Parent Bulletin Week ending Friday 1st February 2019 by Roding Valley High School

RVHS Parent Bulletin

Aspiration Respect Endeavour Week ending: Friday 1st February 2019

“Our vision is to be the school of choice for our local community, developing successful young people with high aspirations, who show respect for all and endeavour to become the very best that they can be.” Message from the Head of School to this week’s Parent Bulletin. Welcome to the numerous parents who Thank you supported the Careers Fest last week. I am sure that you will agree that it was a very successful event and the opportunities presented to our students were amazing. It was our 10th year and I am delighted that we managed to secure a presence from over 60 employers and universities. The student feedback was incredibly positive and it helped many students to consider their future career paths, with the opportunity to discuss with employers. It also provoked further discussion around the university versus higher level apprenticeships routes for our older students. I am delighted that Stephen Isherwood, our Enterprise Advisor gave two packed talks. Many thanks to our brilliant Careers Leader; Mrs Mason, who worked so hard in conjunction with other local school to put on this fabulous event. I look forward to seeing many of you tonight at the Parent Forum; it starts at 6pm and is in the Brook Library. Please enter the school via Brook Road and go straight to the new Brook Building. As a school we will be recognising Children’s Mental Health Week and this week the assemblies will focus on the safe use of the internet and child wellbeing. On Tuesday 5th February we will be celebrating ‘Safer Internet Day’, more information is available from https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

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a Year 9 parent, please note that Thursday 7th February is the If you are Options Evening. The evening is from 5.30 - 7.30pm in the main hall. During the evening you will have the opportunity to discuss the varied subject options at GCSE with their teachers. Option Booklets will be sent out electronically today and hard copies given to our Year 9 students before Thursday. There will be two talks during the evening, which will explain the process: 6.00pm for Year 9 Q, R, S, T • •

6.45pm for Year 9 U, V, W, X

Our Year 12s recently enjoyed a ‘Roadster’ event, on this day they got to actually drive a car and learn about the importance of road safety. It was great experience for them.

Kind regards Mrs S Jenner

Date

Event th

Monday 4 February

Year 8 Exams begin

Monday 4 February

Parent Forum@ 6pm in the Brook Building

French A Level Conference

Year 12 Cambridge University Visit

Wednesday 6 February Wednesday 6 February th

Thursday 7 February Thursday 7th February

Year 9 to 11 Intermediate Maths Challenge Harry Potter Evening@3:30pm on the Brook Library

Thursday 7 February

Year 9 Options Evening@5:30pm

Monday 11 February

Year 10 Assessments begin

Monday 11 February

Year 11 MFL Speaking Exams begin

Wednesday 13 February th

Monday 18 February

Year 12 and 13 Parents Evening 4pm to 7pm Half Term Starts

Parents are invited to the events that are highlighted blue. Follow us on: @rodingvalleyHS @humsrvhs @rodingvalleyPE RODING VALLEY DRAMA@rodingdrama

Well done to Sumer Hussein in Year 10, who has won an award for her photo which was exhibited at Lopping Hall last week.

At RVHS, we offer lessons in Piano, Drums, Guitar and singing. If you are interested; please email the below contacts and full details will be sent to you: Piano: To book piano lessons or find out more please contact rosswall@gmail.com Singing: Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Alex Larke for more details at alex@thevocaltutor.com

Drumming: The following lessons are available: One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons. Please contact: marksevel@hotmail.com Guitar: To book lessons or find out more, please contact Rachel Espeute on racheleds@hotmail.co.uk

Family

Quiz Night Date: Friday 1st March 2019 Time: 6:30pm for a 7pm start

Tickets Cost: 



£5 if you bring your own food. £10 if you would like food supplied

The Food & Nutrition Department has a number of plastic food containers that have been left behind after food practical lessons in the last couple of weeks.

Under 16’s are free 

Tables of 8 please.

Please refer to the full Flyer further on in this bulletin.

If you are missing any containers at home, please ask your son/daughter to come and see Mrs Blundy or Mrs Wilkes in T2. Thank you.

