Volume 10 Issue 35 W/C 24 May 2021
Chiltern Hills Academy Chartridge Lane Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 2RG Telephone 01494 782066 [email protected] www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk
Message from the Principal
RETURNING TO A ‘NEW NORMAL’ With the restrictions across the country reducing and school students no longer needing to wear masks, we are able to adjust our current way of working. We intend, from the 7 June as we return from the half term holiday, to revert to the subjects (where possible) being taught in their specialist areas of the school.
As a result of this change, we will maintain a level of risk reduction through:
• Students and staff continuing to wear masks in corridors/stairs/queues • Maintaining the additionalcleaning of hand-rails, doors etc. • Holding open doors during the school day where possible • Ventilating spaces and rooms.
The proposed timings for the school from this date are based on a consultation that we undertook in June 2020. This has been adjusted in the light of what we have learnt during our arrangements in bubbles. W/C 7 June WEEK 2 Years 8 and 10 8.40- 8.45- 9.40- 10.40- 11.00- 12.00- 1.00- 1.32- 2.02- 8.45 9.40 10.40 11.00 12.00 1.00 1.30 2.02 3.10 Form P1 P2 Break P3 P4 Form Lunch P5
Years 7, 9 and Sixth Form 8.40- 8.45- 9.40- 10.40-12.00 12.00- 1.00- 1.32- 2.02- 8.45 9.40 10.40 1.00 1.30 2.02 3.05 Form P1 P2 P3 and Break P4 Lunch Form P5 (11.00-11.20am)
Tuesdays ONLY Years 8 and 10, 8.35 - 9.25- 10.25- 10.45- 11.40 12.40 1.12 - 1.42- 2.35- 3.30- P6 9.20 10.2 10.45 11.40 - -1.10 1.42 2.35 3.30 3.40 Y10 5 12.40 Only Staff P1 Break P2 P3 Form Lunch P4 P5 Break 3.40- meetings 4.30
Years 7, 9 and Sixth Form 8.35 -9.20 9.25- 10.25- 11.40- 12.40- 1.12 - 1.42- 2.35- 3.30-3.40 3.40-4.20 10.25 11.40 12.40 1.10 1.42 2.35 3.30 Y7 only Y7 only Staff P1 P2/ P3 Lunch Form P4 P5 Break Enrich- meetings Break ment (10.45- 11.05)
We will place this information on our website and, as we return after half-term, this will be signposted for all our students on noticeboards around the school. In order to accommodate these changes, this last week we have re-timetabled the whole school. Lessons have not changed but the rooms that they will be in have been updated. New timetables will be emailed to students and they will be given a hard copy.
For some of our younger students, they will need to find their way to new rooms. We will have staff in corridors to help students navigate their way around the school so they do not need to worry.
The key changes/improvements for all after half-term: 1. Lunch and break times continue to be staggered to enable students to have more space and to access more easily the break and lunch food provision. 2. There will be designated areas for those on break and lunches, enabling similar age students to play safely together. 3. Y10 will have a bespoke intervention programme planned in the core subjects on a Tuesday from 3.40-4.30pm, supporting them in their studies as they prepare for their Y11 GCSEs and BTECs 4. The Enrichment programme will commence for Y7 the week commencing 14 June, with students signing up to activities on Tuesday 8 June with their form teacher. There will be an exciting and interesting programme of activities available for Y7 to select on a Tuesday afternoon. There will be additional after-school opportunities for other year groups. These will be publicised in future newsletters and the school internal bulletin 5. Students with PE on their timetable will change for their lessons in changing rooms. PE kits can be left in form rooms, as lockers will not be reassigned until September.
I know that students and staff will be pleased to be in their specialist rooms for their learning after half-term. On Monday 7 June during period 1, students will have time with their Form Tutors to become familiar with the ‘new’ way of working.
