9 october 2015

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Michaelmas Term

Friday 2 Oct 2015

COLLEGE PRAYER SPECIALISM SUCCESS

All Hallows has started working in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to train future Mandarin teachers. Mrs Denby is teaching Mandarin to PGCE trainees at MMU each Friday afternoon.

Pax Christi Interfaith Prayer for Peace O God, you are the source of life and peace.

Praised be your name forever.

We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.

Hear our prayer in this time of crisis.

Your power changes hearts.

Muslims, Christians and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm, that they are followers of the one God, children of Abraham, brothers and sisters; Enemies begin to speak to one another; those who were estranged join hands in friendship; nations seek the way of peace together.

Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths by the way we live.

Give to us: Understanding that puts an end to strife; Mercy that quenches hatred, and Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

Empower all people to live in your law of love. Amen

NEW SAFEGUARDING WEBSITE FOR PARENTS - PARENT INFO

In schools we have lots of opportunities to learn about safeguarding and, 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

PARENTS AS PARTNERS: MAKE-UP

Parents are reminded that the College has a no make-up policy. Female students should not be wearing make up or nail varnish during the College day. We welcome the support of all parents in ensuring that this aspect of the College uniform policy is followed.

REVISION METHODS - "READING OVER"

This method applies to all subjects, but is particularly important when ideas need to be understood. •It is absolutely essential to read through your notes and/or standard texts. Reading over a topic several times will help you to remember facts, sequence knowledge and deepen understanding. •To fully understand a difficult idea, concept, principle or rule, you will have to read through it fully several times slowly with meaning.

Reading over should always be followed up by some consolidation such as past exam questions, note taking or read/ cover/write.

OPERATION ENCOMPASS

All Hallows has supported the local police over the last year by being involved in a pilot scheme called Operation Encompass. This scheme, originally set up in Plymouth, sees the police to call a school should they receive notification of any instance of domestic violence that may involve one of our students. The success of the scheme in Macclesfield last year will now see it expanded across Cheshire East. The information we receive from the police will be treated in confidence, but it allows the College to monitor and support a child if required at the difficult time. Operation Encompass covers children aged 4 to 18 in all education settings. All Hallows is proud to have been one of the pilot schools involved in this important initiative to safeguard children.

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

ALL HALLOWS CHOIR

INSPIRE CHOIR INFORMATION Rehearsals are on Friday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Inspire Choir Form (during registration) will be: Monday – None Tuesday – Year 9/10/11/12/13 Wednesday – All Years Thursday – Year 7/8 Friday – Year 9/10

After School Commitments will be: Sunday 22nd November – St Alban’s Church Macclesfield 6:30pm Thursday 10th December –Carol Singing and Christmas Service 6:00pm Sunday 28th February – St Gregory’s Church Bollington 10:30am 13th - 14th April - 'An Evening at the Movies' Performing Arts Concert 7:00pm Friday 17th June – St Alban’s Macclesfield Confirmation Service 6:30pm There will be other commitments during school time for other masses throughout the year.

The Inspire choir is entry by audition. In addition to singing ability, you must have a good sense of commitment, and the values required to be in such a group. It is with a common sense of purpose that we sing, and this makes it more enjoyable for both the listener and the performer.

Auditions : 9th October / 16th October We are hoping to go on a trip this year to Malta. You must show excellent commitment and attendance to all rehearsals and performances in order to be included on the trip. The performing arts department will cancel your place and offer it to someone else if you are not fully committed to the choir. We hope to get more information out to you about price in a few weeks - the airlines confirm their prices for next summer in October.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October Events

November Events

E –Safety Awareness Thursday 15 October 6.00.p.m.– 7.30.p.m.

Royal Shakespeare School’s Festival Production Wednesday 4 November 7.00.p.m.

German Exchange Visitors at All Hallows 18 - 25 October

Royal Shakespeare School’s Festival Production Friday 6 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.

Year 12 Retreat Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 November

Year 13 Higher Education Information Evening Wednesday 21 October 7.00.p.m.-8.00.p.m.

Year 7 and Year 9 Parent consultation day Thursday 19 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 11 Retreat Tuesday 24 - Friday 27 November

October Half Term Booster Classes Monday 26 October Tuesday 27 October

SRE Parents Information Evening Thursday 26 November

DROP IN SESSIONS 2015/16

PRINCIPAL’S SURGERIES

KS4/5 students DAY

SUBJECT

TIME 3:30 – 4:30

Tuesday

Science/ Languages Maths

Wednesday

Art

2:45 – 4:00

Thursday

Product Design

3:30 – 4:30

Monday

Friday

3:30-4:30

Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates: Tuesday 13 October 2015, 3.45.p.m. - 4.45.p.m.

Monday 30 November 2015, 9.00.a.m. - 10.00.a.m.

Tuesday 15 December 2015, 3.45.p.m. - 4.45.p.m.

There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait

TRIPS IN 2015/16

Please see the College website for details of trips in this academic year.