Children’s Mental Health Week Next week (4th to 10th February) is Children’s Mental Health Week and this year the focus aims to encourage children to think about how they look after their bodies and minds. In addition to this, on Tuesday 5th February, schools across the country will be raising awareness for Internet Safety with the ‘Safer Internet Day’. This campaign aims to promote safe, responsible and positive use of the digital technology for children, which in turn will contribute to a healthy body and mind.

Safer Internet Day – Tuesday 5th February 2019 Safer Internet Day will be celebrated globally on Tuesday with the theme; ‘Together for a Better Internet’. For full information on the event, parents can visit: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk There are also suggestions on how you as a parent can get involved to ensure that your children are having a safe and positive time online. These resources include; conversation starters, factsheets, family pledge cards and more. There are also some fun activities that your child can use to boost their Internet safety awareness, such as games, quizzes, films and advice to help them use the internet safely.

Family Wellbeing As parents and carers, you have an important role in helping your child to develop their ability to cope with life’s challenges as they grow. Here are a few simple ways you can encourage them to look after their body and mind:  Chat with your child about what you do to look after your own body and mind. You could use examples like walking the dog or turning your phone off before bed.  Praise your child for what they do to look after their own body and mind – even if it’s small.  Remind them that there is no such thing as a perfect body or mind and that no one is 100% healthy!  Cooking a meal, sitting down together for a family meal, or even going for a walk can be a great way to stay connected and have fun! Visit www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk for more information.

Message from Mr. Dobson This school welcomes YOU!!! One of the great things about being a teacher is that I get to work with wonderful students and great teachers. Year 7, like all year groups, are a mix of so many personalities, all here to learn. Schools are places of learning and also miniature societies. The climate of our school has a direct impact on both how well students learn and how well they interact with other. Teachers work hard to make their classrooms welcoming places where each each student feels included. We welcome students of all races, ethnicity and nationalities, students with diverse abilities, students who are LGBT, students of all family structures, students who are English language learners, students of all religions, students of all socio economic backgrounds, students of all body types.

Roding Valley High School welcomes YOU. To keep you informed; there will be the following formal opportunities in the school year to discuss your child’s progress:

1 st Place

 Reports Sent Out: Week of 11th February 2019

Rosa Marshall

Highest Progress Points

Best Attendance

Best Punctuality

 Year 7 Parents Evening: 7th March 2019

• 100% attendance pupils (for the previous week)

Libby Spence

Kylen Opara

Isabelle Frost

Tate Rawson

Gabriella Rawson

Jack Lock

Reece Lomax

Analise Baxter

Oliver Naqvi

Laura Cratchley

Sonny Royce

Elizabeth Winspear

Ruby Crook

Luca McKie

Jaeden Twaites

Ciaran McLoughlin

• This week two students from each Form Group

• Queue jump for a

week (break and lunch!!) Queue Jumpers this week were :

Message from Miss Williams We were privileged to welcome Christine Whetstone, a volunteer from Amnesty International on Wednesday who ran an inspirational workshop our Beyond breakfast year 8 students. Christine’s presentation was informative, engaging and valuable to our students understanding of the work of the world's leading human rights organisation. Students were educated on inequalities and injustices all around the world and were told stories of young refugees and their struggles I was impressed by our student’s discussions when given a scenario to work through in groups. What would they do if their home had been bombed, and their father was being hunted by the army for having an alternative point of view then the current government? Where would you go? What would you take? Their answers showed a deep sensitivity and compassion. This activity opened students’ eyes to different human experiences across the other side of the world, demonstrating also the common factors of what it is to be a child and to have the same wants and needs as themselves. Christine left us all with an important message, that in a world that is full of conflict and suffering, we are all human and every individual deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.

