May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year. 2015 will be an exciting time for Roding Valley High School and I am looking forward to the school moving forward in a number of aspects over the next 12 months. The Year 11s continue to work hard and are preparing for their Pre-Public Examinations. The teachers have been providing feedback on the current attainment levels and the students are on course to achieve an excellent set of GCSE outcomes in the summer. We are using the data to identify students who need extra support and those that need to be focusing in particular subject areas and staff are working tirelessly to provide the guidance to help the students achieve their very best. It really is a team effort and it is crucial that the students, staff and parents work together to ensure that every effort is made to maximise the chances of success. I would like to thank the staff for their continuing hard work in this respect. The teaching staff are certainly putting in the hours in preparing and planning high quality lessons and providing detailed feedback to the pupils but it should also be noted that the team of support staff are invaluable at providing the data which is used to identify areas where extra help is required so a big thank you to all involved. The input of you as parents should also not go unnoticed as I realise that this is a challenging time for you and appreciate your ongoing support. We are also continuing to prepare for the launch of the Sixth Form in September. The applications for the Sixth Form are due in on 16th January and it is vital that the students have completed their applications and their Personal Statements by this date. We will then be allocating the courses and will have a clear view on the way forward. I know that lots of students and parents are very excited about this opportunity and I can only add that the staff feel exactly the same and cannot wait to get the ball rolling. Last night I was able to pop in to the end of the Challenge and Enrichment Evening in the School Hall and I would like to highlight what a wonderful event it was. The students had made superb presentations of their work and were on hand to discuss their planning and their reasons for choosing their particular subjects for discussion. I thought that the overall standard of work was first rate and it was a lovely opportunity to talk to some highly committed students who clearly have a real passion for their learning. I would like to thank Ms Atkinson for her organisation of the event and her drive to make it happen. I would also like to congratulate Lorelei Booth (Year 9), Rhys Greenaway (Year 8), Mia Smith (Year 7) and Yasmin Mushtaq (Year 7) who were all worthy winners. I wish you all a very enjoyable weekend. Mr J Luck Headteacher
You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net , on Facebook at the ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page or on Twitter (@RodingValleyHS). You can also sign up to our free electronic media release service at rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com
GCSE Geography Donations Thank you to GCSE Geography students for their kind Christmas donations. With the money collected, we have paid for a household water pump which will provide water storage for a family and allow them to grow more food to eat and also generate an income through growing crops to sell. We have also bought a Goat with the remainder, at the insistence of our Year 11 students! This will provide a local source of milk to drink and sell, food to eat and manure for fertiliser. Miss Barron
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE OWN PLACEMENT FORMS DEADLINE IS FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY ONLY SEVEN WEEKS AWAY! Stephen Murray We have been informed by London Underground that TLF have made significant rises in the cost of travel effective from 2nd January 2015. A Child Off Peak 1-6 Day Travelcard has risen to ÂŁ6.00. Those students who do not have an Oyster Zip 11-15 card can go onto the TFL website and apply online.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND ALL THE STAFF AT RODING VALLEY would like to wish Miya Atherton 9T and Rhys Greenaway 8X the very best of luck for the next round of the Future Chef Competition next Tuesday. Good Luck Girls, Happy Cooking!!!!
GCSE History of Surgery Trip
The first day of term saw 50 Roding Valley students set off on what has become the annual GCSE History trip to the Hunterian Museum and Old Operating Theatre. The trip was an opportunity for the students to experience first hand the limitations of 19th century surgery in a real operating environment and to view John Hunter’s extraordinary medical examples at the Royal College of Surgeons. The students were a real credit to our school with the curator at the Old Operating Theatre remarking “ what a great bunch, who have restored my faith in school parties visiting”. I would like to thank Ms Preston, Ms Wybrant, Ms Ahmad and Mr Menda for making the trip possible. The students had a great day and gained an excellent insight into the history of surgery. Mr M Cocker
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 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
Week ending 19th December 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Nadia Angel 7X
Form with Highest Honours
7R
Class of the Week
7ux/Fr1 nominated by Ms Lasfer for their effort, enthusiasm and positive spirit in every single class. A real delight to teach, well done and keep up the excellent work. And: 71t/Sc2 nominated by Ms Swift for working exceptionally hard on revision presentations for their end of term tests.
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Rhys Avey 8R
Form with Highest Honours
8T
Class of the Week
8V/Gg nominated by Mr Cocker for working amazingly hard on their geography assessments and showing a great deal of independent learning
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9X
Pupil with Highest Honours
Michael Beecham 9U
Form with Highest Honours
9X
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10V
Pipil with Highest Honours
Jade Tucker 10S
Form with Highest Honours
10S
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11S
Pupil with Highest Honours
Blake Doyle 11U
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
Open Days coming up: Heathcote Sixth Form – Wednesday 14th January 2015 6-8.30pm Chingford Foundation – Monday 19th January 2015 6.30pm Epping Forest College – Monday 19th January 2015 6-8pm Trinity Catholic High School Open Day is now Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 5pm West Hatch are offering another Open Evening Thursday 22nd January 2015 at 6.30pm Highams Park Sixth Form – Thursday 22nd January 2015 6.30-9pm Application Deadlines Roding Valley High School DEADLINE – Friday 16thJanuary 2015 - Hand in to Mrs Mason West Hatch DEADLINE: 31st January 2015 - Post direct to West Hatch Davenant School DEADLINE: Monday 19th January 2015 - Hand in to Mrs Mason Trinity School DEADLINE: Monday 23rd February - Hand in to Mrs Mason Epping Forest College DEADLINE: Thursday 22nd January 2015- Hand in to Mrs Mason
Parents of Year 9 and Year 11 Date for your diary
The Roding Valley High School Annual Careers Fest will be on Thursday January 29th 2015 from 3.306.30pm 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 to you nearer the time. If you require any further information or advice please contact me. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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