Bulletin easter 2015

King Edward VI School

Easter Bulletin

T

27 March, 2015 he second half of term concluded with an outstanding sell-out Spring Concert at Turner Sims Concert Hall, the excellent Great War Revue, our Thanksgiving Service with the Revd Jo Jepson and two studio drama productions with our Fifth Year and Sixth Form dramatists. We have also had a very good term on the sports field as the chill has given way to the first hints of spring sunshine.

It has been a busy half of term with a combination of a variety of school trips and activities, the visit from students from Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina, trips abroad for our students including historians in Berlin, linguists in Salamanca and Italy and both Germanists and musicians in Vienna, a trip to the Faroes to get a rare glimpse of the solar eclipse and the aurora borealis, various charity events for Comic Relief, the annual Ceilidh raising funds for the South Africa project and the KES PTA Quiz. There are some rather exhausted students (and staff!) in need of a break, particularly with an unusual number hit by flu, but school activity continues over the holiday. Over April our students are involved in visits to Cordoba, Morocco, Montpellier, the annual ski trip to the USA and, with perhaps a little less glamour, Dartmoor and the Lake district to begin the Duke of Edinburgh expedition season.

Plans are coming together for a new 400 seat theatre which will be a major building project for 2016. It will replace the current Dobson Theatre which has extensive problems with its roof, audience capacity and technical facilities. We will keep you updated as the development progresses.

I wish you a good break over Easter and hope to see a number of you at various events in the summer including the arts festival and sports day in June with, we all hope, some sunshine!

AJ Thould Head Master THERE WILL BE LATE BUSES ON THE FIRST DAY BACK AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAY 21 APRIL, 2015

Tout ce qui est français 2015!

Normandy Second Year Visit 2 to 5 July Information Evening 7.00pm on Thursday 14 May in the Dobson Theatre

PUPILS LEAVING THE SCHOOL For all pupils, other than those in the Upper Sixth, who intend to leave at the end of this academic year, a reminder to parents that written notice must be received in all cases by the Registrar or the Head before 20 April 2015.

This includes those not intending to move from the Fifth Year to the Sixth Form.

Summer Term Leave of absence Friday 1 May - Fifth Year Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Fifth Year Book Collection: Thursday 18 June at 8.40am

Friday 8 May - Lower Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm

Upper Sixth Book Collection & Leavers’ Assembly: Thursday 25 June at 8.40am

Friday 22 May - Upper Sixth Leave of Absence begins at 4.00pm Wednesday 10 June - Lower Sixth Return to lessons

All Fifth Year and Upper Sixth pupils are required to attend on their respective days

Tuesday 5 May is a Monday timetable 1

First Year Parent & Pupil Rounders Tournament

Understanding Your Child's Temperament

There will be a First Year Pupil and Parent

A talk for parents by Lorraine Lee 13 May at 7pm in the Dobson Theatre

Rounders Tournament held at: Wellington Sports Ground

Lorraine has worked as a Parenting practitioner in Southampton for over 10 years and has worked very closely with Southampton City Council. She is fully trained in Positive Parenting, The Incredible Years Parenting Program and Group Facilitation. Her passion is to see families thriving, having fun and succeeding.

on Friday 19 June at 6.30pm Refreshments will be provided If you are interested in taking part in this fun event, please email Miss Campbell on cc@kes.hants.sch.uk with your child’s name, Tutor Group and indicate who will be partnering them.

This workshop explores how, by understanding your child's specific natural tendencies, you can minimise conflict and maximise the opportunities for your child to do well and succeed. It will also look at how this understanding can lay a strong foundation for parents and teenagers to have an ongoing positive and respectful relationship together.

Staff and Parent Prayer Meeting Tuesday 5 May 1.00pm to 2.00pm in the Commemoration Room All parents are welcome to attend

Refreshments will be served at 6.30pm

UNWELCOME VISITORS! Having had a couple of reported cases in recent weeks we would be grateful if you would check your child’s hair regularly for head lice. Click this useful NHS link for information and advice or please do not hesitate to contact one of the nursing team here at school on 023 80 799213.

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS

Fourth Year Career Induction

Please click here to access information about the University Open Day visits available for members of the current Lower Sixth. Students need to see Miss Jordan in the Student Guidance Office to confirm their attendance for all University visits, as places booked without consultation may needlessly prevent others from attending.

Students will also need to register online with each university for individual lectures.

In the summer term all Fourth Year Tutor Groups will be given the opportunity to visit the Guidance Centre, during Group Base, for a brief introduction to the careers resources available within the School. iPad Familiarisation We would like to invite parents of current Second Year pupils to attend iPad familiarisation sessions at school in the Gould Library from 19.00-20.00.

Please follow this link to sign up to attend a session.

EXAMINATION GUIDANCE

First Year Modern Language Choices

GCSE and IGCSE examinations start on 5 May and AS examinations begin on 11 May which gives students a very short time before they begin and this highlights the need for careful preparation over the Easter break. As the examination season approaches it is worth noting that internal examinations take place for the First to Fourth Years during the period 10 –16 June.

This year, First Year pupils have been studying one modern language, however, from the Second Year they will have the opportunity to study a second. Information about languages on offer will be sent out after the Easter break along with instructions for the online form.

All pupils will be given guidance on revision and in the Lower School pupils will be given a Revision Guide to help them develop their own individual skills in study and revision.

OBNO Shop (Outgrown But Not Outworn) The OBNO Shop (next to the School Shop) has a great deal of excellent quality second-hand uniform and sports equipment for sale.

