Another busy week at Roding Valley as we move towards Spring. The Year 11 Parents' Evening was very well attended on Thursday and there was a very positive atmosphere throughout the school. It was lovely to speak to so many parents about how well their sons and daughters are doing as the Pre-Public Examination outcomes look very promising. It was also helpful to give some pointers and arrange some extra sessions for those that need a bit of added impetus at this important time in their academic careers. Overall the students have shown a really mature attitude to their studies and have been attending the multitude of revision sessions and Controlled Assessment clinics that staff have been running at lunchtimes and after school. The teachers have been incredibly supportive of the students and so many parents commented on how grateful they were that staff are prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty to help the youngsters make progress and give themselves every opportunity of succeeding in the summer. It goes to show what a supportive school this is with students having ready access to their teachers who will always help them. With this in mind I would like to mention the Easter Revision School that is being held for the Year 11s in the first week of the upcoming holiday. This is a chance for students to come and spend some quality time with their teachers and get further ahead with their examination preparations. This is a crucial time for them all and we really are working hard to ensure that no students go into the exams under-prepared. I want the Results Day in August to be a real celebration for the students and the school as a whole so it is all systems go until the exam period is over. I would also like to invite all parents to the Parents' Forum next week on Monday 16th March. The focus of the discussion will be on the changes to examinations that have taken place thus far and the further changes in the next two years. This is something that I feel that parents need to be kept fully informed about as the Government has brought in so many changes in recent times that it is hard to keep up with them all. Fortunately we have taken a proactive approach with this and will certainly be ready for the demands of the new courses from September 2015 and beyond. Please do make every effort to attend the meeting at 6pm in the Hall as it is something that will affect all students in the years to come. Finally I would like to congratulate Harry Gipson in Year 8 on being selected for the Under 13 Essex rugby squad. A fantastic achievement and we are delighted for him. Only last week he was starring in My Fair Lady and now he will be performing in a totally different context for the County. And Thomas Reed in Year 9 who will be attending the Essex Rugby Development training day involving over 100 boys for Essex U13s. Very well done Harry and Thomas. I wish you an enjoyable weekend. J Luck Headteacher
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