All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term
Friday 16 Oct 2015
COLLEGE PRAYER SPECIALISM SUCCESS
The newly rebranded Career Ready (formally CAUK) Programme was officially launched this week with a visit from Steve Bridge, Regional Co-ordinator for NW England. He spoke to students who have applied on line to give them an insight into what to expect in what will be a far more structured programme spanning 18 months of study under the new brand. The Programme is open to all Business and Economics students and is based on a model that integrates employability and enterprise skills. Students can look forward to working with a business mentor, a paid internship and attending a range of masterclasses amongst many other fantastic opportunities. The first masterclass will take place after half term with a second in London on 10 December, when students are due to be formally inducted into The Career Ready Programme at a ceremony at The Dominion Theatre. We wish all our new Career Ready students the very best as they begin this exciting pathway that could help determine their future careers.
Prayer for Mission Sunday Loving Father, You so loved the world that you sent us your only Son, that we might believe in him and have eternal life. May we encounter Jesus Christ anew this day and live the Good News with joy. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to “go out to the whole world and proclaim� our faith with confidence. Give us the courage to witness to the Joy of the Gospel by our words and actions. Help our Communities to become ever more welcoming and missionary, so that you may be known and loved by all people. Amen. FOCUSON: The Spread of the Gospel
NEW SAFEGUARDING WEBSITE FOR PARENTS - PARENT INFO
In schools we have lots of opportunities to learn about safeguarding, particularly the online aspect. Parents on the other hand need access to support too. It is not always easy to encourage parents to meetings about esafety, but it is crucial they understand the risks. The government has recently launched a brand new website to support parents. The website has being developed with ParentZone and CEOP, the police command responsible for child exploitation and online protection. Parent Info is a collection of articles, tips, expert advice and resources designed to help parents keep up with what their children are doing on-line. For example, the site currently includes information about staying safe on Minecraft, mental health, and building online resilience. You can find further information here: http://parentinfo.org/
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Parents are reminded that they should not pick their child up by car from the bus turning circle at the end of the day. The potential for gridlock and the subsequent hazard this would pose for the students, staff and wider community including the emergency services needs to be avoided. The College is grateful for the partnership of the vast majority of parents who already avoid the turning circle at 3.30pm
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
The effects of computer gaming in education A report has been published that provides the findings of how video gaming and social media affects GCSE examination performance. To summarise the investigation found that children who play video games twice a day are less likely to achieve five good GCSE grades. It reported that 41% of children who used portable gaming devices at least twice a day achieved at least five GCSE A* to C grades, compared with 77% of those who used them less than once a week. The 'ICT and Me' report is available as both a report and a video for young people at: www.ncb.org.uk/ictandme. We would be really grateful if you watch the short video (just under 4 minutes long) and ensure your child maximises their chance of success in their education by limiting their access to computer games.
COLLEGE TERM DATES
Term
College Opens to Students
College Closes to Students
Michaelmas
Wednesday 2 September 2015 (Year 7, 12 and 13 in only) Thursday 3 September 2015 (All students in)
Friday 23 October 2015
Christmas
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Friday 18 December 2015
Epiphany
Monday 4 January 2016
Thursday 11 February 2016
Easter
Monday 22 February 2016
Thursday 24 March 2016
Whitsun
Monday 11 April 2016
Thursday 26 May 2016
Trinity
Monday 6 June 2016
Tuesday 19 July 2016
DROP IN SESSIONS 2015/16
PRINCIPAL’S SURGERIES
KS4/5 students 3:30 – 4:30
Tuesday
Science/ Languages Maths
Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates:
3:30-4:30
Monday 30 November 2015, 9.00.a.m. - 10.00.a.m. Tuesday 15 December 2015, 3.45.p.m. - 4.45.p.m.
Wednesday
Art
2:45 – 4:00
Thursday
Product Design
3:30 – 4:30
DAY
SUBJECT
Monday
TIME
There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait
Friday
YEAR 10 AND 11 HOMEWORK CLUB
Homework club for students in Year 10 and 11 has started. Students will be required to attend if they have not completed homework in one or more subject areas for 3 weeks. A student in the homework club will need to demonstrate commitment to their learning by completing their homework to their target grade for a minimum of 3 weeks. The member of staff who requested the students attendance at homework club will then ask for them to be removed. Text messages will be sent to parents Fridays (Year 10) and Tuesday (Year 11) to inform if attendance is required.
