Parent Bulletin 9 6 17

It has been a great week here at Roding Valley High School, very calm, settled and purposeful.

Yesterday, we had our own General Election. I would like to thank Miss Preston and Mrs Cain for organising the student election. They arranged for the students to watch and discuss presentations from the main political parties in the build up to the General Election. It has been brilliant to hear some of our younger students discussing politics and who they would vote for.

I hope that you followed the twitter feed, it was very exciting.

Please do take a look at our results included later in the bulletin.

The GCSE, AS and A2 Examinations have been going really well and the students have been amazing. They present incredibly calm, focused and prepared. Please remind them that the teachers are still available to support even at this stage. We are always on hand to help them to prepare for these final exams.

Last night was the GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition. It was a real privilege to attend. The work was of a very high standard and included some fabulous pieces. Again, please see the write up from Mr Tisdale later in the bulletin.

Many of our Year 7s have been away this week enjoying themselves at Newlands Park on a residential trip. It sounds like they have been having a brilliant fun-packed week, please see article later in the bulletin. Many thanks to Mr Hudgell, Miss Smith and Miss Bingham for supporting the students on this brilliant trip.

The Year 9 students have started their GCSE options subjects this week and this has been incredibly successful. The students have started their option subjects with vigour and focus and appreciate the opportunity to get going on their GCSEs and drop those subjects that they have no longer chosen to study. Given the raised expectation of the new curriculum this also provides an additional half term of study towards this new style GCSEs. I have this week sent out the revised Home/ School Agreement. A further copy is attached to this bulletin. Please can I ask all parents to read and digitally sign it. To sign it you just click on the link where the signature is required and it will direct you to a short form for completion. The revised Home/ School Agreement reflects the current expectations of parents, the school and the students in this vital partnership.

In response to some issues raised regarding communication we have invested in a new communication system call RS Connect Ed and with this comes a shiny new app. Please see the letter attached which explains how you download this app onto your smartphone. MyEd will provide you with a multitude of communication and information features to stay in touch with what is going on at the school. Our aim is develop the app over time so that you can access your child’s attendance, timetable, rewards, behaviour, reports and much more. To start with the app will only act as a portal to the website and messages. As previously mentioned, we have also, in response to parent concerns, invested in Show my Homework. This is being launched with staff and students in this half term with a view to having it embedded for September. Once this is up and running you will also be able to access this from your MyEd app. Please do put a note in your diary to attend the Parent Forum on Monday 3rd July where both MyEd and Show my Homework will be launched with parents.

We have noticed that a few students are wearing trainers and do not have a note from their parents.

Please can I reiterate that the correct school attire is the wearing of school shoes and that trainers are not allowed to be worn unless there is a specific medical condition. If students do have a medical condition, they are issued with a card which they carry in their blazer ready to show if challenged.

Please can I ask all parents to ensure that their child is wearing correct uniform at all times. Please can I also ask you to check that your son/ daughter has the correct equipment with them, this should include the minimum of a pen, pencil, ruler, calculator, green pen for self marking, planner and a reading book.

A general reminder to Year 10 parents that they have their exam week beginning Monday 26th June and should now be revising and preparing for these exams. I have asked subjects leaders to provide students with revision materials. The Year 9s also have their end of year assessments in this week but only in the core subjects.

Have a lovely weekend Mrs S Jenner Head of School

Year 7 Residential Trip 2017 This week 29 Year 7 students attended Newlands Park and encountered many problem solving activities and fun games on the annual Residential Trip. The students have certainly enhanced their ability level to work as a team by overcoming several challenges, alongside building new friendship groups.

The pupils experienced many activities such as Zorbing, Archery, Rollerball, Rock Climbing, Drift Bikes, Mysterious Missions, Buggy Building, Kin-Ball, Fencing, Water Wars and many more. The students also enjoyed the evening entertainment, especially the Disco, Quiz night and Camp Fire.

The students were brilliant all week and they represented Roding Valley High School in the best light. I would like to thank Miss Bingham and Miss Smith for attending the trip, making it a memorable experience for the students...it was a great week!

Mr Hudgell

Art and Photography Exhibition The annual Summer Exhibition of Art and Photography work took place at Roding Valley High School on Thursday 8 June 2017.

We welcomed all of the students and their parents to see the end results of their hard work over the last 18 months including all of their coursework, the exam final pieces and all of the preparatory sketchbooks.

