All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Christmas Term
Friday 8th November 2013
LOST PROPERTY PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Prayer of Remembrance We remember those who made the great sacrifice during the two World Wars; We remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country in other conflicts; We pray for those who suffer at this time; We pray for those who have been bereaved; We pray for peace; We pray that we may be worthy of the sacrifice made on our behalf. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
X CELL FILM NIGHT 7.00-pm on Friday 15th November St Alban’s ‘Multiplex Cinema’ Parish Hall, Macclesfield. Cost £1 admission and some extra change for the Tuck Shop. Don’t forget Parent Consent forms must be filled in by your Parent/Carer only when they drop you off if they haven’t completed this already for the year.
If you have lost any items since last term please come to the Pod at break times. Items include coats, umbrellas, shirts, jumpers, trainers, PE kits, watches, phones and bracelets.
COMMUNITY MASS Is held at All Hallows' Chapel every Friday 9am-9.45am, Parents/Carers/Parishioners ALL ARE WELCOME!
SPECIALIST SUCCESS OF THE WEEK Many thanks to all the students who represented the College at the Sixth Form Open Evening. All the students spoke confidently and eloquently about their passion for learning. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming and I am sure this will have sparked an interest for studying in the Sixth Form. (FW)
PARENTS AS PARTNERS: OUTDOOR WEAR As the weather gets colder, we ask the support of parents in ensuring that College policy is carried out regarding outdoor wear - coats, scarves and jumpers. Coats: a black rain jacket that can be worn over the blazer in cold or wet weather. For Year 7 students this jacket must be embroidered with the College badge. Smaller jackets or “hoodies‟ are not allowed and will be confiscated. Scarves must be plain, dark, functional and not a “fashion style‟ scarf. Students should not wear scarves and coats in the main College buildings during the day. Jumpers must be V-necked black in Years 9-11, embroidered with the College badge and V-necked grey in Years 7-8, embroidered with the College badge. Cardigans or other style jumpers are not allowed. Thank you for your co-operation in these matters.
YEAR LEADER "DROP IN SURGERIES” There will be a Year Learning Leader "Drop In Surgery" between 9 am and 10.30 am on Friday 13th December for any parent/guardian of students in Year 9 who would like to discuss any other concerns relating to their child. Similar "Drop
in Surgeries" will be run for other year groups in the near future - watch this space!
CALLING ALL YEAR 7 AND 9 PARENTS! Parents Consultation Day 21 November 2013 9am to 7pm Please book your on line appointments now Go to - https://portal.allhallows.org.uk/ Login using your username and password sent to you via a letter - If you don’t have this information please contact parental.gateway@allhallows.org.uk or call the college. The Parents Consultation day booking page will load up. The teachers available will be listed on the right. Please look at the supporting document “Class Variations.pdf” before booking any appointments. Simply click on the time you require and it will book you in on the left hand side. Click the Save icon (next to the support document icon) at the top once complete.
PRINCIPALS SURGERY Parents / Carers are invited to attend a Principal's Surgery to discuss any concerns or ask questions, on the following dates Tuesday 19 November, 9am - 10am Tuesday 3 December, 3.30pm - 4.30pm There is no appointment system so please be prepared to wait
ATTENDANCE MATTERS Over the last week of College attendance was as follows:
98.00% 97.50%
Year 7 - 96.4% (down 0.1% on the previous week)
97.00%
96.50%
Year 8 - 97.6% (up 2.1%)
96.00%
Year 9 - 96.0% (up 1.9%)
95.50%
95.00%
Year 10 - 96.8% (up 5.3% - well done Year 10)
94.50% YEAR 7
YEAR 8
YEAR 9
YEAR 10
YEAR 11
Year 11 - 95.6% (up 2.1%) After such a poor week last week this week is a return to fabulous attendance for all year groups. The average for the week is 96.5% (up from 94.2% last week). Since 3rd September attendance is now 96.0%. We aim for 97%. Last week GIRLS attendance has increased to 95.8%, BOYS attendance has increased to 97.2%. Since 3rd September boys are still winning girls 96.5% to 95.5%. Parents are politely reminded to avoid absence unless it is absolutely necessary. Thank you for your ongoing support regarding medical absence and holiday absence. Holiday absence from College Holidays will not be authorised from 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 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.
