The first ever Essex teaching awards were held this week in Chelmsford in the prestigious surroundings of the Lord Ashcroft International Business School at Anglia Ruskin University. Mr Murray received a Life Time Achievement Award which was presented by the Chairman of Essex County Council, Cllr. Kay Twitchen. Mr Murray said: "I am absolutely thrilled by this award and would like to thank the school for nominating me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 32 years teaching in the Epping Forest area and have had the privilege of working with excellent pupils, colleagues and parents. Teaching is a hard, full on job but each day is different, nearly always enjoyable and each day usually has its own moment of magic.” I would like to add my ‘congratulations’ to Mr Murray on behalf of all the students, staff, parents and governors. He is an excellent role model for students and has dedicated his whole career, both in school and outside school as a local town and district councillor, to the local community. We are all very proud of this achievement! We hosted an extremely busy and well attended Year 9 Parents’ Evening last night and it was a pleasure to have so many conversations with students and parents about the options that they are considering for next year. Our Options Evening takes place on Thursday 13th February and myself and Mr Davies will go through the process for selecting GCSEs. This is a very important evening and I would encourage all parents to attend. The government has announced changes to the structure and grading of GCSEs for this year group so, even if you have had older children go through the process previously, this year will be very different for students in some exams. Teachers and subject leaders from all subject areas will also be on hand during the evening to offer advice and information. Another important part of this process is the annual ‘Careers Fest’ that is held at Epping Forest College every year. Organised by careers staff across the district, including our Careers Officer, Mrs Mason, this is a very popular event. It runs from 3.30-6.30pm and further details are contained later on in the bulletin. We have the next meeting of our Parent Forum next Thursday (30th January) from 6pm-7pm in the school hall. The focus of this meeting will be looking at some of the work we are doing with our staff and students in lessons around the development of a ‘growth mindset’ and how this impacts on improving educational performance. This will be an interactive session and I would encourage all parents to attend. Finally, could I take this opportunity to remind parents about our policy on the use of mobile phones in school. Students are permitted phones in school but they must be switched off and kept out of sight during the school day (including break and lunch). If a phone is being used and is seen by a member of staff it will be confiscated. On the first occasion this happens the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the school day, however if this happens on more than one occasion we will only return the phone to parents. I wish you all a good weekend. Paul Banks Headteacher
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KS3 Creative Arts Evening 11th February Main Hall 6.30pm Doors open to view Art and Expressive Arts work 7.00pm Performances of Music, Drama and Dance Tickets £3.00 adults £2.00 concessions Available from student reception
Year 11 Sixth Form and College Application Deadlines Epping Forest College - hand in to Mrs Mason – application deadline Monday 27th January 2014 For all other sixth form/college applications please make sure they are handed in to Mrs Mason before the deadline so there is sufficient time to process them.
Final Details The Roding Valley High School Annual Careers Fest will be on Thursday January 30th 2014 from 3.30-6.30pm at Epping Forest College. All parents of Year 9 and Year 11 students should have received further details and information regarding the event in the post last week . This year we have even more exhibitors attending, 70 have confirmed. Upon arrival at the college please sign in and collect your programme, this will give you details of where all the exhibitors are located. The exhibitors are expecting you to approach them and just chat informally, they will be very keen to offer you any information and advice about future career pathways. There will be two careers advisors present throughout the event should you wish to speak to them. I will also be available throughout the evening so please come and see me if you need any help or advice with anything. I look forward to seeing you all there. Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net
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. FOR FURTHER MATCH REPORTS, RESULTS, FIXTURES AND TEAM SELECTION, LOG ONTO rvhspeblog.com
Jeans for Genes Students raised £1862.93 Thank you for all of your donations
Science Revision for Year 11 and Year 10 every Wednesday a er school
Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome
GCSE ICT Coursework Catch-Up for Year 11 Every Tuesday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4 Please encourage your child to attend to help improve their grade
February/March GCSE (Mock) Examinations Please find below a generic copy the February/March GCSE (Mock) Examination Timetable. Students have received their individual timetables via their form tutors, these have been printed on bright green paper. Breakfast Revision Sessions will be taking place in the Canteen from 8am for students sitting exams scheduled to start at 9am. These sessions are hugely beneficial and we would urge you to encourage your son/daughter to attend. Also find attached a copy of a letter outlining the arrangements that have been made for students sitting the Maths Examinations on Wednesday 5 February and Thursday 6 February 2014. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School
Week ending 17 January 2014 Year 7 Highest Attendance
7U
Pupil with Highest Honours
Sonny Bennett 7X
Form with Highest Honours
7V
Year 8 Highest Attendance
8W
Pupil with Highest Honours
Joao Vitorino-Ferreira 8V
Form with Highest Honours
8X
Year 9 Highest Attendance
9S
Class of the Week
9V/H1 nominated by Ms Preston for their enormous enthusiasm, whole group discussion and generally creating a great atmosphere in lesson
Pupil with Highest Honours
Shyla McDonald 9V
Form with Highest Honours
9R
Year 10 Highest Attendance
10T
Pupil with Highest Honours
Wasem Abouzeed 10V
Form with Highest Honours
10S
Year 11 Highest Attendance
11R
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
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
Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk www.jwdrums.co.uk
School Shop Opening Times Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS
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 7.15 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
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.