October Edition by Deben High School

School Newsletter – Issue Autumn Term (2) – October 2009

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

It has been an incredibly exciting start to the term and I would like to extend my thanks to all the members of the community who have contacted school to praise students on the way they are wearing their new school uniform! I am so proud of all Deben students for so positively adopting their new look! Thank you also to parents/carers who have supported the change. It is on parents/carers that I focus my message for this month’s article! SECTIONS:

Parents/carers have become involved in the school early this year with the first of our Parents’ Open Forum meetings taking place on the morning of the 17th September. By the time you read this, the second meeting on 1st October will also have taken place. At the first meeting a small group joined me for a tea/coffee and we discussed a great deal of issues raised by the parents. If you would like to join me for an early morning meeting to ask questions on any subject relating to your son/daughter’s education then our next session is on 15th October 2009 from 8.30 and will last about an hour. Please report to the reception area on arrival. I was pleased to see so many parents/carers and students at our ‘How to help your son/ daughter succeed at GCSE’ evening on 22nd September! This was the first of a series of evenings through which we hope to provide help and guidance for parents/carers to support their son/daughters with their learning and achievement from home. It was a hugely successful evening and I would like to thank Miss Boyce, Mr Salter, Mr Warren and Mrs Spink for giving up their time that evening. Look out for letters coming to Year 11 parents/carers throughout the year when we run more of these evenings. I would like to remind the school community of my article in the Deben News this time last year, in which I explained that: ATTENDANCE = LEARNING = ACHIEVEMENT

Other articles

Although attendance at school has improved, we are still below the government’s threshold target. Absence therefore continues to be an issue, and we need support from parents/carers to ensure that students are in school to learn. As I pointed out last year, absence is now counted whether authorised or not and so it is vital that students are in school for every lesson. I will be sending more information home about attendance over the next couple of weeks via your son/daughter. I will alert parents/carers that this information is on its way by sending a text to your mobile, so please make sure you do get the letter from your son/daughter. Thank you to all parents/carers for your huge efforts to support the school. Finally, I reported in the last edition of the Deben News that we were very successful with our (provisional) results at A Level and GCSE last summer. (Please note there was a misprint - the A Level results table should have read %A-C and not %A-B. Apologies for the confusion!) The reported results were age-related results (qualifications taken at specific ages – such as 16 for GCSE). This month, I would like to highlight those students that took stage-related qualifications (when qualifications are taken ahead of age). See next page.

Garrison Lane, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7RF Tel: 01394 282602 Fax: 01394 278368 office@deben.suffolk.sch.uk http://www.deben.suffolk.sch.uk

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

21 Y9 students sat GCSE Graphics: A*-C = 71.4% A*-G = 90.5%

2 Y10 students sat GCSE Graphics: A*-C = 0% A* -G 100%

1 Y10 student sat GCSE Polish: A*-C = 100%

23 Y11 students sat AS Critical Thinking: A-C = 52.1% A-E = 78.2%

8 Y11 students sat AS Photography: A-C = 37.5% D-E = 37.5%

2 Y11 students sat AS Music: A-C = 100%

1 Y9 student sat AS Music: A-C 100%

133 Y9 students sat RE unit 5561: A*-C = 44.4% A-G = 100%

We had some fantastic results for students taking qualifications early – well done to you all! Remember this academic year we are focussing on the 3P’s to continue to improve aspirations and achievement:

Pride

Progress

Performance

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Thursday 8th and Thursday 15th October—Positive Parenting Seminars Monday 5th - Friday 9th October—Year 11 Work Experience Thursday 8th October—Target Setting Day Wednesday 14th October—Open Evening Saturday 17th October—PTA event - Grease Sing-a-long and disco Monday 19th—Friday 23rd October – Open Mornings

Mr Cawley

As mentioned in the last Deben News, Deben High School is hosting three seminars in October led by Donna Berry from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. The seminars are aimed primarily at parents who have children under the age of 12 years but parents of all year groups are welcome. The three Ps in ‘Triple P’ stand for ‘Positive Parenting Programme’. Triple P helps you understand the way your family works and uses the things you already think, feel, say and do in new ways that nurture relationships, parenting skills and confidence, as well as supporting your wellbeing. Triple P helps you: • • • • • •

Create a stable, supportive, harmonious family environment. Teach your children the skills they need to get along with others. Deal positively, consistently and decisively with problem behaviour should it arise. Encourage behaviour you like. Develop realistic expectations of your children and yourself. Take care of yourself as a parent.

