AHCC Newsletter 13 February 2015

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term Friday 13 February 2015 SPECIALISM SUCCESS COLLEGE PRAYER

Several groups of KS3 Business and Enterprise students have successfully completed the first part of a new 'Stalls Project' as part of The BEADT carousel. They are at the stage where they have decided on products they will produce in batches for an Easter Fair at the end of term. As the project continues they will cost, price and market their products which have been aimed a precise target group further to primary research conducted earlier in the term. We can all look forward to seeing the final outcome at the Fair to be held at The Stalls in the week before Easter.

Prayer for the beginning of Lent Loving Father, watch over us and guide us during these days of Lent.

As we think of others who are affected by floods, storms and droughts, teach us to be generous in our acts of charity and fasting.

Amen.

TRIP LETTERS Please note that all letters regarding school trips are available on the College website. We are aware that letters don’t always make it home, so we take care to upload them to the College website to ensure the information is readily available. Letters can be found by going to http:// www.allhallows.org.uk/parent-information/letters-magazine/trip-letters

CAN ANY FAMILIES HELP? We received a request from a Spanish family looking for accommodation for their two daughters who hope to study for one term in autumn 2015 in our college. The girls are aged 14 and 13 and the family is willing to pay for board and lodgings.

If you are able to help and would like more details then please contact Mr Blades, Assistant Principal, at the college for more details (01625 426138 staffmpb@allhallows.org.uk).

YEAR 13 UNIVERSITY FINANCE APPLICATION Year 13 students have now received letters outlining the application process for student finance. Applications for student finance are now open and can be made on line. Students don't need a confirmed place at a university or college to apply. Applications are made direct to student finance at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance. Please log on for further guidance.

Wednesday 13 May 2015

PRINCIPAL’S SURGERIES Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates

Attend College Activity Day

There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait

ARRANGEMENTS FOR PARENT CONSULATION DAY

Year 7

Year 8

CONSULTATION DAY Reading Blog at home when not in for appointment

Year 9

Work Related Learning Reading Blog from home(Careers Theme)

Year 10

CONSULTATION DAY Reading Blog at home when not in for appointment

Year 11

Home Study—Science Revision Study in College/Exams

Sixth Form

Revision Day/ Private Study In College for at home

Wednesday 11 March '15, 9am - 10am Tuesday 24 March '15, 3.45pm - 4.45pm CATHOLIC WEEKEND CONFERENCE

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term COLLEGE INTERNAL EXAMS / ASSESSMENTS

Year Group

Dates

Type

12&13

Friday 6 March 2015—Friday 13 March 2015

Mock Exam

10

Monday 16 March 2015—Friday 20 March 2015

Mock Exam

7,8,9,11

Monday 16 March 2015—Friday 27 March 2015

Assessment

7,8,9

Monday 15 June 2015—Friday 19 June 2015

End of Year Exam

10

Monday 15 June 2015—Friday 26 June 2015

Assessment EXAM COUNTDOWN

There are 86 days left until the start of the Year 11 exams. Students who were more than one grade below flight path in their mock exams will be required to resit. For all Year 11 students a revision booklet is available on the College website under Student revision. Further details will be sent shortly to parents of those students required to resit EXAM TIP

Do you want to up your marks by 5%? - Then brush up on your spelling so that you don’t lose marks. Ask an adult to check your class and revision notes for spelling mistakes and to write up a list of correct spellings. Learn and quiz yourself on 5-10 spellings a day.

PARENT AS PARTNERS - HALF TERM Half-term is an ideal opportunity to check your child’s uniform and equipment. Particular attention should be paid to College bags, skirts and footwear. We would also like to remind you that coloured hair is not permitted. Thank you for your support in this matter.

PARENTAL GATEWAY

Reports for Years 7 to 13 are now available to view on the Parental Gateway. Reports will all be issued in this electronic format unless a paper copy is requested. Tasc Software, the makers of the software we use, are now offering access to the Parent Gateway using an app for iPhones, iPads (iOS 8.1 minimum) and also most Android devices.

The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store by searching ‘Tasc Insight’ and costs £2.49. The Parental Gateway is also accessible for free from any internet enabled device through common web browsers using your user name and password.

PARENT PAY When topping up your child’s school meals account with ParentPay, please can we ask that you are extra vigilant that you top up the School Meals account and not the College Shop account? We have had a few instances of this and unfortunately, we cannot transfer the money on the College Shop account to the School Meals account because the canteen is managed by a third party.

