12pp Newsletter Winter 16_PRINT_Layout 1 04/12/2017 09:27 Page 1 Laurence Jackson School A Specialist Sports College Winter 2017 Headteacher’s ‘blog’ to make LJS such a vibrant school with -DECEMBER 2017 an impressive reputation in the local community. Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the LJS community a peaceful Christmas and a happy, healthy 2018 – and remember, the harder we work, the more successfulHeadteacher we will be! My first term as Headteacher at LJS investment in ensuring that LJS provides has absolutely sped by and I continue a quality foundation for students, to be humbled by the dedication and before speaking about developing Mrs Wheatman commitment of the staff in school. confidence to gain life experience and encouraging students to make I have faced a variety of challenges this the most of their life chances. term, however I am driven by my passion for LJS to be successful and can assure Another wonderful evening was the you that I will not let any obstacles get Careers Convention. Our business in the way of that outcome. partners left with a positive impression of the school, whilst our students went Attendance and punctuality remain key away with valuable life guidance and elements in the education process and possible career pathways to follow. there is a clear correlation between Once again, I must thank all the staff reliable attendance/punctuality and who helped to make the evening good results/outcomes. Although LJS a success. attendance is impressive overall, some individuals can still improve further Equally as positive was the Annual and I urge parents to support us in Sports Presentation Evening, where encouraging all students to attend every sporting achievement that regularly. has taken place in school over the last year was recognised and all Our class of 2017 returned recently achievements celebrated – what for a Presentation Evening which was a fantastic event! a great success, and I am glad to say we had a packed hall full of students, Despite all the challenges with families and friends. Not only were they the budget, workload and red a good year academically in terms of tape, staff are still prepared to GCSEs, but their social and emotional go the extra mile to provide intelligence also ensured mutual respect memorable opportunities for each other. and experiences which help Thanks to all staff who helped make the evening so memorable. Also, a special mention to Mr Tony Gavin (retired Headteacher), who not only returned as our guest speaker, but was also able to share in the successes of the year group. Mr Gavin talked about the last 10 years at LJS, where there has been a huge ‘Improving Life Chances’ 12pp Newsletter Winter 16_PRINT_Layout 1 04/12/2017 09:27 Page 1 Laurence Jackson School A Specialist Sports College ‘Friends of LJS’ Calendar dates for Term 2 Update JANUARY 2018 ‘Friends of LJS’ is a Committee made up of parents and staff who undertake fundraising activities to support and finance extra-curricular activities for 8 School reopens at 8.25am students. We are looking for new members 10 Tees Valley Cross Country – Stewart Park to join our (currently) very small team. 10 Y11 1:2:1 interview dates (am) We meet once a half term – normally the Wednesday of the second week. 11 Y7 Parents’ Evening - 4.00-6.30pm 17 ‘Friends of LJS’ meeting – 7pm Recent funding has been allocated to the SEN Department to purchase laptops 18 Y7/8 Tees Valley Sports Hall Athletics and reader pens, the PE Department to – Eston Leisure Centre FEBRUARY purchase a washing machine and tumble 24 KS4 Tees Valley Badminton Finals – Thornaby dryer to wash sports kits and purchase additional PE kits and Student Voice/ SMSC to help re-build the memorial 6 Y9 PC2 issued to parents garden. We hold a number of events during the year – we are looking to hold 7 Y10 PC2 issued to parents a Race Night, Quiz and Family Fun Day. 7 Partnership Dance Show & School Games Mark presentation in the Hall - 4.00-6.00pm The ‘200 Club’ would welcome new members (£6 per quarter or £10 for 8 Y9 Parents’ Evening (core subjects) two numbers) with monthly prizes on /Options Convention – 4.00 – 6.30pm offer of £75, £50 and £25, plus a 9 Quiz Night Summer Draw of £200 – if you would 9 School closes at 3.00pm like to join the ‘200 Club’ please contact Mrs Spencer or Mrs Armstrong 19 School reopens 8.25am at the school. 21 Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio and Meningitis ACWY immunisations For further information about ‘Friends of LJS’ events please see the school website. 21 ‘Friends of LJS’ meeting at 7pm MARCH22 Y9 1:2:1 Option interviews - 4.00-6.00pm The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 17 January - 7pm start. 