13 Jan 17

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term Friday 13 Jan 2017

College Prayer Prayer for Christian Unity & Peace God of unity & reconciliation, Following Jesus' example, make us witnesses to your love.

May we become instruments of justice, peace and solidarity.

May your Spirit move us towards concrete actions that lead to unity.

May walls be transformed into bridges.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer focus: Christian Unity

Principal’s Surgery Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates: Tuesday 24 January 2017, 3.30pm - 4.30pm Wednesday 8 February 2017, 9am - 10am There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait.

Finesse Our uniform supplier "Finesse" are offering 10% discount for the month of January.

Specialism Success

Parent Consultation Day

The Languages Department is celebrating more University entrance success this year; all of our Year 13 linguists have secured places at various establishments to continue their language studies.

Ellie Wade will study Linguistics and Spanish, Kelly Mbouala will study French and Business and Emily Rafferty has opted to do a prestigious Liberal Arts course, through which she can study French.

These successes are a real testament not only to our language teaching across all Key Stages, but to the students themselves for showing the resilience, the dedication and the passion it takes to succeed in advanced study of languages.

These students are now part of the long-standing All Hallows Languages Department tradition of students continuing their language study beyond A Level. Congratulations to all!

Years 11, 12 and 13 Parent Consultation Day Wednesday 25 January 2017 9am – 7pm Please see below for what each year group will be expected to do:  Year 7 - Attend College for work related learning activity day, normal College times 8.45am-2.45pm.  Year 8 - Home study – stay at home this day, work will be set by the Languages Faculty.  Year 9 - Careers day, normal College times 8.45am-2.45pm.  Year 10 - Home study – stay at home this day, work will be set by the English Faculty.  Year 11 - Attend for appointments with parents.

Science reading blog at home and home study when not attending appointments.  Year 12/13 - Attend for appointments with parents. Home study when not attending appointments.

More detail can be found on the website. Schedules for further Parent Consultation Days in February and April are likely to change, so please look out for further information in the near future.

Parents As Partners

THE NEW TERM Parents, please can you check your child’s equipment for learning, uniform and PE kit and replenish any items as necessary. Every student should carry with them everyday a pen, pencil, Attendance Policy ruler, and their planner, in addition to their exercise Please note that from 1 January 2017 the College books and textbooks. A calculator is also required has a new attendance policy in force. This can be for Mathematics, Bible for RE and dictionaries for viewed on our website with changes highlighted in languages and English. Thank you. yellow.

Upcoming Dates/Trips and Events January

February

March

Friday 20 January Years 11 + 13 Resit Results issued

Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 February An Evening in America 7pm—9pm (College Production)

Monday 6 March Year 11 Meningitis Vaccinations

Saturday 21 January PTA Ice Skating 9am-12.30pm

Wednesday 15—Wednesday 22 February German Exchange Cologne

Wednesday 25 January Years 11, 12 and 13 Parent Consultation Day 9am – 7pm Friday 27—Sunday 29 January PE Trip to High Adventure Outdoor Centre

February Half term Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February Booster Classes Years 10,11 and 6th form students by invitation Monday 20 February PTA Harry Potter World 8am—6pm Tuesday 28 February Years 8 and 10 Parent Consultation Day 9am – 7pm

Wednesday 8 March 6th Form Showcase Evening 7-9pm (Performing Arts) Thursday 16 March Y8 Pathways Evening 7-9.30pm Saturday 25 March PTA Bowling/Laser Quest 9am-12.30pm Sunday 26—Saturday 1 April Barcelona Trip Monday 27—Thursday 30 March Y7 Geography Field Work Tuesday 28 March Y11 Key Marginal Students’ Evening En/Ma/Sc/La 6-8pm Lenten Services of Reconciliation

Term

College Open to Students

Thursday 30— 4 April Iceland Trip College Closes to Students

Epiphany

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Friday 17 February 2017

Easter

Monday 27 February 2017

Friday 31 March 2017

Whitsun

Tuesday 18 April 2017

Friday 26 May 2017

Trinity

Monday 5 June 2017

Friday 21 July 2017

Term Dates 2016/2017

Term Dates 2017/2018 Term

Michaelmas

College Open to Students

Tuesday 5 September 2017 (Years 7, 12 and 13 in only) Wednesday 6 September 2017 (All students in)

