15th July 2022
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
I am sure that it would not have gone unnoticed that things have recently been a bit different at Honywood. We did not publish headlines last week because it was our last enrichment week of the year. I hope that like me you have been able to follow the exploits of our learners on Facebook. I would like to thank Mrs Frogley for all of the hard work she puts into our Facebook site to keep families updated with the exploits of our learners and the many teachers who took the hundreds of photos we shared with you all. I can see from the comments, that parents have really valued the ability to follow the progress of their children whilst they have been away and none of this would be possible without someone coordinating this. I would also like to thank our parents and community whose engagements with our social media bring it to life. I would like to thank our staff who have given up their week, away from their own families, to support the residential trips to Devon and Norfolk. None of these things are possible without staff going the extra mile. I was looking forward to spending time with learners on the Devon trip. However, after a short visit to hospital the week before I was unable to go and confined to school. My disappointment soon turned around once I got into school. We had a small group of learners from each cohort in school for the week and I got to share in the range of activities and local trips they took part in. HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS At Honywood it is really important that learners leave us happy as well as successful. In my experience this is only possible through effective and positive relationships. Our enrichment weeks and opportunities to develop social and cultural capital are all designed to build stronger relationships - we believe that to prepare learners for the future they must be able to build and sustain networks of relationships.
‘He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary’ The tagline from Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society; a film featuring the highly acclaimed performance by the late Robin Williams as Mr Keating the English teacher. The film, set in a world where the pressure to succeed is high, tells the story of the relationship that Mr Keating develops with his students. These relationships are arguably what set the students free from the shackles of the pressure to succeed. Through these relationships he inspired them to meet their potential. Dead Poets Society begs the question: ‘Is effective teaching more about good relationships than anything else?’ I think there is some merit in this question but it is not a case of one or the other. Our goal of happiness and success cannot be achieved if we just focus purely on academic rigour and likewise it won’t emerge if we just concentrate on relationships at the expense of learning and progress. Academic study is vitally important and helps to unlock many doors for us. However, without a focus on relationships we will not be able to create a support network and ethos that creates success and keeps those doors open once we walk through. We have had everyone back this week for the final full week of term. We finish on Thursday next week, which will be a half day therefore this will be the final headlines of the year. I would like to thank everyone in our community for their support over the last year. I wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to our return in September. James Saunders
END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS Thursday 21st July is the last day of this school year, the arrangements for the day are as follows: 8.45 - 8.55 AM Reg 8.55 - 10.10 LS1 10.10 - 10.25 Break* 10.25 - 11.40 LS2 11.40 - 12.50 LGL Time / LS5 Assemblies: C7 - 11.45 C8 - 12.00 C9 - 12.15 C10 - 12.30 12.50 - Dismiss *Lunch will not be provided on the 21st. Any youngster entitled to a free school meal will be able to collect this at break time. BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION The school year will begin with a staggered start as it has in previous years to enable our C7s to settle in. The new school year begins on Friday 2nd September for C7 and Tuesday 6th of September for all other cohorts and will run as follows: FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER - C7 LEARNERS ONLY 08:30 - 08:45 Cohort 7 Arrive (own transport required) 15:20 Cohort 7 Depart Please note that there will be a change to the usual travel arrangements for the first day. For C7 learners we would appreciate it if parents are able to bring their children in for their first day. MONDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER - C7 LEARNERS ONLY 08:30 - 08:45 Cohort 7 Arrive (Buses in operation) 15:20 Cohort 7 Depart TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER - ALL LEARNERS GRAND OPENING CEREMONY 1ST COGGESHALL SCOUT GROUP Last week we had the privilege of attending the open ceremony of the new wilderness area behind the scout hut. It is fantastic to see what was an area of wilderness be transformed into a campfire area. There is no doubt that both before and since Covid, our responsibility to children who suffer poor mental health has become even more important. This campfire site will help give a unique atmosphere where children can come together in a safe environment and are ‘quietly’ supervised as they find the courage to face the debilitation they feel in their lives for whatever reason and, perhaps, realise
they are not alone in feeling how they do. Initially, of great benefit to the members of the sections in Scouts and Guides but also to children who sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh awards. This would not have been possible without the inspiration from Adam Bones (Cub Scout Leader who works for Highways England) and all the contractors who collaborated with each other to produce, not only the Campfire area, but also resurfaced and relined the front car park. An area which gives a first impression to our visitors. Thank you seems to be an inadequate way to express Honywood’s appreciation for all that has been achieved which can only be described as ‘AWESOME’!
