TERM DATES 2010/2011 PARENT GOVERNORS THE SCHOOL th Autumn Term Ends Friday 17 December I am pleased to inform you that following the election earlier this term we now have a new parent governor. His name is A MATHS AND COMPUTING COLLEGE th Spring Term 2011 Starts Tuesday 4 January 2011 Carl Johnson and he will be joining the governing body this month. Spring Half Term Monday 21 st February 2011 to th Friday 25 February 2011 There will be another vacancy coming up shortly; so if you are interested in this role please look out for the nomination Newsletter December 2010 th Spring Term Ends 8 April 2011 papers. They will be distributed via students. Details are also posted on our website. Summer Term Begins Tuesday 26 th April 2011 Mrs J. Moore Dear Parents, Summer Half Term Monday 30 th May 2011 to Open Evening and Open Mornings Friday 3 rd June Our open evening on Tuesday, 5 th October was We are proud to announce the launch of an nd very well attended. We were very pleased to Olympic inspired programme at our school. The Summer Term Ends Friday 22 July 2011 welcome so many parents and children and the Be the Best you can Be! programme has been The Billericay Sports Centre school hall was packed for the Headteacher’s talks. developed to inspire, engage and empower young people to recognise and fulfil their potential and to Training Days We were especially proud of our students who took Friday 18 th February 2011, Friday 8 th April 2011, support the quest that the London 2012 Olympic th the visitors on tours around the school during the Tuesday 5 July 2011. evening and also on the open mornings over the Games be an inspiration to the youth of Britain following weeks. Their enthusiasm and good and the rest of the world. Bank Holidays manners were complimented upon by many not included in holidays above parents. I was determined that our school would be one of Monday 2 nd May 2011 th the early schools to undertake the Be the Best Our Sixth Form Open Evening on Tuesday, 9 you can Be! programme as it begins to roll out November was equally well attended and we hope nationally. The inspiration offered by Olympians to see many of our existing students return and look forward to welcoming new students to the and high achievers who strive to achieve their school. dreams is incredibly powerful and can really reach SSttuuddeenntt SSeerrvviicceess out and engage our young people. I am pleased If you were unable to attend any of our open to be welcoming Danny Crates to launch our events we are always more than happy to show programme and my teachers and I look forward to We would ask that parents be aware that they are not permitted Our Sports Centre is open to members of the public you around the school. Please contact the Student delivering this exciting and transformational to drive into the school grounds unless they have an appointment and details of opening times can be found at: Services at any time to book a tour and to request programme. or are visiting a member of staff. For safety reasons we ask www.billericay..sch.uk/bl/sports_centre an information pack. parents to drop off or pick up children inside the gates. The Be the Best you can Be! programme is Please can you also exercise extra caution when parking outside currently aimed at key stage 3 students and we the gates and in the roads around the school. shall give parents more information next term. Please remind your children to use the underpass by Southend USED STAMPS APPEAL Road/Bell Hill roundabout if they need to cross the road after Please can you collect any used stamps As we come towards the end of another busy and school. There have been several incidents of students just for this appeal. Please save stamps leav - productive term, I would like to say how proud I running across the road which is dangerous at this obviously ing 1 cm border around each one and ask am of the successes of so many of our students. very busy time. your son/daughter to pass them to Miss Hopkins in A2 or to the Language Office. th The underpass is checked every day before the children emerge Thank you. Students will finish this term on Friday, 17 from school and there is a regular staff presence in the area. December at 12.10 pm and return to school on Tuesday, 4 th January 2011.

We will be sending our newsletter via email to those I thank parents for their continued support and families who have already registered with their details. We would be very interested to hear your feedback wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a and whether you would like the newsletter by email in Healthy and Successful New Year 2011. the future. If you have not already given us your email address, please contact the school office or email it to [email protected] “We were very impressed with the enthusiasm of the students who showed us around the school” Mrs S. Hammond, Headteacher

If you would like to advertise in our newsletter please contact Jenny Titford on 01277 655191 School Road Billericay Essex CM12 9LH or email [email protected] for more details. www.billericay.essex.sch.uk Tel: 01277 655191 Fax: 01277 314414 School Meals Service Healthy Eating Menu KIRKLAND ROWELL I regret to inform you that it will be necessary for us to increase PARENT AND STUDENT SURVEYS the school’s food prices by a modest amount from January 2010 FEEDBACK 2011.