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.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES

Bronze DofE assessed expedition Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2015 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.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 98.6% (up 1.6% from last week, very well done Year 7) Year 8 - 95.6% (up 0.4%, well done Year 8) Year 9 - 95.7% (down 0.5%) Year 10 - 95.8% (up 1.0%, well done Year 10) Year 11 - 93.1% (up 0.3%, an improvement but still too low Year 11) Year 12 - 97.3% (down 0.1%, but still the second best in the College) Year 13 - 95.0% (up 1.7%, well done Year 13) This was a better week for attendance with most year groups improving.

Year 11 are still too low for students at this key stage in their education.

Attendance between Year 7 and Year 11 last week was 95.7% (up 0.5% from last week and 0.4% better than the same time last year). Our overall attendance since 2 September 2015 is now 96.2%. We aim for 97%.

Last week GIRLS attendance (Years 7-11) was 96.3% (up 0.8%, well done girls), BOYS attendance (Year 7-11) was 95.1% (up 0.2%, well done boys). This week the attendance of girls has been higher then the boys for the first time this year since week 1.

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 Of-

Mrs L Nolan

Visyon Counsellor

Student Support Of-

Mrs J Jones and Mrs J Fox

College Nurses

Student Support Of-

Mrs P Shatwell

Family Support

Office between rooms A9 and A10

Mrs J Beard and Mrs P Prince

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

VENUE

Pastoral Office (ground floor of Fisher Building)

Education Welfare

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

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 12 October (9.00-9.45) and 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.

COLLEGE NETBALL RESULTS

All Hallows vs Kings on Wednesday 30th September, well done to all teams that put up a brilliant effort on the night.

Players of the match are shown next to each result Y7A 22-11 (Maddie Whitehurst) Y7B 8-2 Lost 8-2 (Casey Sadler) Y8 19-7 (Ella Barnard) Y9 29-8 (Katie Whyatt AND Rosa Hart) Y10 20-10 (Holly Malins) Senior 18-4 (Sarah Duffy) Also congratulations to Madeleine Whitehurst Year 7 who has successfully got onto the Under 12 Cheshire County Netball Squad and Katie Whyatt Year 9 who has successfully got onto the Under 15 Cheshire County Netball Squad. Fantastic achievement!

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/astroturf trainers for use on the new 3G Astro-turf pitch.

MACCLESFIELD ACADEMY The team are currently second in their league after the following results; 23 September Macclesfield Academy 4, Congleton School 3.

7 October Macclesfield Academy 5, Knutsford Academy Egerton FC 4.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS A great win for the Y11 football team in Round 1 of the English Schools cup.

They beat NCHS (Newcastle Academy) 3-0 with a very convincing performance. Goals from Will Pickford (2) and Josh Churchman. Man of the match - Will Pickford, but an excellent performance from Nathan Evans should also be highlighted. Well done!

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.

ONLINE RESOURCE: COMPLETE ISSUES Complete Issues is a reliable and valuable resource that students can use from any computer 24/7. The site contains thousands of articles and statistics on, as well as links to a wide range of social issues. The resources can be used for many different subjects, including RE, English and Geography.

Log on to: http://www.completeissues.co.uk/ to get started and take a tour. The username is AHCC and password is allhallowsuser (both case sensitive).

Please ask if you have any questions about the resource.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB Scholastic Book Club - deadline for orders Friday 9th October Why not invest in some of Autumn's new read or some classics by logging onto to http://schools.scholastic.co.uk/all-hallows-catholic and searching the huge range of discounted books available? For the total of orders placed above ÂŁ10, the library will receive 20% of the value back in free books.

Why not have a look as there are videos, interviews and competitions as well!

BOOK AMNESTY Since the new has started I have noticed that we have lost a number of fiction books off the shelves in the library. So, I am asking if any student has a library book at home that has not been issued to them that they return it as soon as possible - no questions asked! Taking books disadvantages other students as they cannot read then read the books. Also, as our budget is finite and we cannot afford to replace every book that goes missing. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.

BOOKBUZZ COMPETITION Bookbuzz Competition All out year 7 students have now ordered their free book from the Bookbuzz scheme. There is still time to enter the competition to win one of the Bookbuzz selection. Students need to write in 100 words or less, why book make them buzz and hand it in to their English teacher or the Librarian by Friday October the 9th. Good luck!

RECOMMENDED READS The Wells Bequest by Polly Schulman A really interesting and imaginative book! After a strange apparition appears to him one evening, Leo Novikov heads to the New York Circulating Material Repository to do some research. This is a library that lend objects rather than books. However, while there he meets Jaya, a girl from the future and together they embark on a dangerous mission to save New York. A clever blend od adventure, science fiction-fantasy and a touch of romance will keep you hooked!

NEW ONLINE RESOURCE: THE DAY We now have a subscription to The Day, a useful online news resource that can support both learning and general knowledge! News stories are updated daily and organised into subject areas. There are also lots of other interesting features to explore.

Students can access it within school by clicking on the link in the Library Folder, which can be found in the All Programs list on the Windows start button.

Outside of school: Username: allhallowsacademy Password: the day.

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