Seminar 1‘The Power of Positive Parenting’ has already taken place, the remaining dates are as follows: Seminar 2: Thursday 8th October - 7.00pm - ‘Raising Happy, Confident Children’ Seminar 3: Thursday 15th October - 7.00pm - ‘Raising Resilient Children’ Please contact the school if you would like to come along to either of the remaining seminars. However, you can also just “turn up on the night”. Ms Berry

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

LUNCHTIME

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

AFTER SCHOOL

MONDAY

Basketball (Mr Ewers)

Basketball (sports hall) 3:00 to 6:45pm Judo (gym) 4:00-6:00pm Girls football Yr 7/8/9 (field)

TUESDAY

Cupstacking Room 39

Netball Yr 7/8/9 (sports hall) 3:00-4:00pm Netball Yr 10/11 (sports hall) 3:00-4.30pm (Mrs Scrine, Miss Boffey, Mrs Wyncoll) High 5: Year 4/5/6 (sports hall) 4:30 to 5:30pm Archery (gym) 3:00-5:00pm **

WEDNESDAY

Cheerleading (Miss Boffey) Circus Skills Gym

Beginners Judo Yr 7/8/9 (gym) 3:00 to 4:00pm ** Kangoo Boots Aerobics Yr 9/10/11 USH ** 3:00 to 4:00pm Various Fixtures 3:00 to 6:00pm (sports hall or field) Sixth form basketball (gym) Various Fixtures 3:00 to 6:00pm (sports hall or field)

THURSDAY

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY (continued): Monday 26th—Friday 30th October - Half Term Wednesday 4th November—Sixth Form Taster Day and Information Evening Thursday 5th November—Chamber Concert Tuesday 10th November—Year 11 Subject Clinic Thursday 19th November—Y12/13 Subject Clinic

Any queries, students should speak to PE staff ** Please see PE Dept for letter to book place on this course

Maths Support Material for Year 10 and 11 students MathsWatch is a CD-ROM containing revision clips of all the main topics of the GCSE mathematics course. Each topic is introduced by a presentation of basic techniques, followed by practice questions and then a demonstration of harder examples. In the past, students have found the disc a very valuable revision resource. Two versions of MathsWatch are available: The Higher Tier CD The Foundation Tier CD

(140 clips - Grade A* to D) (134 clips – Grade C to G)

Sample video clips can www.mathswatch.co.uk.

viewed

the

MathsWatch

website

MathsWatch is only available for purchase through schools and each CD-ROM costs £3. If you would like to purchase a CD please complete the slip towards the back of the Deben News and return to the school Finance Office for the attention of Mr Warren by Friday 9th October. Mr Warren

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

This will be an open session, over a cup of tea/coffee, and is intended to provide parents/carers with the opportunity to meet with Mr Cawley and/or members of the Senior Leadership Team to ask questions and discuss any issues you may have during the first few weeks of the new term.

Thursday 15th October between 8.30am and 9.30am.

PARENTS OPEN FORUM MEETING

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

The new term for Deben High School students started rather differently this year. Learning zones, mind-bending challenges and new web-based individual learning plans were introduced to the students by staff and colleagues from BT and The Puzzle Company. BT worked with Year 10 and Year 11 students on tasks designed to encourage team-building. Plastic drainpipes played a key role in enabling the students to solve the challenges! Students from Years 8 and 9 were enthusiastically engaged in working together to solve a variety of puzzles and challenges. The emphasis was very much on improving communication skills and lateral thinking. The Year 7 Learning Maze was a stimulating introduction to learning at Deben. Sixth Form students were busy working through personal and group tasks to ensure that they were improving their thinking skills. Running this kind of induction day for our students is something new. The aim was to engage the students in a range of different, challenging and valuable activities to help motivate, inspire and excite them about learning. It was a really positive start to the new term and a taster of the learning experience in this academic year for all students. Miss Boyce

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best learners in the world walk through our doors.â&#x20AC;?