The last part of the summer term is going to be an exciting one: teaching in specialist rooms, students using the whole school for their learning, a summer sports programme and opportunities for extra-curricular activities.
STAFFING UPDATE We are busy recruiting staff for our growing school commencing September. In the short-term, we do have two colleagues leaving us this half-term. Mr Godwin joined us from the USA as a Geography teacher. He is returning back there in the coming weeks. We thank him for his commitment and work with us and we wish him well with his future career. Mrs Fowler has been a dedicated member of the Learning Support team since 2006. I wonder how many students over these years Mrs Fowler has guided and supported – hundreds I am sure. We wish her well as she enjoys some extra time for herself and her family.
PE KIT AND UNIFORM Our uniform suppliers, based in Chesham, are keen to help you with any uniform requirements. Please contact them via their website if you need any branded uniform items:
www.klschoolwear.co.uk
Please note that the skirt design must be a pleated skirt and of a length to be no more than 5cm above the knee.
The impact of Covid has made it very difficult financially for some of our families. We have a fund available to families should they need support in buying items of uniform. A letter or email to the Clerk to Governors ([email protected]) is a way to access support if this is required.
Please do your best to ensure that, on our return from half-term, the correct uniform is being worn. If there are difficulties and an item is ordered but has not yet arrived, write a note in the Student Planner or a separate letter please. Here is a link to our uniform expectations:
https://www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk/uniform
COVID VIRUS UPDATE Our plans above are based on the continued improving local reduction in the virus. We do ask all our parents to continue to ensure that their children are using the twice weekly lateral flow tests. These need to be reported on the CHA and NHS websites. Should there be a positive test outcome, please use this email address to tell us immediately: [email protected]
BUILDING UPDATE During half-term we will close D block for refurbishment (for conversion to 8 science labs on ground and first floor ready for 1 September). At a recent meeting with the building contractors, it was good to hear that they are currently on schedule to complete each phase as planned. The new E block, the new science department and SEN area should, if all continues at the same pace, be ready for us to move into in September. The picture shows the new library and IT rooms taking shape. These will be open we hope for the end of autumn next year.
PARENT FORUM MEETING My thanks to the parents with young people in Y7-Y13 for attending this open online meeting. It was really helpful to hear your ideas and comments. We discussed a number of items and these were the key outcomes: • The arrangements for moving to a new way of working after half-term. There was good support for this plan. • To make sure that, in the newsletter, we keep parents updated as to staff leaving and new staff joining. • To review the Progress Checks, making it clear to students and families when assessments are going to take place and to support students more in preparing for the assessments.
• To do our best to have the term dates confirmed as early as possible to assist families in planning their forthcoming holidays. • To review the Y8 Options timeline for next year in the light of the disruption to learning for students.
One question we did not talk about in detail, was concerning sexual abuse and harassment in schools and how we as a school are supporting all our young people in these matters. Mrs Conway, our Designated Safeguarding Leader, is supervising this at CHA. She has recently shared a survey for parents to complete and we will be asking a sample of our students to complete a survey too. There will also be some student focus groups to explore this important matter further. The findings from this feedback will inform us of our next steps in assisting young people to make the right choices in their words and actions.
SCHOOLS OF CHESHAM CARNIVAL – WALKING CHALLENGE The Carnival Committee remain dedicated in raising monies for the schools of Chesham. You will recall the wonderful event that usually takes place in Lowndes Park. Hopefully this will be back next year. The committee have devised a ‘Walking Challenge’ that can involve people of all ages. The link to the guidance documents and various walks are on the school website:
https://www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk/latestnews/schools-of-chesham-carnival
Please do consider making this a family opportunity for some fresh air, family time and a walk in the lovely countryside surrounding the town.