“I was hungry and you fed me…” (Matthew 25) Dear Parents and Students as part of our annual Harvest Appeal, families are kindly asked to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries which will in turn be passed to the Tree House Food Kitchen in Macclesfield. Items can be donated to the RE department or through OMEGA House and could include: Tinned meats/Fruit and Savoury Pies, soups, beans. Dried pasta; rice. Biscuits, tea; coffee, sugar. Shower gel; toothpaste etc…. Thank you …. The Sixth Form
UPCOMING EVENTS
October Events
November Events
German Exchange Visitors at All Hallows 18 - 25 October
Royal Shakespeare School’s Festival Production Wednesday 4 November 7.00.p.m.
Year 7 Music Showcase Tuesday 20 October 6.00.p.m.– 7.00.p.m. Wednesday 21 October 6.00.p.m.– 7.00.p.m.
Royal Shakespeare School’s Festival Production Friday 6 November 7.00.p.m.
Year 13 Higher Education Information Evening Wednesday 21 October 7.00.p.m.-8.00.p.m.
Year 12 Retreat Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 November
Year 11 Post 16 Curriculum Evening Thursday 22 October 7.00.p.m.– 9.30.p.m. Gold D of E Assessed exhibition 22-26 October
Year 7 and Year 9 Parent consultation day Thursday 19 November
October Half Term Booster Classes Monday 26 October Tuesday 27 October
Year 11 Retreat Tuesday 24 - Friday 27 November SRE Parents Information Evening Thursday 26 November TRIPS IN 2015/16
Please see the College website for details of trips in this academic year. DUKE OF EDINBURGH FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES
Gold DofE assessed expedition Thursday 22 to Monday 26 October 2015 Congratulations to those students who have made a commitment to work towards their Duke of Edinburgh award. Currently we have 35 students working on their bronze award, 21 on silver and 5 on gold. If any students are unsure, need help or want more detail please see Mrs Connor. Well done to all those who are uploading their evidence for each of the areas on eDofE. If you have not started to do this yet can you please have a go. You will need to have completed two of the three sections before the expedition. Again if you need help with this come and see Mrs Connor. We will be recruiting new members for 2015/16 shortly
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 97.3% (down 1.3% from last week) Year 8 - 96.7% (up 1.1%, well done Year 8) Year 9 - 97.4% (up 1.6%, well done Year 9) Year 10 - 96.1% (up 0.3%, well done Year 10) Year 11 - 92.6% (down 0.5%) Year 12 - 98.0% (up 0.7%, well done Year 12) Year 13 - 95.0% (no change from last week) This was a better week for attendance with four year groups improving and three year groups currently have attendance over 97%. Year 11 are too low for students at this key stage in their education. Attendance between Year 7 and Year 11 last week was 96.0% (up 0.3% from last week but 0.1% lower than the same time last year). Our overall attendance since 2 September 2015 remains at 96.2%. We aim for 97%. Last week GIRLS attendance (Years 7-11) was 95.6% (down 0.7%), BOYS attendance (Year 7-11) was 96.4% (up 1.3%, well done boys). CHANGES TO ATTENDANCE POLICY
From September 2015 the College will change the definition of “persistent absence” we use to include those students who are under 90% attendance. This is in line with national guidelines and increases the threshold from 85% at present. 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 importance issue.
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 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. 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 Diamond/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.
STUDENT SUPPORT ACROSS THE COLLEGE 2015/16
NAME
JOB
Mrs J Pilling
Careers Advisor
Student Support Office
Mrs L Nolan
Visyon Counsellor
Student Support Office
Mrs J Jones and Mrs J Fox
College Nurses
Student Support Office
Mrs P Shatwell
Family Support
Office between rooms A9 and A10
Mrs J Beard and Mrs P Prince
MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
Education
Pastoral Office (ground floor of Fisher Building)
Welfare bullying@allhallowslearning.org.uk beingme@allhallowslearning.org.uk
VENUE
emails will be read by a Senior Teacher
esafety@allhallowslearning.org.uk = Staff Present 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. Mrs Pilling will prioritise Year 10-13, but students in Years 7-9 are welcome to attend her Thursday lunch time drop in. She uses the Student Support Office based next door to Music.
