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RVHS Parent Bulletin Aspiration Respect
Endeavour
Week ending: Friday 8th September 2017 “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world”. Nelson Mandela
Message from the Head of School. It has been a really positive start to the new academic year. It has been busy in school, expectations are high and students are working really hard. There is a very purposeful vibe in the school. Last night was our Year 10 Information evening which was well attended and the feedback from parents was that it was very useful. Information was shared to enable parents/carers to support their sons/daughters learning as they work towards their challenging 9-1 GCSEs. Each subject provided an overview of ways to support their child including essential reading, highlighting appropriate trips and visits and additional challenge. Our focus was on the wellbeing of the individual student and Mr. Cheema provided useful guidance for parents on some key safeguarding issues effecting teenagers today such as Sexting. Miss Dyer discussed the importance of establishing routines with teenagers to enable them to make the best progress. Mr. Price (the new Year Progress Leader) was also introduced at the meeting. Information has been emailed to all Year 10 parents and is available on the School website. Please note that next Thursday 21st September is the Year 8 Information evening at 5pm and there is also a Year 12 Information Evening starting at 6.30pm. Attached in this email is the School Calendar, we do however have a ‘live’ version which can be found on the front page of the school website. All correspondence is now sent out by email and I hope that many of you have now downloaded the MyEd app which will streamline communication with the school. Instructions are again included in the bulletin and all queries please refer to Mr. Mammen. We have experienced a few teething problems with ‘Show My Homework’ but these were outside of our control. The external server is back up and hopefully normal service resumed. Parents do need a pin code to access their sons/ daughter’s specific record but even if you don’t have it you can still access ‘Show my Homework’ directly from the school website and interrogate all the work set across the school. Students do not need a pin and can access ‘Show My Homework’ using their school gmail account.
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Our Year 7s have settled in well and are finding their way around the school. They enjoyed a Road Safety presentation on Wednesday and are taking an active part in the clubs and extra-curricular on offer. Miss Williams is the Year 7 Progress Leader and can be contacted if you have any concerns effecting their transition. Please be aware that we have a number of new students with Nut Allergies, one of which is so severe that if Peanuts are brought into the school, it could have serious life threatening consequence for the student. Please support us by not allowing your child to bring peanuts into school. The new 3G pitch is progressing well and we hope to have it operational by the 22nd September. The main building work has also now commenced in earnest. It is really exciting to see these major developments underway creating additional first class facilities for the students. The main building will be in use by September 2018. Next week we open our doors to all ‘prospective’ parents. There will be tours of the school Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st September at 9am. Everyone is welcome; please do come along if you want to see the school in action. Our Open Evening will be on Thursday 28th September starting at 5.30pm. Students will be finishing at 12.20pm at the end of period 3 to allow the school to prepare. Please encourage your child to support the school and offer to be a guide or help out in faculty areas promoting their favourite subject. This is a great school and its best asset is its amazing students. There will be a late start for students on the Friday 29th September morning to allow time for the school to be put back in order. Students will be required to be on site at 11am ready for a lesson 3 start.
Ms. S Jenner Head of School
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Year 7 Our Year 7's have settled in extremely well. They have had a busy week with various activities going on. All students took part in the cross country finishing in fantastic times! Winners will be announced in assembly.
Students also watched an informative and fun Road Safety production. Students have also now had an assembly and information on 'Show my homework' and teachers will consistently be setting homework via this app from Monday. If anyone has any questions regarding this please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school. There was also a good turnout at the netball, football and rugby tryouts. Great to see so many students keen to join out sports teams. Teams will be announced shortly!
Lastly it has been great to see so many students excited to become involved in our other extra-curricular activities, some of the highlights being: Music, Pottery Cartoon club.
Ms F Williams Year 7 Progress Leader
Up and Coming Event
Year 7 Fire Safety Production Monday 18th September 2017
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Year 8 Welcoming back Year 8!! This week students in Year 8 participated in the XCountry run, competing against other form groups. There were some outstanding performances in the year group, with the results being revealed later next week to each form, as this is part of the PE departments inter form competition. Staying with Physical Education, the year group also participated in the ‘Live Fitness Workout session’ with Joe Wicks, most commonly known as the ‘Body Coach’ who promoted a Live stream to Schools across the country to get active and healthy. It was pleasing to observe both the staff and the entire year group being fully engaged in the event, making a difference to their own fitness levels.