Dates for Your Diary
Date Event Email address
26 May Additional INSET Day, students working from home 28 to 30 May DofE Expedition [email protected] 28 May Last day of first half summer term 31 May to 7 June Volunteers’ week
7 June First day of second half summer term 7 to 18 June Y10 interviews (second round) [email protected]
8 June PTA meeting, 7.00 to 8.00pm via Teams [email protected]
24 June Y7 Whole year group photograph, [email protected] 1.00 to 2.00pm 24 June Y9 Parents’ Evening via Schoolcloud [email protected] 4.00 to 7.00pm Free School Meals
Free school meals - Helping Hands Food Voucher Buckinghamshire Council is providing food vouchers to families with children and young people eligible for free school meals for the May half-term school holiday. Emails have been sent to parents with an attachment earlier this week. Please follow the instructions in Buckinghamshire Council's letter to receive a £15.00 digital food voucher for each eligible child.
Mrs C Craft SIMS & Nova T Manager / SLT Administrator
Safeguarding
Safeguarding - Harmful Sexual Behaviour Last week we sent a survey to all parents to gather information on their views of Harmful Sexual Behaviour. Thank you so much if you completed this survey, as parent views are vital to the work we are doing to better understand how we can tackle this issue and, most importantly, implement education and support for our young people to prevent HSB from happening at CHA. This research will continue after half-term, when we will be gathering feedback from staff, students, and our governing board on this important matter.
Below are two links to websites that provide information and advice for parents, if you want to find out more on HSB. It includes guidance for parents on how to have those difficult conversations at home. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/sexual-behaviour-children/ https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/concerned-about-a-child-or-young-persons-sexual-behaviour/ preventing-harmful-sexual-behaviour/
If you are concerned about your child or another child, then please send an email to: [email protected]
Our Safeguarding Team will always follow up concerns reported and any information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
The HSB survey will close on Friday 28 May at 6.00pm, so please click on the link below to have your say - your views are invaluable to this research project.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OPAGdXcKEU2XMOmg-SicyNkk4F6- HZxMh9_hFnNyFcBUMTMwWFo5Mk9QMVJMMk5ONFJYMDlIQzgwOC4u
Once the information is collected, we will share with you in future newsletters how we are going to address the issues identified in the survey.
Thank you.
Mrs J Conway Vice Principal Designated Safeguarding Lead
Sixth Form Corner
A huge congratulations to all of the Year 13, Year 12 AS and Year 12 Level 2 students who have completed many assessments over the last two weeks. They have been exceptional in their conduct and determination towards these assessments. I look forward to celebrating fantastic results with them in August.
A reminder of the plans and dates for this week.
Year 13 Monday 24 May – Physics, Biology and Chemistry assessments
Tuesday 25 May – Drama assessment
Wednesday 26 May – Whole school Inset Day
Thursday 27 May – Linked Workshops, 9.00 – 10.30am. Students to meet me in the Sixth Form area. Meeting with Miss Harman as a year group after the workshop has finished.
Friday 28 May – GoApe and Wendover Woods. Students to meet me at the GoApe reception area at 9.30am. A reminder that students are making their own way to and from the venue. A picnic lunch will be provided. Please bring a picnic blanket if you have one. Any student who wants to come along but has not returned their consent slip to me, please do so as soon as possible.
All Year 13 and Year 12 Level 2 students have been sent links to EtonX and MOOCs websites to enable them to develop their skill set and gain further online support with their next steps.
Any student who has not yet returned their loaned laptop to me, please do so as soon as possible - the deadline was Friday 21 May. Reminder emails have been sent to parents and students.
Our new Head Student committee is up and running. We have a variety of areas that the students are leading on, as a main focus and area of development for them. Details of these groups are as follows.
CHARITY, TFCHA AND WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES Leading on the set up and organisation of whole school charity events. Organisation and development of TFCHA and an assembly rota. Year 13 Leavers’ Celebration organisation– venue, date, fundraising: Alexandra Hearne, Olivia Doyle, Nicole Western and Jemima Bacon.
