I very much hope that you all had an enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend. Although the weather wasn't perfect it was still an opportunity to get out and about. I realise that for many of our Year 11 students they will have been working hard revising as the examinations are starting in earnest. The Art and Photography exams have already taken place and I would like to say how impressed I was with the overall standard of the work that the students produced over the 10 hours that they had to work on their pieces. There was an excellent range of paintings, sculptures and photographs displaying the talent of our students which was great to see. I would also like to mention that next Monday (11th May) the Parents' Forum will be held in the Library starting at 6pm. After the success of the previous Forum where the Maths Faculty talked parents through the changing demands of the Maths curriculum in the forthcoming years, it is now the turn of the English Faculty. The feedback from parents last time was incredibly positive and several of you emailed to say how useful you had found the presentation. It is vital that you, as parents, are fully aware of the extent of the changes that are impending and I feel that this is a valuable opportunity to hear from the staff that will be delivering the new English curriculum. It will also give you a chance to hear how you can best support your sons and daughters to be successful. The new courses require a very different approach to teaching and learning and we are committed to ensuring that all of our students are given the best experience to enable them to achieve as highly as possible. Another date for your diaries is the 12th May as this is the Year 10’s production of their take on the Wizard of Oz. This will take place in the Drama Studio starting at 7pm and tickets are currently available from the student reception. If it is anything like the last production that I was lucky enough to attend in the Drama Studio you are in for a real treat and I would encourage you to come along and enjoy the spectacle. Finally could I just remind parents of Year 7 students that it is the Year 7 Disco on Friday of this week? Tickets are on sale all week and we hope to see a good turn out. The last Disco in the Autumn Term was a great success and I was impressed with the students in attendance. They were polite, friendly and very well turned out for the event and I hope that Friday is enjoyed by all just as much. It is lovely that the Friends of Roding Valley put on events of this kind and I would like to thank all those volunteers who have agreed to give up their time so that the students can enjoy themselves. J Luck Headteacher Message from the Governors The members of the SRC had presentations from the staff on the Home Learning Policy. It is understood that a similar presentation was made to the Parents’ Forum. The school had responded to concerns previously expressed. The committee members were delighted to hear that the library was full at 8am, every morning, with students undertaking independent learning. The committee approved the Home Learning Policy, and forwarded it to the Full Governing Body for final approval. A further presentation was made on Rewards, Attendance and Behaviour. The new systems were described in detail. The committee members were pleased to hear that these systems were working well, and this was supported by data provided. The Governors heard that Easter Revision classes had been well attended and staff had given up several days of their time to support students facing public exams. The committee was very grateful to the staff. Frank Solarz Chair, Governors’ Student Related and Curriculum Committee
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