27 Jan 17

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term Friday 27 Jan 2017

College Prayer

Parents As Partners

Prayer for the Feast of Candlemas and the All Hallows Faith Day (February 2) Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, as you were presented in the Temple.

Please can parents ensure coats are in line with College policy. Under normal circumstances students should not be picked up or dropped of at reception! Please use the student gate in the bus turning circle

We pray for our Faith Day, that through our ministry and the ministry of our visitors, our young people's lives will be touched by your love, and that your light will be revealed to all.

We ask this in your name.

Amen.

Prayer focus: Faith Day

Specialism Success Saturday 28th January is Chinese New Year, a perfect opportunity to celebrate Mandarin learning at All Hallows and gives us all an occasion to incorporate an international dimension to our classes over the coming week. With a rich heritage in the sciences and the arts every subject is able to identify a link, or even Preparing for Learning with an ancient Chinese proverb, students would be enriched and engaged in a way they didn’t expect.

Watch out for activities from the Languages Department to help you do this! 鸡年吉祥! Jínián jíxiáng! Good luck for this Rooster year!

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Confirmation 2017 A "Come & See Evening" will take place in the St. Alban's RC Church Parish Centre on Tuesday January 31 at 7.45 pm for parents and candidates in Year 8 and above who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.

The evening, which will finish at 9.00 pm, will give details about the programme and provide the opportunity for candidates to enrol.

Ring Rosemarie McBride for further details on 01625 422621.

PTA Trips Forthcoming PTA trips- please pay on parent pay 

Harry Potter World - £50 Monday 20th Feb (half term) waiting list only  Tubing at Stoke Ski Centre Saturday 4th March £15  Splash Landings Saturday 22nd April 2017 £15  Chester Zoo Saturday 13th May £15  Blackpool Pleasure Beach Saturday 17th June Principal’s Surgery £20 Next Academic Year: Lowry Theatre to see Elf Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Wednesday 13th December 2017 £35 Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates: Wednesday 8 February 2017, 9am - 10am There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait.

Upcoming Dates/Trips and Events January

February

March

Friday 27—Sunday 29 January PE Trip to High Adventure Outdoor Centre

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

Monday 6 March Year 11 Meningitis Vaccinations Wednesday 8 March 6th Form Showcase Evening 7-9pm (Performing Arts)

Wednesday 15—Wednesday 22 February German Exchange Cologne

Thursday 16 March Y8 Pathways Evening 7-9.30pm

February Half term Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February Booster Classes Years 10,11 and 6th form students by invitation

Saturday 25 March PTA Bowling/Laser Quest 9am-12.30pm Sunday 26—Saturday 1 April Barcelona Trip

Monday 20 February PTA Harry Potter World 8am—6pm Tuesday 28 February Years 8 and 10 Parent Consultation Day 9am – 7pm

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 Dates 2016/2017 Term

College Open to Students

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

Thursday 30— 4 April Iceland Trip

Inset Day Please note: College is closed to students on INEST Day Friday 30 June.

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

ATTENDANCE MATTERS Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 96.4% (up 0.4% on last week) Year 8 - 96.0% (up 3.4%) Year 9 - 95.5% (up 2.2%) Year 10 - 95.1% (up 1.6%) Year 11 -94.6% (up 2.5%) Year 12 - 96.7% (down 0.1%) Year 13 - 95.7% (up 0.2%) This was a very good week for College attendance and is the highest at this time of the year for 5 years.

Attendance between Year 7 and Year 11 last week was 95.5% (up 1.9% on last week). Since September our overall attendance across Year 7 to Year 11 remains at 95.6%. We aim for 97% attendance.

Last week GIRLS attendance (Years 7-11) was 95.2% (up 2.5%), BOYS attendance (Years 7-11) was 95.9% (up 1.5%). Since the start of September Year 7-11 girls attendance is 95.4% and boys attendance is 95.9%.

The gap between girls and boys is now 0.5%.

Please note that from 1 January 2017 the College has a new attendance policy in force. This can be viewed on our website with changes highlighted in yellow.

Medical Absence From College

well researched and documented and students should be aiming for an attendance rate of no less Whilst the College requires parents to contact us on than 97% over the year. Thank you for your continued support with this importance issue. 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 Medical Appointments During will be asked to provide medical confirmation of the The College Day need to be absent before any further absences are authorised for medical reasons. This is a necessary Students must sign out at the Attendance Office measure as we closely monitor absence due to before leaving College to attend a medical illness / medical reasons in order that we can appointment. When they return to College the ensure students are supported where needed. student must sign back in. This ensures registers will For your information medical confirmation does not be accurate and we know the student is off site should we have a fire alarm. The Attendance Office have to be a doctor's note but can also take the is located in an office along the RE corridor. We form of a medical appointment card, a copy of a thank parents for making medical appointments, relevant dated prescription or evidence of where possible, that do not take up a whole day of medication being taken.

If no medical evidence is provided then the absence schooling. This often allows a student to have their legal registration mark for both morning and will be coded as unauthorised. Ten or more unauthorised absences may result in you receiving a afternoon sessions and so their overall attendance does not fall.

