This week it has been the turn of our Year 8s to sit their formal assessments. This has entailed them completing written examinations in the Hall under supervision. This has been a new experience for many of our students but the intention is to help them prepare for their external exams in the future. It is vital that all students get into good study habits early on in their school career and it will continue to support them to hone their skills in this respect. As parents/ guardians please do try to give your sons and daughters as much help as you can when they are revising. Discussing their work with you and you going through and testing their knowledge are great ways to reinforce their learning and with the support that they receive in school it will help them to make excellent progress. A very big well done to the Year 7 football team. This season the Year 7s have been outstanding against a range of opposition and Mr Hudgell has been full of praise for their teamwork, camaraderie and talent. This week they defeated a strong Phillip Morrant team in Colchester in the semi-final of the Essex Schools' Competition and now go on to face Great Baddow High School in the final. They were thoroughly deserving of their 1 - 0 victory and I'm looking forward to seeing them in the final. Thank you to Mr Hudgell for his hard work with the team. It would be a fantastic effort for the Year 7s to be crowned the best team in the county at their age group. When we know where the final will be played I very much hope that we can take along a lot of support to cheer the boys on. Also congratulations must go to Ella Margetts whose name has been mentioned in this column on several occasions. Last week though, Ella was victorious in the RIBI Young Chefs Competition District Final which is a tremendous achievement. She faced a very high standard of competition but now goes through to the Regional Finals in April where we wish her every success. I would also like to mention Arin and Azra Ozerin both of whom are in Year 7. I am delighted to say that both students represented Essex in the 12 Counties Tennis Championships last month. It is wonderful that we have so many talented individuals in the school and they act as such superb ambassadors for us. Well done to them both. Finally I mentioned two weeks ago that much of our students' work was being displayed at the Loughton Arts Centre on the High Street in an exhibition showcasing students' Artwork and Photography. Very well done to Geidre Sulcaite and Lily Smith who received first and second prizes respectively from the Mayor. There was very stiff competition from other schools but Roding Valley students came out on top again. Have a good weekend. J Luck Headteacher
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