The account for the Pod in the Quad is called “College Shop”.

The account for the canteen is called “School Meals for All Hallows Catholic College” Many thanks, Finance.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term TRIPS AND UPCOMING EVENTS Geography drop-in session KS4/5 students every Thursday 3:30p.m.- 4:30p.m.

The session will provide assistance on case studies, exam questions and key terms.

World Book day Thursday 5 March 2015 The big Fairtrade bake-off Thursday 5 - Friday 6 March 2015

DAY

SUBJECT

Monday Tuesday

Science/History/Languages/ Hospitality Maths

Thursday

Music/Geography

Year 11 photos Tuesday 10 March 2015

Other

ICT any break/lunch Business – By Arrangement Art – By Arrangement

Year 12 Higher Education Conference + Buddhist Centre Friday 13 March 2015

Celebration Assemblies Week Monday 2 March 2015 Year 8 Pathways Evening Thursday 5 March 2015 —7p.m.-9.p.m.

Year 12 and 13 Mock Exam Week Friday 6 March - Friday 13 March

Year 7, 9 and 11 Assessment Week Monday 16 March 2015 Year 8 Retreat Wednesday 6 May - Friday 8 May 2015

SCHOOL APPLICATION PANEL Applications are invited for new panel members to join independent education appeals panels in Cheshire East. If you have an interest in education and feel able to offer some time, we would be most grateful to hear from you. Appeals are heard Monday to Friday during normal office hours.

Each panel is made up of three members who are independent of the Local Authority. The panel hears admission appeals against decisions not to admit children to particular schools.

Applications are invited from people of all backgrounds as the panel is made up of lay members and those with experience in education. A lay member is a person without personal experience in the provision of education in any school (disregarding experience as a school governor or in another voluntary capacity). A member with experience in education is a person who has experience in education (such as a retired headteacher or teacher); or has knowledge of educational conditions in the local area or is a parent of a registered pupil at a school.

Full training will be provided for new members and if you are successful you would be required to attend a training day on Tuesday 21 April 2015.

The work is unpaid but panel members are eligible to receive travel allowances for all meetings they attend.

If you are interested in becoming a panel member, please contact Brett Dainty by email: brett.dainty@cheshireeast.gov.uk or telephone 01270 686469 for an application form and more information.

FRESH MILK NOW AVAILABLE IN CANTEEN Students on free school meals can now get a 189ml carton of semi-skimmed milk every day for free from the school canteen. This will not affect their free school meal allowance of £2.25, as this is additional. Students simply need to pick up the milk and take it to the till.

The milk is also available to students not on free school meals at a cost of 65p.

PEANUT & NUT ALLERGIES

A number of our students have allergies to nuts. In some cases they will only react when they touch or eat nuts, but in rare cases their reaction may be caused when traces of nuts are in the air. It would help these students if nuts or nut related products were not brought into school. We thank parents and students for the co-operation with this matter.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term STUDENT SUPPORT ACROSS THE COLLEGE NAME

JOB

Mrs J Pilling

Careers Advisor

Student Support Office

Mrs L Nolan

Visyon Counsellor

Student Support Office

Mrs J Jones

College Nurse

Student Support Office

Mrs P Shatwell

Family Support

Office next to rooms A9 and A10 Pastoral Office (ground floor of Fisher Building)

Education Welfare bullying@allhallowslearning.org.uk beingme@allhallowslearning.org.uk esafety@allhallowslearning.org.uk

MON

TUES

WED

Mrs J Beard and Mrs P Prince

THUR

FRI

VENUE

emails will be read by a Senior Teacher

= Staff Present MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS DURING THE COLLEGE DAY

Students must sign out at the Attendance Office before leaving College to attend a medical appointment. When they return to College the student must sign back in. This ensures registers will be accurate and we know the student is off site should we have a fire alarm. The Attendance Office is located in the office along the RE corridor. We thank parents for making medical appointments, where possible, that do not take up a whole day of schooling. This often allows a student to have their legal registration mark for both morning and afternoon sessions and so their overall attendance does not fall.

BEING PUNCTUAL AT ALL HALLOWS

Most students appreciate the importance of being in College on time. Children who are regularly late do miss out on their education and form bad habits that will not be tolerated in the workplace.

As a result of the change to the College day we need to inform parents that students must be in the registration form class for the register to be taken at 8.45a.m. This means students should arrive 5-10 minutes earlier in College to be on time.

