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Headteacher’s Update – 19th July 2024

Mr R. Rees

The Summer Term is dominated by GCSE Exam season and both Year 10 and Year 11 conducted themselves extremely well during the exams. We await the results in August and hope that Year 11 have a relaxing summer and get the results that allow them to access whatever route they have planned from September. On that note, GCSE Results Day is on Thursday 22nd August. Arrangements for collection have been issued by Mr Williams and can be found on the school website. It was also nice to see so many Year 11 pupils join us for the Leavers Assembly recently and Celebration Evening in The Manor Park. We have also held a Nursery Graduation as well as a Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly in recent weeks. Pupils across all phases have enjoyed a variety of school trips in recent weeks as well as wellbeing events. Many people from within the community and further afield have commented positively on how well behaved and respectful the pupils have been, which is really nice to hear. This was also the case with our Year 10 pupils who recently undertook a week of work experience. Pupils did themselves and the school proud with some pupils even securing part-time jobs!!

I would like to highlight a few things in readiness for September:

Return to School

Autumn Term begins on Monday 2nd September. This will be an INSET Day as usual.

All pupils will return to school on Tuesday 3rd September (except for Nursery pupils)

School Timings

Foundation Phase

7:50 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.)
8:30-8:50 a.m.Registration
8:50-10:20 a.m.Session 1
10:20-10:40 a.m.Break
10:40-12:00 p.m.Session 2
12:00-12:50 p.m.Lunch
12:50-3:00 p.m.Session 3
3:00-4:00 p.m.Enrichment

Key Stage 2

7:50 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.)
8:30-8:50 a.m.Registration
8:50-10:40 a.m.Session 1
10:40-11:00 a.m.Break
11:00-12:30 p.m.Session 2
12:30-1:20 p.m.Lunch
1:20-3:00 p.m.Session 3
3:00-4:00 p.m.Enrichment

Secondary Phase (Year 7-11)

8:00 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club
8:30-8:55 a.m.Registration
8:55-9:55 a.m.Lesson 1
9:555-10:55 a.m.Lesson 2
10:55-11:10 a.m.Break
11:10-12:10 p.m.Lesson 3
12:10-1:10 p.m.Lesson 4
1:10-1:55 p.m.Lunchtime
1:55-2:55 p.m.Lesson 5
2:55-3:55 p.m.Enrichment

Attendance & Punctuality

It is really important that pupils attend school as much as possible. If for any reason, they are unable to attend school please contact school to report absence. As highlighted above, the school day in secondary phase starts at 8:30 with registration. This is an important part of the day and I would urge pupils to be on time.

Uniform

I have communicated several times throughout the year the importance of school uniform. Pupils will be expected to wear uniform in line with the school’s Uniform Policy in September. PE kit should not be worn unless instructed by the Headteacher.

Mobile Phones

We recognise that mobile phones are an important tool for parents to help safeguard their children.  However, we have a very clear message to pupils that mobile phones must not be used during the school day in classrooms or corridors, and nowhere in school during lesson times.  At breaktime and lunchtime pupils may use their mobile phones in the yard or atrium.  Please do not call your children during lesson times as our “Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Taken” message will be confused if they are expected to take or make calls to parents during learning time.  We will continue to confiscate mobile phones until the end of the school day if pupils use them at restricted times or places.

Safeguarding:

The Local Authority will be erecting a fence around the school’s playing fields adjacent to Western Avenue over the summer holiday. This will ensure that pupils continue to have a safe and healthy environment when undertaking PE lessons and matches etc.

Staff Leaving

It is that time of the year when we say farewell to some members of staff. After long and distinguished careers, the following staff members are retiring:

  • Mrs Kath Palmer (Head of Lower School)
  • Mr Anthony Marchant (Head of Middle School)
  • Mrs Madeline Richards (Nursery)
  • Mr David Clarke (English)
  • Mrs Jodie Jones (English)
  • Mrs Julie Peachey (Science)
  • Mrs Debra Clarke (MFL)
  • Mrs Jaqueline Dorr (RE)

I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best in their retirement. In addition, Miss Josie Perkins (Art Department) is leaving to take up a Head of Art post. Again, we wish her all the best in her new venture. Mr Michael Larkman will be returning to the Art Department from September. I would also like to wish Mr Robert Hayward (Science) all the best having done cover for us for some time as well as the following support staff who are leaving:

  • Mr Caleb Watkins
  • Ms Abbie Gough
  • Ms Beth Kennedy
  • Ms Emma Freeman
  • Ms Megan Masters
  • Mrs Donna Jones

I would like to thank parents and carers again for their continued support of the school and to wish you all a relaxing summer holiday. We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back in September.