CALENDAR
Term
College Opens to Students
College Closes to Students
Christmas
Monday 28 October 2013
Thursday 19 December 2013
Epiphany
Monday 6 January 2014
Friday 14 February 2014
Easter
Wednesday 26 February 2014
Friday 4 April 2014
Whitsun
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Thursday 22 May 2014
Trinity
Monday 2 June 2014
Tuesday 22 July 2014
The following are the dates for training days in 2013-14. Students are not required to attend on these days. Monday 24 February 2014 Tuesday 25 February 2014 Tuesday 22 April 2014 Friday 23 May 2014 Wednesday 23 July 2014
ADVANCED NOTICE Languages Controlled Assessments 2013-2014
Please find below the list of dates for the languages controlled assessments. Each assessment can count for 15% of the final GCSE. Teachers will let your son/daughter know on which dates they will complete assessments. Please avoid time off both on the date and in the lessons preceding these dates. Please contact a.harrison@allhallows.org.uk with any queries. Year 11 Writing 2 Speaking 1 Speaking 2
11y Thursday 16 January 11g Tuesday 21 January Monday/Tuesday 9/10 December Thursday and Monday 13/17 March
Year 10 Writing 1 Writing 2 Speaking 1 Speaking 2
10y Tuesday 10 December 10g Thursday 12 December 10y Tuesday 6 May 10g Thursday 8 May Tuesday/Wednesday 10/11 March Thursday/Friday 3 /4 July
Year 9 Speaking
Tuesday/Wednesday 8/9 July
RECOMMENDED READS Soldier Dog – by Sam Angus This book is set in 1917 World War 1 13-year-old Stanley is one of many young boys joining the army, even though he is not old enough. Leaving his difficult family life behind him, he is soon working with messenger dogs in the trenches of France. Shelling and gas attacks will test the bond between Stanley and his dogs to the limit. A powerful and moving adventure story that shows the realities of life on the front line during the First World War. Beautifully written, you can't help but get caught up in the action as you pray that Stanley and his dog will make it through the war alive The Weight of Water- Sarah Crossan Twelve-year-old Kasienka and her mother have immigrated to England from Poland, searching for Kasienka's father, but everyone is unfriendly except for an African neighbour and a boy Kasienka meets at the swimming pool, which is her only refuge.
CHRISTMAS TERM MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 2013 TO THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER 2013 Friday 8 November Year 7,9,11 Academic Reviews Issued Tuesday 12 November, Year 11 Mock Exams begin Thursday 21 November, Year 7 and 9 Parents’ Consultation Day 9am– 7pm Thursday 21 November, Children's Takeover Day for Years 10 and 11, opportunity to accompany relative or friend to work. Thursday 28 November, Year 7 Sex and Relationship Education Evening 7– 8pm (Information on curriculum for Parents) Monday 2 - Friday 13 December, Assessment weeks for Students Friday 6 December 6pm, PTA Disco Year 7 and 8 Thursday 12 December 7pm (Provisional), Carol Service St Albans Church Friday 13 December, PTA Christmas Party (details tbc) Wednesday 18 December 7– 9pm, Key Stage 4 and 5 Awards Evening– College Hall
Sixth Form Information Thursday 21 November - Sixth Form Drop-in 8am to 9.30am This session is available for parents to meet with Mrs Garvey or Mr Howells to discuss any issues as regards Sixth Form students, enquiries about the application process for Sixth Form, including Subject Choice. It is a also a good opportunity to discuss any questions about Higher Education. As this is a drop-in session, please be prepared to wait. Any further questions please contact Mr Howells via email d.howells@allhallows.org.uk