We have such a broad range of materials, techniques and scales this year including ceramics, pen, pencil drawing, painting, collage and assemblage. Each piece of work is individual, experimental and exciting, with some of the students producing work which wouldn’t be out of place in any A’ Level exhibition.

This year we were also exhibiting the work of our A’ Level artists and photographers.

Many thanks to Mr Baidoo, Mrs Costello and Mr Day for their dedicated and inspirational work with all of our students. An extra special thanks to Miss Kalair who has joined our department during Mrs Costello’s maternity leave.

Particular thanks and congratulations go to all of our talented artists, who now await their August results.

David Tisdale Head of Art

Dear Parents and Guardians At home please take time to let students know how proud we are of them at Roding Valley, they all need to “Make the Minutes Matter” right up to the last exam on Thursday June 29th, and then take the time to relax.

Kind regards

Mr Harris Year 11 Students—Transition Day Dear Year 11 Parents Following feedback from Year 11 students, we have decided to bring our Year 11 into Year 12 Transition Day forward to Monday 3rd July.

The aim of the day is for students to gain an insight into the Sixth Form at Roding Valley and ease the transition from Key Stage 4 to 5.

On the day, students will receive a personalised timetable based upon A-level option choices. During the day students will have a short presentation regarding the Sixth Form, including topics such as the EPQ, the personalised mentor programme for Ox-bridge and medical students and key information about the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Students are expected to wear smart business dress and have with them the necessary school equipment to fully engage in lessons.

Kind regards, Mr Harris

Year 12 students only I would like to invite you all to our forth coming Business Breakfast at Roding Valley High School on Wednesday 28 June. The aim of the Business Breakfast is for our Year 12 sixth form students to engage and network with local business people to enhance their confidence and communication skills. th

The Business Breakfast is being held in partnership with the YES Partnership organisation, if you would like further information detailing how the YES Partnership support local young people please follow the link to their website http://www.yespartnership.org/ Currently they offer two conferences annually to our Year 9 and Year 10 students.

Kind regards Donna Mason Careers Development Manager

Roding Valley Bake Off 22nd June 2017 3.15 ‐ 4.30pm

Brief!

Prepare up to 12 cup cakes of your choice

Imagina vely decorate and choose your best 8 to serve in an interes ng way

Entry forms from T2

Year 10 English Language Exams Revision begins on 12th June for the next three weeks so that students can prepare for Year 10 exams at the end of the month.

All students are welcome, but some targeted students who have been informed by letter and email MUST attend.

English corridor 3.10-4pm Monday Year 9 GCSE Text Purchase A letter was emailed home before half term regarding the purchase of GCSE exam texts. If you have not paid, could the payment be made as soon as possible as we would like to start the study of the first text .

Students will be issued with their books when we begin studying the texts.

Thank you.

Mrs Routledge Head of English

KS3 Maths Assessments These will take place in the second week back over 3 days starting on Wednesday 14th June Wednesday 14th June P2 Year 9 Test Non Calc (B Side) P3 Year 7 Test Non Calc (B Side) P4 Year 8 Test Non Calc (A Side) Thursday 15th June P1 Year 8 Test Non Calc (B Side) P2 Year 8 Test Calc (A Side) P3 Year 9 Test Non Calc (A Side) P4 Year 9 Test Calc (B Side) P5 Year 7 Test Non Calc (A Side) Friday 16th June P1 Year 7 Test Calc (A Side) P2 Year 7 Test Calc (B Side) P3 Year 9 Test Calc (A Side) P4 Year 8 Test Calc (B Side) Revision material will be emailed to parents and posted on students Google Classroom.

Roding Valley High School General Election 2017 After several reviews of the political parties and their manifesto promises, students from Years 7-10 came to the RV Polling Station to vote.

The count took place in the afternoon and the results are as follows: Year 7 - Total Votes 166 Green Party 28 Conservative Party 41 Labour Party 51 Lib Dem 9 UKIP 30 Spoilt 7

Year 8 - Total Votes 219 Green Party 23 Conservative Party 71 Labour Party 77 Lib Dem 7 UKIP 33 Spoilt 8

Year 9 - Total Votes 288 Green Party 18 Conservative Party 64 Labour Party 53 Lib Dem 6 UKIP 78 Spoilt 9

Year 10 - Total Votes 188 Green Party 40 Conservative Party 36 Labour Party 57 Lib Dem 5 UKIP 43 Spoilt 11

Overall - Total Votes 805 Green Party 109 Conservative Party 212 Labour Party 238 Lib Dem 27 UKIP 184 Spoilt 35

It's a Labour win for RV! Thanks to all staff and students who took part and supported our polling station was great fun!

