Newsflash 09.10.2020
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NEWS FLASH Friday 9th October 2020 PARENT TOURS Due to current restrictions, we are unable to carry out our normal school tours. Instead, we will be uploading a virtual tour on the school website on Monday 12th October followed by live Q & A sessions which parents can book via the school office. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gary Burchell for producing our virtual tour – he has spent a lot of time capturing the children and staff on camera then stitching together into a mini-film. NO LOST PROPERTY Please remember that we cannot keep lost property. Items that are labelled will be returned to their owner. Those items not labelled will be quarantined then sent to charity. NUT FREE SCHOOL We would like to remind you that we are a nut free school and therefore please do NOT send in any food which may contain nuts such as certain cereal bars, peanut butter, chocolate spread or marmite peanut butter sandwiches. Thank you for your support . CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION 2020 Angela Richardson, the Member of Parliament for Guildford is holding a competition for primary school children to design her official Christmas Card for 2020. The winning design will be printed and sent out across Guildford & Cranleigh by Angela this Christmas, with the winner’s name and school printed inside. Angela cannot wait to see what marvellous and imaginative designs turn up. Entries must be A4 and coloured in pencil, pen or paint (no glitter!) Entrants must live in or attend primary school in the Guildford constituency. Please send your design to Angela Richardson MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA with your name, address, and/or school clearly marked. Please also provide an email address for your school or parent/carer. All entries must arrive by 5th November 2020. Email [email protected] for any further details. Good luck! MUSIC THEORY STARTING ONLINE! On Thursday 15th October at 4pm, Jasmine Ravenhill will be starting music theory lessons using Zoom. Music Theory is essential for any musician who is starting to take Grade exams because musicians can’t take Grade 6 on their instrument without achieving Grade 5 theory. Please email Jasmine to book your child’s place - [email protected]. IF YOU NEED A LITTLE HELP If you are a family who are struggling financially and need food at the current time, please contact our Home School Link Worker, Mrs Ireland [email protected], who may be able to support. Suggestions of hardship may include: • Self isolation/lockdown • COVID19 loss of income • Families or individuals struggling financially due to COVID19 impact VALUE OF THE MONTH: UNITY This Month we are exploring the value: Unity. Putting the Unity in Community! Helping children to feel a part of something, a sense of belonging and togetherness. Things to try at home to nurture a sense of Unity: Celebrate the together times in your family. Eating meals together, playing cards, going for walks. All the activities that as a family make you a unit. Nurture and show your appreciation for these times. “Thank you for this time together” might be a good mantra. Language that explicitly shows you are a team “Go Team Smith!” Lots of research suggests that volunteering builds mental well- being, perhaps your family does that or wants to explore that as a way of building together-time. For Unity to really develop try explicitly celebrating the diversity in your family. Your family can be the learning ground where children experience the value of difference and how each person brings unique strengths and vulnerabilities. Try these language upgrades! “Thank you for your unique perspective” “Thank you for your ideas” “I really appreciate the way you… ” “Yay, we are all together again!” (when you are all sat together for your meal) (NB Health warning! Be careful not to use sarcasm when growing these values, eg “Thanks, such a help” when the child has just dropped flour everywhere. The most potent thing I was told in college during my PGCE was “never ever use sarcasm with children,” somehow that struck me as very wise!) For each upgrade that happens remember to celebrate!! YEY! Attached you will see an electronic copy of Guildford County School’s Prospectus and Additional Information Booklet. 