• 100% attendance pupils (for the previous week)

• This week two

students from each Form Group

Frank Bacchus

Highest Progress Points Best Attendance Best Punctuality

8S 8V

• Queue jump for a week (break and lunch!!) Queue Jumpers this week were:

Nathan Wakinshaw Bobby Deboo

Simona Pinzari Bo Smith

Leah Spratt

Nathan Blake

Tommy Conway Nancy – Kay Rayner Harry Hopkins

Madison Livingstone Luke Rogerson Emily Crisp

Jake Fenton

Tilly Carr

Oluwatamilore Ogbogbo

Esther Richards

Message from Mr Ryan It was a pleasure to see so many parents and members of the year group at the Careers Fest last week. It is a positive sign that so many Year 9 students are taking their futures seriously.

I would like to remind parents that Thursday is our Options Evening, where the whole options process will be explained in full. I would ask that as many of you as possible attend.

• 100% attendance pupils

Emma Bracher

Highest Progress Points Best Attendance Best Punctuality

9W 9S

Evie Smith

Bobby Freedman

• This week two students

Sohaib Belarbi

Scott Kenealy

from each Form Group

Ashleigh Murphy

Ethen Dignam

A few dates for your diary are as follows;

Rosie Greene

Leon Harris

Lola Norcott

Zak Smith

 Options Information Evening: Thursday 7th February

Hamid Lahreche

Sophia Barrett

Travis Woodland

Melanie Bennett

Alexandra Dumitru

Connor Dunkin

(for the previous week)

• Queue jump for a week (break and lunch!!) Queue Jumpers this week were:

Careers Fest 2019 Review Careers Fest was a very informative experience, there was a variety of Jobs and Colleges positioned there, including the Police and the Army. The process of job choosing, however was very frightening and a looming shadow in everyone’s mind, yet the stations soothed you into the discussion about your future. It was an exciting experience, rushing from station to station, picking up leaflets, watching presentations and taking part in demonstrations. Whatever fears about the future anyone might have, Careers Fest definitely calmed and sailed the boat through the storm. Written by William Cratchley

 Deadline for Completed Option Forms: Friday 1st March

The Careers Fest 2019 at Epping Forest College was in my eyes, an extremely important and insightful event. Everywhere I went, I was exposed to new opportunities and career paths, ranging from Medical Universities to Internships as a Veterinary Surgeon. Each stand provided helpful information regarding the skills and qualifications required to pursue the chosen career or school and how an institute operates. After attending the Careers Fest, I am more informed on the opportunities I can take, and have considered new careers as a result. I found the whole event helpful and hope to visit the festival next year to expand my knowledge of potential pathways. Written by Zac Smith

• 100%

Congratulations to Year 10 Sociology Classes for being nominated by Miss Garip and Miss Williams. They are consistently working hard, engaged in thoughtful discussions and putting in 100% effort. We are very impressed with their attitude towards their learning and progress. Many have also attended our Sociology clinic after school. Keep up the good work!!

attendance pupils (for the previous week)

• This week two students from each Form Group

• Queue jump for a week (break and lunch!!) Queue Jumpers this week were:

Jimmy Claxton Bo Green Hannah Grace Flynn Doherty Emilie Buckley Alice Risbrough Evie Prasse Morgan Schroder Lucy Pluckrose Thomas Whellams Levi Muller Daniela Perju

Highest Progress Points Best Attendance Best Punctuality

Mitchell Pace

Bella Carr

10T 10X 10T

Sebastian Bramley Savannah Scriven Alex Christodoulou

On Monday 21st January, Year 12 students spent the day learning about driving safely, the mechanics of cars and were given the opportunity to try driving for the first time. This included learning about the importance of seat belts, the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, tyre safety and avoiding distractions on the road. We hope that this will prepare our year 12s for this important life step and help to keep them safe on the roads!

Year 12 students are continuing in trying to secure their work shadowing placements for 22nd - 26th July. This is a really important opportunity for them to experience a sector which they might be interested in working in in the future. If students are looking to secure placements in the medical or legal sectors they need to be especially proactive in trying to obtain these. The deadline for having found these placements is 26th April and students have a form to fill out. If your son / daughter need any help or encouragement in finding a placement please ask them to speak to Ms Wheaton and Mrs Mason.

