Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Roding Valley production of My Fair Lady. The drama studio provided an intimate venue and a packed house thoroughly enjoyed the highly polished performance. Isabella Bramley was simply superb as Eliza Doolittle with an astonishing transformation from flower girl to duchess. Doncho Atanassov was a very convincing country gentleman as Colonel Pickering and both Ben Botteman and Harry Gipson burst into song to the delight of the audience. There were strong performances from all of the rest of the cast but I must mention Matthew Tinker whose Henry Higgins was full of humour and pomposity much to the dismay of his mother played beautifully by Thisbe Barnett. It is a great credit to the school that we have the students who are prepared to put in so much time and effort to prepare for such a demanding show whilst simultaneously keeping up with their studies. I know that several members of the cast had to go back and revise for a Maths exam straight after the performance so they should be commended. I would also like to thank Mr Stansfield, Head of Drama, for his hard work in supporting the students in their rehearsals. All in all it was a wonderful evening and everyone concerned seemed to enjoy every moment. I have also been pleased to receive some positive telephone calls letting me know how delightful our students are in the local community. Three members of the public have spoken to me in recent weeks saying how impressed they have been with how polite, helpful and well presented our students have been and this is exactly what we want to hear. Unfortunately, occasionally I am informed that a tiny minority of students do not show the school in its best light and this is totally unacceptable. If I am informed that any of our students have behaved in a way that brings the school into disrepute I will always take it seriously and will always take action. Just because it may be outside of school time does not mean that we will not sanction that individual or group of students. As far as I am concerned while a student is wearing the Roding Valley High School uniform, they are representing the school and it is vital that all of our students are aware of this and act accordingly. The excellent reputation of the school is critical if we are to continue to drive up standards and I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support in this regard. I wish you an enjoyable weekend. J Luck Headteacher
Message from the Governors At the latest meeting of the Personnel and Finance committee we discussed the invaluable contribution to the school made by the professional support staff. We very much appreciate all the “above and beyond� work that often goes unseen but we know makes all the difference to our success. Roding Valley High School would not be the great school it is without the dedication of the many people behind the scenes.
Doncho Atanassov 10R Awarded for being a very kind friend. Doncho is always there for anyone who wants to talk to him. He is a key member of the school community, he has helped out at a number of school events. He also regulating attends extra curricular Drama activities and is currently playing Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady. As a Youth Councillor, he is producing high quality work. He has an impeccable attendance at Youth Council and school. Doncho has also lead a number of assemblies in school. Well done Doncho FOCUS on MATHS The Maths end of term assessments for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 are now underway. Full preparation for these mid year tests has been conducted in the classes. All assessments are to be carried out over the next 2 weeks, the results will be communicated by their reports prior to the Easter break. The Year 10 students are sitting a GCSE paper appropriate for their set ability group. Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 will be sitting the same paper across their respective year group. However, our highest performing students in each year group will then sit a further extension paper which will allow them to achieve a higher level. This is designed to rigorously assess students across a broad range of topics and levels. This ensures that students are not only aiming for the higher levels but are also developing their understanding of mathematics at a deeper level. For your advance notice all students in all year groups will be sitting a final end of year exam in the summer term. This final exam will be the measure of their progress throughout this academic year. Dates for these final exams will be published nearer the time. The Year 10's will sit a GCSE paper in the hall in exam conditions and the exam will be in the week before their work experience. M Vermaak Head of Maths
Media Release Talented students star at Creative Arts evening Students at Roding Valley High School, Loughton, put on a show of art, music, dance and drama for their Creative Arts Evening.
Artwork was on show in the school hall as the audience enjoyed a variety of performances from Key Stage 3 students. Headteacher James Luck said: "It was a wonderful event that really showcased the talents of our students. There was drama, comedy, singing and dancing all of the highest quality. A great evening enjoyed by all." He added: "Well done to all the students who took part and a big thank you to the staff who gave up so much of their time to help the students prepare."
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 £80 deposit will be contacted by the Finance Department in the coming days to organise a refund. J Quirk Year 11
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
Yearbooks and Hoodies EXAMINATION INVIGILATORS REQUIRED
Order forms for the Yearbook and Hoodies must be returned to Student Reception by Monday 23rd March. Payment can be made either by cash or cheque (payable to Roding Valley High School) or through ParentPay. The Yearbook is £10 The Hoodie is £22 You can purchase both at the reduced price of £28
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
Week ending 27th February 2015 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7V
Pupil with Highest Honours
Charlotte Burke 7Q
Form with Highest Honours
7Q
Pupils of the Week
Jack Fenton 7S nominated by Miss Smith for totally turning himself around with homework and producing a whole pack of 52 cards each with a different maths problem on for homework, a real achievement for Jack. And: Billy Roberts 7S, Eren Tyler 7Q, Yasmin Mushtaq 7S, Phoebe Belton 7Q, Ava Packwood 7Q and Darcy Waddinton all nominated by Mrs Lafferty for producing outstanding pieces of homework in English
Class of the Week
7qt/En1 nominated by Mrs Lafferty for great work in English.
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8S
Pupil with Highest Honours
Leah Dadson 8R
Form with Highest Honours
8R
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9W
Form with Highest Honours
9Q
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10W
Pupil with Highest Honours
Patric Constantinou 10W
Form with Highest Honours
10W
Pupils of the Week
Grady Pettit 10V nominated by Mrs Costello for persistent hard work. And: Charlie Douglas 10W nominated by Mr Dowd for outstanding progress in English And: Ellouise Lemon 10V nominated by Ms Preston for hard work and positive attitude in History. And: Jemima Rodrigrez 10T nominated by Ms Langlet for outstanding progress. And: Cameron Coote 10V nomainted by Mr Bailey for excellent homework in PE.
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11S
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