Headlines - 23 June 2023

23rd June 2023

HEADLINES

By James Saunders

LEAD LEARNER INTERVIEWS

Another Happy Friday and another balmy week. The relaxed dress code seems to be helping everyone to regulate themselves and is having a positive effect on behaviour. We must however, not let the relaxed dress code translate to a relaxed learning environment - we need to maintain our high standards and engagement in learning that has been so visible throughout the year. It has been pleasing to see so many learners arriving focused and ready to tackle their learning head on. Walking around the school this week I have been impressed with the level of engagement and challenge. Next week we welcome our newest cohort for their intake days and they will look to us all as role models so let’s make them feel welcome and show them what our values are: Trust, Respect, Equity and Excellence.

Speaking of role models. I particularly enjoyed taking part in the C10 lead learner interviews today. Now that the C11’s have completed their exams the baton of responsibility for leading has been passed on to C10. Ms Martin, Mrs Frogley, Mr Caygill and myself interviewed the candidates today about their leadership ideas. I was very impressed with the professionalism of every single one of them. I can honestly say that the quality of the interviews was on a par with many of the interviews I have conducted with teachers. The learners shared their ideas for leadership as well as the legacy they want to leave behind. Of particular note was the honesty they displayed when reflecting on what works and what doesn’t work for them. It was so hard to choose as everyone did such a great job. It takes courage to even put your name forward for a thing like this. I would like to extend my thanks to all candidates.

Have a lovely warm weekend

James Saunders

NATIONAL WRITING DAY

On Wednesday Learning group leaders launched a competition to mark National writing day. Writing is a vital lifelong skill that empowers communication and self-expression. Writing is a crucial part of the development journey of a learner. It enhances self-confidence and critical thinking skills but also encourages creativity.

Writing:

• Supports mental wellbeing

• Inspires creativity

• Helps children express their thoughts and feelings

• Improves writing skills.

• Enhances communication skills

Learners have been invited to enter a competition by choosing one of the following prompts:

1. Imagine you are inviting someone around for dinner. They could be from the past, present or future. Why would you invite this person? What would you ask them? What would you serve them to eat? Who is this person to you?

2. Write a story about a futuristic world where technology has taken over.

3. Create a dialogue between two people who have opposing personalities/opinions.

4. Listen to music or watch a video/film clip and free write whatever comes to mind.

5. You have just won a prestigious award. This might be in sport, drama or for a ground-breaking discovery, you choose! Write an acceptance speech for this award.

6. Imagine your own world. What is in your world? Who is in your world? Where is your world? How did your world come to be? Write about your world.

7. Write a list of excuses for being late to school - the more imaginative the better!

The deadline for submissions is Friday 14th July.

REPORTING ATTENDANCE

Please inform the school early in the day by 8.30am if your child is going to be absent from school. You need to call the attendance line on 01376 561 231 option 1 or email attendance@honywoodschool.com to report a child’s absence. This number has a 24 hour voicemail service. If you need to speak to someone because you need extra help or are worried, please contact your child’s Cohort Leader and we will make sure someone contacts you. We may ask for a letter to confirm medical appointments to explain absences or other suitable medical evidence.

If you receive a InTouch message regarding your child’s absence please contact the school as soon as possible. If your child has not arrived at school or left the premises and you are not aware, we need you to help with finding them and ensuring they are safe. It is a safeguarding concern if no-one knows where your child is.

You need to make sure your child is in school by 8.30am in order for them to register and prepare for the day. A rushed arrival can make a child feel unsettled and lead to a difficult day in school. They may also receive a late mark and possible consequence.

We need parents to keep us up to date with contact details. Please let us know if your mobile number changes and make sure that, wherever possible, we have another two named contacts on the system we can call if we cannot get hold of you. This is important if there is any kind of an emergency.

Thank you for your support.

Well done to our C10 learners who completed their D of E expedition last weekend. Very proud of you all!

Please support our learners in the Young Essex Assembly as they are running a cultural day on 1st July 2023. If you wish to attend please complete the form by clicking here

For week 38 C8 will be running businesses in school and will need a number of resources, if anyone has any of the following that they are willing to donate that would be great.

• Nail varnish, hair braiding etc.

• Any garden items - plants etc.

• Anything that can be used for cake decorating

• Cardboard boxes (small/medium/large) and toilet roll/ kitchen roll tubes.

• Paintbrushes

• A1 card x 15 for advertising company

• Old picture canvases - these can be painted over & reused.

• Old clothes to be torn up

• Newspapers

• Crayons (new or used)

Thankyou for your support!

Dates for the Diary