Head Teacher's Message [September 2011]

Welcome back!

Year 7 students have settled in well and I would like to thank all Year 8-11 students in school for making their first couple of weeks an enjoyable one. There is a really nice atmosphere in school and everyone looks smart and ready for learning.

Attendance letter

I have enclosed an important letter about attendance – in future most of my communications will be sent home with your child. You will be notified by text. Please keep school informed of any changes to phone numbers.

Uniform

The students look really smart in their new ties. Thank you for supporting school by buying plain black shoes, even though I know some parents are under pressure to buy fashion shoes. Please refer back to my July letter (on the school website) with regard to uniform if you are unsure of anything to do with uniform. A few retailers are confusing some parents by having ‘back to school’ sections and clearly some of the clothing, especially shoes, appears aimed at the fashion conscious rather than what is appropriate for school. If in doubt, please err on the side of traditional and if necessary, please contact your child’s Year Leader before purchasing.

Car parking

I know it can get very busy at the end of the day when parents are picking up students in cars. Most of our students walk home and go out through the back gate but for those catching the bus or being picked up by car it can be hazardous, especially for some of our students with additional needs. If you are collecting your child by car please could I ask you to take note of the following points:

• Please do not park on the double yellow lines, on the zig-zags near the pedestrian crossings or in the bus lanes
• The disabled bays are for parents who are picking up disabled children, or if you are disabled yourself
• Restrict speed to 5mph

We have had a couple of close shaves over recent months and I am sure everyone will agree the children’s safety is our first priority.

Open evening

This takes place on Wednesday 5th October. As usual, school will finish at 1.00pm so enabling staff to set up for this most important of evenings in the school calendar.

Parents’ Forum

If you interested in joining the Parents’ Forum, please contact Mrs Rachel Lee. The Parents’ Forum gives an opportunity for parents to make a positive contribution to the school; parents are able to directly influence school policies through this forum. The forum meets once a term at 6.30pm.

Extracurricular activities

We will keep you informed of activities after school on the website. Enclosed are the activities for the Autumn Term (PE on a separate sheet). There are plenty of activities for students to get involved in.

Giving out leaflets

Yesterday two people were giving out leaflets for a 13-17 night club just outside the school gates. Staff patrol outside the gate and I have asked them to challenge strangers trying to interact with our students on the way home. I have since written to the night club and have asked them not to canvas school children. The reason may seem petty to some people (probably the night club owners) but I cannot stand by and allow what might be inappropriate material to be handed out to our students. I am sure I have your full support in this.

Holidays during term time

Please note, as previously stated, I will be unable to authorise any holidays longer than 5 days for Year 10 students during term time. As Year 11 is such a crucial time, I will not be able to authorise any holidays for Year 11 students. 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 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.

It has been a really positive start to the term and I look forward to working with you over the coming academic year.

Yours sincerely

R O’Regan
Head Teacher