Diolch yn fawr iawn

Mr Rees

Headteacher

Summer School Uniform

Mr S. Davies

Dear Parents and Carers,

School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community.  Each year we review the wearing of PE kit as a summer uniform. Once again we will be allowing pupils from Nursery to Year 10 to wear PE kit to school from after half term.  

I would like to be clear that pupils in have two options only.  To wear normal school uniform or to wear normal PE kit. Inappropriate garments such as crocs or hotpants will not be permitted, and my team will be contacting homes where pupils do not respect our policy.  Our full uniform requirements are set out in full here: https://bit.ly/YBBUniform 

If pupils do not have the correct PE kit, then they must wear their normal school uniform. 

I would ask that Year 11 continue to wear uniform to their formal examinations as they have done up to this point. The examination hall has air conditioning. 

For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents.  Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that.  We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them. 

We hope that once again this compromise to our uniform policy will support pupils to be more comfortable in class without compromising our expectations for high standards.  

Yours faithfully.  

R. Rees 

LetterParents_SummerUniformDownload

Power up resources for exams and assessments

Mr G Williams

With the summer exam series approaching, Qualifications Wales have  partnered with Welsh Government, Careers Wales, e-sgol and WJEC to reintroduce the Power Up content hub to support learners taking assessments this year.

There are a range of resources available, including revision guides, online revision sessions, health and wellbeing support, and help for learners planning their next steps. 

Alternative link to resources, copy and paste into browser:

https://hwb.gov.wales/resources/power-up/#msdynttrid=OGYwLGN9kn7CrdaDB2-HxLRvh21CVMAGuQe_GekfykE

Immunisation Catch Up Session

Miss W. Kent

‘If your child missed the HPV or MMR vaccinations in school on 26th February 24 a catch up session is being held in school on 18th March 24. More information will follow. Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the School Nursing Team on 01639 862801’

Year 8 HPV Vaccinations

Miss W. Kent

‘The School Nurses will be attending school on the 26th February to carry out the HPV Vaccination and MMR vaccinations for pupils who are outstanding. You will have received the consent form please ensure you have completed the form and sent it back to the school. Please complete the form whether you would like your child to receive the vaccine or not. On the day please could your child wear suitable clothing for example a short sleeved shirt and ensure they eat breakfast. If you wish to withdraw consent or feel your child isn’t well enough on the day please ensure you contact either the school or the school nursing service on 01639 862801 before 9am of the day of the vaccinations. Any queries in regards to this please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you’

School Uniform Secondary Phase.

Mr S. Davies

Dear Parents,

School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community. 

School uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging within school. These factors contribute to students’ wellbeing.  Wearing a uniform sets our expectations of the mindset we need.  It gives clear signals to pupils that this is a working environment with high standards and helps them separate their social and school life.  When children wear a uniform, as well as gaining a sense of pride, we see improved discipline and concentration. Uniform removes the points of difference between students, unifying the student body and providing a greater focus on academic work.

We recognise that with the cost of living rising, that worries about the cost of uniform can be very real, so we have kept our Secondary Phase uniform simple, with unbranded black footwear, unbranded black trousers and skirts, unbranded white shirts. The school tie and jumper being the only branded uniform items for daily school.  Our uniform bank is also full of items for those families who need more support, and we are grateful to those that have donated good quality items.

Over the last few weeks it is clear that for some pupils, standards have fallen.  Pupils are arriving in school wearing PE Kit or in items which are not part of our uniform.  Some pupils have had to be challenged about wearing outerwear such as hoodies and coats in class as they do not have school jumpers.  Others have said they don’t have any uniform available.

For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents.  Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that.  We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them.

Please ensure that on return to school after Easter that pupils have at least the minimum requirement.  Black footwear, black skirt or trousers, white shirt a school tie and a school jumper if the weather is cold.  Outerwear, including hoodies are not to be worn in class.

Thank you for your support

GCSE Resources

Mr G Williams

Please use the link below to access some new resources released by WJEC. The Knowledge Organisers are a great resource to help with revision as we approach the GCSE examinations.

Also on the page you will find links to other excellent resources. The exam walk throughs are particularly good and you will be able to access past papers and mark schemes, all which will help your child as they prepare for their examinations.

https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/student-support/revision-resources/new-knowledge-organisers/