Opening Hours: Wed 1.00-2.00pm For more information contact Sophie Liardet by email sophie@sophieliardet.com

An organised approach towards revision can reap rewards and students will be advised that they should be trying to spend some time revising during the summer half term break, so it would be worth bearing this in mind when organising holidays around this time.

2

Upper Sixth Starting University in September 2015 - Finance Information

As ever, there are one or two students who could do with a haircut and please note that pupils will be expected to return in normal school uniform next term.

When the weather is sufficiently warm we will inform the School of the introduction of summer dress.

If your son/daughter is hoping to start a full-time course at university or college in September 2015 he/she should apply online for student finance. Applications should be made as soon as possible to make sure the money is in place at the start of the university course.

Cyber Security at Bournemouth University On Wednesday 1 July Mr Mapstone and Mr Giles plan to take 15 Third Year pupils to Bournemouth University to discover more about cyber security. For further details please contact pjm@kes.hants.sch.uk.

Students don’t have to have a confirmed place – they should use their first choice and change it online at a later date if necessary.

The deadline for completed applications is May 2015 Please be aware that the School does not have any input into this particular aspect of Higher Education.

Any queries need to be dealt with directly by going to: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/ UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/ index.htm

THANKSGIVING SERVICE On 12 March, we welcomed Rev Joanna Jepson as our inspirational guest speaker. Joanna, an Anglican priest, author, broadcaster, coach and the first chaplain for the fashion industry, was born with a facial deformity and has strong opinions on the right to life. We have a small number of signed copies of her critically acclaimed book, ‘A Lot Like Eve: Fashion, Faith and Fig-Leaves: A Memoir’.

Please contact the Learning Resources Manager on njs@kes.hants.sch.uk if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

HPV Vaccination Programme The second dose of the HPV vaccinations for Second Year girls will take place on 6 May. Girls need to check the medical room door for timings.

We are looking forward to a fun filled couple of days.

All students will be contacted in due course with more details about their chosen activity.

First Year: INDEPENDENCE A two-day adventure for the whole year group to Fernycrofts campsite in the New Forest, where the KES PTA have generously funded some high adrenaline activities!

Second Year: CONFIDENCE Second Years have already chosen their options: Normandy trip, Climbing, Photography or Watersports in Poole.

Third Year: COLLABORATION For those who haven't opted for the Battlefields trip there will be a repeat of last year's hugely successful Dragon's Den, which is based in School.

Fourth Year: COMMUNITY Those not going on the Geography field trip will be asked which activity they would like to do with our local Primary School children. Last year we had a mini Olympics at Wellington with around 60 Year 4 primary school children taking part, and those feeling less energetic opted for Public Speaking, Art, Science, Languages, Drama or Maths at School. The partnership pupils had a great day and our pupils really enjoyed the experience.

Lower Sixth: SELF-IMPROVEMENT There is something for everyone in the Sixth Form, and some have signed up already. Many of the Lower Sixth will be on the Biology Field trip, but there is plenty on offer for those left behind including a trip to CERN, various University Open Days, helping out with the First Year camp or the School Allotment, or perhaps paying a visit to Southampton University to get cracking with the Extended Project.

Parents are reminded that no breakfast or lunch will be available on either 2 or 3 July even if the activities are on the School site. Parents have not been charged for lunches on these dates.

3

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Mon 20 April Wed 28 April Thurs 30 April Fri 1 May Mon 4 May Wed 6 May Sat 9 May Mon 11 May Tues 12 May Fri 22 May Thurs 28 May

INSET Day: School closed House Ready Steady Cook House Chess Third Year Theatre Studies performance Second Year Camp: Dartmoor: returns 4 May BANK HOLIDAY Watersports Parent Information Evening Rhythmic Gymnastics National Competition Fourth Year GCSE RS Examination Fourth Year Theatre Studies GCSE performance First and Second Year Spanish trip to Catalonia departs: returns 26 May Break up for half term Second Year Camp: Dartmoor: returns 31 May

Higher Education Matters

Seminars for students who will be facing extra vocational tests for university (Law, Medicine, etc.), commence Thursday 23 April. Lower Sixth students should check to see which meetings are appropriate for them to attend.

29 June is designated as UCAS Day for the School, and all members of the Lower Sixth MUST be present to receive training in the electronic application procedure.

Upper and Lower Sixth students will receive their public examination results on Thursday 13 August and our usual “face to face” advice service (known as the Post Examination Clinic) is available on the Thursday and again on Friday 14 in order to help students make appropriate decisions based upon exam marks and grades.

Details of times will be posted on the school web site and will, in addition, be sent to Upper Sixth students within the usual Post A Level Advice Booklet in July.

Please be aware that due to this commitment, e-mail cannot be given priority. Students have been advised to attend the clinic at the published times if they would like to discuss their post qualification position.

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

Mindfulness Training

Annie Davison, our School Counsellor, is a qualified Mindfulness Teacher for Teens. Mindfulness is training in concentration and self-awareness 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. In the Summer 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 a Thursday lunchtime for nine weeks and there will be a limited number of places available. More information about the specific course can be found at www.mindfulnessinschools.org.

If you, as parents, are interested in learning more about Mindfulness, then please contact Annie on ad@kes.hants.sch.uk.

KES PTA REQUEST YOUR COMPANY AT THE

Stars & Stripes Ball Saturday 4th July 2015 at 7.30pm • King Edward VI School  Dinner Reception & 3 - Course Dinner Live Band & Disco • Cocktail Bar & Casino Tables  Tickets: £70 • Dress: Black 4 Tie • Carriages: 1.30am Details about how to buy tickets will be in the post soon