week commencing 25th January 2016. Can we please ask Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 parents to sign the booklets and start hearing their child read where possible from now on. Thank you English Department
YEAR 8 PARENTS Please be aware that formal assessments will be taking place for all Year 8 students next week. Your son/daughter has been issued with a timetable showing assessment/dates/times/rooms/seat number personal to them. Timetables have been printed on BRIGHT YELLOW paper. Please also see below a generic overview of the assessments that are taking place. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me,. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School
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 cooperation in this matter - Mr S Murray
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.
Week ending 5th February 2016
Year 7 Year 8
Highest Attendance
7S
Form with the Highest Honours
7Q
Student with the Highest Honours
Lilie Constantinou 7Q
Highest Attendance
8R
Form with the Highest Honours
8Q
Student with the Highest Honours
Lily Godleman 8Q
Student of the week
Sophie King 8R nominated by Mr Crabbe for doing very well in lessons this term. Effort and attitude towards learning and classwork has been excellent.
Class of the week
8wx/Mu2 nominated by Mr Savage for great growth mindset, effort and achievement in class 8v/Hi nominated by Ms Preston for their huge efforts during lessons. Lots of excellent contributions by lots of enthusiastic people! 8S/Gg1 nominated by Miss Stockings for working so hard and sensibly during their revision lesson
Year 9
Highest Attendance
9S
Form with the Highest Honours
9R
Student with the Highest Honours
Eva Randall 9S
Student of the week
Tanem Ibrahim 9Q nominated by Mr Dowd for effort and preparation on her monologue
9W/Gg nominated by Ms Cordwell for being an absolute pleasure to teach!
Class of the week
Saqib Raja 9V nominated by Ms Williams for his positive attitude, resilience and hard work in RS Glen Zarych 9Q nominated by Ms Ahmad for much improved focus this term and impressive analysis in poetry
9ux/Fr1 nominated by Mrs Chambers for working really hard to include GCSE Grade A & B language structures into their writing
Year 10 Year 11
Highest Attendance
10S
Form with the Highest Honours
10Q
Student with the Highest Honours
Maryann Thurgood 10Q
Student of the week
Grace Horsford 10U nominated by Ms Ahmad for her excellent work ethic and participation in English this term.
Class of the week
Highest Attendance
11S
Form with the Highest Honours
11R
Student with the Highest Honours
Jack Alsford 11Q
10b/En1 nominated by Mrs Routledge for doing all homework for 2 weeks in a row
ICT Coursework Sessions Every Tuesday Lunchtime with Miss Wilson in ICT4
Ma Mo ths Su n p Aft day & port er s cho Frida y ol i nM Tue Maths 5 sda C l u y& b T hu r sd ay
Open Days Epping Forest College – Wednesday 10th Feb 6-8pm
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.
A plea for magazines and mirrors Mrs Costello in the Art Dept. would love any old magazines particularly fashion magazines such as Elle, Vogue etc. for a Y11 project on fashion and clothing.
If you can help please contact Bill McNally or John Ryan in the science department.
Similarly any mirrors (small compact mirrors, large mirrors, broken mirrors) for a Yr11 project on reflections.
Many thanks for your co-operation. The Science Dept
Please pass on any donations to the Art Dept. Thank you!
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.
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
Letters home to parents/guardians The school is endeavouring to become more environmentally friendly by sending home all letters to parents/guardians electronically rather than using so much paper. To this end we have sent letters home with students asking for all parents/guardians to confirm their email addresses. Could we ask you to complete the slip at the bottom of the letter and return it to Student Reception by the last day of this term. Thank you.
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
Piano Lessons 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
To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.com
Guitar Lessons Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at ÂŁ12 per half hour. Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com if you are interested.