This is the fifth year that Mrs Hicks and a team of year 7 students have shadowed the Kate Greenaway Medal award for best picture book of the year with year 3 students from the primary schools during the summer term.

Interested in advertising your business to a regular monthly audience via our school? This side bar is available for just £15 per issue. Call Mrs Ryland on 01394 282602 for details.

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

When the shortlist was announced, each pair on the Deben team chose one of the books to read in a carousel to ten students from each school, who came to Deben for the afternoon. The primary schools then took back a set of books each, to look at in more depth. The Deben team 2009 The students made a return visit some weeks later to spend the morning with Gillian McClure, illustrator of more than twenty picture books. They were involved in a discussion on the judging criteria and the merits of each book, eventually voting for a winner. Unfortunately our runaway winner, Molly’s Night Monster was beaten to the actual medal, by Harris Finds His Feet, which came second in our vote. Mrs Hicks, Librarian Reading to the year 3 students

Gillian McClure’s visit

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

Come and hear our students performing solos and small ensembles from a wide range of music styles at our Chamber Concert. This is your chance to hear some of our young talent performing at Deben High School on Thursday 5th November 2009, 7.00pm. Tickets for adults are £4 and concessions are £2.50. Please complete and return the ticket application form which is in the latter part of the Deben News, to student reception.

Interested in advertising your business to a regular monthly audience via our school? Quarter page advert: £20 per issue Half page advert: £35 per issue Full page advert: £50 per issue Call Mrs Ryland on 01394 282602 for details.

Mr Wren

Pictures from last year’s Chamber Concert ——————————————————————————————————————--

Congratulations to the following students who have all received certificates acknowledging their hard work and commitment in Modern Foreign Languages lessons throughout 2008-09. Jordan Amos Joshua Cuthbert Tori Gunn Bethany Myles Emma Stanbridge

James Bellamy Joe Fisher-Baxter Sasha Lawson-Frost Claire Shadbolt Lucie Standing

Aprille Branton Freya Brennan Amy Fountain Melissa Gower Harriet Ley Harry Lymer Daniel Smith (8T4)

Mr Thomas ——————————————————————————————————————-

This is an invaluable opportunity for you, the parents/carers, to meet with your child’s tutor for 15 minutes to establish a maximum of 3 targets that will support your child reaching their potential during the academic year. Your child will be making an appointment on your behalf and will be expected to be present. They will be required to wear school uniform. During the rest of the day they will be expected to work at home on assignments set by the teachers who would otherwise be teaching them on 8th October. We will also be inviting you to complete a questionnaire and anticipate that this will take a further 15 minutes. Year 11 parents will have the opportunity to speak to specific subject teachers on 10th November at the Year 11 Subject Clinic. Mr Rearden

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

The Rotary Club of Felixstowe have been recognizing Deben students talents over the last few years in Design and Technology. A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

This year they are giving their Young Designer Awards to Felicity Butcher for her Graphics coursework Felicity was fast tracked in year 9 to take Graphics GCSE and achieved a B grade overall, her coursework was A*.

Thursday 15th October between 8.30am and 9.30am.

PARENTS OPEN FORUM MEETING

Kyle Donnelly is the other nominee from Deben and won his award for his Resistant Materials project – he made a corner tool box for his coursework for which he achieved an A grade. Katie Alexander a cross site student from Orwell also won an award for her Resistant Materials project. The three pupils have achieved exceedingly well and were invited to the Rotary Club dinner at the Elizabeth Orwell Hotel on Thursday 17th September along with DT staff to receive their awards from Brian Fuller, President of the Rotary Club. Well done. Ms D’Silva ——————————————————————————————————————--

Deben ICT Club

When: Where: Time:

Every Wednesday Room 140 3 till 4

Mrs Shaw

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

Autumn Term 2009 – Ends Friday 18th December 2009 Half Term: Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October 2009

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

Spring Term 2010 – Tuesday 5th January 2010 to Thursday 1st April 2010 (Staff training day: Monday 4th January 2010) Half term: Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February 2010 Summer Term 2010 – Monday 19th April 2010 – Thursday 22nd July 2010 (Staff training day: Monday 7th June 2010) Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May 2010 Half term: Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June 2010 Autumn Term 2010 - Monday 6th September 2010 - Friday 17th December 2010 (Staff training days: Wednesday 1st, Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September 2010)

Interested in advertising your business to a regular monthly audience via our school? This side bar is available for just £15 per issue. Call Mrs Ryland on 01394 282602 for details.