Our last increase was in January 2010, but with ingredient a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who took the Firstly , prices increasing almost on a weekly basis we are no longer time to complete and return the questionnaires. We had able to absorb these extra costs without some increase in in - over 1100 forms back which is our biggest return to come. Please be assured we will always keep prices as low as date! The results have been independently analysed by we possibly can and we continue to try to make the healthier Kirkland Rowell and action points have been fed back to options the most affordable for the students. The majority of the Senior Leadership Team and to all staff. Individual items will increase by approximately 10p. comments have all been collated and passed on to the relevant department or senior member of staff. As the The ‘Meal Deal’ price will rise from £2.10 to £2.20. This gives questionnaires are anonymous, we cannot respond to students the chance to buy a full meal comprising a protein choice, carbohydrate (i.e. potato, rice or pasta) a choice of We are very proud of our individual queries or complaints but are trying hard to Students: vegetable or salad, plus a pudding, fruit or yoghurt and a juice catering team at The Billericay ensure that any issues are appropriately dealt with or • You were even more enthusiastic than your parents drink or bottle of water. In line with government “healthy eating” rectified. Please contact the relevant member of staff judging the school to be ‘Outstanding’ in nearly all areas guidelines the ‘Meal Deal” is a nutritionally balanced meal and School and would like to remind (e.g. form tutor/subject teacher), or senior teacher if including: encouraging a healthy lifestyle, ensuring you by far the cheapest way for a pupil to purchase a nutritious parents and students that we offer a there is an outstanding matter you wish to discuss. stay safe, enjoyment and achievement, enabling you to lunch, rather than buying items individually. We believe it offers complete Healthy Eating menu which make a positive contribution and ensuring you achieve very good value for money. There are several choices to will provide a nutritionally balanced economic well being. choose from and one of them is always a vegetarian option. meal that offers good value for money. • You told us that you thought you were making good progress in all your subjects but especially in General Our Meal Deal price of £2.10 (£2.20 Studies (Sixth Form), Languages, Sociology and from January 2011) includes a meal Chemistry. plus pudding and a drink. The • In terms of non academic areas you said you were most equivalent ‘meal deal’ elsewhere would 2 happy with availability of resources, community spirit cost yat least £3.99. and social health education. You scored “promoting racial harmony” and “encouraging students to do their For more details and menus click on school catering at best” even higher than in the last survey (2008). There http://www.billericay.essex.sch.uk/bl/parents/ were also significantly higher scores for control of Parents: bullying and school discipline. • You gave us an overall performance score of 82% • The vast majority of you make good use of learning (nationally anything over 70% is considered a success) 6th Form Leavers AwardsEvening 7 conversations and most of you feel that they help you • You are happy with the delivery of all subjects but make good progress. Our annual 6th Form Awards Evening will take place on particularly pleased with Maths, French, Drama, ICT th • 85% value the well equipped RBLC. 72% access Thursday, 16 December at Emmanuel Church. and English. resources via the portal (please contact Mr Darley for • In terms of non academic areas you are most pleased This special evening celebrates the Sixth Form advice if you’re having difficulties) with school discipline, careers advice, availability of successes of 2010 and sees the return of our students • 89% say there is a good level of discipline. 93% feel resources, community spirit and developing students’ who have left the school to go into Higher Education or safe in school. 91% feel teachers will listen carefully if potential. into the workplace, to collect their certificates and prizes you have a problem. 95% think that teachers encourage • You think we do an outstanding job of keeping your for academic success. you to do your best. We are very glad that the vast children safe through excellent care, guidance and majority of you are happy at school. This year we are pleased to announce that our guest support. You agree that the school encourages a • Like your parents/carers, your top priority is improving speaker will be ex pupil Peter Bacchus who is Managing healthy lifestyle especially through exercise. Again your school facilities. We are trying hard to do that. You’d like Director & Global Head of Mining and Metals, Morgan scores were significantly higher than the national better toilets and you’d like to see less chewing gum on Stanley. averages. Music Concert tables. As you know, you shouldn’t be chewing in school • Most individual comments were extremely positive, and and we ask you all to respect that rule. In the meantime negative ones were usually qualified in the light of your we will make a concerted effort to remove any gum that Our end of term Music Concert overall satisfaction with the school th a minority of students leave behind. takes place on Wednesday, 15 December and will • Your priority for improvement is school facilities. We feature performances from students and staff: hope to start work on our new buildings soon! groups, soloists, instrumentalists and our very own • Some of you mentioned student lockers, better toilet Thanks to everybody who responded to staff choir! facilities, improved accommodation and systems for the survey. Remember you can continue to contribute lunch arrangements. We have been gradually refur - views and ideas and be part of decision making in the If you have never been to one of our concerts then bishing a number of student toilet areas over the past school through Back Chat, Student Voice and the Sixth make sure you don’t miss out again. The concert Form Committee. will feature the very best of musicianship and talent couple of years and within our new buildings some new at the school. toilets will be provided. The canteen provides a range of healthy food options and new seating arrangements Tickets are on sale from the School Office or from have resulted in lunchtimes being a more enjoyable din - the Music Department. Price £5 each. ing experience for all. We are currently drawing up plans for use of the funding generated from the farm sale and We also have a wonderful CD entitled “Live our building programme will result in both new special - Lounge” on sale which would make a great ist teaching facilities and improvements to existing fa - Mrs C Berry Christmas present. cilities for teaching and dining. Assistant Headteacher Awards Evening 2009, Guest Speaker Angela Smith, MP with students Dan Kirkin (left) and Dan Friar (right) “The EXAM course of TIMETABLE 2011 true love January 2011:

10th Jan – 2nd Feb : GCE modules : Years 12/13 never did GCSE Science : Year 11 (triple science students only) 10th – 14th January : Functional skills window : Year 11 run diploma students only February 2011: 14th – 18th February : GCSE Mock exams : Year 11 RBLC is screening films every Wednesday after school. The films smooth” Maths Extra are being alternated each week to ensure they are suitable for March 2011: Brightside Primary School and Quilters Junior School have been the different age groups. FILMCLUB is part of a national initiative attending our school to complement their learning in maths. and state schools receive government funding to help towards our 1st March : GCSE Maths modules : Year 10 + the cost. As part of the Shakespeare Festival The pupils spent time with teachers from our maths department students performed ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ at the Palace Year 11 resits finding out more about how exciting the subject can be. They Theatre in Southend. The students completed a workshop with 2nd March : GCSE Science modules : Year 10 FILMCLUB gives students and teachers the chance to explore used the computers in our Resource Based Learning Centre to the RSC and National Theatre, designed to develop their ability 21st – 25th March : Functional skills window : Year 11 the world of film with free weekly screenings, online reviewing, work out interesting problems and engaged in interactive to deliver Shakespearean language. diploma students only industry events and hands on support, FILMCLUB inspires, games to extend their learning. excites and opens up new avenues for learning. Summer 2011 window: You can see this production at the The session is just a small part of the primary school liaison Although it's fun just watching movies with your friends, that's not school on Wednesday, 8th December 26th April – 13th May : French/German Asset Languages work we do and provides a valuable experience for children to all FILMCLUB offers. The mix of films shown will immerse window : Year 10 language experience life at secondary school. students in a vibrant mix of vintage hits, international classics, Tickets on sale from Monday 22nd November in the Drama students only blockbusters, art movies and all points in between. 6 Studio price £4 each. Tickets will not be available on the door, 3rd – 12th May : Year 10 tests Students will see films made years ago and others fresh out from 3 as this will definitely be a sell out. 9th – 13th May : Functional skills window : Year 11 diploma students only all corners of the world. Miss Hill from our Media department 10th – 12th May : Internal SATS : Year 9 hopes it will broaden horizons, provoke thought and discussion 16th May – 29th June : GCE & GCSE exams : Years and enrich students’ learning. 10 - 13 10th June : GCSE English Literature : Year 10 (this replaces Year 10 English Literature exam on 24th May) 13th June – 1st July : French/German Asset Languages window : Year 9 language students only 13th June : GCSE Maths modules : Year 10 + Year 11 resits 28th June : GCSE Science modules : Year 10 + Year 11 resits (not 21st June)

Please note there are no Year 10 English exams on 16th and 18th May We would like to remind you that we do not normally authorise holiday absence, other than in exceptional circumstances, at Operation Christmas Child 2010 any time of year but it is vital that students in Years 9-13 are not Pictured below (right to left) are Year 12 students Gavin Paoletti, absent during the exam period and that, with modular exams, Aaron Griffiths and Kieran Hynes and they, along with Hamed this now stretches across much of the year. If you have any Omidy and Billy Sweeney have formed an Operation Christmas concerns please contact the Exams Office in the first instance. Child Committee to oversee the collection of Christmas shoeboxes this year. This year we can confidently predict that we will have over Bad Weather Procedure 200 shoeboxes to give away! Spine Tingling Stories Brought to Life Author Peter J. Murray entertained Years 7 and 8 with scary We would like to remind you that should the school tales that literally had students sitting on the edge of their have to close for bad weather or for any other seats. Peter introduced the characters from his books and reason, announcements are given on BBC Essex read excerpts that left everyone wanting to know what and Heart Essex all through the morning on the day happened next. affected. Although Peter J. Murray failed his exams at school he Our school website will also include the latest went to college in his twenties to finish his education and information. We will also soon be able to email or text went on to became a maths teacher. He started writing in an emergency stories when his two sons were young and is now a successful author of books for children. (see back page email article) Pictured above: Harry Wade, Heereyven Jagambrun, Fayokun Adeniran Giving individuals the opportunity to reach their potential in a caring and supportive community Education . Information . Exploration . Discovery

Netball Star Francesca Seber (pictured left) has been selected for the Regional Development Squad who train at the University of Hertford.

