PMH/LP

7th January 2008

Dear Parents and Carers

Happy New Year!  I hope you have all had a peaceful and enjoyable holiday.  As we start the new term I wanted to clarify some important issues particularly regarding communication and school organisation so that the new term runs as smoothly as possible.

Communication

As you know, we try hard to ensure you are as well informed as possible but despite our best efforts we still have some misunderstandings.  For example, we had to change our INSET day from Monday 7th January to Friday 11th January as part of our BSF development work.  Letters were sent home by post in November and by hand at the end of last term apologising for the change and explaining the reasons for it.  Nonetheless, a significant number of students missed the start of term which is very regrettable in terms of learning lost.  Given the fact that we have an INSET day on Friday the first learning week of term is even more disrupted than we had anticipated.  I am sorry for the confusion and trust that this letter will ensure that you feel well informed about the rest of the term.

School organisation

Key dates

Friday 11th January                                                               INSET Day

Week beginning 21st January                                              Year 9 Exams

Tuesday 29th January                                                           PSFSA meeting 6.45 pm

Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th February                     Super Learning Days – Year 8

Friday 8th February                                                               Year 11 reports issued

February/March                                                                     School Production (Details to follow)

Wednesday 13th February                                                  Year 11 Parents’ Evening 6pm – 8 pm

Monday 18th – Friday 22nd February                            HALF TERM

Tuesday 26th February                                                       Learning Pathways Evening – Year 9

                                                                                                  7 pm – 9 pm

Thursday 28th February                                                      Year 9 Parents’ Evening 6pm – 8 pm

Thursday 28th February                                                      Mentor Review Meeting 6 pm

Week beginning 3rd March                                                  Year 8 exams

Week beginning 10th March                                                National Science and Engineering Week

                                                                                                  (Details to follow)

Friday 21st March                                                                Good Friday – Bank Holiday

Monday 24th March                                                             Easter Monday – Bank Holiday

Week beginning 31st March                                                Work Experience week Year 10

Monday 7th April – Friday 18th April                 Easter break

The most unusual feature during this term is the way the Easter holiday has been organised by the Local Authority.  I am most concerned for Year 11 and Year 9 who face more disruption than usual at a critical time in terms of their GCSEs and SATs.  Obviously we will work hard to make sure the impact of this is kept to a minimum and your help in making sure that your students are well organised with their studies at home is appreciated, as always.

Personal organisation

As you know, we have worked hard to make sure that uniform is the best it can be and over the past two years we have received a lot of positive feedback about how smart our students are.  It is important that we work together to ensure standards don’t slip.  (A small number had incorrect uniform at the end of last term including inappropriate tee shirts, fashion accessories etc.  Students know that bringing items into school which are not allowed will lead to them being confiscated and returned after a week by their Head of Year.  This creates unnecessary upset which could be easily corrected by simply following the rules agreed through the student council.)

Every student needs a school bag which is fit for purpose and some basic school equipment.  Again, there will be consequences for those students (albeit a few) who don’t take personal responsibility.

Every student has a planner and a homework schedule as part of their learning entitlement.  We appreciate your cooperation checking the planner and would welcome feedback if you have any queries or concerns.  (The planner is not only for recording homework.  Students also use it very effectively to organise their work and record deadlines – particularly useful for students undertaking an extended piece of research in Key Stage 3 or and extended piece of coursework in Key Stage 4.)

Staffing update

We are very pleased that Mr Hafoka has kindly agreed to support our school by taking over Mr Coling’s timetable for the rest of this academic year.  These are obviously difficult times and I am sure everyone in our school community will welcome Mr Hafoka and support the PE department as they work together to cover Mr Coling’s commitments.

We also welcome Mrs Jones, Mr Bartlett and Mrs Abbott to the Science team.

Mrs Hedaux joins the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Head to support our BSF work and lead on Global Citizenship and Miss Brown takes over her role as Head of Year 8.  Mrs Abbott and Mrs Odams are taking over Miss Brown’s tutor group.  Mrs Moss will take over as tutor of 10C, Mrs Chambers as tutor of 9D and M Bartlett as tutor of 11F.

Thank you as always for your support.  Working in partnership with you to make sure your children are able to make the most of their opportunities at Chilton Trinity is an important and valued part of our work.  I am pleased to say that most students get it right and we must make sure that those who don’t take more personal responsibility.

We have a busy and eventful time ahead and we look forward to a productive term.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Pat Hollinghurst

Head