Newsletter Friday, 19th October 2012 Dear Parent, Carer It has been another busy and productive week at Neville Lovett as we move quickly towards the half term break. Students and staff have this week welcomed a number of year 6 parents and their children to the school for tours and we are receiving many calls from outside our catchment area which is a huge testament to the work that we have been doing to sustain and maintain our excellent progress. Parents of pupils in Year 6 are reminded that the closing date for applications for a school place in September 2013 is 31 October 2012. On Thursday afternoon several members of the Senior Leadership met with parents of our Year 9 students for afternoon coffee. The event was very useful and informative for both us and the parents who attended. A detailed report of the areas of discussion are contained within this newsletter. Nadine Powrie Headteacher Twitter The Modern Foreign Languages department (MFL) now has a Twitter account which will provide revision tips, resources and updates on trips. If your child is going to Chateau Beaumont (26th - 30th October 2012) then please follow them on twitter for interesting updates and pictures throughout their journey in France. You can find them at NLSMFL. Sports fans should also look at twitter to see up to date scores and results from our amazing sports teams. The PE department can be found at NLSPE. Year 9 Coffee Afternoon - feedback Many thanks to the parents who attended this event, everyone present found the discussion useful and informative. The meeting was very informal with light refreshments provided. Areas of discussion included, homework, staff stability, exams, curriculum, communication, uniform, the school day and extra curricular activities. Parents were asked ‘What is the school doing right?’.
We are communicating more effectively particularly via the newsletter. Homework is being set consistently and a homework schedule is in the student planner. E portal is a useful tool for parents to view up to date target and attendance data. Additional support for students is welcome and appreciated. The uniform (shirt and tie) is smart and an improvement on the red polo shirts. Extra-curricular activities and homework club are proving popular with students. The new school day has assisted parents with extra curricular activities after school. Improvements to the school site have enhanced the learning environment for students. Staff respond to parents quickly and parents evenings have a clear focus on how the student can achieve their target.
We asked ‘What do we need to do better?’ The timetables sent out over summer needed information regarding how to raise any questions or issues. The school would help parents if they clarified the quality of homework expected from students. Parent questionnaires need to be reviewed. Staff changes last year were a concern for parents though the Senior Leadership team were able to reassure parents that stability should now become evident. We will look at each of the points raised and will contact the parents who attended in 6 months time to see if they have all been addressed.
Newsletter Friday, 19th October 2012 Parent Survey As part of our uncompromising drive towards outstanding Mrs Whale, Marketing Officer, will be contacting 10 parents per week to hear your views and suggestions for the school. This will assist us greatly in our planning for the future. Thank you in anticipation of your support for this initiative. Enterprise Week (5th October – 12th October 2012) Enterprise week was an outstanding success with enthusiastic participation from students and staff. Each tutor group in years 7, 8 and 9 was given £20 to start their own business initiative over a 1 week period. They had to make as much profit on their money as possible. All the money raised will go to our adopted charity Brain Tumour Research. Students could only sell products or undertake activities before school, during break, during lunch and after school. They could also use the weekend to raise money. The grand total raised was £515.19: 1st Place Tutor Group 9U (Mrs Knight) £124.50 2nd Place Tutor Group 8T (Miss Grant) £124.12 Congratulations to everyone who took part and we anticipate that this initiative will run again in the future. Mr D Butterworth, Assistant Headteacher Staff Appointments: We congratulate the following staff
Miss K Micklewright, current Science teacher has been promoted to Teacher of the Deaf (with immediate effect) Miss J Richardson, current English teacher has been promoted to second in charge in English (with immediate effect) Miss L Sanders has been appointed Teacher of Art and Photography (joins January 2013)
BAE systems and RAF schools roadshow visit On Tuesday 16th October the whole of Year 7 had the amazing opportunity to watch a performance by BAE systems and the RAF. They showed us new technologies such as IR imaging and how helicopters can land when they can’t see anything. It was really good fun and the audience laughed as they learnt! Then half were lucky enough to have a workshop, where they programmed vehicles to navigate around a course. Students were required to use problem solving skills and had to work as a team. The event was fantastic and both staff and students were very impressed with this STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) event and we look forward to inviting BAE and RAF back next year. Mr R Patel, Assistant Headteacher (STEM)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 20th October 2012 Justin Craig Maths Workshop for targeted groups* 26th October 2012 Inset Day First Aid Training for Year 11 students studying CCLD 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Maths workshops for targeted groups* 26th October 2012 Students depart for Chateau Beaumont, France. Students will be accompanied on this trip by Mr Patel, Miss Ameaux, Mr Herington and Miss Fallon 27th October 2012 Justin Craig Maths Workshop for targeted groups* 30th October 2012 Students return from Chateau Beaumont, France 3rd November 2012 Justin Craig Maths Workshop for targeted groups* 5th November 2012 Inset Day Maths workshops for targeted groups* * Targeted groups: parents will have received a letter home.