Bursar's Bulletin October 2019

BURSAR’S BULLETIN FOR ALL SUPPORT STAFF OCTOBER 2019 I wanted to say a very big thank you to everyone for all the hard work and extreme effort that has been put in to the first half of this Term, it continues, as always, to be very busy and I really do appreciate the dedicated hard work that you all contribute.

Macmillan Coffee Morning: The coffee morning on Friday 27th September at No. 25 raised £375.40. This really does show the devotion you all have considering the horrendous weather that day. Despite the weather many of you took part in the baking and supporting the event by coming along. There are too many people to mention individually as Lesley tells me she had a fantastic response yet again from cake makers, helpers with the refreshments and not to forget those from the domestic and catering departments that helped set up and clear away. Well done to everyone involved.

We also congratulate our colleagues at the International College who held a bake sale and raised £144.43 These really are examples of how committed you all are to supporting charities and I really do appreciate it.

Christmas: A reminder that the support staff Christmas Lunch will be held on Tuesday 17th December at 12.00 in the Main Dining Hall. This year I will be presenting a cheque representing the money we have raised this year for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. We will be emailing Managers, so as and when please let your Manager know whether you will be attending the lunch so that numbers can be given to the Catering Department.

The December Pay Day for Support Staff will be Friday 20th December 2019. All timesheets need to be received in Payroll by Wednesday 11th December at the very latest to be included in December’s payment.

The Autumn Term Governors’ meeting will be held in Canterbury on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd December Most of the Governors will be arriving on Monday morning and will be in and around the School sites over the two days.

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We are continuing to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and I am pleased to say that we have sold all the tables for the Quiz on Friday 15th November. Our colleagues at the Rec Centre are planning a 24 hour Spinathon in aid of this worthy charity, the start date is the Tuesday 3 rd December at 10:00am and the event will finish at 10:00am on Wednesday 4th December. Each person will pay ÂŁ10.00 per 30 minute slot and will book this through reception (48 slots in total). If you wish to take part please ring 01227 595602 .

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Important Aegon Pension Scheme notification Workplace Pensions – re-enrolment – 1st November 2019 The law requires employers to re-enrol certain employees every 3 years.

You may be re-enrolled if you were previously enrolled and now you’re no longer paying into your pension pot, if you opted-out, or chose to cease contributions at a later date.

Re-enrolment will apply to you if on 01/11/2019, you are – 

aged at least 22 but under State Pension age

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earning more than £10,000 a year (£833 a month)

Even if you’ve accessed your pension savings, if you’re still working for us, we’re obliged to re-enrol you. But if you don’t meet the criteria above, then we won’t re-enrol you.

You can opt out of the pension scheme if you want to, but if you stay in you will have your own personal pension when you retire. Your pension will belong to you, even if you leave us in the future.

The Schools current enrolment employee rate is 4%, the School will then pay 5.34% and the government will also contribute through tax relief.

HR News New Starters: We welcome the following new staff to King’s; King’s School: Sam Dyer – Sailing Coach, Tania Evans – Domestic, Robert Stuart – Teaching, Junior King’s: Helen Fagg – Hockey Coach, Brandon Dodman – Apprentice Computing Support Technician George Etheridge – Catering, Fred Harvey – Rec Centre, Anna Kent – Malthouse and Pete Smith – Malthouse.

Leavers: We say farewell and all the best for the future, to; King’s School: Sophia Wright – Domestic, Simon Lewis – Rowing Coach, Sue Phillips – Domestic, Lynesey Olson – Fitness Instructure.

Junior King’s Joanne Jones – Food Service Assistant and Vicky Chown – Domestic.

Vacancies: (Please check your HR Select Profile for any internal vacancies – if you do not have access or have any queries please contact the HR department) King’s School: We require a Level 2 Horticultural Apprentice this is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated, hardworking and motivated individual, who is keen to become a Horticultural Apprentice. As part of the Gardens and Grounds team, you will be a vital role in learning about and looking after, some of the greatest spaces in England, within a World Heritage Site. Closing date for receipt of applications: Noon, Friday 1st November.

Congratulations to Rowenna and her husband Paul Abel on the birth of their daughter, Emily Harriet, on Saturday 13th October.

