NEWSLETTER to PARENTS and CARERS DECEMBER 2012
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NEWSLETTER TO PARENTS and CARERS DECEMBER 2012 Headteacher’s Letter Dear Parents and Carers, Here is the last Newsletter home of 2012, and therefore the end of the Autumn Term must be nigh, and the Christmas holidays not too far away. Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout this long term, at parents‟ evenings, in the times you call in to for events and performances, and in many more ways. It is much appreciated. At the end of this term, we shall be saying farewell to several members of staff who have been part of our school for many years, and we shall miss them greatly as they move away from us. We wish them happiness, health and good success in wherever they are heading to next and for 2013. Mrs Tipping leaves the Science department after more than three years‟ service, including teaching A level Physics. Mr and Mrs Hopkins move on from the English department, so that Mr H can take up a post as Head of English in a secondary school in outer London – best wishes to them as they move south. Mr Johnston is going further, leaving our Music department to head to Brittany with his family, so all good wishes for that move too. Three members of staff are beginning their retirement at the end of this term: Mr Scott from the History department, where he has been a much respected teacher and colleague; Mrs Cookson from the Sixth Form Office and Reception, and Mrs Gosling, from being Clerk to the Governors, having been PA to several headteachers for 15 years. We wish them long, healthy and happy retirements. Mrs Sims begins her maternity leave and we wish her most well. Her post as Head of Kilimanjaro House will be taken by Mr Irving. We have also been able to ensure that all of the classes of the leaving members of staff are covered in the New Year. Before we get there, you are all warmly invited to our Carol Service which is to be held in the cathedral by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter on Monday 17th December at 7.00pm, followed by mince pies and mulled wine in The Fratry. While the invitation is warm, the cathedral usually isn‟t at this time of year – it is a two-pairs-of-socks and warm woollies. But – do not be put off, he said! – it is a lovely service for the school to gather at this time of year with families and friends. All good wishes for Christmas and for 2013. Yours sincerely Headteacher Chaplaincy On Wednesday a group of volunteers from the diocese, NISCU and YWAM came into school to do some Religious Studies lessons and to perform sketches from the nativity story during lunchtime. In both the Golden Triangle and the Jubilee Hall groups performed sketches from the nativity story during lunch, and provided much entertainment to us all, as well as revealing the true meaning of Christmas. In the Religious Studies lessons many Year 8‟s said that the main reason they celebrated Christmas was for the presents! While amusing this is also not too far from the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus was God‟s gift to the world and this gift is why Christians around the world celebrate Christmas. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3v16 (NIV) 1 Information for Parents and Carers Practicalities End of Term Arrangements In keeping with tradition, the school will close for the Christmas holidays on Thursday 20th December at 12.30pm. There will be House Assemblies and the Sixth Form Assembly. Students who have free school meals will be able to collect a packed lunch from the dining hall at break. Exams January module exams for Years 12, 13 and some Year 11 begin on Wednesday 9 January and last until Tuesday 29 January. The Year 11 Mock exam results will be available to students in January during lesson time. Year 9 Exam Week Year 9 will have a week of exams in all their subjects during the week beginning 28th January. We hope to give them support by running sessions on how to revise in the build up to the exam week. Learning Theme The learning theme for next half term is all about Peer and Self Assessment. There will be a greater emphasis on students taking responsibility for learning by being involved in assessing their own work and that of their peers. The benefits of this are for students to have a greater understanding of what a good piece of work looks like and how to use this to improve their next piece of work. We feel that students will be more independent by being more involved in the process of assessment. Coming to school and going home safely When we return to school in January, the days will start to provide us with more hours of daylight, but until half term, many students will be coming to school and going home in the dark. We continue to emphasise with them the need for extra care, particularly in crossing roads, on the way to and from school. Wearing a coat/jacket of light colour is usually a good idea. Request for Holidays during Term Time We are advised by the Local Authority that wherever possible, absence from school should be avoided as it can have a serious effect on your child‟s educational progress, and can create difficulties for them on their return to school, particularly if they are joining a new school or class. If, after serious consideration of this, you still propose to take your child away from school for a holiday, it is important to note that only the Headteacher can authorize that absence. Parents/carers cannot authorize the absence themselves. Whenever possible therefore we would ask that family holidays should be arranged to take place during school holidays. Schools do have discretion to grant up to 10 days leave during term time, but before doing so they will consider your child‟s situation carefully. In considering a request, the school will take into account the child‟s age, the time of year of the holiday, the nature of the visit and parental wishes. The headteacher will also consider the child‟s stage of education and progress and the child‟s overall attendance record. Headteachers will not authorize absence if they believe that the request is unreasonable and a request needs to be made to the school at least two weeks before the start of the holiday. Only in exceptional circumstances can a headteacher grant leave of more than 10 days in term time. Where a family holiday during term time is agreed to be unavoidable, it is vital that it does not coincide with examinations or other important tests that your child has to take. Electronic Communication If you would like to view the newsletter electronically on our website instead of receiving a paper copy, can you please inform Mrs Jackie Hunton in Central Office on Tel No. 516051 Ext. 264 or by e-mail [email protected]. Messages from home In the afternoon we are now registering students with their class teachers at the start of period 4. This has many advantages, taking a double set of movements out of the middle of the day and allowing us to finish five minutes earlier. However, it has made passing messages from home to students during the school day a little more difficult. We would appreciate your help in only asking us to pass a message to your son/daughter if it is urgent. Thank you. Mr Lythgoe Box Tops For Books - The library are collecting Box Tops For Books tokens from cereal packs – collection boxes at Main Reception and in Chapman Library. 2 Cashless Catering The introduction of cashless catering to Trinity School has been a great success with students and staff experiencing a more efficient catering service in school. Some of the direct benefits of the new system have included reduced queuing time; students on free school meals remaining anonymous; a reduction in the amount of cash in school alleviating potential problems of loss, theft or bullying; and a direct tie-in to the existing cards students use for Library, printing and door access across external entrances to the school. A significant number of parents have chosen to take up the on-line payment system (ParentPay). By using ParentPay parents are able to credit their child‟s account online, and check online what items their child is buying. Many parents have told us they are reassured to know how lunch money was spent. Parents can never be sure how cash given to students in the morning is actually being spent. We now offer many more benefits of paying by ParentPay including for example payment of instrumental lessons, school trips and examination re-sit fees. If you have not already signed up for the benefits of ParentPay but wish to do so you should visit the parent page on our website for further information. You can then contact us by e-mail, phone, or letter to request activation details which we will mail to you by return. Parents have found the setting up of a ParentPay account very straightforward and if you have more than one child in school it is easy to add them to the main account once it is set up. We intend in the near future to add even more features to ParentPay to make paying for any item in school even more efficient.