College Closes to Students

Friday 20 October 2017

Christmas

Monday 30 October 2017

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Epiphany

Monday 8 January 2018

Thursday 15 February 2018

Easter

Monday 26 February 2018

Thursday 29 March 2018

Whitsun

Monday 16 April 2018

Friday 25 May 2018

Trinity

Monday 4 June 2018

Tuesday 24 July 2018

PTA Trips Ice skating trip Saturday 21 January £10 per person includes return coach from College. We will meet at the bus turning circle at 9am and return at approximately 12.15pm . Please pay on Parent Pay asap and collect medical forms from Mrs Heaton in F21 if you have not already filled one in for PTA trips this year.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 97.3% (up 2.8% on last week, well done Year 7) Year 8 - 96.4% (up 0.4%, well done Year 8) Year 9 - 94.2% (down 1.2%) Year 10 - 96.0% (up 2.1%, well done Year 10) Year 11 -95.2% (up 2.3%, well done Year 11) Year 12 - 95.5% (down 0.3%) Year 13 - 93.7% (up 1.0%, but still low Year 13) Attendance between Year 7 and Year 11 last week was 95.8% (up 1.2% on last week and 0.3% higher than the same time last year). Since September our overall attendance across Year 7 to Year 11 remains at 95.8%. We aim for 97% attendance.

Last week GIRLS attendance (Years 7-11) was 95.6% (up 1.3%), BOYS attendance (Years 7-11) was 96.0% (up 1.2%). Since the start of September Year 7-11 girls attendance is 95.6% and boys attendance is 95.9%.

The gap between girls and boys remains at 0.3%.

Medical Absence From College

The link between attendance and achievement is well researched and documented and students Whilst the College requires parents to contact us on should be aiming for an attendance rate of no less than 97% over the year. Thank you for your each day of absence, school policy now requires continued support with this importance issue. 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 Medical Appointments During measure as we closely monitor absence due to The College Day illness / medical reasons in order that we can ensure students are supported where needed.

Students must sign out at the Attendance Office For your information medical confirmation does not before leaving College to attend a medical appointment. When they return to College the have to be a doctor's note but can also take the student must sign back in. This ensures registers will form of a medical appointment card, a copy of a be accurate and we know the student is off site relevant dated prescription or evidence of should we have a fire alarm. The Attendance Office medication being taken.

If no medical evidence is provided then the absence is located in an office along the RE corridor. We thank parents for making medical appointments, will be coded as unauthorised. Ten or more unauthorised absences may result in you receiving a where possible, that do not take up a whole day of schooling. This often allows a student to have their Fixed Penalty Notice. This incurs a penalty of £60 legal registration mark for both morning and per parent / carer to be paid within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to £120 per parent / afternoon sessions and so their overall attendance does not fall. 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.

Holiday Absence From College

Careers Advisor, this year then please notify the relevant Year Learning Leader who can ensure names are added to the list. Mrs Pilling will Holiday absence from College - please see our website for an update on holidays regarding the prioritise Year 10-13, but students in Years 7-9 are welcome to attend her Thursday lunch time drop in.

High Court ruling earlier this year.

She uses the Student Support Office based next Holidays have not been authorised since 1st door to Music.

September 2013 under legislation on all English schools. Requests for holidays must still be made in writing to the appropriate Key Stage leader (Mrs Being Punctual At All Hallows Garvey KS5, Mrs Marshall or Mr Blades KS4/KS3), but in the vast majority of cases they will be Most students appreciate the importance of being unauthorised. A Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued in College on time. Children who are regularly late of £60 per parent / carer per student, to be paid do miss out on their education and form bad habits within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to that will not be tolerated in the workplace. £120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will We need to inform parents that students must be in proceed to the Magistrates Court where you will the registration form class for the register to be receive a criminal record if you are found guilty. taken at 8.45a.m. This means students should arrive Please can all holiday requests be made well in 5-10 minutes earlier in College to be on time. advance of the holiday being taken if not before the holiday is booked.

Any student who arrives after 8.45a.m. will receive an L code. Two L codes within a week will result in a whole college detention to be held each Thursday.

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

From September 2015 the College changed the definition of “persistent absence” we use to include those students who are under 90% attendance. This We are aware that College buses are sometimes is in line with national guidelines and increased the late and we can confirm these students are not negatively marked in the register when this threshold from 85% previously. happens.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Careers Advice For Students Gates are manned by members of staff and names will be taken of those students who are late.