M E N TA L H E A LT H S U P P O R T T E A M
ONLINE SUMMER WO R K S H O P S E R I E S F O R YO U N G P E O P L E Helping you to understand and manage your anxiety and wellbeing ahead of the new school term Scan me Available on multiple dates between 1st August and 1st September 2022
ADOLESCENT ANXIETY
Secondary
MOVING ON TO 6TH FORM/COLLEGE
Secondary
RETURN TO SCHOOL ANXIETY
Secondary
5 WAYS TO WELLBEING
Secondary
Join one, join some, join all – pick and mix them to suit you! To book your place on one of the workshops, please scan the QR code above or access the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mhst-online-summerworkshop-series-secondary-594479
The 2022 District Athletics took place on Wednesday 15th June. This was the first time the competition had run since 2019 and it was therefore the first time the majority of the learners had competed in a competition like this; there was understandably a lot of nerves from learners at the start of the day. The PE team are proud of every learner that participated in the competition, they conducted themselves commendably throughout the day and gave their all when competing. There was a real sense of comradery with the learners cheering each other on, regardless of the cohort, which was lovely to see. I would like to congratulate every learner that competed and give a special mention to the following learners who gained 1st place in their event:
C7
Nathan Humphries Caleb Gilbert Nimer Bilbeisi Frances Rassell Lilly-Mae Gilden
Hurdles A 100m A High Jump A 800m B Long Jump B
C8/9
Olivia Walby Rhys Rowley Frank Chapman Jenson Bedoes
C10
Jayden Bishop Tori Treharne
800m A Hurdles B 1500m B High Jump B
100m 100m and Long Jump
All 8/9 boys who achieved 3rd place in the team competition. Well done! And finally I would like to thank Finley Newton, Luca McCracken, Amelie Cooper, Amber Chard and Olivia Wilson who did a fantastic job helping Mr Walters to run the C7 & 8/9 teams whilst the PE staff helped to run the events. - Mrs Jones
Work experience is an integral part of the Cohort 10 curriculum and provides an opportunity for our learners to gain an insight into the ‘world of work’ and to help prepare them for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life. Spending time with an employer, doing simple tasks or merely work shadowing (watching an experienced employee at work) can be hugely beneficial for your child. At Honywood we support and encourage our learners to engage in a work experience placement for the following reasons: • • • • • • •
developing transferable skills, such as communication and teamworking understanding how organisations work or bringing a job they have read about to life building confidence in interacting with adults confirming an interest in a career or (equally useful!) deciding it is not for them a foot in the door - if they impress the employer they may be asked back on a more formal arrangement such as an apprenticeship, or encouraged to apply when vacancies arise. providing valuable content for a UCAS personal statement, to give evidence of an interest in a particular subject/occupation for some sectors, such as media production, the most usual route in is through work experience before landing a junior position.
Please click the button for more information on the value of work experience
Helping your child develop a love of music. Our expressive arts team recognise the benefits to music lessons in school, as they provide children with an opportunity to develop a variety of key skills and become more confident. Payment and Stopping lessons
Essex Music Service Lead partner in Essex Music Education Hub Essex County Council E2, County Hall Chelmsford Essex CM1 1QH
For Parents/Guardian at Honywood School
We will match your child with the most appropriate tutor at their school and email you an invoice to pay directly to us. You will have 2 weeks to make payment and if timely payment is not made, lessons will be cancelled. Please ensure that payment comes to Essex Music Education Hub, not to your child’s school.
Our Ref: SchoolTuition22-23 Date: 13 July 2022 Office Telephone: 0333 013 8953
Dear Parent/Guardian, Requesting Music Lessons at Honywood School
Once registered and matched with a tutor, tuition will continue until you give notice to stop. You are liable for the term’s tuition. If you wish to cancel (‘discontinue’) your child’s lessons, notice must be provided to us via email to MusicHub@essex.gov.uk or by using the ‘discontinue’ feature within SpeedAdmin by at least half term to finish at the end of that term. Full details are available in the terms and conditions. Financial Assistance and Instrument Hire
We are pleased to offer small group/1-to-1 instrumental lessons in school provided by our team of high-quality tutors. Learning a musical instrument can have many positive effects on a child’s social, personal and educational development as well as giving them a great sense of enjoyment and achievement. To book lessons to start in September, please request lessons by 18th July 2022 via this online link: https://ukessex.speedadmin.dk/registration?signupSchoolID=1553#/courselist/25 Lessons cost: equivalent to £32 per hour (from September 2022 to August 2023), e.g. Lesson Length
Cost (term)
With Tuition Discount (66%)
Cost for LAC or prev LAC
15 minutes x 10 weeks
£80
£27.20
Free
20 minutes x 10 weeks
£106.75
£36.30
£9.09
30 minutes x 10 weeks
£160
£54.40
£27.20
45 minutes x 10
£240
£81.60
£54.40
Paired Lesson (2 students 10-minute each) x 10 weeks
£53.50
£18.19
Free
You might also wish to be aware of the Tuition Discounts (66% reduction in fees for low income families), and free lessons available for Looked after Children/Children in Care. To have this discount applied to your invoice, you must apply on our website using the link above. We are also able to offer low cost Instrument Hire for any child in Essex. Applications for all of these can be made on our website. Paired Lessons With the cost of living unfortunately increasing you may be interested in Paired lessons to help spread the cost of lessons. Paired lessons are either for 20 minutes for 2 students or 30 minutes for 3 students and are ideally suited for students who are playing at a similar level. We would need at least 2 students to request this lesson type for it to go ahead – lessons will not take place for just 10 minutes. We look forward to developing your child’s love of music! Yours sincerely,
Click here for further details about lessons with Essex Music Service.
The Essex Music Service Team Essex Music Service Essex County Council T: 0333 013 8953 (General Office) W: www.essexmusichub.org.uk
Dates for the Diary Thurs 21st July
End of Term - early finish 12.50pm
Thurs 28th July - 11am to 3pm
New Uniform Sale - Main Hall
Fri 2nd September
Return to school - C7 only
Mon 5th September
C7 only in school
Tues 6th September
C8, C9, C10 & C11 return to school
Fri 9th September
Whole school individual photos