Parent Bulletin 12.9.14

I would like to start by thanking the students, staff, Governors and parents of Roding Valley High School for helping to make my first full week as Headteacher a truly memorable experience. The welcome has been warm and effusive and I could not have asked for more support from you all. I have a really positive feeling about the school moving forward and I have every confidence that together we can build on this strong foundation to become recognised as a truly Outstanding school.

The students have returned from the holidays in fine fettle. They are looking very smart in their uniforms and are fine ambassadors for the school. I have been impressed with the attitudes to learning in class as pupils got back into the swing of things and I am certain that we can further improve on last year's outcomes if we maintain this positivity.

This is a crucial year for Roding Valley as we prepare to open our doors in September 2015 to a new Sixth Form. As part of the Epping Forest District Consortium we will be providing Post 16 education at Roding Valley across a range of subjects. Previously I have worked in schools with successful Sixth Forms so I fully appreciate the boost that this will give the school in the future.

The fact that our students may stay on in Years 12 and 13 and complete their A Levels with the support of teachers who have worked with them throughout their schooling will be a huge advantage. From my experience such support from staff is vital in helping students make the step up from GCSE to A Levels.

Parents of current Year 11s will be invited to a launch evening for the Epping Forest District Sixth Form Consortium on Thursday 25th September with further events for Year 10 parents being scheduled for later in the year. I very much look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these evenings.

I hope that you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Mr J Luck Headteacher

You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net , on Facebook at the ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page or on Twitter (@RodingValleyHS). You can also sign up to our free electronic media release service at rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com

Student Absence If your child is unable to attend School for any reason then please report their absence by phoning the school number by 9.30am, you must also ring in each day of your child’s absence.

020 8508 1173 On their return to School please ensure your child brings with them a letter explaining the reason for the absence for our records.

Medical Appointments When possible please make sure you make any medical or dental appointments outside of school time.

If this is not possible then please try to ensure that your child attends before and/or after their appointment.

Holidays in Term Time It is not school policy to authorise any holidays during term time except in exceptional circumstances. If you put in a request a ‘Leave of Absence’ form must be completed (these are available at Student Reception). Please be aware if the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case may be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.

For full details regarding attendance please see our Attendance Policy which can be found in the ‘Parents’ section on our website or contact Mrs Jeanette Low our Attendance Officer on the school number 020 8508 1173.

ICT Coursework Sessions Every Friday Lunchtime With Miss Wilson in ICT4

If you would like to join the Friends of Roding Valley High School please come along to the next meeting which is on Wednesday 17th September at 7pm.

Please meet in the Main Reception.

Supported Homework Club Learning Zone Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 3.05pm - 3.40pm Everyone welcome

Year 11 – September 2014 Open Days coming up: Forest School Monday 15th September from 4.30pm -8pm If there are any students considering applying to Forest School for a sixth form place, their Open Evening is this coming Monday.

Forest School is a private fee paying school, however they do offer some scholarship and bursary funded places. Students are required to sit an entrance examination in order to be considered for one of these places, details and dates of which can be found on the Forest School website www.forest.org.uk or obtained at their Open Evening.

I will be giving students lots more information over the coming weeks regarding Open Days and Evenings for all the local sixth forms and colleges.

If you require any further information or advice please contact me.

Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net

We are again collecting the Morrisons Let’s Grow vouchers.

Please send your vouchers into the school so that we can claim free gardening and cooking equipment.

Home Learning We are committed to the importance of home learning at Roding Valley and would ask KS3 parents to look at the home learning timetable for the form group that your child is in and support the school in ensuring home learning is completed. Home learning can significantly enhance pupil understanding and attainment and it is an expectation that all home learning is completed to the best of their ability. Please continue to sign your child's planner each week to acknowledge that they have competed the work set.

The timetable for each year group will follow in the next few pages...

Roding Valley High School 100 Club We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join the 100 Club. It is a great way to support us in fund raising which benefits the school whilst also having the chance to win a cash prize. All of the monthly payments received by the club are distributed equally between the school and the prize fund.

Entry cost £1 per month minimum. The more you donate the more chances you have to win!

Draw takes place termly (December, April and July) 3 cash prizes per draw 1st prize (50% of prize fund) 2nd prize (30%) 3rd prize (20%).(This may be subject to change)

For a simple monthly subscription your name will be entered into the draw three times a year where the lucky winners names will be drawn in assembly.

To join this fantastic club simply complete the attached form and return it to the Finance Office so we can set up a monthly Standing Order with your bank, or alternatively you can pay a minimum annual fee of £12 paid through your ParentPay account.

If you would like more information please contact us at finance@rodingvalley.net

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR SCHOOL AND GOOD LUCK!

100 Club Winners - Summer 2014 1st Prize : 2nd Prize : 3rd Prize :

Mrs E Taseva £71.00 Mrs Woodhams £43.00 Mrs Pett £28.00

Drum Lessons One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available.

Learn with your friends!

Learn to play the drums from as little as £5 per week Contact: jameswelsted@hotmail.co.uk

Guitar Lessons Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour.

Please contact Steve van Niekerk on vn.steve.vn@gmail.com if you are interested.

www.jwdrums.co.uk LIBRARY OPENING TIMES The library is open to all students for homework , G.C.S.E. work and private study / reading at the following times : Monday - Friday (excluding Tuesday): Before school 7.15 am – 8.30 am , break time , lunch times and after school for homework club 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm.

Tuesday: Before school 7.15 am - 8.10 am , break time and lunch times.

Access for early opening is via the door by resources.

School Shop Opening Times

Julia Martin / Stephen Murray

Before School: 8.30am - 9.00am Break: 11.00am - 11.20am Lunch: 1.20pm - 2.05pm After School: 3.05pm - 4.00pm PUPILS WILL NOT BE SERVED OUTSIDE THESE HOURS

Singing Lessons Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Gemma Kirk for more details and to book your slot.

email: g.kirk_88@hotmail.com