Assembly During this week’s assembly both Cai Gunning and Arda Culculoglu exhibited their confidence on stage by performing rehearsed pieces on the Drums to the Year group. Hopefully more students in the year group will be involved in the near future as many information letters were collected by keen students after the Assembly. Well done Arda and Cai! Also; a big thank you to Jake Omer (Year 9) and Daniel Grogan (Year 10) for also performing with confidence and sharing your talent in our assembly this week.
Up and Coming Events Year 8 Fire Safety
Wednesday 20th September
Year 8 Parents Information Evening
Thursday 21st September
Year 8 Green Economy Workshop
Friday 29th September
Year 8 Assessments Begin
Monday 6th October
As the Progress Leader of Year 8, I have been extremely impressed with the attitude and work ethic of the students across all subject areas since their return from the summer break. I look forward to a really positive year with the year group, both in the curriculum and across all extra-curricular events.
Mr Hudgell Year 8 Progress Leader
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Year 9 A huge welcome back to Year 9 students who have an exciting year ahead with lots of new opportunities, extra-curricular activities, school trips and their GCSE options also taking place later on in the year. Students were greeted with a welcome back assembly on Wednesday 6th September where they were informed of new procedures within the school by the senior leadership team and expectations were reinforced by the Progress Leader. Year 9 pupils have made an impressive start to the year; it is great to see students quickly get back into good routines and engaged within their learning. This year will be both exciting and demanding as they approach preparation for GCSE’s where students will be challenged and stretched with staff expectations being higher than ever. I am excited to be taking this year group onwards and look forward to helping students along the way to meet any upcoming challenges and to support them along the way in their progress to success.
Year 9 Inter-form Cross-Country Last week Year 9 took part in an inter-form cross-country competition within Physical Education lessons where all students competed in a long distance run achieving points for their form group. There were some great performances from Edward Johnstone, Thomas Callagher and Azra Ozerin.
Well done all!
Upcoming Events STEM Project On Thursday 21st September, a selection of Year 9 students will be taking part in a STEM Science project which educates students in four specific disciplines; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
U14 National Schools Netball Tournament The Year 9 Netball Team will head over to the St Mark’s Catholic School in Harlow on Thursday to compete in a National Schools tournament against other teams within the Borough. Good luck!
Miss Reed Year 9 Progress Leader
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Roding Valley High Sixth Form Student Leadership Opportunities
We are now two weeks into the Sixth Form and have now completed a full timetable cycle. Please take the time over the weekend to ensure you know as a family how to use and monitor "Show my Homework", and start thinking about how to get the best out of Sixth form life, as it has much to offer.
Remember We Are More Than Just A-Levels.
Student interviews with local MP’S
School Trips and visits - this one is at the Emirates
Supporting whole school events, such as, Black History Month
Visits from famous Authors
Opportunities to learn to drive safely!
Exciting visitors in school to inspire, this is Dr Leah (NHS Doctor, and Apprentice Winner)
Christmas Hamper Appeals
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RVHS Magazine Applications open to all Year 10 to 13 Students
Roles Available:
Email your Applications to: kbingham@rodingvalley.net
Bar Mock Trial Competition Open to all 15 to 18 year old Students Register your interest by email to: RHANLON or KBINGHAM th
By Wednesday 20 September 2017
15 Positions Available! st
1 round Regional Heat: 11th November at Snaresbrook Crown Court
Each team will consist of: Court reporter Four barristers Four witnesses A clerk An usher Five jury members
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Sports News Special Congratulations to Teddy! Teddy Gipson 9Q has been playing men's Cricket throughout this summer for Loughton cricket clubs 5th and 3rd teams. Last Saturday evening Loughton CC had their awards night and Teddy won best Bowler for the 5th XI. He also won a special award for taking 7 wickets in last Saturdays match! Fabulous achievement Teddy is clearly a very talented Cricketer.
Very Well Done! Ms. S Parry
Year 8 and the PE Staff Workout
On Wednesday and Thursday morning Year 8 took part in a live 30minute online workout lead by Joe Wicks; also known as The Body Coach. Joe Wicks has been streaming these workouts live throughout the week in order to get 1 million kids more active and feeling the benefits of exercise. Year 8 pupils got fully involved in the workout enjoying it along the way too.
Netball This week was the start of the Netball Trials for all year groups. On Monday evening, there were a good number of Year 7 students at practice who will trial again next Monday ready for the upcoming fixtures. Wednesday evening also saw a great turnout from Year 8-11 girls who came along to practice ready for Borough and Essex Cup fixtures in two weeks.
