NEWSLETTER NUMBER 1 - 2002-2003 |
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A Specialist Language College6th September 2002 Can I welcome all new parents and governors to the school. The Newsletter is usually published on the first Friday of each half-term. Can I encourage parents to ask their son/daughter about it to make sure they keep up to date with school issues. Student AchievementsExamination Results – The Year 11 students last year achieved 52% 5A*-C and average GCSE points of 43.7. These were the second best results in the history of the school. I would like to thank all staff, students and parents for their hard work. Next year’s target is 60% 5A*-C and I am sure our current Year 11 can achieve this. Congratulations to James Fox and Gary North who have both won Rugby League scholarships with teams at Wakefield Trinity and Hull F.C. respectively. Kay Gadsby and her form, 10 Stubbs, together with Miss Stubbs, have raised £1,000 to support the Martin House Hospice in Leeds. Staffing - We have appointed a number of new members of staff as follows:-Mr. C. Jones Head of Science Mr. J. Riley Head of Music Mr. P. Campbell Science Mr. P. Braden Design Technology Dr. C. Day Mathematics Mr. J. Netherwood Mathematics Miss J. Rolph Modern Foreign Languages Mrs. E. Beaumont Part-time teacher of English Ms. M. Van der Ploeg Temporary teacher of English Mr. L. Pacey Part-time teacher of Science Dr. C. Newby Part-time teacher of Science Mrs. R. Horsley Part-time teacher of R.E. Mrs. L. Gell Learning Resources Manager Mr. F. Varela Viego MFL ICT Technician Mr. A. Luty Caretaker Mrs. R. Pickering Clerical Assistant (Resources) Mrs. C. Lofthouse Clerical Assistant (Reception) Mrs. K. Allen Part-time Education Support Assistant Mr. J. Whitworth Part-time Education Support Assistant Mrs. S. Pearson Part-time Education Support Assistant Mrs. C. Gregory has also been appointed as Head of English, following the retirement of Mrs. Ashton, with effect from September 2002. Term Dates – the school will be open for pupils during the 2002-03 academic year as follows:-
Inset Days 2002-2003 – the school will be closed to pupils for the following Staff Training Days:- Monday 2nd September 2002 Thursday 19th December 2002 Friday 20th December 2002 Friday 16th May 2003 Improvements to the School – Over the summer we have:- · Created a new ICT room · Refurbished a new MFL ICT room · Refurbished 2 new Science laboratories. School & Parents AssociationThe first meeting of the year will be held on Thursday 12th September from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and will be an International Welcome Evening to celebrate our designation as a Specialist Language College, to welcome back parents who are existing members of the Association and welcome new parents. See separate letter. Parental ContactsFor parents to play a full part in the Home-School Partnership, you need to know who to contact at school if you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s progress or welfare. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress, attainment or behaviour in a particular subject, then the person to contact is the Head of Department for that subject.
If you wish to discuss your child’s attendance, overall welfare or personal and academic development, then the person to contact will be the Form Tutor, or if more serious, the appropriate Head of Year.
Year 11 Examinations – all Year 11 students are likely to be involved in GCSE examinations from May until the end of June. It is very important that holidays are not booked during this time. Students are advised to check with their individual subject teachers for any examinations which may take place before these dates. Homework Timetable – all year groups will have received a Homework Timetable to help you check your child is receiving and doing homework. Important Dates for Parents
Specialist School StatusAs parents will be aware, we were successful in our bid to become a Language College and I thought it would be useful to outline the immediate benefits for our students. Year 11 will be able to use the new MFL ICT suite. Brand new programmes will be bought in September in French & Spanish. Year 10 pupils have the opportunity to study both French and Spanish at GCSE level, as opposed to just one language previously. Year 9 pupils have 6 periods of language lessons per fortnight, instead of 5. This enables all pupils to learn a second language, either French or Spanish. Year 9 pupils are also partaking in the French Exchange. Year 8 – every fortnight all pupils have 5 lessons of languages; 4 in their first language and 1 in a new language; either French or Spanish. Year 7 – all pupils study French as a first language and at around Easter time will then begin some Spanish as well. In addition, we will have 3 Foreign Language Assistants in school this year (French, Spanish & Dutch) and there will be a full-time Technician to assist the MFL department. All students will benefit from: · More ICT use in MFL · More opportunities to study languages · A more international curriculum.
The school will also begin developing languages in the community, i.e. · In primary schools · Libraries · Youth groups · Businesses. Water – Just a reminder for parents that students are allowed to drink water in some lessons, health and safety permitting. Water is the only drink they are allowed in school and each child is asked to bring a clear sports bottle or clear bottle with screw-on lid which can be refilled at break and lunchtime.
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Year 11