MENTORING Leading and supporting the MIND mentoring programme and further lower school support: Bella Fanton and Maryam Rashid
STUDENT VOICE Isaiah Jones and James Dale
ETHNICITY AND DIVERSITY LEADS Riley Rann, Aisha Riaz and Zohaib Adil I am very excited to inform you that the plans for our Sensory and Reflection Garden are underway. Emily Kernick, Rishi Brar and James Dale have made excellent progress on this and have done an amazing job so far. We have had some overwhelming support from our PTA and local businesses so far, for which we are truly grateful. I will keep you updated on this very exciting development.
Year 12 Next Steps Support The programme started a couple of weeks ago, with an introduction to higher education, how to choose a course and university, looking at alternative routes and an introduction to personal statement writing. Workshops that they still have to come are detailed below.
• Tuesday 25 May - Student life • Wednesday 9 June - UCAS process and registration These workshops take place in Complementary Studies or Life Skills lessons.
Dates to remember this term:
Year 12 assessment week, Monday 21 June - Friday 25 June Year 12 Excellence assembly, Wednesday 30 June, 13.30pm Year 13 Leavers’ Assembly, Wednesday 7 July, 1.30pm Year 13 Leavers’ Celebration, Ashridge House, Friday 9 July, 7.00pm-11.00pm End of Summer Term, Wednesday 21 July
Please see our school calendar for further scheduled items.
Miss L Harman Director of Sixth Form PE Lessons after half term
After the May half-term PE lessons will be going back to near normal just as they were before Covid. Please see below on how PE lessons will look and what the requirements will be.
What will have changed? • Students will no longer come to school in their PE kit. Instead they will coming to school in their full school uniform. • Changing rooms are back open, so students will now get changed at the beginning of the lesson (just as we did before Covid).
PE kit requirements • The following are permitted as part of the school PE kit • PE polo shirt – Academy design (white or black) • Sweatshirt – Academy design or plain black • Shorts – plain black shorts • Netball skort / CHA sports leggings • Black tracksuit bottoms– optional for use in winter months at the discretion of the PE Department. • Socks – plain black football socks • Trainers and (football boots when applicable).
The following are not permitted to be worn during PE lessons • Hoodies are not allowed at CHA, therefore students will not be permitted to wear one for their PE lessons. • If students wish to wear a jumper it has to be the Academy PE top or a plain black jumper. (Jumpers with big logos will also not be permitted). • If students wish to wear tracksuit bottoms, they must either be plain black or the CHA sports leggings. (Grey tracksuit bottoms are not permitted) • Jewellery is not permitted, apart from a wrist watch if it is being used to track activity.
If you need to purchase new kit, please go to the school uniform provider: www.klschoolwear.co.uk.
Mr S Falcon Curriculum Leader for PE (Maternity cover)
Wellbeing
G R E A T Giving time Relate, talk, Energise, sleep, Awareness be Try something and helping listen. exercise. aware, be new, keep each other. grateful. learning.
Parents of Year 11 and 13 students Now that the exams have finished, many of our students are going to have ‘time on their hands’ and for some students, going from studying constantly to having completed their exams can, in some ways, seem an anti-climax. The time they have gained can be used effectively, for example, by: • applying for their provisional driving licence (they need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old) • if they are coming up for their seventeenth birthday and are going to learn to drive soon, they can start working towards taking their theory test (https://toptests.co.uk/mock- theory-test) • start preparing a CV – looking online for tips as to how you go about writing one • look for/get a part-time job • investigate what they can do to prepare for what they are doing next and start preparing – it could be pre-reading or downloading the specification for the course/exams they wish to take in the future • undertake some voluntary work in the community • if they are unsure, they could speak to a member of staff at school • get fit • take up a hobby.
The above are just a few suggestions that your Year 11 and/or Year 13 child could do with the free time that they have gained. They do certainly need some ‘down-time’, but they also have a lot of time that they can use to benefit themselves.