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Book Club Support Staff Book Club will meet next at The Malthouse at 1245 on Monday 11th November. We will be discussing the books La Belle Sauvage by Phillip Pullman and Circe by Madeline Miller. The club is informal and friendly and we welcome new support staff members. If you would like a copy of this year’s reading list, please contact Emma Chivers in HR: 59(5721) e.chivers@kings-bursary.co.uk.

Safeguarding A reminder that Safeguarding training is compulsory for all members of staff and must be refreshed every three years.

If you are new to the School or require a refresher, please contact Emma Chivers in HR: 59(5721) e.chivers@kings-bursary.co.uk.

Gain a Professional Qualification As an Apprenticeship Levy paying employer, The King’s School are able to offer employees recognised qualifications, combining study with on-the-job training. For more information on what is available to you, please contact Emma Chivers in HR: 59(5721) e.chivers@kings-bursary.co.uk. Chosen courses must be supported by your current position.

Locations of Defibrillators:          

The Undercroft; Mint Yard Gate Porter’s Lodge Triangle (gable wall of Linacre House) St Augustine’s Porter’s Lodge; Christchurch Gate; Birley’s First Aid Room in the Pavilion The Rec Centre Reception Desk Malthouse, Site Manager’s office Outside Junior King’s Staff Common Room Pre-Prep Main Office

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Junior King’s celebrated their 90th Anniversary on 4th October 2019

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Charity: I mentioned at the Support Staff Meeting in September and in last month’s Bulletin that I would welcome suggestions from you as to which charity you think we should support for the coming year. We have received 5 nominations this year, brief descriptions are below. There is a link below to place your vote, please vote by Monday 18th November. Inevitably, raising money can be hard at times, and ideally, we would like to identify a charity where there is the need/opportunity for practical involvement (giving time) as much as fundraising (giving money). Details of the charity chosen by popular vote will be announced in next month’s Bulletin. Please do not vote more than once – click here The Stroke Association is a charity in the UK. It works to prevent stroke, and to support everyone touched by stroke, fund research, and campaign for the rights of stroke survivors of all ages. The Stroke Association provides a wide range of Life After Stroke services to meet the needs of stroke survivors and carers across the UK. Services include the Stroke Recovery Service, Communication Support Service, Emotional Support Service, Exercise-based Rehabilitation Service, Post Stroke Review service and Caring and You; which helped over 58,000 stroke survivors across the UK in 2016-17.

Canterbury Food Bank are a community project and registered charity providing emergency (three-day) food parcels to individuals and families in short term financial crisis across the Canterbury District (Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and surrounding villages). They have made it even easier to receive a food parcel when facing a financial crisis. Individuals can now self-refer to one of their distribution cafes and be issued with a food parcel and they will also help with signposting. They have a Citizens Advice worker at the distribution cafes in Canterbury who can give advice and issue a voucher.

Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Founded in 1978, Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it wherever they are in the UK. They also work to reduce the number of babies dying and to better understand the causes of baby deaths. Sands works with governments and other organisations to drive change and raise awareness of the issues relating to baby loss. Sands provides bereavement support services at both a local and national level. Sands works to improve bereavement care available to parents and families, by offering a range of training programmes and resources and working in partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards.

Porchlight is a charity working in Kent to help people who are homeless or vulnerable. They are one of the foremost charities supporting vulnerable and homeless people in Kent and supported accommodation services in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Tonbridge. A homelessness prevention service and a dedicated rough sleeper team. They provide a range of services supporting people with complex needs, with specialist services for young people, ex-offenders and people with enduring mental health issues. Their focus is on long-term solutions, breaking the cycle of homelessness and ensuring that people can live independently in the future.

FAR Skate Foundation is a charitable organisation passionate about empowering young people. Within the foundation there are two elements: FAR Academy which provides alternative education and required qualifications, and the FAR Skate Shop that supports the educational services that the FAR Academy provides. Using skateboarding as the channel to engage young people onto the positive pathway of learning, through personal achievement and alternative education; the FAR Academy provides a unique learning opportunity which has been tailored to suit vulnerable young people who struggle to learn in a mainstream school. Not all the students are skaters but the mix of experiences and lifestyles of the diverse student base makes for a well-balanced and engaging atmosphere.

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