Half Term: Monday 25th October - Friday 29th October 2010 Spring Term 2011 - Wednesday 5th January 2011 - Friday 8th April 2011 (Staff training day: Tuesday 4th January 2011) Half term: Monday 21st February - Friday 25th February 2011) Summer Term 2011 - Tuesday 26th April 2011 - Friday 22nd July 2011 (Staff training day: Friday 27th May 2011) Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd May 2011 Half term: Monday 30th May 2011 - Friday 3rd June 2011

Morrisons are once again issuing the ‘Let’s Grow’ vouchers for every £10 spent in store. These vouchers can then be exchanged for a range of seeds and equipment needed for growing vegetables. I would be grateful if you could collect these vouchers (if you shop at Morrisons) and also encourage family members to do the same. Nestles box tops for Books tokens are on many Nestles cereals like Shreddies, Nesquik, Cheerios, Clusters, Golden Grahams etc and we are saving for the cash option so each one is worth 10p to us. Please keep sending in. The Tesco tokens for schools has provided a new compost bin for the allotment area which is now in place as are two new sets of headphones in the computer room - thank you to all who contributed to this fine effort. The Sainsburys PE equipment vouchers provided a number of badminton rackets and many shuttlecocks, a goal ball, squistles (hand held whistles) and a set of new bibs. The remaining vouchers have been banked for next year. We are still recycling computer cartridges, currently for Guide Dogs for the Blind and of course we still have the recycling banks in the back car park. Many thanks for your continued support. Mrs Macpherson

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

Please keep sending in old phones. You may have at least one old mobile phone that you could donate or ask at your workplace for colleagues to donate to the school. Pupils can either donate the phones direct to the school or choose some fantastic prizes for helping with the campaign. The more phones the bigger the prize. In addition the school will be provided with educational resources and a cash prize. Mrs Armbruster

——————————————————————————————————————--

You may remember from the July issue of Deben News that we invited people to sponsor/make a donation towards Mr Cadzow‘s 60 mile cycle ride during the summer to help raise funds for CYAG. Unfortunately he was unable to gain any sponsors, and we did not receive any donations. However, we would like to thank him for his willingness and effort in trying to support the CYAG fundraising. Let’s get our thinking caps on for more fund raising ideas! Miss Williams, Link Teacher School Council

£5 vouchers have been awarded to the following for full attendance during the last 4 weeks of the summer term: Ryan Hammond

Harriet Ley

Thomas Morrissey

Haydn Wade

10 pin bowling or Hair salon vouchers have been awarded to the following for full attendance in the summer term: Georgia Bull

James Casburn

Ben Lamb

Ruth Lilley

Trophies have been awarded to GLENNIE as the House with the fewest consequent points in the summer term. The best form in each House in the summer term: B3

Well done to all. Mrs Baker

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

PARENT FOCUS GROUP Despite diminished numbers, it was a no less vocal PFG which met at the end of the summer term. There was plenty to debate amid the cups of tea and cakes kindly supplied, as always, by the kitchen staff.

Thursday 15th October between 8.30am and 9.30am.

