Bulletin december 2014

King Edward VI School

Christmas Bulletin 18 December, 2014

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he term has finished with some very tired students more than ready for a holiday. It has been an exceptionally busy half of term marked particularly by a full sporting calendar, the excellent production of “Welcome to Thebes” and the wonderful singing of the choir, ably supported by our instrumentalists, at the Carol Service at St. Mary’s.

Higher Education Evening Tuesday 13 January 7.00pm in the Dobson Theatre This Information Evening is designed to help Lower Sixth parents understand current procedures for applications to universities. More than 98% of our students leave us to go to university and our Lower Sixth students have now begun the process of researching possible options for their futures.

Students in the Fifth Year will have plenty of work to do as they prepare for mid-sessional examinations in January.

We continue to appreciate your support with maintaining high standards of dress; we like students to remain smart at all times.

If you are a parent of a student in the Lower Sixth, please follow this link to access our information regarding preparation for university applications and our Higher Education programme. Lower Sixth students should follow this link to the booklet that goes with the Lower Sixth Higher Education programme.

The new term begins on Tuesday 6 January and, until then, I wish you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

AJ Thould Head Master

In a change to previous arrangements at the start of term THERE WILL BE LATE BUSES on Tuesday 6 January 2015

Parents’ Childnet Talk

Carol Service

Internet Safety Seminar for Parents Tuesday 27 January, 2015 at 7.00pm in the Dobson Theatre

A big Thank You to all parents who sang so enthusiastically in the choir at this year’s Carol Service. It was really appreciated by music staff and pupils alike.

You are invited to attend the Know IT All seminar presented by Childnet International. This is a very informative presentation which will give you an insight on how your child uses online and mobile technologies and the pitfalls and risks that can be associated with it.

Following the collection, £883.78 will be donated to both the Isaac Leal Fund and the New Forest Nightstop charity.

KES Chamber Choir and the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra joint concert at Winchester Cathedral 24 January, 2015 at 7pm

The seminar will last for approximately one hour and refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.

There will be an opportunity for current Second Year parents to attend a short briefing on the introduction of iPads to KES at 6:15pm in the Dobson Theatre, preceding the presentation by Childnet.

Tickets are £10 (£5 concessions) and will be available from the Cathedral Box Office from January 1

Open Instrumental Lesson Week

THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY

During the week of 2 – 6 February, parents are warmly invited to come to the School and attend their child’s instrumental lesson. This will be a good opportunity to see the lesson in action and discuss instrumental progress with the teacher.

The attention of pupils and their parents is drawn to the fact that the School day begins at 8.30am. By this time, all pupils are required to be inside the School buildings, attending to their lockers, and making their way to their Group Bases, where they must be by 8.40am.

Parents are asked to contact the instrumental teacher in advance if they would like to attend and to sign in at reception on arrival.

It is not sufficient to aim to arrive at the School grounds by 8.30am (or later), as there is not enough time to do all that has to be done and still be in group base at 8.40am.

Message from the Director of Sport

It is recognised that from time to time, due to failings of public transport, some pupils may arrive late; but these occasions should be very rare, and when they occur with any regularity, alternative means of transport should be found, to ensure punctual arrival in School.

Details of all fixtures for next term can be found on the new sport website here.

Practice days and times can also be found here.

Finally, just a reminder that all team shirts should be returned to the head of the particular sport as soon as possible i.e. Mr Powell (Rugby), Mr Crichton (Hockey), Mrs Ferrand (Netball), Mr Kent (Cricket).

Your fullest co-operation is sought to ensure that pupils begin each day promptly.

Education Sunday at Winchester Cathedral 8 February 2015 All parents and friends of the school are invited to join us as we lead the diocese to celebrate the gift of education.

The theme will be Learning to Serve

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION It is important that the records we hold for your child are as up to date as possible in case of an emergency. Please check your contact details on the Parent Portal and notify us of any changes http://parents.kes.hants.sch.uk/

MINDFULNESS TRAINING Annie Davison, our School Counsellor, has recently qualified as a Mindfulness Teacher for Teens.

Mindfulness is training in concentration and selfawareness which can help young people respond better to the demands of performing well at School and with interactions with their peer group and family. Students who have participated in this training have said it has helped them, not only with stress, anxiety and relationships but also with concentration and sleep problems.

If you have not already signed up to the Portal, please email isams@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

Morrisby Psychometric Testing for all Fourth Year Pupils Many of you will be aware that HMC Schools frequently offer Morrisby Testing to students in their pre-GCSE years. King Edward’s offer the test to all Fourth Year pupils.

In the spring term, Annie will be running a Mindfulness Course, which will be open to students of all age groups.

You can find more about it by clicking here to access details from the School website. The sessions will take place on Tuesday lunchtimes for nine weeks and there will be a limited number of places available. More information about the specific course can be found www.mindfulnessinschools.org. If you, as parents, are interested in learning more about Mindfulness, then please contact Annie on ad@kes.hants.sch.uk.