Francesca has attended youth training workshops for the Mavericks Superleague netball team and has regional extension training at Colchester. We wish her every success. Champions come to Billericay! French Trip 2010 On Thursday, 4 th November, a group of Year 8 boys had the pleasure of taking part in a workshop with two time French Exchange Commonwealth champion boxer Darran Langley and 2012 Enterprise Day 2010 Olympics long jump hopeful JJ Jegede. For the second year running, a group of 19 students went to the From 14th-21st October, 18 students from Years 8-10 spent It’s Murder at The Billericay School! The day included motivational talks from Darren and JJ about Loire Valley during October half term. They all thoroughly a week in Dax in the south-west of France where they how to be successful in athletics and day-to-day life. They enjoyed their time there and made the most of every opportunity experienced life with French families. In addition students shared their six top tips to succeed: Mental Toughness, Hunger to use their French speaking skills. spent a day at school with their partners from Le Groupe On Monday 15th November, we were delighted to welcome to Achieve, People Skills, Life Knowledge (Rules and Scolaire Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. They enjoyed vari - Adrian Jones from Tetra Scene of Crime, crime scene and Consequences), Breaking Barriers and Planning for Success. During their stay in France, the group visited Futuroscope ous activities such as: theme park rides; shopping in the forensics specialists. Theme Park; went on a discovery trip to Troglodytic Farms to streets of typical ‘basque’ towns; exploring the Betharram ‘It was really good learning how they got started in their career experience the everyday lives of cave-dwellers during the caves with its huge limestone deposits and underground river; climbing on a cogwheel train on the top of the mountain ‘La Adrian and his colleague set up 5 identical murder scenes and how their ambitions changed’, said Tommy Underwood. paleolithic period in the Valley of Goupillières and, for a complete contrast, visited the Sleeping Beauty castle (Chateau Rhune’ from which the views were simply amazing! around the school and students worked in teams to solve Darran and JJ put the boys through team building exercises d’Usse). the crime using clues that were given to them beforehand which they thoroughly enjoyed. Bradley Mumford said the best The icing on the cake was to cross the Spanish border and in their team meetings. part of the day was, “seeing Darran’s actual medal!” The trip was both educational and enjoyable. The visit was relax on the sunny beach of San Sebastien. We are now rounded off with a day in Tours where they enjoyed completing looking forward to the return visit of the French class next The second part of the day was spent developing and Throughout the day Darran used his slogan: “Life waits for no various activities and doing a bit of shopping. April! producing a presentation for the ‘ Council Young one, so don’t get left behind.” If the boys keep this in mind I’m Person's Parliament Project.’ With a budget of £5 000 they sure they can succeed in any way they want. 4 had to consider a realistic project for the local community, Tom Marsh Yr12 for example benches at Sun Corner. 5 UNIFORM PRICE INCREASE Other schools are taking part in this initiative and the team “Life waits for no one, that presents the winning project could see it implemented so don’t get left behind.” As you may be aware, VAT is increasing from 17.5% to 20% from January 2011. In addition to this, prices of raw by Basildon District Council. materials within the retail sector have increased dramatically over the past year. The combination of both these factors means that our uniform supplier, S Simmonds & Son Ltd, will have to increase their prices from the start of the New Year. It is with much regret that we will have to pass this price increase on to parents.

Simmonds have agreed to honour any orders at the current selling price provided they are placed and paid for at the uniform shop before the close of business on Friday 17 December. If the item is out of stock it will be ordered for you and sent out, postage free, when the item arrives at the warehouse.

This guarantee will also apply to orders for summer polo shirts which students will be wearing during the summer term next year. Any orders placed and paid for via the uniform shop before 17 December will be honoured at the current selling price of £9.65/ £11.35

The price increase will take effect from 4 th January at the uniform shop. Please note that it will not be possible to place orders in the shop over the Christmas holiday period. The last opportunity to place an order will be before 9.30am on Friday 17 th December.

On-line orders will reflect the current selling price until Christmas whilst stock is available.

The Billericay School “Caring about success” www.simmonds-ltd.com The Uniform Shop is open every day in term time from 8.15 - 9.30 am Tel. 01277 654417