Any student who arrives after 8.45a.m. will receive a L code. Two L codes within a week will result in a whole college detention (which started on Thursday 6 November). This is a recent change in procedures and moves the detention away from the form tutor and it will now be seen as a whole college issue.

Any student who arrives after 9.05a.m. will receive a U code. This means they will be classed as absent for the whole morning and this may have consequences for overall attendance.

We are aware that College buses are sometimes late and we can confirm these students are not negatively marked in the register when this happens.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

CAREERS ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

If any parent would like their son or daughter to have a careers interview with Mrs Pilling, our Careers Advisor, this year then please notify the relevant Year Learning Leader who can ensure names are added to the list. Priority is now with Year 10 students (now Year 11 have all been seen) and also with sixth form students. Students in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 are welcome to attend her lunch time drop in. She uses the Student Support Office based next door to Music.

YEAR LEARNING LEADER “DROP IN SURGERIES” Year 7: Two surgeries have been held recently, more dates will be announced soon Year 8: held on 25 March (1.15p.m. – 2.15p.m.)

Year 9: held on 16 March (9.00a.m. – 10.00a.m.)

Year 10: held on 27 March (1.15p.m. – 2.00p.m.)

Year 11: held on 24 March (9.45a.m. – 10.45a.m.)

These are for parents who would like to discuss any concerns relating to their child. No appointment is necessary but please be prepared to wait. Please contact our Pastoral Assistant (Pastoral@allhallows.org.uk 01625 410285 x215), should you require an appointment with a Year Learning Leader at any other time.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term The following are the remaining dates for training days in 2014-15. Students are not required to attend on Friday 13 February 2015 and Friday 22 May 2015 unless taking an external exam.

COLLEGE TERM DATES Term

College Opens to Students

College Closes to Students

Epiphany

Monday 5 January 2015

Thursday 12 February 2015

Easter

Monday 23 February 2015

Thursday 2 April 2015

Whitsun

Monday 20 April 2015

Thursday 21 May 2015

Trinity

Monday 1 June 2015

Tuesday 21 July 2015

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Year 7 - 95.6% (up 3.9% on our previous snowy week, well done Year 7) Year 8 - 95.5% (up 6.4%, well done Year 8) Year 9 - 95.8% (up 6.1%, well done Year 9) Year 10 - 92.8% (up 6.0%, well done Year 10) Year 11 - 93.6% (up 3.9%, well done Year 11) Year 12 - 95.5% (up 1.1%, well done Year 12) Year 13 - 94.4% (up 1.2%, well done Year 13)

96.50% 96.00% 95.50% 95.00% 94.50% 94.00% 93.50% 93.00% 92.50% 92.00% 91.50% 91.00% YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

YEAR 10 YEAR 11 YEAR 12 YEAR 13

Attendance last week was 94.7% (an increase from 89.5% during the previous week which was largely due to snow related absence, but still down 0.5% on the same week last year). Our overall attendance since 2 September remains at 95.1%. We aim for 97%.

Last week GIRLS attendance was 94.8% (up from 89% during the previous week), BOYS attendance was 94.8% (up from 90%). The overall girls attendance since 2 September is 94.6% whilst boys is 95.5%.

HOLIDAY ABSENCE FROM COLLEGE Holidays have not been authorised since 1st September 2013 under new legislation on all English schools. Requests for holidays must still be made in writing to the appropriate Key Stage leader (Mrs Garvey KS5, Mr Blades KS4/KS3), but in the vast majority of cases they will be unauthorised. A Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued of £60 per parent / carer per student, to be paid within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to £120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will proceed to the Magistrates Court where you will receive a criminal record if you are found guilty. Please can all holiday requests be made well in advance of the holiday being taken if not before the holiday is booked.

MEDICAL ABSENCE FROM COLLEGE Whilst the College requires parents to contact us on each day of absence , school policy now requires that any student who accumulates 7 or more days of absence during the course of the academic year will be asked to provide medical confirmation of the need to be absent before any further absences are authorised for medical reasons. This is a necessary measure as we closely monitor absence due to illness / medical reasons in order that we can ensure students are supported where needed. For your information medical confirmation does not have to be a doctor's note but can also take the form of a medical appointment card, a copy of a relevant dated prescription or evidence of medication being taken If no medical evidence is provided then the absence will be coded as unauthorised. Ten or more unauthorised absences may result in you receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice. This incurs a penalty of £60 per parent / carer to be paid within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to £120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will proceed to the Magistrates Court where you will receive a criminal record if you are found guilty.