PARENTS OPEN FORUM MEETING

A Specialist College the College forfor the VisVisual and ual and Performing Arts

Assistant Headteacher Mrs Baker joined us to discuss Student Support Systems, in her role in charge of 'Every Child Matters.' Mrs Baker explained that the overall aim of Student Support was to ensure that all students in the school are in the best state to learn. By means of a flowchart diagram and supporting information sheet which had been prepared for the staff, we parents were made aware of how the system works to ensure that students, parents and staff are working together on issues of behaviour and willingness to learn within the school. We discussed the discipline system from the operation of the C system, to exclusion from a particular class, to expulsion from school. We learnt of the vital intervention of the Learning Support Centre to encourage students back into the classroom. Issues were raised concerning the benefits (or otherwise) of the discipline system as it stands. The message was clear, that communication between staff, students and parents is most important to achieve the maximum inclusion, and best behaviour, amongst the pupil body. Mr Cawley then led discussion on the new system of tutoring and mentoring, in place from September, for years 8 - 11. Mr Rearden is taking charge of coordinating a liaison between mentors (form tutors), students and parents, involving a target system for each student. The way forward will be to online reporting, whereby parents can have instant access to a report on their child's progress at the touch of a button! We parents raised questions about the added work load for teachers, the accessibility of computers for all families, an overload of data that might not be helpful and a resultant decrease in the need for parent teacher meetings, which we unanimously agreed we did not want to lose. Finally, Ms Berry, Assistant Headteacher, in charge of Wellbeing and Development, opened discussion on Community Cohesion, the premise of which is that the school environment brings together a huge number of people of very different ages and experiences. What can be done to harness the direction of this community for the benefit of all, using the resources at the disposal of the school? Welcoming more of the outside world into the school environment is the name of the game! Communication seemed to be the link between the wide diversity of subjects brought up at this meeting, and to finish up, several parents raised particular issues where communication between school and home have failed recently, these were duly noted. Many thanks to Mr Mrs Cumberland for communication!

Cawley, Mrs Baker, Ms Berry, Miss Boyce and giving parents the opportunity for some good

Mrs Tink

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best learners in the world walk through our doors.â&#x20AC;?

Interested in advertising your business to a regular monthly audience via our school? This side bar is available for just £15 per issue. Call Mrs Ryland on 01394 282602 for details.

A Specialist College for the Visual and Performing Arts

The next Deben High School PTA big event is …… GREASE SINGSING-ALONG AND DISCO SATURDAY 17th October 2009

FROM 7.15PM – 11.30PM in the Upper School Hall (FILM STARTS AT 7.30PM)

BUFFET

BYO DRINKS RAFFLE QUIZ

Just £10 per person Contact Mrs Franks at Deben High School for tickets and any further information on 01394 282602 or complete and return the slip below ——————————————————————————————————————————

Please return to the Student Reception F.A.O. Mrs Franks Number of tickets:

Adult £10.00 ....................

Please find enclosed cash/cheque for £………………….. (cheques made payable to Deben High School). Name of Student …………………………………

Form ………………..

Signed …………………………................ Parent/Carer Date ………………

“The best learners in the world walk through our doors.”

Please return to Finance office by Friday 9th October I would like to order …….. MathsWatch CD-ROM at £3.00 each and enclose £………. (cheques made payable to Deben High School). The Higher Tier CD (140 clips – Grade A* to D) The Foundation Tier CD (134 clips – Grade C to G) Name of Student …………………………………..

Form ………………….

Signed …………………………................ Parent/Carer

Date …………………

Parent/Carer Name …………………………........… (Please print)

Please return to the Student Reception Number of tickets:

Adult £4.00 ............. Concessions £2.50 .............

Please find enclosed cash/cheque for £………………….. (cheques made payable to Deben High School). Name of Student …………………………………

Form ………………..

Signed …………………………................ Parent/Carer

Date …………………

Parent/Carer Name …………………………........… (Please print) —————————————————————————————————————————————————--

12 Brook Lane, Felixstowe, IP11 7EG 07719 410 719 Come along to a two hour workshop where you will learn about the skin and its functions, have an individual face map, and then perform a skin care routine including; • • • • •

Cleansing Exfoliating Toning Moisturizing Fun and laughter

Open to all ages, male or female. Cost £5 per person, (Redeemable against products bought on the day). Maximum of 5 people per workshop. Booking in advance essential. NEW in

The new brand for 8-23year olds, the new generation who want better looking skin without the hype!

20% discount for students under 15 years of age on all treatments.

Opening times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-8pm Thursday 12.30pm-8pm Closed between 4 and 6pm and on Bank Holidays. Tuesday 12.30pm-5pm for advice and sales only. Parking is available