If any parent would like their son or daughter to have a careers interview with Mrs Pilling, our

Drop In Sessions 2016/17 DAY Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

SUBJECT Geography Controlled Assessment Catch up

TIME 1:15 – 2:00p.m.

Maths Drop-In ADT Science Revision ADT ADT Product Design

3:30—4:30p.m.

1:15 – 2:00p.m.

3:30—4:30p.m.

12.45—1.15p.m.

1:15 – 2:00p.m.

11:15 – 11:30a.m. and 1:15 – 2:00p.m.

3:30p.m.

11:15 – 11:45a.m.

English Revision Science Drop-In

Performing Arts Extra Curricular Activities 2016/17

DURING COLLEGE ACTIVITY

AFTER COLLEGE

Performing Arts Extra Curricular Activities 2016/17 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Brass Group KS3 Drama Singing Club 1:30–2:00 Club 11:15–11:45 Miss V 1:15–2:00 Ms R Douglas Elliott (E2) Miss J (E2) Pridding (Drama Studio) Back to the 80’s 3:30-4:30 Miss J Pridding (Drama Studio)

Inspire Orchestra 3:30–4:30 Miss V Elliott (E1)

Junior Band 2:45–3:15 Mrs L Howard (E2)

KS3 Chase Dance company 3:30–4:30 Miss S Mellor (Dance Studio)

Boys Break Dancing 3:30–4:30 Mr R Prince (Dance Studio)

FRIDAY

Inspire Choir 3:30–4:30 Mr J Andrews (E1) Inspire Dance Company 3:30–4:30 Miss S Mellor (Dance Studio)

Student Support Across The College 2016-17 NAME Mrs J Pilling Mrs L Nolan

JOB Careers Advisor Visyon Counsellor

MON TUES WED THUR FRI

VENUE Student Support Office Student Support Office

Mrs R Czerwinski

College Nurse

Student Support Office

Mrs P Shatwell

Family Support

Office between rooms A9 and A10

Mrs J Beard and Mrs P Prince

Education Welfare

Pastoral Office (ground floor of Fisher Building)

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

emails will be read by a Senior Teacher

= Staff Present

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Christmas Term

Girls Sports The Cheshire Lacrosse trials were held last Sunday. A huge well done to three girls from All Hallows (who currently play with Poynton Lacrosse Club) who successfully made it through to the Cheshire teams! Eva Campbell, Yazmin Smith and Isabelle Penswick in Year 8 will all be attending training and matches over the next few weeks as County representatives.

A fantastic achievement, well done!

After School PE Clubs Monday lunch (Break 2): Fitness Suite (all Years) Basketball (Y7-9 in the Sports Hall) Monday after school until 4.30/4.45 Girls Netball (Y9-13) Girls Football (all Years) Boys Rugby (all Years) Boys Football (Y9) Academy Football training (Y12/13) Girls gymnastics (Y7/8) Wednesday after school until 4.30 Netball fixtures (certain pre-arranged dates) Academy Football fixtures Sports Leaders club (dates to be confirmed) Girls rugby (all Years). 3-4

Friday lunch (Break 2) Fitness Suite (all Years) Friday after school until 4.30/4.45 Fitness suite (All Years)

Tuesday lunch (Break 2) Fitness Suite (all Years) Tuesday after school until 4.30/4.45 Cross-country/running club (all Years) Girls Netball (Y7/8) Boys Football (Y8) GCSE Girls Trampolining Fitness Suite (all Years) Academy Football training (Y12/13) Thursday lunch (Break 2) Basketball (Y10-13 in the Sports Hall) Thursday after school until 4.30/4.45 Boys Football (Y7) Boys Football (Y10) Boys Football (Y11) Fitness Suite (All Years)

Library Opening Hours Monday - Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 4pm

Library Information Borrowing Books Years 7 - 11 can borrow 2 books for 2 weeks Year 12 & 13, 3 books for 3 weeks.

Diary Competition We are offering one copy of 'How to Dork Your Diary' and 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do It Yourself' as prizes for the best cartoon style diary entry from Year 7 and 8 students. All the compettion details are available from form tutors, English teachers or the library. The competition deadline is Monday 16th of January, so get creating!

thirsty, starving. But alive. How is that possible? He remembers dying, his bones breaking, his skull dashed upon the rocks. So how is he is here? And where is this place? It looks like the suburban English town where he lived as a child, before an unthinkable tragedy happened and his family moved to America. But the neighbourhood around his old house is overgrown, covered in dust and completely abandoned. What's going on? And why is it that whenever he closes his eyes, he falls prey to vivid, agonizing memories that seem more real than the world around him? Seth begins a search for answers, hoping that he might not be alone, that this might not be the hell he fears it to be, that there might be more than just this...'