The link between attendance and achievement is well researched and documented and students should be aiming for an attendance rate of no less than 97% over the year. Thank you for your continued support with this important issue.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term BOOK AMNESTY AND OVERDUE BOOKS

LIBRARY NEWS

A big thank you to those students who have searched high and low, returning their books. There are still many outstanding, particularly popular fiction titles, so if students could look again at half term that would be much appreciated! Also, if students have borrowed books recently, they should be checking the date label to make sure their book is back on time. Students in Years 7 -11 can have two books out over two weeks, while 6th form students can have 3 over 3 weeks. Books are renewable, providing another reader doesn't want the book. Students should come to the library and renew the book with Ms Sinclair.

CHESHIRE SCHOOLS’ BOOK AWARD 2015

Just a reminder if you are stuck for something to read over the break, then why not try one of the shortlisted books: 1. Half Bad by Sally Green 2. Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman 3. Haunt by Curtis Jobling 4. A Boy Called Hope by Lara Williamson 5. More Than This by Patrick Ness 6. The Wall by William Sutcliffe Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne - our pick of the week. 'The day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight - but he broke that promise the following day. Four years later, Alfie doesn't know where his father might be, other than that he's away on a special, secret mission. Then, while shining shoes at King's Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name - on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered and confused, Alfie realises his father is in a hospital close by - a hospital treating soldiers with an unusual condition. Alfie is determined to rescue his father from this strange, unnerving place...'

500 WORDS

Half term might be the perfect time to enter this creative writing competition organised by Radio 2!

Search 500 Words 2015 for more information.

WORLD BOOK DAY

A reminder that World Book Day is on Thursday March 5th and there will be lots of book related activities during the second week back. The highlight of which is a visit from author Jon Mayhew, who is also our author of the month.

Pick of the week is Mortlock, a dark and gothic tale set in Victorian London. Josie, a knife thrower in a magician's act doesn't know her brother Alfie, an undertaker's assistant exists. 'Until, that is, three terrible Aunts descend on the girl's house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he has carried to his grave. Cardamom was one of three explorers on an expedition to locate the legendary Amarant, a plant with power over life and death. Now, pursued by flesh-eating crow-like ghuls, brother and sister must decode the message and save themselves from its sinister legacy. ' Suitable for confident readers in Year 7 upwards.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term

FITNESS SUITE Students are now able to use our fantastic new Fitness Suite.

Those students who have completed a Fitness Suite .

Induction and wish to use the facilities must sign up on the day using the sign up sheet on the notice board in the Sports Hall.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, up to a maximum of 28 students for each session.

The following sessions are available: Monday - Y7/8 (mixed) until 4.30p.m.

The Fitness Suite is also open at lunch (second Tuesday - Y7/8 (girls only) until 4.30p.m. break).

Wednesday - Y9/10/11 (girls only) until 4.00p.m.

Any queries please contact Mr Lawson or a member Thursday - Y11/Sixth form (mixed) until 4.30p.m. of the PE staff for more information.

Friday - Y9/10 (mixed) until 4.30p.m.

UPCOMING SPORTS FIXTURES GIRLS NETBALL WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

Macclesfield Academy

3:30pm

Away

WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH

Wilmslow High School

3:30pm

Away

WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH

Fallibroome Academy

3:30pm

Away

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH

Eaton Bank Academy

3:30pm

Away

CRICKET SUCCESS Congratulations to our Boys Under 13's Indoor Cricket Team, who have qualified for the next round after recording the following victories at the Macclesfield District Competition: Won v Tytherington High School Won v Macclesfield Academy Won v Fallibroome Academy Team: James Coombes, Adam Biddulph, Jacob Brown, Henry Alston, Zac Smith, Nicholas Moss.

PE NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS Please make sure students are bringing appropriate clothing to their PE lessons if they are on an outdoor lesson. During extreme weather (and extreme cold conditions as it has been recently) parents are reminded that students can and are advised to wear the following: All Hallows PE trousers (plain black joggers/tracksuit bottoms will also be allowed during the cold weather) All Hallows Black jacket (or a plain black sports jacket/waterproof) All Hallows black fleece Hats (black/dark in colour/plain) Gloves (black/dark in colour/plain) Under-armour/skins/undergarments - as long as red/black or white in colour Also, a reminder that all girls should now own football boots/astro-turf trainers for use on the new 3G Astro-turf pitch.

Many thanks, PE department