Newsletter
11th November 2011
Dear Parents/Carers, We send you this weekly newsletter by post in order to focus your attention on the fact that we are now publishing a weekly newsletter, which can be found on the website in the ‘News’ section. Do not hesitate to have a regular look if you want to know what is happening at you children’s school! Nadine Powrie Headteacher Important Information: Revision guides Year 9, 10 and 11 revision guides will be available on the 17th November please bring £2.75 to the Science department. Year 10 BTEC CCLD Year 9 and year 10 BTEC CCLD Students are very busy continuing to produce coursework and for those students who do not have access to a computer or the internet at home are able to use A12 or attend Homework Club to complete work. The Pupil Premium—Free School Meals and Service Families Schools are now being provided an additional ‘pupil premium’ based on the numbers of pupils who receive free school meals, and also for children of the armed services. Our pupil premium for the next financial year will be calculated based on our census data in January—it is therefore really important that we have our records up to date by this time. If either parent is in the armed forces, and you haven’t yet communicated this to the school, please contact Anthony Payne at a.payne@nevillelovett.hants.sch.uk. Similarly, if you believe that your child may be entitled to free school meals, we would be very grateful if you would sign up to this, even if you would prefer your child to bring a packed lunch. This information will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence. Attendance Just a reminder that children’s attendance and punctuality are monitored each term by the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) and our Heads of Year – the EWO is continuing to visit in November. The school will be in touch with the parents of any students whose overall attendance is in danger of falling below 85% or who regularly arrive late to the classroom. If you would like to discuss your child’s attendance or punctuality, please contact our Heads of Year. Congratulations to Mrs Knight (Y7) with 97.5%, Miss Fallon (Y9) with 97.2%, Miss Galan (Y7) with 96.3% and Mrs Gibson (Y9) with 95.1% for the outstanding attendance record of their Tutor groups. 30th November—Possible Strike Action—Message from the Headteacher As you are no doubt aware, there is the possibility of widespread public sector industrial action on 30th November regarding changes to pensions, and this is highly likely to affect schools. In addition to the two teacher unions that were involved in strike action in the summer term, at least two other teaching unions are currently either balloting their members or considering strike action. In view of this, the governors and I would like to share the answers to some frequently asked questions which were asked by parents at the time of the last strike day. I will, of course, contact you nearer the time when I have any further information regarding possible disruption. When can you tell us whether our child’s class will be affected by the strike? Teachers are not required to inform their employer until the morning of the strike if they are going to be taking action. However, in the summer term, those teachers who chose to take action provided a number of days’ notice to myself and to parents to allow parents to make alternative arrangements for their child. We will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible. Why can’t the classes of striking teachers be split or covered by other staff in the school? Teachers who are not involved in strike action cannot be asked to take on additional duties to cover for their colleagues on a strike day. This includes teaching additional children, or taking different classes than they would normally. If only some of the teachers are striking, wouldn’t it be better to close the school for some year groups but make sure that the older pupils were all in school? As mentioned above, teachers who are not striking cannot be asked to take on additional duties—this means that I cannot ask a teacher who usually teaches a class for example, to cover another class. In a same way, supply agencies are not permitted to provide supply cover for striking teachers. Our aim is to keep disruption of learning to a minimum and we ask for parents to support us with this. I will contact you nearer the time should it appear likely that disruption will occur on 30th November. In the meantime, please let me know if you have any further questions regarding industrial action.
11th November 2011
Newsletter This Week’s Events:
School Council Visit the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday On the 8th of November the eleven School Councillors and two members of staff went to London to visit the Palace of Westminster. After an early departure, we took the train and had a guided tour inside this former residence of the Kings of England, being able to enter the Lords Chamber, the Commons Chamber (where the Queen herself is not allowed to go), the Queen's Robing room and the Prince's room... We were really impressed by the beauty and the majesty of this royal building. Then our local MP, Mark Hobban, kindly answered questions the students had prepared, talking about his job and Fareham's inhabitants concerns during a one hour session. The students were very well-behaved and interested, we will definitely come back! Year 10 BTEC CCLD Volunteers from the CCLLD group are taking home overnight the “Real Care” baby which is computer designed doll designed to help young adults to realise how demanding a baby can be to look after and tend to it’s needs. The girls who have looked after the baby have come into school satisfied with their efforts but very tired. The scores the children are receiving are very impressive. Thankfully nobody has received a “neglect” score. Students of the week Year 7: Rebecca Broadhurst. She collected some work and helped a student at home who has been extremely ill. She helped him with both his French vocabulary and writing over a period of time. A most commendable effort Rebecca, well done. Toby Year 8: Toby Roe for 100% attendance this term so far. Year 9: Sam Traves for writing a fantastic poem titled ‘Little Tin Men’ and reading so confidently in front of the whole of year 9 in assembly. Year 10: Bradley Goodyear due to the contribution he makes outside of school. Year 11: David Bunce for his continuous excellent attitude both in tutor time and in class. He shows resilience regarding his work and his conscientious approach is a credit to him.
November 2011 Mon
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8 School Council Visit House of Parliament
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11 Coffee Morning with Headteacher
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15 Year 8 HPV Vaccination 16 Year 10 Double Scientists— Modular Exams Year 11 Core Science retakes (Contact Mrs Atkins for more information)
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21 Yr 11 Mock Exam Week
22 Yr 11 Mock Exam Week
23 Yr 11 Mock Exam Week Yr 9 and Yr 11 French and Spanish Readings
24 Yr 11 Mock Exam Week
25 Yr 11 Mock Exam Week
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30 Headteacher Nadine Powrie MA ED Address
St Anne’s Grove, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 1JJ
adminoffice@nevillelovett.hants.co.uk
Website
www.nevillelovett.co.uk
Telephone
01329 318003