Dear Parents and Carers, We have approached the end of a very busy and eventful term at Holly Lodge. Students have been preparing for and taking examinations during the penultimate week of term. Despite having to close school for three days due to the recent bad weather, we were able to conclude the examination schedule successfully. I would like to convey my thanks to all members of the school community, especially the staff, who have worked extremely hard to ensure that the education of the students remains a priority at Holly Lodge. We have also celebrated the success of last year’s Year 11 students with a fantastic presentation evening attended by Mr Amolak Dhariwal, a former Holly Lodge Student who is now named in the top 100 Ethnic Minority Business Leaders. This year we have one of the best value added of any school in the Local Authority and have had the best Post-16 results ever. In November I felt very proud of our students as we held a Remembrance Parade in the school quad involving the whole school. This was attended by Governors and also the local MP Rt.Hon John Spellar, all of whom commented on the exemplary behaviour of our students. As you are already aware, school will close at 12.00pm on Wednesday 20th December 2017 for the Christmas holidays. Students who are entitled to Free School Meals will be able to collect a packed lunch from the dining room at break time only. Please also note that the school re-opens on Thursday 4th January 2018 with a prompt start. As is always the case, students acquire clothing items over the holiday period and are eager to wear them to school. This often causes unnecessary issues. Can I ask that you check your child’s uniform as they leave for school and ensure that they are not wearing fashion accessories that may have been acquired during the holiday period. Your support in these matters will ensure that we have a positive start to the new term. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. With very best wishes, Paul Shone Headteacher CCF News Biennial Inspection On Tuesday 14th November, the Cadets had their first Biennial Inspection from the CCF. We arranged a day at Swynnerton Training Area, and were inspected by Colonel of Cadets, Colonel Kim Knutton. The Cadets took part in an observation task, navigation, stalking, setting Remembrance up shelter and cooking in the On Friday 10th November 2017, all pupils and staff of Holly Lodge took part in the Remembrance parade at 11:00. field. The inspection went This was impeccably observed by everyone involved. We had a bugler from RAF Cosford playing the Last Post. very well and everyone had a On Sunday 12th November 2017, the Cadets were once again representing the school, this time at the Smethwick good day. Remembrance parade. The Cadets made up over half of the turn out, and as always, were a credit to the School and Cadets. Tree Planting On Saturday 18th November, the Cadets arrived at Holly Lodge to help plant 420 saplings that had been donated to the school by the Woodland Trust. Over 20 cadets braved some cold and wet conditions and the result has transformed an unused field at the school, to what in a few years’ time will be an area to be used by the Cadets, School and Local community alike. There are 175 non-school days a year – for visits, family time, shopping, holidays and so on….. …which leaves just 190 days a year for education – too few to miss! Every child deserves the best chance at education Congratulations Duke of – all students need to Edinburgh participants, attend school regularly . who over the 15th and 16th October, completed the expedition Days off school add up to lost learning….. section of their Bronze Award. The expedition Attendance of 85% means a student has missed half a term – 29 days was tough, moving between – of learning time. the Lickey Hills, Redditch and camping Absence from school must be covered by a telephone call or letter overnight at from a parent/carer otherwise it will be unauthorised. We may also Blackwell Adventure, near ask for medical evidence to authorise the absence. Bromsgrove. The second day was particularly difficult as it coincided with the tail end of The following pupils have all taken music exams this term and we Hurricane congratulate them on their success: Ophelia. The sky turned red and Ayomide Soremekun - Distinction grade 2 piano the winds picked Promesse Miesi - Distinction grade 2 violin up, but that Jack Hickenbottom - Pass grade 2 violin didn’t stop our brave souls completing their task. Well done to all involved and I look forward to you doing the Silver Award soon. Thursday 4th January 2018 School re-opens after Christmas for students and staff Monday 8th January 2018 Year 