AHCC Newsletter 16 Sept 2016

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 16 Sept 2016

COLLEGE PRAYER

SPECIALISM SUCCESS The Languages Faculty is, once again, celebrating excellent A Level Languages results. Our student performance places us in the top 20% of the national performance tables for the second year running and we are even more proud to say that the majority of students secured places at university to continue their pursuit of languages.

Congratulations to the staff and students of the class of 2016!

Prayer for Home Mission Sunday O God, who sent your Son in to the world as the true light, pour out the Spirit he promised to sow the seeds of truth in people's hearts.

Awaken our faith, we pray, so that, walking in the ways of salvation and love we may call all people to be one in Christ.

We ask this prayer through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

TRANSPORT

PARENTS AS PARTNERS Please check your sons and daughters bags for the letter about Show my homework. It is a great new website where you can keep in touch with our child's homework and see how they are getting on.

USE OF I-WATCHES IN COLLEGE The College is reviewing the use of i-watches by students across Years 7 to 11. In the meantime they are not to be brought into College in any circumstances. Such i-watches are already banned by exam boards and we have had several instances already this term where students have openly used them as mobile phones. Phones, as you know, are allowed into College but be switched off and not used between 8.45 and 3.30 (2.45 on Wednesday). We will update parents when the review is complete

The College has regrettably had to make an increase in bus fares in order to cover the increasing costs of the school bus service. As well as the contributions from parents via passes and daily fares, the College makes a significant contribution to the annual cost of the bus service. There have been a number of increases in those costs, including those arising from the mandatory implementation of the national living wage earlier this year and the College is not able to absorb all of the increase, hence the recent changes to fares.

Please note that the daily return fare on the school bus is now ÂŁ4. A daily single fare is ÂŁ3.

Annual and Termly Passes continue to offer significant savings by buying in advance. Full details of all prices and bus times are on the College websitehttp:// www.allhallows.org.uk/parent-information/transporttrips/transport-booklet/

TERM DATES 2016/2017 Term

College Open to Students

College Closes to Students

Michaelmas

Tuesday 6 September 2016 (Year 7, 12 and 13 in only) Wednesday 7 September 2016 (All students in)

Friday 28 October 2016

Christmas

Monday 7 November 2016

Friday 16 December 2016

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

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 16 Sept 2016

UPCOMING TRIPS/DATES /EVENTS September

October

November

Wednesday 7– Sunday 18 September Student Attainment Targets Issued Y8-13

Thursday 6 October Open Morning 9.30-11.00am

Monday 31 October Friday 4 November Year 7 Literacy and Numeracy Catch Up

Monday 19 September Open Evening 7-9.30pm

Year 7 Service of Welcome 6-7pm

Year 11 Extra En Ma

Wednesday 28 September Year 7 and 10 Photographs Thursday 29 September Open Morning 9.30-11.00am Year 7 Parents’ Curriculum Evening En/Ma/Sc/La 6-7.30pm

Year 11 Languages Booster Classes Friday 7 October PTA Year 6, 7, 8 Disco 6-8pm

Monday 7—Thursday 10 November Y8 Geography Field Work Lion Salt Works

Dance Trip to Lowry Thursday 13 October Open Morning 9.30-11.00am Target Setting Parental Information Evening 7-8pm Y12 into 13 Geography Field Work Friday 14 October Y12 into 13 Geography Field Work

Monday 14 November Y11 Mock Exams Y13 Assessments Sunday 13—Sunday 20 November German Exchange UK Wednesday 16—Friday 18 November Y12 Retreat Tuesday 22—Friday 25 November Yr11 Retreat Thursday 24 November PTA Shopping Trip Trafford Centre 3.45-9pm

Y11 and 13 Academic Reviews Issued Thursday 20 October E-safety Awareness Parents’ Information Evening 6-7.30pm Friday 21 October PTA Quiz Night 7-10pm Thursday 27 October Year 11 Post 16 Curriculum Evening 7-9.30pm ATTENDANCE MATTERS Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 99.1% Year 8 - 98.9% Year 9 - 98.3% Year 10 - 98.7% Year 11 -97.6% Year 12 - 99.7% Year 13 -97.9% Attendance between Year 7 and Year 11 last week was 98.6%. We completed last year with 95.5% attendance. We aim for 97% attendance.

Last week GIRLS attendance (Years 7-11) was 98.6%, BOYS attendance (Years 7-11) was 98.6%.

Thursday 1 December SRE Parents’ Information Evening 7-8pm

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 16 Sept 2016

CHANGES TO ATTENDANCE POLICY From September 2015 the College changed the definition of “persistent absence” we use to include those students who are under 90% attendance. This is in line with national guidelines and increased 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 an 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 Holiday absence from College - please see our website for an update on holidays regarding the recent High Court ruling.

