Headlines - 28 June 2024 by Honywood School

James Saunders

OVERCOMING PERSONAL CHALLENGES

As we wrap up the week we are preparing to say farewell to our C7 learners who will be attending Caythorpe for their residential and C10 who will be on work experience. That leaves just C8 and C9 in school for the week to complete an in school programme of enrichment.

No matter which activity our learners are involved in, each one will support them to think, reflect and overcome personal challenges. Overcoming life’s challenges is an important part of building character. Our approach to building cultural and social capital in all our learners is designed to do this. These character building challenges come in many forms - such as leaving home. I am sure that these experiences will help to build resilience to face the everyday challenges that school often presents. Challenges like: balancing workload; revising for exams; taking exams; making friends; talking to a class; leading peers and supporting friends. Keep an eye on Facebook to follow the many exploits of the week - it’s going to be a busy one.

I will be away from school next week as I am joining the C7’s in Caythorpe to explore my inner action man. With luck I will still be intact at the end of the week. In the meantime, should there be any school matters that you need assistance with, Mr Munro will be on hand in school.

In light of most staff and learners being out of the building next week we will not issue the headlines at the end of the week. Therefore there will be

two final headlines of the school year on Friday 12th and 19th July.

I wish you all a lovely weekend.

James Saunders

INTAKE DAYS

Our newest cohort of learners have just completed their first two taster days with us. The days have been filled with a variety of activities to give them a really enjoyable experience and to begin to create a sense of belonging to our Honywood community. On Thursday they got to meet their cohort leader Ms Martin, their learning group leader, and me! They explored the school and got to grips with our ethos, which included learning about our core values of Trust, Respect, Equity and Excellence.

By the end of day one, the learners were feeling more confident in talking to each other, both in small groups and as a whole class. They made a great start in moving around the school and mixing a little with the older learners.

Day two was about experiencing the classroom. Each learning group got to have a taster of three lessons which included: PE, Science, Maths and Computer Science. I personally loved the three groups I got to teach computer science to.

All in all, the learners had a thoroughly good time; they are looking forward to starting here in September!

A big thank you to the lovely group of current learners taken from across all cohorts who supported the learning groups through each of the activities. They were super efficient and helped make the youngsters feel at ease. Their input has been really appreciated.

Thanks to the helpers:

Last night, C6 parents attended the Intake Evening to begin to learn about what being a Honywood learner is all about. Ms Martin did a fantastic job at sharing her vision and introducing herself to families in her first official public engagement as their cohort leader. I am looking forward to getting to know this cohort in September.

LEARNER LEADERSHIP

We recently launched the recruitment process to C10 for our next Learner Leadership Team. After facing the difficult task of evaluating their applications and shortlisting them for interview the candidates started the week face to face with an interview panel of Mr Caygill, Mr Scott and Ms Ward. This impressive team of learners went through a gruelling interview process that would rival most teacher interviews. They all rose to the challenge and did an exceptional job. They spoke with clarity, confidence and conviction - a real credit.

The standard again this year is exceptional and I would like to congratulate the successful C10s. I am looking forward to seeing how our school will benefit from their work over the following year.

Our new lead learners are: Freddie Brooks(10GWa/CKh), Faye Longstaff (10TGi), Soha Malek (10RMu), Tama Ujfalusi (10GWa/ CKh)

END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS SUMMER 2024

Friday 19th July is the last day of this school year, the arrangements for the day are as follows:

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

We would like to share some information regarding school transport following some very last-minute information from Essex County Council for the new school year. The Essex County Council contract for children who receive free school transport has now been awarded to Hedingham Buses for September 2024. We met with Hedingham Buses and Essex County Council yesterday to discuss the new provision and routes for September 2024 which has led to some significant changes to transport for September.

In September, Hedingham Buses will be the School transport provider for all children who have free school transport and will also be providing a private service to the following areas – Witham, Kelvedon, Chappel, Great Tey, Marks Tey, and Feering. Families who were previously provided transport by 24x7 will now be provided with transport by Hedingham buses. Information regarding routes will shortly be accessible from their websitehttps://www.hedinghamandchambers.co.uk/student-bus-travel

Flagfinders are to continue to offer their private services which covers families in Braintree, Halstead, Colne Engaine, White Colne and Earls Colne. Information can be found https://www.flagfinders.com/contact-us.htm

We will continue to offer a school minibus service for areas that Hedingham and Flagfinders are unable to support due to their rural locations, supporting families in Stisted, Silver End and a new route for West Bergholt and Wakes Colne. If you require any information regarding the school service please contact us on transport@honywoodschool.com or 01376 561231.