Fixtures Next Week Year 7
Monday 18th September
Year 8 to 11
Wednesday 20th
U14 Tournament
Thursday 21st September
On Thursday 21st September, the under 14 team will be taking part in the National Schools competition at St Marks West Essex Catholic School in Harlow.
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Year 11 NOW is the time for students in year 11 to start thinking about post 16 choices. Next week all students in Year 11 will be given a further education booklet containing lots of information to assist with the decisions and choices to be made post 16. All students in Year 11 will be offered an individual careers interview appointment time with me this term and parents are very welcome to attend the interview. Following the meeting I will be posting home an individual careers action plan detailing what has been discussed during the interview.
Year 12 and 13 What Career Live? and What University Live? On 6 & 7 October, What Career Live? and What University Live? is launching at Olympia London, offering the unique opportunity to compare both universities and apprenticeship providers side-by-side. Free to attend, it is the ideal place for students to explore the full range of post-school options, gather advice and talk face-to-face with top companies and leading universities, to decide which path is right for them. To find out more visitwhatcareerlive.co.uk, call020 8394 5290 The Careers Department have a Twitter account where regular updates regarding apprenticeships, College, Sixth Form and University and all things careers related will be regularly published. Follow @RVHS_Careersto keep up to date with careers news.
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Morning Drop Off Please can Parent /Carer's remember that students must be delivered to school in a safe and secure manner, students must be dropped off in Brook Road, not stopping or pausing your vehicles on the yellow Zig Zag lines. Please do not stop and let your child out of the car while you are stationary in traffic at the front of the school on Alderton Hill.
Remember your child’s safety is our priority.
School Lockers
Mobile Phones We would like to ask Parents to remind our students that all Mobile Phones should be switched off at all times throughout the school day.
Letters regarding the allocation of the school lockers will be sent on by Thursday next week.
Please assist us in becoming a:
Full details of the Clubs and Enrichment Programme will be sent out to all parents and students early next week.
If they are seen or heard by a member of staff they will be confiscated.
Date
Clubs and Enrichment.
Event th
Monday 18 September Tuesday 19th September Wednesday 20th September
Thursday 21st September
Wednesday 27th September Thursday 28th September Friday 29th September
A Level Geography Fieldwork Year 7 Police and Fire Safety Event Year 6 Open Morning Tours Year 6 Open Morning Tours Year 13 UCAS Information Briefing Year 8 Fire Safety Event Year 6 Open Morning Tours Year 9 STEM Event Year 8 Parents Information Evening Year 12 Information Evening Year 8 HPV1 Vaccinations School Closes at 12:30pm for pupils School Open Evening from 5:30pm Year 8 Green Economy Workshop- High Beech Year 12 University Fair Visit
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. Student Absence If your child is unable to attend School for any reason please report their absence by phoning the school number by 9.30am at the latest, 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 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. A ‘Leave of Absence’ form must be completed (these are available at Student Reception) should you require leave for your child, a letter detailing your exceptional circumstances should accompany it. 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 on our website or contact Mrs Jeanette Low, our Attendance and Welfare Manager on the school number.
Guidance for Common Ailments Please see the following 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.
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School Communications: We have been communicating by email for over a year now in a bid to get information to you quicker and more cost effectively. We found, however, our previous parental communication system did not give the functionality that people expect from smart phone apps today. So the school has invested in a new communication system call RS Connect Ed and with this comes a shiny new App.
MyEd is the free parent app that gives you a multitude of communication and information features to stay in touch with what is going on at school. The app gives you direct access to your child's attendance, timetable, absence records, achievements, behaviour and much, much more. You will also see that we update and change the information in the app as the school year moves along. Click here to see a short video about the app We are able to send you messages directly to the MyEd app relating to important information about your child's education and to remind you of events that are taking place at school. We can also embed links to regularly used systems, for example ParentPay & Doddle so you can keep everything in one place. You will receive a notification if we send you a message and there is no charge for the messages you send to us. The App can be downloaded by anyone and they will have access to information also available on our website Only parents will be able to access their own student’s information as long as we have the email address and mobile number you are using to access the App. Everyone will be able to see image to the left. But only parents of students in the school will be able to access this when clicking on the My Students tab.The MyEd app is available for both Apple iOS and Android devices and can be found using the links below: Step 1 - Go to your App Store Step 2 - Search for My Ed Step 3 - Download the Free app Apple iOS App Google Android App Once you have installed and opened MyEd, search for Roding Valley High School and follow the simple instructions to identify yourself. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you are having any problems and we will help you get set up.
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