The test is intended to provide detailed profiles of your child’s aptitudes, learning styles and problem solving abilities and provide useful information for detailed careers guidance. The test is booked for the morning of Thursday 15 January. A feedback interview will be provided later in the term.

Please contact Mrs Mandley on cjm@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

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SUMMER TERM DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Fri 1 May

Fifth Year Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Fri 8 May

Lower Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Mon 11 May (am)

Fourth Year GCSE RS Examination

Fri 22 May

Upper Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Wed 10 June

Lower Sixth return to lessons

Thurs 18 June

Fifth Year Book Collection

Wed 24 June

Leavers’ Dinner

Thurs 25 June

Leavers’ Day

INFORMATION EVENINGS

MEDICAL NEWS If your child has been given medication by medical staff during the School day, a green slip will be sent home with your child indicating time and medication given.

If you have new medical information relating to your child or changes to information already held on our database, please notify the Senior School Nurse on schoolnurses@kes.hants.sch.uk.

Staff & Parent Prayer Meeting Tuesday 20 January 2015 1.00pm-2.00pm in the Commemoration Room

Fourth Year Art/Italian trip to Florence Parent Information Evening Monday 12 January, 7- 8pm in the Art Studios

Charities Commission

Himalaya Expedition Information Evening Thursday 22 January, 7- 8.30pm in the Study Centre Watersports 2015 - 16 to 23 August La Rive, Biscarosse, South West France

Charitable activities have remained a key element of School life and this autumn term has been particularly busy for members of the Charities Commission.

A few more places are being offered on the Watersports 2015 trip. It is open to any pupils in the current Second, Third and Fourth Year and the total cost is £570 per pupil which includes all travel, food, accommodation and activities.

If you would like to book a place or would like further information, please contact Mrs Quinn on sq@kes.hants.sch.uk

The First Year, in their colourful and imaginative fancy dress outfits, raised an incredible £1687.84 for the local Toy Appeal, whilst the School put together 114 shoe boxes for the Link to Hope Christmas Appeal. Other main events have included the Summer Camp Disco, doughnut sales, dodgeball competitions, Children in Need and Christmas Stalls.

This term's non-uniform day raised £871.80 for the Rainbow Trust.

PSHE DAYS As part of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme all Third Year pupils will take part in a PSHE day on Thursday 15 January. Sessions will cover Substances Harmful to Health, Career Matching, Mental Wellbeing, Managing New Technology, Politics and Taking Notes.

The total raised for this term has exceeded £4,000!

Green Team Christmas Card Recycling

All Fourth Year pupils will have a PSHE day on 27 January.

Their sessions will cover Internet Safety and Sexting, Personal Finance, Self-esteem, Leadership and two sessions on Sexual Health and Relationships (Contraception and STIs).

An estimated 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in Britain, the equivalent of 200,000 trees. Around 1 million of these Christmas cards are thrown away every year.

Please help us to reduce this number and save resources.

Don’t throw away your used cards; bring them into school where there will be a special green bin in reception for you to deposit them in until 23 January. The Green Team will then make sure that your cards are recycled or reused in a way that will benefit the environment.

The sessions are designed to be interactive as well as informative and the intention is that the pupils become fully involved in the work that is undertaken during the day.

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Mon 5 Jan

INSET Day: School closed

Tues 6 Jan

Term commences

Wed 7 Jan

Fifth Year mid-Sessional examinations begin - conclude 13 Jan

Thurs 8 Jan

Fourth Year Religious Studies mid-sessional examination

Tues 13 Jan

Higher Education Evening for Lower Sixth Parents

Thurs 15 Jan

Fourth Year Morrisby Test Third Year PSHE Day

Sat 24 Jan

Admissions Exam

Tues 27 Jan

Fourth Year PSHE Day

Wed 4 Feb

Fifth Year Parents’ Evening

Please note: A more comprehensive calendar, which is updated and reviewed regularly, is available on our website at http:// www.kes.hants.sch. uk/calendar

South Africa Goedgedacht Project Dinner Dance Three course meal followed by a Ceilidh with music from “Captain Driver’s Delight” 14 March 2015  7pm for 7.30 – 11.30pm Black Tie  Tickets £28 click here to purchase

Wednesday 28 January 7pm - 9pm Student pick up after school trips or sports fixtures Parents are reminded that coaches have to be able to park in the coach bays in Hill Lane on returning from trips or away fixtures.

Parents are asked to ensure that there is space for them to do so in order to avoid congestion.

KES PTA Stars & Stripes Ball 4 July 2015 Tickets will be on sale next term.

If you are interested in sponsoring any part of the Ball, please email Diana Hulbert at dianahulbert@btinternet.com and she will be happy to discuss details.

Click here to book

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