Start of term Issue 4 9 th September 2013 EAST UPDATE Your Children. Cardiff’s Future. HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS • Update on preparations for opening of • Future of Llanrumney High School Eastern High • Security arrangements • Meet Dylan, the PCSO officer • Family Information Service – support • Pupils have their say on the new school available to you buildings School site as sensitively and appropriately as possible is The sign of the future is here! as much a priority for me as the improvement work While the children have been enjoying their summer taking place in Rumney High School. I am very lucky to holidays, work has been going on to make sure the have a fantastic team working with me to make sure its buildings at the Rumney High School site are ready to open all done on time. I have a mixture of anxiety and as Eastern High in September. A lot of hard work behind the excitement at the moment, this move has been a long scenes is also taking place to deliver this exciting stage of time coming and it’s great to be part of it but obviously the project. Teaching staff have received lots of training and the pressure is on to make sure we manage the guidance to help them make sure they are equipped to changes on site over the summer!” support the pupils, parents and each other from September. Former Rumney pupils won’t see much change in the We caught up with Estates Manager Gareth Cooke, who layout. However, we are bringing back into use the is overseeing the building works and furniture removal disused Art Block and first floor of one of the teaching being carried out at both Rumney High School site and blocks which have both been refurbished. These will be Llanrumney High School. re-opened to accommodate the increased number of pupils attending the school from September. These “Hello, it’s all going very well at the moment. Very busy as areas are receiving a make over and improvements to you’d imagine but the sunshine and dry weather has ensure all areas meet the necessary Health and Safety certainly helped. The devil is in the detail with such a big standards. task as this and it’s my job to make sure each item is removed appropriately, and sent to the right location. I am In addition to this update to parents, a letter has keeping a close eye on all the building works and ensuring been sent to residents who live in close proximity to the signage is all ready and displayed for the pupils in either of the schools providing an update on what is September. Securing and clearing the Llanrumney High taking place on the school site nearest to them and who to contact if they have any concerns. Leading Cardiff Building Communities What thoughts do you have about working with Eastern Preparing for the opening of Eastern High High’s partner primary schools? With the countdown to the start of the new term for Eastern I am really excited about working with the partner primary High, we got in contact with Ms Karen Gittins, the new Interim schools; sharing experiences and working together would Executive Head Teacher of Eastern High to find out how she was benefit all of us and that would be a good thing for all of the feeling as she prepares for her own personal return journey to schools involved, including Eastern High. We can learn much the city to embark on her exciting, but challenging new role. from our primary colleagues and so I see this very much as a two-way partnership. Hello, Ms Gittins, how was the end of term for you? Hello! I have to admit the end of term was difficult for me as I What role will the community have to play in the future said goodbye to a wonderful team of staff and students. of Eastern High? However, they understood the reasons behind my decision and The role of the community is hugely important and my main they appreciate how much I am looking forward to returning message with regard to this is that I want the community to home to Wales to take up this new challenge. My house was know they have the opportunity to engage and shape the inundated with flowers and gifts which was a real treat but the future! This is a fantastic chance to contribute to the most special thing to me was the volume of cards and the developing project as we think about the new build, new words written within; I have worked with some of these families provision and how it can best be developed to serve the for a long time and so it was sad to say goodbye. community. So if you are reading this - get involved – your views will help define the provision! How is your move to Cardiff going? The move is going as planned, if a little hectic! I finished work What are you looking to achieve by the end of the first on the 23rd July but I still went into the schools for the rest of inevitable challenges that come with year as Eastern High? that week to ensure that everything is left as it should be for creating a new school. • Improvement in attainment and achievement (across the the new incoming Executive Principal once he/she is school, not just GCSE results) appointed. I will be going on holiday for a fortnight and What roles will you and Interim Acting • whole staff team appointed in readiness for Sep 2014 within three days of my return I shall be moving down to Head Teacher, Wendy Rees play in the • increased range of opportunities and learning pathways Cardiff! first year? for the pupils Wendy will take care of the day to day • a strong extra-curricular programme with a reputation for What does the new name and logo ‘say’ about Eastern running of the school which will allow me excellence and success High, for you? to focus on the strategic plan and making • secure working relationships with all parties associated To me it says: fresh start, looking forward together. the necessary preparations for September with Eastern High 2014 and beyond. At the same time, • an agreed vision for the future What are your thoughts on the involvement of the pupils Wendy and I will work closely together to • the reputation as one of the fastest improving schools in Wales in choosing the name and logo? Are you pleased with make sure the next twelve months runs as their choices? smoothly as possible during the transition What are the plans for the future, for 2014 and beyond? I was asked if I thought it was a good idea for the pupils to be period. 2014 will be here before we know it so my eyes are already involved and replied with a resounding ‘YES’! It is so fixed beyond that point; I’m looking at 2014 – 2018/9. important for the pupils to have their say and to acknowledge How do you plan to work with and meet Obviously things can change very quickly but from where we that they CAN and DO influence decisions. Personally, I am parents of the school? are at the moment, further to what I see happening between delighted with the choice of the new logo as it was my I think the best way to work with parents is now and 2014 (see answer above!), my long-term plan number one preference out of the shortlisted options too! to offer them a range of opportunities; includes: people have busy lives and families have • focusing on shaping the new provision to ensure it meets What are you most looking forward to over the first few many commitments and responsibilities so the needs of all our current pupils (and future pupils by weeks at Eastern High? I will be offering a range of options such as working closely with our primary partners) Getting to know as many people as possible! That includes providing information using social media, • Ensuring the new provision reflects the views of what the staff, students, parents, Governors and external agencies. I being visible in school, offering drop-in community would like to access as part of that provision am also looking forward to people getting to know me a little. sessions where parents can come and meet and see it used regularly by a range of community groups me and discuss any issues or concerns in • Ensure the building retains flexibility so if a change of What are the main challenges you will be looking to private as it’s important that I listen to any purpose is required in years to come it can be overcome? concerns or issues. I would like to attend accommodated with minimal disruption Bringing people together and agreeing a shared vision; I any community-group sessions and I have • Continue to adapt the curriculum as the pupil cohorts have heard about the fantastic joint sessions which have already met with Adam Rees and Steven change to ensure learners have increased, appropriate already taken place and it is heartening to know that there is Honeywell from Communities First who choice as they move through the school a real commitment to work together. This will allow us to use have updated me with the fantastic work • I want to see continuous improvement in achievement the good practice from both the previous schools as we which has been going on in the local and attainment with a growing evidence base which move forward together in this transition phase.