Newsletter 110714

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Trinity

PRAYER Lord, I ask that you inspire me always to do my best, not comparing myself with others, but only with myself.

Lead me, Lord, to discover and use my own talents to the full.

May I live in such a way that I help others to experience success, as well as praising them for the good use of their abilities, looking not so much at the degree of achievement but at the effort put in.

Stop me from judging people or jumping to conclusions about them, but lead me to respect and accept others for who they are, focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

Amen.

Friday 11th July 2014

YEAR LEARNING LEADERS– DROP IN SURGERIES The next surgery is for Year 7 and Year 8 Friday 18 July held between 8.30am and 9.30am with Mr Mercer and Mr Parke 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.

No more surgeries are planned this year with other year groups, but please feel free to contact our Pastoral Assistant, Mrs C Jepson (C.Jepson@allhallows.org.uk 01625 426138 ex215). should you require an appointment with a Year Learning Leader.

EXAM RESULTS DAYS - AUGUST 2014 Thursday 14th August 2014 08:30am - 10:30am A2 Results (Year 13) 11:00am - 12:30pm AS Results (Year 12) Thursday 21st August 2014 10:00am - 12:00 noon GCSE Results (Year11 only) Students are expected to collect their results in person on the appropriate day. If this is not possible, students may: write a letter authorising a responsible adult to collect the results on their behalf. This letter must be given to Exams Office staff on Results Day or they can provide the Exams Office with a stamped addressed envelope, so that results can be posted to their home address.

SPECIALISM SUCCESS Seven students were privileged to be invited to attend a meeting with Dame Pauline Green on Tuesday, 8 July when she visited St Peter's RC School in Manchester. Dame Pauline Green is President of The International Co-operative Alliance and spends much of her time travelling the world, meeting Heads of State and lobbying officials in government in order to further the cause of The Co-operative Movement. As a firm advocate of the crucial role of co-operatives in developing economies, she was very interested to hear of the importance All Hallows places on developing co-operative values in business and enterprise education and of the work done by The College to raise funds for The Clinic in India. The student asked the Dame an impressive array of questions which stimulated her to provide a fascinating insight into her life and work. At the end of the meeting Dame Pauline Green presented the students with a signed copy of a book based on co-operatives around the world and encouraged them to start networking with co-operative colleges across the country with a view to possibly gaining sponsored youth representation at an international conference in the future. In the same week Year 8 Young Co-operatives, together with other Year 7 BITE Enterprise classes held a very successful summer fair in college, with some of the funds raised going to The India Clinic Appeal.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS — ESAFETY How much do you know about keeping your child safe online? There are ever increasing risks surrounding technology, which could include cyber bullying, grooming and accessing inappropriate material, either knowingly or unknowingly. Would you like to know more about these risks? If so contact Mrs Williams at college (S.Williams@allhallows.org.uk) A PENNY WINS A POUND (£50 TO BE EXACT) During the week 23-27 June any student with 100% attendance was entered into a prize draw for £50 worth of Amazon vouchers. This was an idea to encourage full attendance every week as we near the end of the College year. The link between full attendance and academic achievement is well known amongst students at All Hallows and this is also true even at this stage in the year.

Over 600 students in Years 7-10 were present at all times during that week (over 75% of the cohort) and we are delighted to announce the winner was Patrick Penny 8 Fisher. Patrick is pictured with Mr Billings, Principal, receiving his prize.

DEGREE SUCCESSES Will Trufitt First Class Degree—English Literature—Cambridge University Andy Cantilon who completed his first Degree in Drama and Performance at the University of Worcester is going on to do an MA in acting for the screen at The central school of speech and drama.

Former alumni include Vanessa Redgrave and Dame Judy Dench.

David McCay achieved a First Class Degree in Scottish and Celtic studies– Edinburgh University.

Darcy James: 2:1 English Literature and History from Chester university Georgia Mallia: 2:1 Fashion Journalism from University of creative arts, London Steph Riddell: 2:1 Fashion Retail from Manchester university James Graham: 2:1 in Computing and Business from Aston university Lydia Hughes: 2:1 in Theatre Studies from Sheffield Hallam university Morgan Bailey 2:1 Exercise and Sport Science at Leeds Metropolitan university Sam Devereaux: First class. Sculpture, Glasgow School of Art Vicky Pickford: 2:1. Illustration.