Holidays have not been authorised since 1st September 2013 under 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.

STUDENT SUPPORT ACROSS THE COLLEGE 2016-17 NAME Mrs J Pilling Mrs L Nolan Mrs R Czerwinski

JOB MON Careers Advisor Visyon Counsellor College Nurse

Mrs P Shatwell

Family Support

Mrs J Beard and Mrs P Prince

Education Welfare

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

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

VENUE Student Support Office Student Support Office Student Support Office Office between rooms A9 and A10 Pastoral Office (ground floor of Fisher Building)

emails will be read by a Senior Teacher

= 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.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term Friday 16 Sept

2016

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.

EXTRA CURRICULAR This week the netballers had a tough ask after just one practice to play Kings girls school in the first full week of this school year.

All teams tried their best and had some really nice play at times with great attitudes towards the game.

Results and player of the match are as follows: 7A - 16 - 3 to Kings POM Sophie Watson 7B - 20 - 1 to Kings POM Olivia Chapman Year 8 - 24 - 13 to Kings POM Maddie Whitehurst Year 9 - 20 - 12 to Kings POM Molly McKnicholas Year 10 - 21 - 1 to Kings POM Katie Whyatt and Rosa Hart Seniors - 25 - 10 to Kings POM Holly Malins.

Well done girls a tough start to the season practices this week are: Monday - 10's and seniors Tuesday 8 and 9's Thursday year 7 and recreational'/development all years We then take on Wilmslow at home on Wednesday 21st September.

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 16 Sept 2016

PE EXTRA CURRICULAR

EXTRA CURRICULAR PERFORMING ARTS

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

BORROWING BOOKS Welcome back to all our current and new readers!

For new readers: Borrowing Books Years 7 - 11 can borrow 2 books for 2 weeks Year 12 & 13 3 books for 3 weeks.

Friday 16 Sept 2016

LIBRARY OPENING HOURS

Monday - Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 4pm

LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS Over the summer the Site Team have worked hard to transform the library into a lighter and brighter space, with new colour walls and carpeting! I am now working on developing the role the library has in supporting our students and staff in their learning and teaching.

RECOMMENDED READ Author of the Month for September is Roald Dahl.

This week's recommended read is Boy 'Boy, Roald Dahl's bestselling autobiography, is full of hilarious anecdotes about his childhood and school days, illustrated by Quentin Blake. As a boy, all sorts of unusual things happened to Roald Dahl. There was the time he and four school friends got their revenge on beastly Mrs Prachett in her sweet shop. There are stories of holidays in fishing boats, African adventures and the days of tasting chocolate for Cadbury's. You'll hear tales of horrible school bullies and the motor-car accident when Roald's nose was nearly sliced clean off...Roald Dahl vividly shares his memories; some are funny. Some are painful. Some are unpleasant. All are true.'

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Wednesday Break 1 - Lego Club Friday Break 2 - Games Club, including Chess.

Other activities will be starting as the term progresses - more information will be sent out via form tutors.

OVERDUE BOOKS Please search for any overdue school library books at home and send them in. It doesn't matter how long they've been gathering dust!

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 16 Sept 2016

Volunteering Oppurtunity

Macclesfield Seals, a swimming club for people with disabilities, are looking for volunteers. 

Just one hour a week at Macclesfield Leisure Centre (SK10 4AF)  Every Friday between 7.30pm and 8.30pm  Our current volunteer are range is 14—81 Please contact us for more details: Facebook: Macclesfield Seal Swimming Club E-Mail: macc.seals@ntlworld.com Text: 07768 405409 Pat Breen: 01625 615518 or 07944521446

Creation Calendar Celebrating

More Information

Palm Oil

The Season of Creation Day by day

** Thursday 1st Sept World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation http:// cafod.org.uk/News/Campaigning-news/ World-Day-of-Prayer ** Sunday 11th September Picnic and Walk 3 pm in West Park

Why should we be concerned with Palm Oil in the things we buy ?

1st September to 4th October 2016

In 2015, in the spirit of his encyclical Laudato Si’ Pope Francis instituted the annual “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” on 1st September A number of Christian bodies including the Columban Fathers have for some time marked the period from September 1st to the feast of St Francis of Assisi October 4th as as a time of wonder, thanksgiving and praise

The Justice and Peace Group warmly invite you to join in some or all of this period of daily reflection, enjoyment and action as stewards of creation.

** Thursday 29th September 7.30 pm “Climate Change – Why should you care?”

Macclesfield Library A simple and compelling presentation of the facts about global warming. This event is supported by Macclesfield Churches in HOPE. ** Sunday 2nd October Laudato Si Ramble 2.00pm the Roaches ** Details about these events in the Season of Creation will appear on St Alban’s website http:// www.stalbanmacc.org.uk/ and in the St Alban’s Weekly Newsletter and Monthly News.

