Keeping in Touch Lees Brook Community School’S Newsletter for Parents
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Keeping in Touch Lees Brook Community School’s Newsletter for Parents A Founding Member of the Northworthy Trust Dear Parent April 2018 Keeping in Touch Welcome to the latest edition of the Keeping in Touch newsletter, it’s finally the summer term and it’s lovely to have some sunshine at last! Year 11 I want to start with a well done to the Year 11 students, the year group as a whole are working exceptionally hard towards their upcoming examinations. There were a large number of students in school over the Easter holiday and Year 11s regularly attend additional study support sessions before school, after school and during most lunchtimes. I need to also add a big thank you to the staff, who give up so much of their time to work with the students. Snow days I must mention the snow days that we have at the start of March. It is the first time during my 3 years as Headteacher that I have shut the school due to bad weather, however on this occasion I did not have any choice. It is always a difficult decision as I am very aware of the loss of learning time, especially with the GCSE examinations being so close, however the safety of staff and students is paramount. I want to thank our site maintenance team for the amazing job they did during those days and their continual work on the school grounds. Cycling We are still monitoring the behaviour of students cycling to and from school at the moment. As you may be aware, the Derby Evening Telegraph used the letter I sent home regarding cycling to create a newspaper article about this a few weeks ago. I will only ban bikes as an absolute last resort, however I have to consider the safety of all students in school and the motorists in the area. Books Well done to the library team who organised so many events for World Book Day: a total of £935.00 was raised through the non uniform day. This money has already been used to purchase new books for students – I have already seen students reading the new books during DEAR time after lunch (Drop Everything and Read.) Many thanks to anyone who bought books from the Book Fair that we had in school, there were some excellent titles on offer for the students. I am pleased to be able to tell you that the sale of the books generated over £200 efor th school to spend in the library, 40 new books have already been added using this money. Dress code I have attached the dress code for your information, please be aware that this must be followed at all times. A particular issue at the moment is trainers being worn; trainers (including plain black ones) must not be worn to school. Please remember that skirts must not be more than 2” shorter than above the knee, not tight or made of a stretchy material. I am happy to check any item of uniform before you spend any money on clothing. Please do not let your child tell you that it will be acceptable as it is what everyone else is wearing. Please be aware that students are also not allowed piercings apart from ear piercings and need to be wearing the correct colour tie and school blazer in school at all times. Staff will allow students to take blazers off in lessons as the weather becomes warmer. Parent Governor We have a vacancy for a parent governor in school, if you are interested in the position, or would like more information, please contact Chris Taylor, Clerk to Governors ([email protected].) Exam Invigilators We are looking for more exam invigilators to work in school, if you would like more information, please contact Chris Taylor, Exams Officer ([email protected].) INSET Days As soon as the calendar has been finalised for 2018‐2019, I will send it out. I can confirm that the school will use Thursday 6th September and Friday 7th September as INSET days, so students will return to school after the summer holiday on Monday 10th September. A reminder as well that the final INSET day for this academic year is on Friday 22nd June. The Yr 8 parents evening that was cancelled due to snow will now be on Tuesday 8th May. Parents will be able to book appointments online from Monday 23rd April. End of Year Examinations Please find information below regarding the upcoming GCSE examinations. Please feel free to contact your child’s form tutor or subject teacher if you have any concerns. KS3 Year 7, 8 & 9 examinations will start week beginning Monday 30th April and continue until Friday 11th May. These examinations will be conducted in a variety of ways. Some of these will happen in the classroom; however the majority will take place in the Sports Hall in formal conditions. Staff will be supporting students over the coming weeks to help them prepare, however additional revision at home will be needed. Year 10 End of year examinations for Year 10 will start week beginning Monday 11th June and continue until Friday 27th June. All of these examinations will be formally taken and will review the learning and achievement of your youngster during their first year of their GCSE studies. Through experience, students who do well in examinations start their revision early and we would advise that Year 10 students start to plan revision into their after school routine over the next 2 months. Year 11 Over the next month Year 11 students will be completing controlled assessments in a variety of subjects, which contribute to the final grade for their GCSE’s & Vocational qualifications. The majority of the final examinations start week beginning Monday 14th May and continue until the final exam which is Friday 22nd June. We wish all Year 11 students the best of luck and urge them to continue to revise and attend any study support opportunities that are on offer over the next 2 months to make sure they are as fully prepared as they can be. All the examination timetables are on the school website. Safeguarding Informative leaflet regarding Internet Safety for Parents The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), an advisory body set up to promote children's safety online, has published guidance for parents and carers whose children use social media. The leaflet outlines risks around what children could see or do on social media, who they could meet and how this could affect them. It also sets out practical tips for parents to help their children stay safe, and lists questions to encourage children to ask themselves when using social media. Child safety online: a practical guide for parents and carers whose chilldren are using social media, GOV.UK (Adobe pdf file) New School Mini Buses As a school we have had winter and summer fairs for many years now, the money raised at these events has always been kept separate and saved to buy new school mini buses. Obviously without the mini buses we would not be able to get our students to eventts/fixtures around the city. Last week, I used the money saved from the winter and summer fairs to buy two new mini buses for the school. I am looking forward to the new mini buses arriving into school and being used by the staff and students. Congratulations During the Easter holidays, Isobel Goodwin (Y10) was given the chance to go to Miami, Florida to play football for the Derby Regional Talent Centre U18's. Isobel played against 4 universities and scored an impressive 6 goals. This was an amazing opportunity and something she hopes to pursue in the future. Well Done Isobel. Finally a huge congratulations to Mrs Palmmer‐Blount who participated in the European Masters Indoor Athletics Championships and won a silver medal in the 3000m! She was only pipped to the gold in the last 20 metres! School Goodbyes Sadly, we are saying goodbye to three members of staff, Sarah Collins has left us after 12 years at Lees Brook, Chris Fearick, who started his career with us in 2013, is moving on to a new teaching post and Richard Willan is leaving Derby after working at Lees Brook for 114 year to relocate to Scotland with his family. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Best Wishes Zoe House Headteacher LEES BROOK COMMUNITY SCHOOL UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS OF SCHOOL UNIFORM The school’s uniform policy is designed to encourage a purposeful and effective climate for learning. It is expected that all 11‐16 students wear full uniform at all times, unless directed otherwise by staff. All students should be smart, take pride in their appearance and dress appropriately within the ethos of a formal, academic working environment. All students should be aware that they represent the school when wearing the uniform both in and out of school. Wearing clothing that conforms to the uniform is a condition of admission into the school. Please do not allow your youngster to tell you that any of these can be compromised. It puts the school in a difficult position when we have to ring home and ask for an item of uniform to be replaced. BLACK BLAZER The black uniform blazer with the school logo on the pocket must be worn at all times. It must be clean and smart. Damaged blazers must be repaired or replaced. Jumpers and cardigans are not permitted. WHITE SHIRT A formal style white shirt with a stiffened collar must be worn under the blazer; it must be plain white with no logo of any kind.