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. 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 to be held each Thursday. 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. Gates are manned by members of staff and names will be taken of those students who are late.
YEAR LEARNING LEADER “DROP IN SURGERIES�
Year 7: will be held on Tuesday 10 November (11.45-12.30) Year 8: will be held on Wednesday 2 December (9.15-10.00) Year 9: will be held on Friday 4 December (2.15-3.00) Year 10: will be held on Monday 14 December (9.00-9.45) Year 11: will be held on Friday 23 October (11.15-11.45) and Friday 11 December (11.15-11.45) 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.
DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY - TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER
Congratulations to the following students who represented All Hallows at the recent Cross-Country Championships at Macclesfield Track. Y7 Roan Clarke Alex Opelt Tom Vitta Owen Wright Hayden Ronan Ethan Rowley Dara Fowler Adam Richardson Yasmin Smith Francesca Bartoli Hannah Wainwright Madeleine Whitehurst Ebony Watt Eleanor Pollard
Y8/9 Alistair Nickson Max Linton Kanta Sibbett Drew Evans Harrison Waddington Sian Heslop Hannah Bristow Rhea Jegge Hannah Booth Orlagh Grimshaw Isabella Moody
Y10/11 Pat Penny Stehen Hughes Ethan Hardman Tom Coates George Tyldsley Tom Silcock Alfie Tyldsley Holly Malins Phoebe Lennon Lucy O'Donovan Holly Robinson
Well done to all students especially the following who will now go on to represent the District Francesca Bartoli , Sian Heslop, Lucy O'Donovan, and also Owen Wright who just missed out finishing 7th. Other excellent performances from Max Linton, Drew Evans, Stephen Hughes, George Tyldsley, Holly Malins and Holly Robinson!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS
Year 8 boys football result in the English Schools Cup Round 1: All Hallows won 3-2 versus Chorlton High School Scorers: Fregapane 1, Speed 1, Box 1 Man of the Match: Patrick Pardillo Year 7 v Eaton Bank Won 8-3 Hayden Ronan - 3 Aidan Butterworth - 4 Owen Wright - 1 Man of the Match Aidan Butterworth
REMINDER 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 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.
EXAMINATION / ASSESSMENT DATES 2015-16 Y11 MOCK EXAM TIMETABLE NOVEMBER 2015
EXAM NOTES
OPTION K (2 Sessions) Monday 9 November: Science, PE & ICT in Assembly Hall. Fine Art, Catering, Drama, H&Soc, Prod Design & Textiles in normal classrooms Monday 16 November: Catering, H&Soc & Drama in Assembly Hall. Fine Art, Science, It, Prod Design, PE & Textiles in normal classrooms OPTION J Wednesday 18 Nov: Business Studies, Geography, IT & Science in Assembly Hall. Wednesday 18 Nov: Catering, Dance & PE in Drama Studio Wednesday 18 Nov: Fine Art, H&Soc, Latin & Music in normal classrooms OTHER 1. Art & Textiles Mock exams: Option J & K Friday 6 November – all day 2. Product Design Mock Exams: Option K – Thursday 5 November – all day 3. Music Mock Exams: Opt J – Wednesday 25 November P7&8, Drama Studio 4. PE Mock Exams: Option J & K – Monday 23 November – all day
IMPORTANT DATES
Date
Exam/Test
12 Oct – 23 Oct 2015
Y7-10 & Y12 Internal Assessments
3 Nov – 6 Nov 2015
GCSE English/Maths/ University Entrance Exams
9 Nov to 18 Nov 2015
Y11 Mock Exams
30 Nov – 11 Dec 2015
Y7-10 & Y12 Internal Assessments
1 Feb – 5 Feb 2016
Y13 Mock Exams
1 Feb – 5 Feb 2016
Y11 Internal Assessment
29 Feb – 4 Mar 2016
Y12 Mock Exams
29 Feb – 4 Mar 2016
Y11 & Y13 Walking Talking Mock Week
7 Mar – 18 Mar 2016
Y7-9 Internal Assessments
7 Mar – 11 Mar 2016
Y10 Mock Exams
Apr – May 2016
GCE/GCSE Languages, PE, Dance, Drama & Art Exams
4 May – 29 Jun 2016
GCE/GCSE Public Exams
13 Jun – 17 Jun 2016
Y7,8 & 9 Mock Exams
13 Jun – 24 Jun 2016
Y10 Assessments
GCE Results Day: Thursday 18th August 2016 GCSE Results Day: Thursday 25th August 2016
USEFUL INFORMATION Welcome to the Library! Monday - Thursday 8.15.a.m. - 5.00.p.m. Friday 8.15.a.m. - 4.00.p.m. The library is open before school, during breaks and after school for students to research, complete homework, browse the shelves, read and return books.
