Head Teacher's Message [July 2011]

Message from the Chair of Governors

The Governing Body is pleased to announce that Richard O'Regan has been appointed as the Head teacher of Alder Community High School with effect from 1st September 2011 after having been Acting Head teacher since Easter 2010. The Governors would like to congratulate Richard on his appointment and believe he has the vision and ability to lead the school over the coming years.

Also we would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for its continued support and dedication.

Adrian Brooks
Chair of the Governing Body

Summer Term newsletter online

The Summer Term newsletter is now available on the school website.

If you would still like a paper copy, please telephone school and we will send one home with your child (or post one home if you telephone during the holidays). The newsletter will contain good news stories and details of events and activities that have taken place since Easter.

Proposal to reduce lunchtime and finish the school day 10 minutes earlier

Owing to overwhelming support from students, staff, parents and governors we will going ahead with lunchtime reduced to 40 minutes from September and, as a consequence, will finish school at 2.45pm. We have new bus timetables for the yellow bus and the 867, although the morning times have not changed.

Clip on ties

Our new Year 7 students and Year 10 (current Year 9) students will be expected to buy new ties in readiness for September as they would do anyway. There may be a delay from the suppliers but we have been assured they will be ready over the summer holidays. We will have a stock in school for sale for £5.00 Years 8 and 9 (current Years 7 and 8) will be given a tie for free by their form tutor on the first day back. Current Year 10 students moving into Year 11 will continue with their normal tie, but with the expectation that it will be tied appropriately. The use of clip on ties for Years 7-10 means students will need a shirt with a top button that can be done up. Obviously, if ties are lost or destroyed, students are expected to replace them immediately.

Parent governor vacancy

We have a vacancy for a parent governor on the Governing Body. If you are interested in contributing to the work of the Governing Body please contact Adrian Brooks, Chair of Governors at school.

School shoes

Whilst I appreciate that parents are sometimes put under pressure to buy fashion shoes, I must insist that students wear plain black shoes as described in our uniform list. This means no motifs, logos, white stripes, white stitching or ‘crossover’ type shoes that look like trainers. Students will ‘try it on’, but I must remind them that if they come to school in expensive branded shoes that are deemed not to be in line with school policy, then it is expected that the situation is remedied quickly. School does have a stock of shoes for students when genuine issues arise as students will be expected to wear shoes at all times.

General uniform

JFC, one of our uniform suppliers, will be selling uniform at school on Saturday, 20th August between 10.00am – 2.00pm. In addition, they will have extended opening times during the summer to include Saturdays 10.00am – 2.00pm. Also, uniform can be purchased from Kidstop in Hyde and Exclusive Uniform in Denton. Please ensure your child is appropriately dressed with no jewellery or extreme haircuts (or coloured hair).

Free School Meals

We get extra money in our school budget for students on free school meals. If your child is eligible, please claim even if you don’t take them. You can claim online at www.tameside.gov.uk and click on the link on the left hand side of the page or phone the council on 342 8355. Alternatively, you can apply in person at one of the council’s Customer Service Centres.

Staffing Update

We bid a sad farewell to Mrs Tootill who works in the Learning Support Centre and is retiring, Mr Stewart who is taking up post as Head of House at Cheadle Hulme High School and Mr Smale who is taking up post as Head of Mathematics at Astley Sports College. We wish all three staff the very best for the future and I thank them for their contribution to our school.

Holidays during term time

Please note I will be unable to authorise any holidays longer than 5 days for Year 10 and 11 students during term time from September 2011. Taking holidays during term time has a direct impact on GCSE performance.

Calendar Dates

To help parents plan holidays for next year so that students do not miss school please note the following term dates for 2011-2012:

• Monday 5th September – Friday 21st October
• Monday 31st October – Thursday 22nd December
• Monday 9th January – Friday 10th February
• Monday 20th February – Friday 30th March
• Monday 16th April – Friday 1st June
• Monday 11th June – Thursday 19th July (originally reported as Wednesday 18th July)

Staff training days will take place on 2nd September, 18th November, 16th April and 1st June. Twilights for staff training (1pm finish for students) will take place on 13th October, 15th March and 28th June.

Please note the start and finish of the academic year may be slightly different from the dates on Tameside’s website.

And finally.............

We finish on Monday, 18th July at 2.55pm for the summer holidays, although if your child is on a school trip, it may be later. May I take this opportunity to thank you for all your support this term and I wish you and your family a peaceful and restful summer.

Yours sincerely

R O’Regan
Head Teacher