Calendar

May

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

Upcoming

School closes for half term.

31/05/2012 - 14:45

Staff Training

01/06/2012 (All day)

School opens.

11/06/2012 - 08:20

Stockport College Open Evening

14/06/2012 - 17:00 - 19:00

Twilight

28/06/2012 - 14:00 - 17:00

Head Teacher's Message [Apr. 2011]

April 2011

Spring Term newsletter online

The Spring Term newsletter and all future newsletters will be posted on the school website and should available just after Easter. This will enable us to cut down on paper and the quality of photographs will be far higher than photocopied ones. If you would still like a paper copy, please telephone school and we will send one home with your child. We will text in the usual way to let you know when the newsletter is available. Please ensure we have up-to-date contact details.

School Website

This is updated regularly. The website address is www.aldercommunityhighschool.org.uk

You will find many useful features on the website including term dates, latest reports, news, sports results and, as mentioned in the previous item, newsletters. Also, my previous letters (Head teacher’s messages) are available to view, just in case you did not get a hard copy.

Mobile phones

I must reiterate as I did in my previous letter about the rules regarding mobile phones. Mobiles phones are not allowed in school. This includes before and after school; basically, whilst on the school premises phones should not be used by students.

Notes for uniform

We are trying to maintain high standards of uniform and appreciate your support. Please continue to provide a note for problems with uniform, but I must insist that notes have a reasonable ‘shelf life’. By this I mean that for simple problems such as losing an item of uniform, a note for 1 or 2 days is acceptable. Anything longer than this and I would expect the issue to be resolved. Please speak to your child’s year leader if you need help with uniform. I am considering introducing ‘clip-on’ ties for the future. Clip-on ties do away with the arguments over the length of ties and size of knot etc. I will keep you informed of this development.

Examinations

The main season for GCSE examinations for Year 10 and 11 students has begun with many practical examinations having already been completed. Already, we are finding that some students have booked holidays in the middle of their examinations. I must urge parents of current Year 9 and 10 students not to book holidays during term time. Doing so seriously impacts on students’ achievement and opportunities for the future.

Drinking water

I have always encouraged students to carry a bottle of water, which can be topped up for free at the water fountains. Students are allowed to have their water bottle with them in class. Any other type of drink, particularly fizzy drinks are not allowed. Many students are drinking Lucozade throughout the day, thinking it is healthy. This is not the case. Lucozade is full of sugar, artificial colourings and preservatives and caffeine. It is designed to replenish the body during illness or after strenuous exercise, not as a general drink; although it is being marketed as ‘healthy’. I will be working hard to educate students to make healthy choices and would ask for your support in advising your child not to bring sugary drinks such as Lucozade to school.

Link Ethiopia

Link Ethiopia is a charity aiming to support educational and cultural awareness between UK and Ethiopian students. We have a link with Asella Preparatory School in central Ethiopia. Some of our students have exchanged letters with students there. You can find out more about the charity by following the link: http://www.linkethiopia.org/about_us/our_aims.html

Mr. Mokhtar has raised money for library books and will be visiting the school during the October half term holiday. I will be running in the London BUPA 10k race on 30th May in aid of the charity. I would really like the support of parents in raising as much money as possible. I will provide more details in the Spring Term newsletter. The link to my fundraising page is http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardORegan .

Training day

As mentioned in previous letters, students will not be in school on Friday, 15th April owing to a staff training day. Therefore, students break up on Thursday, 14th April at 2.55pm for the Easter holidays and return on Tuesday, 3rd May.