23 Y10 1:2:1 interview dates (am) If you wish to join or are interested in finding out more about us, please contact Mrs Spencer at school, 7 ‘Friends of LJS’ meeting at 7pm either by telephone or email 10 Teesside local heat of the Magistrates’ Court [email protected]. Mock Trial Competition 13 Y8 PC2 issued to parents 14 Y8 Parents’ Evening - 4.00-6.30pm 16 Y11 PC3 issued to parents 16 Y8 1:2:1 interview dates (am) 21 Y11 Parents’ Evening - 4.00-6.30pm 27 Spring Concert 28-2April France Trip 29 Y7 PC2 issued to parents 29 Y7 1:2:1 interview dates (am) ‘Improving Life Chances’ Mrs Wheatman Headteacher Please put calendar in here (see end) ‘Friends of LJS’ Update ‘Friends of LJS’ is a Committee made up of parents and staff who undertake fundraising activities to support and finance extra-curricular activities for students. We are looking for new members to join our (currently) very small team. We meet once a half term – normally the Wednesday of the second week. Mrs Wheatman Headteacher Recent funding has been allocated to the SEN Department to purchase laptops and reader pens, the PE Department to purchase a washing machine and tumble dryer Please put calendar in hereto (see wash end) sports kits and purchase additional PE kits and Student Voice/SMSC to help re-build the memorial garden. We hold a number of events during the year – ‘Friends of LJS’ Update we are looking to hold a Race Night, Quiz, and Family Fun Day. ‘Friends of LJS’ is a Committee made up of parents and staff who undertake fundraising activities to supportThe and ‘200 finance Club’ wouldextra-curricular welcome activitiesnew members for students. (£6 per quarter or £10 for two We are looking for new membersnumbers) to join with our monthly (currently) prizes very on small offer team. of £75, We £50 meet and £25, plus a Summer Draw of once a half term – normally the£200 Wednesday – if you would of the like second to join week. the ‘200 Club’ please contact Mrs Spencer or Mrs Mrs Wheatman Armstrong at the school. Headteacher Recent funding has been allocated to the SEN Department to purchase laptops and reader pens, the PE DepartmentFor furtherto purchase information a washing about machine ‘Friends and of LJS’ tumble events dryer please see the school website. Please put calendar in hereto (see wash end) sports kits and purchase additional PE kits and Student Voice/SMSC to help re-build the memorial garden.The next We meeting hold a number will be heldof events on Wednesday during the 17year January – - 7pm start. If you wish to ‘Friends of LJS’ Update we are looking to hold a Racejoin Night, or are Quiz, interested and Family in finding Fun Day.out more about us, please contact Mrs Spencer at ‘Friends of LJS’ is a Committee made up of parents and staffschool, who either undertake by telephone or email [email protected]. fundraising activities to supportThe and ‘200 finance Club’ wouldextra-curricular welcome activitiesnew members for students. (£6 per quarter or £10 for two We are looking for new membersnumbers) to join with our monthly (currently) prizes very on small offer team. of £75, We £50 meet and £25, plus a Summer Draw of once a half term – normally the£200 Wednesday – if you would of the like second to joinSCHOOL week. the ‘200 EVENTSClub’ please contact Mrs Spencer or Mrs Armstrong at the school. Recent funding has been allocated to the SEN Department to purchase laptops and 12pp Newsletter Winter 16_PRINT_Layout 1 04/12/2017 09:27 Page 1 Behaviour for Learning (B4L) reader pens, the PE DepartmentFor furtherto purchase information a washing about machineWe ‘Friends have and ofspent LJS’ tumble the events last dryer halfplease term see embedding the school our website. new B4L standards and systems. to wash sports kits and purchase additional PE kits and StudentWorking Voice/SMSC with Pivotal toEducation, we have made significant changes to our help re-build the memorial garden.The next We meeting hold a number will be heldof eventsapproaches on Wednesday during in the school. 17year January –July saw - 7pm the start.launch If youof our wish new to GOLD STANDARD for staff we are looking to hold a Racejoin Night, or are Quiz, interested and Family in finding Funand Day.out students, more about built us, around please 3 fundamentalcontact Mrs Spencerprinciples: at Laurence Jackson Schoolschool,A either Specialist by telephone Sports or emailCollege [email protected]. The ‘200 Club’ would welcome new members (£6 per quarter or £10 for two numbers) with monthly prizes on offer of £75, £50 and £25, plus a Summer Draw of SCHOOL EVENTS£200 – if you would like to join the ‘200 Club’ please contact Mrs Spencer or Mrs SCHOOL EVENTS Armstrong at the school.