BOOKBUZZ BOOKS I have been advised that our order is currently being processed and will be delivered after half term,so not long to wait! In the meantime, if students want to read any of the books on the shortlist there is a set in the library to borrow from. The winners of our Bookbuzz competition were Lily Ward 7BS Holly PIck 7BS Lily Smith 7JP Madeline Ward 7JP Ethan Rowley 7TR Finley Walker 7JBA Henry Johnson 7TL
YEAR 7 - USING ACCELERATED READER Now all year 7 students have completed their Start Reading Test and have been assigned their levels, they can begin reading and quizzing. Unfortunately, students can not quiz from home, so as soon as they have finished a book they should pop into the library and complete a quiz. There is a reward of a merit and edible treat if a student gets 100% on a quiz! There is presentation on how to quiz called 'Using Accelerated Reader' in the Library Folder on the Student Shared drive.
OVERDUE BOOKS The holiday would be a good time for students to search for their overdue books, ready to return on Tuesday 3rd November.
RECOMMENDED READS The Company of Ghosts by Berlie Doherty. A spooky tale just right for a dark Autumn night! ' The Company of Ghosts' by award winning writer Berlie Doherty, tells the story of Ellie. 'Ellie is excited to be going with Morag's family to their beautiful island but when she finds herself abandoned there, things begin to change. Footsteps, shadows, strange lights, a haunting song: more and more she becomes aware that she is not really on her own...
Educational Psychology Team Drop-in Sessions 2015/16 Parents, carers and education professionals; do you have any questions or concerns about the well-being, behaviour, learning or development of your child or a child that you work with? (Parental consent required for staff).
‘Drop in’ and speak to an Educational Psychologist. We will be holding free 45 minutes sessions for parents/carers and educational professionals in Children’s Centres between October and December 2015, January and March 2016, April and June 2016; booking is recommended. Conversations tend to be more open and productive without the focus child present; please do not feel you need to bring your child out of school. Pre-school children MAY be able to join a session on a one-off basis if no alternative child care facilities are available. Please enquire with the individual centre when booking. Please telephone the host Children’s Centre to book an appointment and please let them know if you cannot attend.
Oakenclough (01625 374 180)
7rd October
Nantwich
13th January
Broken Cross
27th April
9.15-12.15
(01270 375 390)
9.15-12.15
(01625 374 470)
9.15-12.15
Ash Grove
27th January
Ash Grove
4th May
(01625 374 484)
9.15-12.15
(01625 374 484)
9.15-12.15
Knutsford
3rd February
11th May
(01625 374 904)
9.15-12.15
Congleton & Holmes Chapel
& Poynton (01625 383 090) Knutsford
14th October
(01625 374 904)
9.15-12.15
Congleton & Holmes Chapel
11th November
Hurdsfield
25th November
(01625 378 081)
9.15-12.15
Monks Coppenhall (01270 371 240)
Sandbach (01270 371 235)
(01260 371 061)
9.15-12.15
(01260 371 061)
2nd December
Hurdsfield
24th February
(01625 378 081)
9.15-12.15
Broken Cross (01625 374 470)
Sandbach
18th May
(01270 371 235)
9.15-12.15
Nantwich
8th June
(01270 375 390)
9.15-12.15
The Brooks
15th June
(01270 371200)
9.15-12.15
2nd March 9.15-12.15
9.15-12.15
9th December 9.15-12.15
9.15-12.15
The Brooks
9th March
(01270 371200)
9.15-12.15