Cheshire School Book Award 2017

Cheshire School Book Award 2017 is officially open!

This annual county wide award is for all secondary Recommended Reads school students, their teachers, parents and governors to vote in. The deadline for votes is Author of the Month - January is: Patrick Ness Friday May 19th, so there is plenty of time to read Log onto: http:// and comment on your favourite read. Voting slips patrickness.com/ for more are available from Ms Sinclair in the library. There information about the twice are multiple copies of the books available from the Carnegie Medal Winning author.

AHCC library as well as your local public library.

This week's Recommended Read is: More Than This - a young adult book that is different and gripping. (Suitable for year 9 readers upwards) 'From two-time Carnegie Medal winner Patrick Ness comes an enthralling and provocative new novel chronicling the life - or perhaps afterlife - of a teen trapped in a crumbling, abandoned world. A boy called Seth drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments, losing his life as the pounding sea claims him. But then he wakes. He is naked,

And the nominations are: The Novice by Taran Matharu https:// www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/ may/11/taran-mathuru-fantasy-races-racismsummoner-the-novice Flawed by Cecelia Ahern http://uk.ceceliaahern.com/ Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine https:// www.harpercollins.co.uk/cr-101671/jennyvalentine The Box of Demons by Daniel Whelan http:// danielwhelan.co.uk/ The House on Hummingbird Lane by Sam Angus http://samangus.com/

Unboxed by Non Pratt http:// www.simonandschuster.com/authors/NonPratt/412376243 A Seven Letter Word by Kim Slater http:// kimslater.com/ Over the coming weeks I will be reviewing the books but in the meantime, check out the links to each author. Please note that the books are for varying age groups and may well have some older teenage style content and occasional adult language.

Bookbuzz and Beyond Book

Groups Some of the teachers and teaching assistants are busy reading books from the Year 7 Bookbuzz list, as well as some other reading group books we have recently taken delivery of. Towards the end of this half term they will be holding a short 'book chat' where students who have read one of the books can join them. Details about the scheme have been passed on to tutors and English teachers. Any students with questions can see Ms Sinclair in the library. More details to follow.

Forthcoming PTA events 2016-2017  

    

Ice skating Saturday 21st Jan Harry Potter World W/C Monday 20th Feb (in our half term) (siblings and parents welcome- going on the train from Macclesfield) Bowling / laser quest - Saturday 25th March Splash Landings - Saturday 22nd April (children need to be able to swim) Chester Zoo Saturday 13th May Blackpool Pleasure Beach Saturday 17th June Year 6 &7 Disco Friday 7th July

For more info or to discuss individual needs please contact a.heaton@allhallows.org.uk Or pop in to see me in F21

Overdue Books Please search at home for any overdue AHCC school library or education Library Service books as we still have many missing that our students would like to read. It doesn't matter how old they are!

“Salt & Light” Teens weekend 3rd - 5th February 2017 Soli House, Alton Castle The Lay Community of St Benedict warmly invites you to join us for an action packed weekend at Soli House this February!

Over the weekend we will be looking at the theme of “Salt and Light” - reflecting on how Jesus calls us all the preserve the faith and to share the faith with everyone. We will be looking to the Saints and Mary for examples of this and examine how their example can inspire us and help us in the mission set for us by Jesus.

The weekend will include input and discussions, time to relax and make new friends, times of prayer, opportunities to receive the sacraments, a chance to explore the beautiful Churnet Valley, a chance to take part in a number of activities and opportunities to reflect on the rule of St Benedict.

The weekend is a chance to grow in your faith through exploring your relationship with God, making friends and having a truly excellent time. The retreat will run from 6pm on Friday 3rd February and run until 2pm on Sunday 5th. This weekend is for teenagers and it would be brilliant if you were able to bring a friend with you on retreat.

The full cost of the weekend is £60 but if this is too much for you to pay please contact Chris Walker or myself who will see what can be done to assist. Once you book in, you will receive a more detailed info sheet about the weekend and practical requirements. If you have any questions or concerns, please drop me an email at the email below. Hope to see you in February!

God Bless, Tom Machin (LCSB Teens Co-ordinator) TMachin@sgfl.org.uk chrisxwalker@doctors.org.uk