October 8th Week of Action - HOPE Petition.

The Climate Coalition is a group dedicated to action on climate change . It has more 100plus members (inc Cafod, Christian Aid and Tearfund.) It is calling for action to influence MPs. HOPE Churchgoers will be asked to sign a petition.

Pope Francis in Laudato Si’: “ Purchasing is always a moral and not simply economic act”. …the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle”.

Palm oil production often involves felling virgin rainforest, reducing biodiversity, destroying the habitat of endangered species such as orangutans, elephants and tigers and ruining the livelihoods of local people.

World consumption of palm oil is set to double by 2050. Millions of hectares of rainforest in Malaysia and Indonesia have already been devastated. The large scale producers have now turned their attention to the Congo Basin rainforests in central Africa.

More information at: http:// www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/ media.ashx/38436-Rainforest-Foundation -UK-Palm-Oil-Guide-2016.pdf

Plan how you can tell someone else about God’s creation tomorrow and our responsibility to be good stewards

Choose a special hymn or song to help you praise God for his creation together today

Review your use of electricity at home. Are all your light bulbs LED or energy saving?

Could you turn off some of your electrical items more often or overnight?

19

Think about what you might say to God if you wrote him a letter about how you were taking care of his creation

26

Do your savings or pension promote clean energy? Ask if your savings are being invested in risky fossil fuel projects or helping to build a more sustainable world

3

Join in the Picnic and Walk with nature games and activities in West Park at 3.00pm to celebrate God’s creation with other families

18

Make some biscuits or cakes with Fairtrade products and share them with a neighbour or friend

25

Light a candle to pray for someone who is affected by climate change

2

Join in the Laudato Si Ramble at Pray for anyone who has been the Roaches at 2.00pm. 2.75 hurt in an accident or natural mile walk to reflect on and apdisaster. preciate God’s creation followed by tea and cakes at a local tea room

14

13

12

11

Celebration of the patron saint of animals and ecology – details will be announced nearer the time

4 Feast of St Francis of Assisi

Collect some non-perishable food items together and take them to the blue bin at the back of St. Albans Church to support local homeless young people

27

Take a break from consuming and buy nothing today

20

Collect some toys or clothes together that you don’t use any more and take them to a charity shop

Come along to the “Climate Change – Why should you care?” Lecture at Macclesfield Library at 7.30 pm

29

When doing your shopping think about selecting products without palm oil in them.

To find which products to choose see the back page of the leaflet. PTO for note.

When doing your work today think about what impact you are having on God’s creation and whether you can change the way you do things to reduce your impact

28

22

21

Turn off the television, computer, mobile etc. and spend half an hour going for a walk or other activity in God’s natural world. Invite your family or others to join you.

15

Have a meatless or vegan meal, When doing your shopping if possible shared with others. think about selecting products Meat and cheese both have a with less packaging large carbon footprint.

Could you do this more often during the season?

Consider how many bottles of water or soft drinks you buy.

Could you replace these with tap water in reusable bottle

Create or select a new family prayer about God’s creation that you can say together each day during the season

8

7

Remember to say Grace before eating your meal today, and throughout the season, thanking God for creating the food and for the people who have helped produce it

2

1 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Share some of your experiences from the Season of Creation by putting a post on social media or writing an item for the church or school newsletter

Come and see the children’s Art Exhibition at St Alban’s Parish Centre from 7.30p.m. and join us in a drink to celebrate all that we have achieved during the Season of Creation

1

Make simple crosses from twigs you have picked up in the garden or park. Place them around your home

Work out how much cash you save by not eating meat one day a week and give that money to a charity

30

24

Consider switching electricity suppliers to a green source.

You can find out more at: www.greenelectricity.org

Take stock of what you’ve done so far in the Season of Creation. How are you getting on?

What more could you do to take better care of God’s creation?

23

17

At bedtime sit and think about God’s creation for a few moments – what have you done this week to take care of it?

10

Think about how you travel each day during the season.

Could any of your journeys be walked, cycled or by bus to reduce the use of our cars?

3

Saturday

16

Pray for the people in the world who can’t afford to eat regularly

9

Take a jar and collect a small piece of creation each day to put in it, e.g. a leaf, a twig, a Take time to pray thanking God pebble. As you do this thank for his creation and our freeGod for his creation and ask for dom to enjoy it. Reflect on how his help to be good stewards of your life takes care of His crea- all his gifts tion and its impact on our neighbours around the world

Friday

Thursday

6

5

Wednesday

4

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term Friday 16 Sept 2016

CREATION CALENDAR CONTINUED