Ms Preston Parents of Year 10 Year 10 Careers Programme During this summer term students in Year 10 will be writing a CV and letter of application in tutor time in preparation for the mock interview day on Thursday 13th July.

Over the coming weeks they will all participate in careers group work sessions in the Careers Office. Post 16 Options will be discussed and students will be encouraged to start some thorough research into which pathway they wish to follow at the end of Year 11.

Parental Involvement Encourage students to complete their CV, discuss with them your own experiences of job interviews and applications. Ensure they save their CV on a computer at home so it will always be accessible to them in the future when searching and applying for jobs. Encourage them to start researching which A levels or courses they may choose to study at the end of Year 11. In September I will provide Parents with detailed information about further education and the open day dates of local colleges and sixth forms.

Mock Interview Day Thursday 13th July 2017 I will send out more information regarding the day nearer the time. The mock interview day will prepare students for their first interview at either sixth form, college or with an employer. They will have a ‘mock interview’ either with an employer at the school or with a local employer at their premises. To participate in this students MUST submit a CV and letter of application to Mrs Mason by the end of May. If you require any further information or advice please contact me.

Kind regards Mrs Mason Careers Development Manager dmason@rodingvalley.net Twitter: Follow @RVHS_Careers to keep up to date with our department.

The Humanities Faculty has a Twitter account designed to promote sites of interest, pre-reading, revision, humanities information, news and general humanities support.

It is aimed at all KS3, KS4 and A-level Humanities Students and can be followed @humsrvhs PE Twitter Account The PE department have activated a Twitter account where regular PE updates, extracurricular news and curriculum information will be regularly published. Follow @RodingValleyPE to keep up to date with our department.

GCSE and GCE Examination Timetables Please see on the following pages the FINAL GCSE and GCE Examination Timetables for May/ June 2017.

All students in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 have been issued with an Examination Booklet containing all relevant information regarding the forthcoming exam season.

Tucked inside the front cover of this booklet is a Statement of Entry, this indicates all subjects that each student has been entered for and the level of entry (where applicable). Some subjects only have one tier of entry; some have Foundation or Higher tiers.

All information must be thoroughly checked. In particular, all personal details (date of birth, spelling of names) are accurate as these will appear on certificates and could prove difficult to change once certificates have been awarded and you may be charged a fee. If you feel something is wrong or missing, you must speak to Miss Draper the Examinations Officer immediately.

Students will receive their individual examination timetables after the Easter Break.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards Jenny Draper Examinations Officer Roding Valley High School

Piano Lessons: To book piano lessons please contact rosswall@gmail.com Singing Lessons: Private singing lessons are now available. Please contact Alex Larke for more details and to book your slot. email: alex@thevocaltutor.com Drum Lessons: One to One, Two to One and Small Group lessons available. Learn with your friends! Contact: marksevel@hotmail.com Guitar Lessons: Lessons slots are available on Mondays with lessons priced at £12 per half hour. Please contact Rachel Espeute on racheleds@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested.

Access to Water in School Parents, please be aware that the canteen has jugs of water available both during lunchtime and break time for all students to access.

Bottled water is sold at all outlets Large bottle 50p Small bottle 25p If a student is overdrawn or has no money on their lunch account, they will always be sold water.

Come up to Homework Club Monday after school to become a times tables expert.

Time: 3.05pm - 3.40pm Place: Learning Zone ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE GIVEN EVERY TIME!

You can follow us at www.rodingvalley.net and on Facebook at the ‘Roding Valley High School Official’ page.

Our Twitter (@RodingValleyHS) account is a great place to keep up to date with some of the latest news and activities in school.

You can also sign up to our free electronic media release service at rodingvalleymedia@gmail.com

KS4 Computer Science revision/ intervention sessions are running in IT4 on Thursday lunchtimes

ATTENDANCE MATTERS…..

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 or medical evidence if requested 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 holiday 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.

Guidance for Common Ailments Please see, on the following page, guidance from the NHS of common childhood illnesses; this advises what type of illness requires time off from school and what does not. Should you require further guidance please contact the school.

After school sessions mainly targeted at Year 11s (but any student from all key stages KS3, KS4 and KS5 are welcome) in order to help support students to close the gap in either coursework or homework/classwork.

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