Before School: 8:15am to 8:40am

Break: 11:00am to 11:20am Lunch: 1:20pm to 2:05pm After School: 3:05pm to 3:30pm Please be aware that from Monday 12th November, students will not be served outside of these times.

HB Pencil 10p Non‐stop Pencil 30p Biro (Black, Blue or Green) 10p Handwriting Pen (Black or Blue) 10p Gel Pen (Black or Blue) 40p Gel Clear Pen (Black or Blue) 50p Felt Tip Pens (pack) £2.00 Coloured pencils (pack) £1.00 Highlighter Pen 20p Multi ‐ Pen 60p Rollerball Pen (Black, Blue or Red) 30p RVHS Pen 50p 15cm Ruler 10p 30cm Ruler 20p Eraser 5p Sharpener 10p Protractor 15p Set Square 15p Compass 30p Calculator £1.70 Scientific Calculator £6.50 Small Pencil Case 80p Large Pencil Case £1.00

Maths Set 90p Maths Set with small pencil case £1.60 Revision set £1.80 Glue ‐ Small 30p Glue ‐ Medium 80p Glue ‐ Large £1.00 Post Its 20p Card Document wallet 10p Popper Folder – coloured 40p Popper Folder ‐ clear 70p Display file ‐ 20 Pockets £2.00 Clip File 60p Ring Binder 50p 20p Zip wallets (A5) Zip wallets (A4) 25p Zip wallets (A3) 30p 10 stage dividers 40p A4 clear pockets 5p Lever arch file £1.40 Box File £2.20 Data File 20p Small Note Pad‐ Lined 30p

At RVHS, we use Show My Homework; an account has been created for you to keep up to date with your child’s homework progress from home.

What is ‘Show My Homework’? Show my Homework is a simple online solution for students and parents to view homework details and upcoming deadlines. Mobile apps and notifications ensure you always know what homework your child has and when it’s due. How to Log In?  Go to https://www.showmyhomework.co.uk/login What are PINs? PINs are unique codes that ‘Show My Homework’ has assigned to each parent that allow us to confirm their identity on initial login. After logging in for the first time users will be asked to provide more memorable login details for future use. PINs are then only be used as a backup in case you forget these logins.

 Or you can download the app.  Enter your PIN details that you have been given in the letter provided by your school.  Click ‘Log in’  Create a memorable password and enter your email address then click ‘Update you details’.

Students do not need a pin to be able to access their homework. They can gain access to their Show My Homework account though their Gmail account.

You are now able to access your account and view all the homework that has been set for your child. If yourself or your child experience any difficulties with using ‘Show my Homework’ or you no longer have your pin, please contact Mrs. Hodges: jhodges@rodingvalley.net

What is DODDLE? Doddle provides students with access to thousands of engaging, formative resources and guides students through the curriculum. Doddle Progress automatically tracks student attainment in key curriculum skills. Parents can see student attainment and progress through our easy-to-use Doddle Parent feature. Skills within Doddle are rated as red, amber or green. These ratings give a clear indication of how much progress a child has made and highlight the weaker areas to be targeted with revision.

Each student has a personal Doddle account where they can access their homework to-do lists and families can view the work their child has been assigned. These accounts enable parents to view their child's results and encourage them to better their scores by using Doddle's revision resources.

Find out how to create a Doddle Parent account and then link that account to your child with this short video:

We have also included a link to a very useful guide on how to view your child's due and submitted homework:

Find out how our school uses Doddle Progress by watching our short video to find out how Progress works.

We have also included a link to a very useful guide on how Progress works and how you can use it to help your child's learning.

This is a valuable resource that will assist parents in supporting their

child’s progression. Please use the following link to the log in:

Find out how to view and track your child's homework with this short video. .

We have also included a link to a very useful guide on Troubleshooting.

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 in touch with what is going on at school. The to stay 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 education and to remind you of events that are child's taking place at school. We can also embed links to regularly used systems, for example ParentPay & so you can keep everything in one place. Doddle 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. 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.

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.

0208-508-1173

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 detailing your exceptional circumstances Reception) should you require leave for your child, a letter 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 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 on 0208-508-1173