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Year 9 National Test Update

Mr G Williams

This Thursday, Year 9 will be involved in a Royal Shakespeare Company live broadcast of Macbeth which unfortunately clashes with the National Numeracy Procedural Test for pupils in classes 94A, 4B, 5A and 5B. The pupils in these classes will now sit the test on Friday April 27th at 11:10am.

Uunfortunately this also clashes with the National Numeracy Reasoning Test for pupils in classes 91A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. The pupils in these classes will now sit the test on Wednesday May 2nd during their normal timetabled Mathematics lesson.

 

National Test Information KS3

Transport and parking at YBB

MikeTate

We are currently reviewing parking provision at Ysgol Bae Baglan to ensure that our pupils are safe coming onto and leaving the school site. We have a large number of pupils who are taxied to school from across the authority and need to ensure the smooth operation of pick up and set down times. Unfortunately we still have a very small minority of parents that park on double yellow lines at the front and rear of the building and continue to reinforce the inappropriateness of this.

Like all schools we do not provide parking for parents and want to encourage healthier ways for our pupils to get to school. Our pupils benefit from an agreement with local bus companies that they can use this provision with a YBB ticket and we have got ample, and well used, cycle and scooter storage on site. From this week we are also trialling a walking bus for lower school pupils and hope that this encourages as many parents and pupils as possible to think about the school journey.

Once final decisions have been agreed on future transport plans we will ensure we communicate this to all parents and carers. During this period we will not be issuing any parking passes as this is a central focus for changes.

 

Letter to parents – Year 11 Exams

Mr S. Davies

Dear Parent or Carer,

With just 15 school days left before the start of the Year 11 GCSE exam period I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on important dates and expectations for the forthcoming period. The Easter holidays is an important time for our Year 11 pupils to focus on the last elements of preparation before their summer exams and when they return on Monday 16th April they only have three weeks before the main block of exams start on Tuesday May 8th following the bank holiday weekend.

Full Letter

Letter to parents – Feedback

Mr S. Davies

A letter has been sent home to all parents…

Dear Parent/ Guardian
Over the academic year we have sought feedback from parents and pupils via questionnaires available during parents evenings and undertaken during registration. It is critical that we continue to receive this feedback as it allows us to look at what we are doing and how we can improve on our practice.

Full Letter

Feedback

MikeTate

Following last nights year 7 parents’ evening, which saw a record attendance, we have collated all responses to our exit questionnaires. A letter will go home tomorrow highlighting those areas that parents and carers feel that we are doing well with but also looking at any areas for development with any changes we will be making as a result. It is vital that we continue to take opportunities to listen to staff, pupils and parents as the information we get back from consultations, questionnaire responses, focus groups and individual interviews contributes towards making our school even better.

I have delivered a week of assemblies to all our pupils looking at what are our non-negotiables in school – those key elements that help develop the ethos of YBB and I have included these in the letter that will go home.

Don’t forget there is a school INSET day on Thursday 29th March before the Easter holidays.

Thank you for your continued support.

School Uniform

MikeTate

Last week I reinforced in all assemblies the importance of wearing full school uniform. This forms one of our school non-negotiables and is an extremely important tool in creating the atmosphere and ethos of YBB as well as setting the appropriate tone for learning. Our website makes it very clear of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable and we expect all our pupils to be dressed appropriately. Any pupil not wearing full uniform must have a valid reason that has been communicated to their well being director from their parent or carer. Consistent non compliance will result in appropriate sanctions.

I am very proud of how the vast majority of my pupils look and thank all parents or carers for their ongoing support.

A reminder that the school uniform supplier is Sportec in Neath and items of clothing can be purchased direct from their shop or website:

www.sportec.co.uk/products/neath-port-talbot—swansea-schools-uniform/ysgol-bae-baglan

 

Changes to School Day for September 2018

MikeTate

Following consultation with staff, parents and the wider community the plans to change the school day to allow more cross phase opportunities as well as parity across all phases of the school has now closed. Can I thank all parties who have given feedback or have asked for clarification on particular issues. This has allowed us to ensure that the new timings are best fit for all. I will be putting the timings, which will be in place from September 2018, onto the school website early next week.