Dundee University: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Sam Hewland: First class. Fine Art If you know of any of our former students degree or employment successes please email m.garvey@allhallows.org.uk

PARENTS AS PARTNERS—APPEARANCE Extreme hairstyles such as carvings, shavings and tramlines are not allowed. Also a reminder that piercings are not allowed.

YEAR 12 ACHIEVEMENT Congratulations to year 12 who between them have completed over 4,400 volunteer hours this year YEAR 8 ENTREPRENEURS HELP THE INDIA CLINIC APPEAL Mr Blades is delighted to announce his Year 8 (class Y1A - known as Amaze) class have donated £175.39 to the India Clinic Appeal and his Year 8 (class G1A - known as GR8) class have donated £119.60 - both the result of their hard work and efforts setting up and running enterprises this year. Students researched their market, bought materials, made products, learnt about marketing, finance and accounts. Well done Year 8 students on your excellent charity donations, making healthy profits and receiving a dividend on your investment.

OUR NEW EMAIL HELP SERVICE — ”BEING ME” For many years our College has had an email address called bullying@allhallowslearning.org.uk for students and parents to report bullying issues if required. Some students may experience other difficulties that also require some help and support, but are not bullying issues as such. These difficulties may be connected to something that is going on in their life at present, or something they are struggling to deal with.

For this reason the College has set up another confidential email address called beingme@allhallowslearning.org.uk for students to use should they find themselves in need of help, support and guidance. Emails will be read by a senior member of staff who will then seek out other staff volunteers to offer the help and support that is required.

CAREERS ADVICE FOR STUDENTS Our new careers advisor, Mrs Jean Pilling, as now seen 244 students for impartial careers interviews since she started in mid-December - 21% of the whole College. She has now seen 46 students in Years 12/13, 87 students in Year 11, 94 students in Year 10, 17 students in Year 9 and several Year 7/8 students at her Thursday lunch time drop in. If any parents would like their son or daughter to have a careers interview this year then please notify the relevant Year Leader who can ensure names are added to the list. Priority is now with Year 10 students who will all be seen over the coming months.

ECO FACT Each gallon of fuel releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air.

COMMUNITY MASS All Hallows Chapel every Friday 9am-9.45am Parents/Carers/Parishioners are all welcome

CALENDAR

Term

College Opens to Students

College Closes to Students

Trinity

Monday 2 June 2014

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Michaelmas

Tuesday 2 September 2014 (Year 7, 12 and 13) Wednesday 3 September 2014 (All Students)

Friday 24 October 2014

Christmas

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Friday 19 December 2014

Epiphany

Monday 5 January 2015

Friday 13 February 2015

Easter

Monday 23 February 2015

Thursday 2 April 2015

Whitsun

Monday 20 April 2015

Friday 22 May 2015

The following are the dates for training days in 2013-14. Students are not required to attend on these days. Unless taking an external exam.

Wednesday 23 July 2014 Monday 1 September 2014 Monday 3 November 2014 Friday 13 February 2015 Friday 22 May 2015

RECOMMENDED READS Abandon by Meg Cabot Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John.

Tall dark and terrifying, it's his job to usher souls from one realm to the next. There's a fierce attraction between them, which Pierce carries back into our world. But she knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the Underworld. When things get dangerous for her, her only hope is to do exactly what John says. Can she trust a guy who lives for the dead?

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder. Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS 97.00%

Over the last week of College attendance was as follows: Year 7 - 96.3% (down 0.3%) Year 8 - 96.1% (up 0.4%, well done Year 8) Year 9 - 94.2% (down 1.0%) Year 10 - 94.1% (no change)

96.50% 96.00% 95.50% 95.00% 94.50% 94.00% 93.50%

This was another disappointing week, but still better than the same time in pre93.00% vious years. The average for the week was 95.2% (down 0.2% on the previous 92.50% week). Since 3rd September attendance has remained at 95.8%. We aim for YEAR 7 YEAR 8 YEAR 9 YEAR 10 97%.

Last week GIRLS attendance has increased 0.1% to 94.9%, BOYS attendance has decreased 0.5% to 95.5%. Since 3rd September boys are winning girls 96.4% to 95.2%.

Parents are politely reminded to avoid absence unless it is absolutely necessary. Thank you for your on-going support regarding medical absence and holiday absence.

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 Blades KS4 and Mr Diamond 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.

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.