2020-2021 Dates Tuesday 1st September Inset Day Wednesday 2nd September Inset Day Thursday 3rd September Children Return Monday 21st September Start of Year Meetings Monday 28th September Individual & Sibling Photographs W/C Monday 28th September PTA - Pupil & Chair of Governors Marathon Monday 5th October PTA - Happy Schools Bags collection at drop off Wednesday 21st October (4.00pm-7.00pm) Parents Consultation Meetings Thursday 22nd October (5.00pm-7.30pm) Parents Consultation Meetings Thursday 22nd October (3.15pm) Finish for Half Term Friday 23rd October Inset Day Monday 26th – Friday 30th October Half Term Monday 2nd November Children Return Wednesday 4th November PTA – Last return date for Christmas card forms Tuesday 10th November Year 6 Greek Day Monday 30th November – Thursday 3rd December Year 6 Mock SATs Friday 4th December PTA – Christmas Mufti Tuesday 8th – Wednesday 9th December Flu Immunisations Thursday 10th December Reception Nativity } We hope to Year 1 Christmas Performance } provide Year 2 Christmas Performance } recordings, Year 3 & 4 Carol Service } however more Year 5 & 6 Carol Service } info to follow Wednesday 16th December Christmas Lunch Friday 18th December Christmas Parties Autumn 2020Autumn Friday 18th December (1.45pm) Finish for Christmas Break Monday 4th January Inset Day Tuesday 5th January Children Return Monday 8th – Thursday 11th February Year 6 Mock SATs Friday 12th February (3.15pm) Finish for Half Term Monday 15th – Friday 19th February Half Term Monday 22nd February Children Return Thursday 25th February Year 6 WW2 Day W/C Monday 1st March Book Week Thursday 4th March World Book Day Wednesday 10th March (3.30pm-6.00pm) Parents Consultation Meetings th Thursday 11 March (5.00pm-7.30pm) Parents Consultation Meetings Wednesday 24th March Year 3 & 4 Production TBC - VIRTUAL Wednesday 31st March (2.45pm & 6.00pm) Year 4 PGL Meeting for Parents/Carers Thursday 1st April Easter Egg Competition Spring 2021 Spring Thursday 1st April (1.45pm) Finish for Easter Break Monday 19th April Children Return Monday 3rd May Bank Holiday Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th May Year 4 PGL Trip Monday 10th – Thursday 13th May Year 6 SATs Friday 28th May (3.15pm) Finish for Half Term Monday 7th June Inset Day Thursday 10th June (7.00pm) New to Reception Parents Information Meeting Tuesday 15th June Class/Group Photographs Tuesday 15th June Year 5 Young Voices Concert Wednesday 16th June (pm) Infants Sports Day Thursday 17th June (times TBC) Summer Soiree Wednesday 23rd June (pm) Junior Sports Day Friday 2nd July Sponsored Event Monday 5th July New Class Letter to Parents/Carers Summer 2021 Summer Tuesday 6th July Transition Day Tuesday 6th July (time TBC) New to Worplesdon Year 3 Parents Information Meeting Wednesday 7th July Transition Day Wednesday 7th July (1.30pm) Year 6 Performance Thursday 8th July (9.15am & 6.00pm) Year 6 Performance Friday 9th July Reports to Parents/Carers Monday 12th – Friday 16th July Year 6 Residential Trip Wednesday 21st July 1.45pm Finish for Summer Break All the above dates have now been published on the school website calendar . WELCOME TO GUILDFORD COUNTY SCHOOL It is a privilege to share with you a flavour of what it is like to be part of our school community. We have a strong reputation for academic success, which is nurtured within a genuinely caring atmosphere. We are proud of our consistently high examination results and the culture of success and improvement that permeates throughout Guildford County School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2017. Steve Smith, Head of School Within our values framework, that seeks a generosity of spirit, the nurturing of creativity and the celebration of success in all of its forms, it is my vision that we will be seen as leaders in secondary education; as a school where children thrive as resilient learners and are healthy, happy and successful; and as a school where everyone genuinely believes that being Better Never Stops. Our dedicated staff work in partnership with students, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, which helps students to achieve their full potential. We provide outstanding learning experiences and the school is renowned for its care and student support. Guildford County School educates the whole child and we have a wide-ranging programme of co-curricular activities designed to enrich the school experience. As a Specialist Music College, we have a national reputation for excellence. Music inspires our students, encourages their self-esteem and helps them to work in teams and respect their peers. We take music beyond the classroom to entertain and support the community, highlighting our drive for the highest standards in all aspects of school life. We look forward to welcoming you to our school and demonstrating how, together, we provide the best opportunities for students to flourish, enjoy learning and achieve success. Jack Mayhew, Executive Headteacher “THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL… CHILDREN ACHIEVE VERY HIGH STANDARDS AND MAKE EXCELLENT PROGRESS FROM THEIR STARTING POINTS.” Ofsted 2017 01 PROMOTING EXCELLENCE Our students enjoy learning and as a school we consistently achieve results significantly above the national average at both GCSE and A-Level. We secure a high level of achievement in traditional academic subjects, together with the arts, technology, sport and newer vocational qualifications. While based upon a traditional curriculum – underpinned by strong literacy and numeracy provision – lessons also emphasise creativity, challenge, independent learning and thinking skills. We are a school that is big enough to offer a broad and balanced curriculum, but small enough to know each child by name.