12 & 13 Exams Week Thursday 25th January 2018 Year 11 Parents’ Evening Thursday February 15th 2018 Year 9 Parents’ Evening 19th – 23rd February 2018 Half Term Holidays Monday 26th February 2018 Training Day – school closed to students Tuesday 27th February 2018 School re-opens to Students Thursday 1st March 2018 Year 9 Options Evening Monday 5th March 2018 Year 7 Exams Week Thursday 8th March 2018 SIDS Day Monday 12th March 2018 Year 11 Parents’ Workshop Thursday 22nd March 2018 Year 12 & 13 Parents’ Evening Thursday 29th March 2018 Easter Holidays to Friday 13th April 2018 Monday 16th April 2018 School re-opens to Students and Staff ART TRIP GOES AHEAD DESPITE THE SNOW On a cold Saturday 9th December, despite the snowy conditions a group of GCSE and A level Art students went to Liverpool. The first place we visited was the Tate Gallery where we had the rare opportunity to see a Lichtenstein exhibition. We had an informative guided tour around the Constellation exhibition, giving pupils the chance to see a wide variety of art from Pablo Picasso, LS Lowry and Grayson Perry, to name but a few. We then walked across the city to the Walker Art gallery. Here we saw the work of Turner Prize winner Lubiana Himid and a display of Grayson Perry dresses. Despite the freezing conditions the day was a great success. Student Leadership Last term year 10 pupils were selected by Mr Newton to be peer The introduction of Student Leadership mentors. They are Samira Adam, Sadia Ahmed, Lena Akhter, at Holly Lodge this academic year has Dounia Allaiouti, Anouska Antoine, Aliyah Begum, Sian Curtis, been very successful so far. Since Ariana Graf Haro, Kainat Hashmi, Nuzeha Hasnath ,Iman Hussain, September we have appointed over 100 Ronan Jakhu, Joacey Jawanda, Amrita Kalsi, Navjot Kaur,Jahanara Khanom , Amina Khatun, Safina Lalh Thasnima Lima, students into various leadership Kareena Rai,Najiah Ramezan, Ria Saini,Himmat Sanghera, Saphal positions such as: Head Boy and Head Sapkota, Afroja Sheikh and Sukhpal Singh. Their first role was to Girl at 6th form along with Senior support new 7 on induction day. This involved supporting their Prefects; at Key Stage 3 and 4 we have assigned year 7 class by ensuring they attended all their sessions Year Captains and Vice Year Captains and did not get lost. All the peer mentors worked hard and enjoyed along with Year 11 Prefects, and all this responsibility. They then helped out on year 7 Welcome tutor groups across Key Stage 3 and 4 Evening by greeting parents, serving refreshments and selling the also have a Form Representative. These school ties. students have been involved in a variety The peer mentors have continued to support year 7 every Friday of events during the winter term such as during am registration when they arranged team building activities open evenings, new pupil tours, with the classes. The peer mentors have enjoyed having this Remembrance Day speeches and The opportunity as they have to plan a new activity every week. This Diana Anti-Bullying campaign support has helped year 7 feel settled in the school. training. These events have provided As the peer mentors are good role models for the school they have students with opportunities to develop a had further opportunity to support year 7/year 8 progress evening number of leadership skills including; and also for the first time year 12 parents evening. .Here they communication, teamwork, greeted parents, handed out reports and showed parents where responsibility and commitment. A big to go for their appointments with the teachers. Miss Dunn was thank you to Mrs Goodwin and Mrs very impressed by the maturity that the peer mentors showed Whitehouse who took the Key Stage 3 throughout this busy evening. and 4 Year Captains and Vice Year Every year there are more and more year 9 pupils applying to be Captains to the Anti-Bullying training peer mentors. As spaces are limited 3 years ago Mr Newton and working extremely hard with them suggested we give all those who have shown interest in being peer to provide a Year 7 Skills session on mentors an opportunity to train as peer mentor readers with year 7 Selfies and Self-esteem which was who have low reading ages. extremely well delivered and received. We look forward to next term with lots This scheme has just started in the library every Wednesday during am registration. Those who have received their training are now more events for our leadership students reading with selected year 7 pupils whose reading age is low. The to get involved in and continue to peer mentor readers are Abubakar Abubakar, Rajna Akhtar, develop their leadership skills and Mohammed Ghaffar, Taranjit Singh Hira, Anisodora Huja , Tristan qualities.