Letter to Parents - February 2016

RYE COLLEGE THE GROVE RYE EAST SUSSEX

TN31 7NQ

T. 01797 222545 E. OFFICE@RYECOLLEGE.CO.UK WWW.RYECOLLEGE.CO.UK EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL: ANN COCKERHAM

February 2016 Dear Parents Our College has been through a period of significant change since September. Thank you for your continuing support of our work this term.

We have welcomed the support of parents and students in giving us honest feedback about ways in which we can improve. We have made great strides forward and a summary of all that we have achieved together is included in this mailing.

Students will return to school on Monday 22nd February. We thank you for your support in ensuring that they are well prepared for the new term with the right uniform and equipment. A detailed list of the uniform requirements is included in this letter.

Who to Contact Enclosed in this letter is a Staffing Structure, showing who to contact with any concerns you may have. For any pastoral concerns which you wish to share or require support, please contact your child’s tutor or relevant Head of Year and/ or Student Support Manager. For academic queries, please contact your child’s subject teacher in the first instance. Contact can be made via e-mail or via our new website: www.ryecollege.co.uk/contact Dates for the diary Monday 22nd February Wednesday 24th February Thursday 25th February Monday 29th February – Friday 4th March Friday 26th February Friday 26th February Wednesday 9th March Thursday 10th March Thursday 10th March Monday 14th – Friday 18th March Wednesday 16th March Thursday 17th March Friday 18th March Thursday 12th March Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd March Wednesday 23rd March Thursday 24th March 25.3.16 – 10.4.16 Monday 4th – Friday 8th April Monday 11th April Monday 2nd May Friday 27th May Monday 6thJune Friday 1st July Friday 22nd July

Start of Term 4 Drama Festival Evening Performance (7pm) Year 7 (additional) Parents Evening Year 11 Mock Exams (timetable to follow) Drop Day-students off regular timetable to follow a structured, intensive alternative learning programme Year 11 Art & Photography Trip Year 10 Progression morning & Careers Fair Year 10 Meningitis C & Booster Vaccinations (Hall) Year 9 Options Evening (more information to follow) Year 8 Assessments Drop Day-students off regular timetable to follow a structured, intensive alternative learning programme Year 11 Parents Evening Year 10 Geography Trip Year 11 Parents Evening Year 7 Assessments Last day of Term 4 INSET Day – College closed to all students Easter vacation Easter Revision for Year 11 Students (programme to follow) First day of Term 5 Public Holiday End of Term 5 Start of Term 6 INSET Day (Staff Training - College closed to all Students) Last day of Term 6

New Rewards Systems: – Merits - Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, 9) - Accolades - Key Stage 4 (Years 10, 11) We are delighted to have introduced our new reward systems this term, celebrating achievements of Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students. Names of students who have received the Tutor, Head of Year, Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal and Principal Awards will be shared in our newsletters, Facebook/ Twitter accounts and our website news section.

Homework In response to concerns regarding the college’s approach to homework, we have invested in the ‘Show My Homework’ interface. This will ensure parents and students are consistently clear about homework that has been set, nature of the homework and due dates. Staff training on this is set for the first week of next term, following which more information will be provided to parents and students when we are ready to go live. In the meantime, you may wish to visit their website to learn more about how ‘Show my Homework’ will be able to support your child’s homework experience: www.showmyhomework.co.uk Free School Meals (FSM) If you believe your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, please contact Jo Davis on Main Reception who will be able to advise you how to apply and, if required, assist you with your application. Jo can be contacted via the main switchboard (01797 222545), or by e-mail jo.davis@ryeacademytrust.org - Some students who are already eligible and signed up for FSM are not using the service. They simply need to collect food/ drink from the canteen. If unsure, please feel able to ask Jo Davis.

Student Absence Please be reminded to contact the Student Absence line (01797 222545 – Option 3) or e-mail Sandie Ferid – sandie.ferid@ryeacademytrust.org – on the first day of your child’s absence from school. Please also provide Sandie with copies of your child’s medical appointment card/ letter in advance of their appointments.

Emergency College Closure Should Rye College be forced to close due to extreme weather conditions, it is important that we hold current contact details for your child. If your details have changed since completing a data collection form, please email the up-to-date contact information to office@ryecollege.co.uk. Regular updates of such closures will be advertised on our website, Facebook (facebook.com/ryecollegeuk) and Twitter pages (@ryecollegeuk), as well as local radio stations and the ESCC website.

Year 9 Options Booklet will be given out to students next term.

Year 11 Mock Exam Timetable will be given out to students at the start of next term.

On behalf of everyone here, I wish you and your family a happy and restful mid-term break.

Yours sincerely,

Executive Principal, Rye Academy Trust