Bereavement It is with great sadness that at CHA we are seeing an increasing number of our students and families experiencing bereavement. As a school community, we send you our condolences for your loss and hold you in our thoughts and prayers. The following organisations offer support for dealing with grief if you feel you need such support:
Child Bereavement UK - provide support for young people up to the age of 25, parents and families. They have many resources to support families dealing with bereavement and grief. https://www.childbereavementuk.org or their helpline number is 0800 02 888
Cruse Bereavement Care - have specialist bereavement experts who have experience in all types of loss and can offer support however and whenever the death occurred https://www.cruse.org.uk or their helpline number is 0808 808 1677 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am- 5.00pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9.30am-8.00pm and weekends, 10.00am-2.00pm)
Please do not hesitate in contacting a member of CHA if you feel your child or children need support with dealing with a bereavement.
Mrs S Keith KS3 Wellbeing Lead
Young Enterprise
This year's Young Enterprise programme has been very different to normal; with online selling, lockdowns, remote meetings and virtual competitions instead of our usual trade fairs and Christmas events. Fortunately, the team from Chiltern Hills Academy rose to the challenges they faced with enthusiasm and determination.
Our Year 12 team kicked off in October 2020 with the following young entrepreneurs - Samirah Nawaz, Joe Andrews, Ali Hearne, Simran Akhtar, Lishba Akhtar, Amina Mahmood and Zeba Ali - who formed the Happy Hampers company. They initially conceived their product as a gift hamper to include both essential and luxury items to equip the recipient to face the lockdown with a smile! The team assembled their gift baskets to include fleece blanket, fluffy socks, hot chocolate and candles, alongside body puff, face cloth, hand sanitiser and face mask.
The team pitched their idea to a Dragons Den style panel in November and managed to secure funding of £60.00 plus some great advice for their business development.
Taking this on board, they continually adapted their basic contents with a seasonal twist - including Easter eggs for the Easter trading period and prayer mat and beads for Eid. They sold their product on the Young Enterprise trading platform online, plus face-to-face to friends and family. They promoted on social media via Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter and Facebook.
The final showcase competition and awards ceremony in May was online this year - where we competed against other local schools including CGS, DCGS, DCHS and Beaconsfield High School. The students were required to prepare a video presentation and business plan for the judges. We were delighted when the judges awarded our team the award for Most Resilient Team - and we look forward to the trophy being added to the school collection in reception!
Well done Happy Hampers for your success in YE 2021!
Mrs A Hemsworth Business
Careers Update
Please click on the link here to access our latest Classroom to Careers newsletter - May edition. This month you can find out about the exciting growth sectors in Buckinghamshire using some brand-new local careers resources, plus lots of new apprenticeship opportunities and virtual events to sign up for. What are you waiting for?! https://www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=1863&type=pdf
Mrs A Hemsworth Careers
Chiltern Hills Academy Chartridge Lane Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 2RG Telephone 01494 782066 Fax 01494 783185 [email protected] www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk
Help your child to build confidence and self-esteem If your child is in Years 5, 6 or 7 then our FREE online workshop could be for you.
We’ll be thinking about: • Parental strategies for helping your child deal with disappointments and setbacks • Activities to help your child: face their fears; find their feet; and develop a positive outlook
To book your place, please visit:
Science made simple
9 June, 7.30-8.30pm Scan to register to Science made simple: Join scientists from the Epilepsy Society in Chalfont St Peter for a free online talk and discussion about the role that genes play in your health.
The talk will be led by Professor Sanjay Sisodiya, Director of Genomics at the Epilepsy Society, followed by a Q&A.
Find out more and register at: epilepsysociety.org.uk/science-made-simple Scan the QR code to register to science made simple.
epilepsysociety.org.uk/science-made-simple
/epilepsysociety
Epilepsy Society Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire SL9 0RJ Enquiries 01494 601 300 Fundraising 01494 601 414
©Epilepsy Society | Registered charity number 206186