Fixed Penalty Notice. This incurs a penalty of ÂŁ60 per parent / carer to be paid within 21 days, Holiday Absence From College otherwise the penalty will rise to ÂŁ120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will proceed to the Holiday absence from College - please see Magistrates Court where you will receive a criminal our website for an update on holidays regarding the High Court ruling earlier this year. record if you are found guilty.

Holidays have not been authorised since 1st September 2013 under legislation on all English The link between attendance and achievement is

schools. Requests for holidays must still be made in writing to the appropriate Key Stage leader (Mrs Garvey KS5, Mrs Marshall or 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.

Changes To Persistent Absence 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% previously.

Careers Advice For Students

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 an 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.

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.

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

RUGBY TRAINING Rugby Training Monday 3.30-4.30pm During March Years 7-10 will have the opportunity to take part in the emerging schools rugby tournaments. In order to prepare for training students wishing to play should attend training on Monday evenings.

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.

Recommended Reads Author of the Month - January is: Patrick Ness Log onto: http:// patrickness.com/ for more information about the twice Carnegie Medal Winning author.

This week's Recommended Read is: The Rest of Us Just Live Here An young adult novel that draws the reader in and grips them until the very last word. Please note this has some teenage themes, so is suitable for Year 9 students upwards.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness's bold and irreverent novel powerfully asks what if you weren't the Chosen One? The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend might just be the God of mountain lions...An exceptional novel from the author praised by John Green as "an insanely beautiful writer".

Copies available in the library.

Unboxed by Non Pratt http:// www.simonandschuster.com/ authors/Non-Pratt/412376243 Four friends meet up at their old school to open the memory box they stowed there years ago - with five letters inside for four of them, because their friend Millie has died. When they open the box they find a new letter from Millie and discover that she has left them special instructions: permission to open her letter only if they all read aloud the letters they wrote to their older selves, revealing their deepest secrets. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 13+ Ms Sinclair says: I have just read this novel and given it 4/5. I really enjoyed the story of Ben, Dean,Millie, Zara and Alix reunion five years after leaving school. The narrator Alix, felt very authentic and I was eager to find out what the friends had been up since they left school, as well as how the night would play out. As there are a couple of instances of adult language and reference to some teenage themes, I would recommend it to year8 students upwards.

500 Words is back!

If you are under between the ages of 9 and 13 (on 16th June) and a budding writer, why not send your story off to the BBC. Their 500 words stories competition has had over half a million entries in the last seven years. There are fabulous prizes to win and a whole host of celebrity judges deciding on the winners. The rules are simple and there are lots of ideas and support on the website: log onto: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rfvk1 and explore! The closing date is Thursday 23rd February at 7pm.

Cheshire School Book Award 2017 Cheshire School Book Award 2017 is officially open!

This annual county wide award is for all secondary

school students, their teachers, parents and governors Bookbuzz and Beyond Book to vote in. The deadline for votes is Friday May 19th, Groups so there is plenty of time to read and comment on your favourite read. Voting slips are available from Ms Sinclair in the library. There are multiple copies of the Some of the teachers and teaching assistants are busy books available from the AHCC library as well as your reading books from the year 7 Bookbuzz list, as well as some other reading group books we have recently local public library. taken delivery of. Towards the end of this half term they will be holding a short 'book chat' where students And the nominations are: who have read one of the books can join The Novice by Taran Matharu https:// them. Details about the scheme have been passed on www.theguardian.com/childrens-bookssite/2015/may/11/taran-mathuru-fantasy- to tutors and English teachers. Any students with questions can see Ms Sinclair in the library. races-racism-summoner-the-novice

Overdue Books Flawed by Cecelia Ahern http:// uk.cecelia-ahern.com/ Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine https:// www.harpercollins.co.uk/cr-101671/ jenny-valentine

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/ Non-Pratt/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.

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!

Christmas Clear Out If you are having a clear out after Christmas and have any books (fiction or non fiction) that you no longer want, I will gladly take them in the library. If they are appropriate they will go onto our shelves, in the Staff Swap Section or the library book sale. If I can't use them I will take them to the Sue Ryder shop in Macclesfield. Just leave them in reception. Please email me if you have any queries.

Forthcoming PTA events 2016-2017 

    

th

Harry Potter World W/C Monday 20 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

XCell Youth Group Open to everyone at secondary school (ages 11+) Trampolining at Energi Friday 10th February £10 incl socks Please contact us if you’d like to join us (30 places booked already!) so we can book you a place.

Meet at 6:40pm at Energi, Handforth, SK9 3PW. Bouncing from 7-8pm.

Bring a named water bottle that you don’t mind losing.

Next meetings: 17 March – St Patrick’s Fun & Games 21 April – Bowling with the Confirmation Group 19 May – to be decided…..

For more information contact Anna & Greg Hughes 01625 614406 xcellyouthgroup@gmail.com

“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

The Print Shop More than just ink Business

Education

Personal

VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL 10% OFF ALL CANVASES ORDERED UNTILL FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY www.theprintshop.org.uk theprintshop@allhallows.org.uk 01625 426138