Happy New Year!

I hope you and your family had a good holiday. This year will bring its usual mix of opportunities and challenges and in particular 2013 will be significant year for the Grange as we move into our new building and our current one, which has served us so well for over 50 years, will be demolished.

New Year Honour

Congratulations to Carol Highton on receiving an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List. We were delighted for Carol that her tireless campaigning and support for victims of loan sharks has been recognised so appropriately and deservedly.

Sadly, her good work was prompted by the suicide of her son and former student of the Grange, Brian Shields, who became a victim of loan sharks.

Since September, Carol has been working with our students every week during PSHCE lessons helping to raise their awareness about money management and the dangers of borrowing money from loan sharks. During the summer term also, Carol was a regular visitor to school and brought in the Olympic torch that she carried during the Halton leg of the relay. Carol was also our guest speaker at the Awards Evening in November.

In a recent email to me, Carol said “Working with both the staff and students at The Grange has been an absolute pleasure for me, I certainly believe that even if just one student has been able to relate and take away anything from the presentation sessions that were given then it has truly been worthwhile visiting the school.”

In just 3 years since the Trust was set up, Carol has advised 25,706 people from 241 UK towns and cities; she has even received interest from 38 other countries too.

Typically, Carol is determined to continue her good work; “Every chance that I get I will continue with my campaign to raise as much awareness and to educate the public both young and old about the perils of getting involved with illegal money lenders and also the many other bullies who prey on our society.”

In the photograph above, Carol Highton receives a cheque for money raised by students for her Charity, The Brian Shields Trust.

If you would like to know more about Carol’s work please visit her website, The Brian Shields Trust at www.tbs-trust.co.uk

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney. January 2013 Issue

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is celebrated around the world as an opportunity to promote the safe and responsible use of online technology. This year it will take place on 5th February and this will be the tenth anniversary of the event.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2013 is Online Rights and Responsibilities with the slogan “Connect with Respect”.

In school we have planned to run Safer Internet assemblies for all year groups which will be followed up in curriculum time with a more detailed examination of the issues and strategies to enable us all to enjoy the internet safely.

Further information and advice can be found at the following web sites:

www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

The Learning Gateway

As announced last year, we will not be issuing mid-year paper reports to parents and carers this year but instead would encourage your use of the Learning Gateway instead. During Parent’s Evenings last year, Miss McGuffie and Mr Buckley were present to demonstrate the use of the Gateway.

If you are unsure how to use the Gateway or unable to access it, please contact Miss McGuffie at the school.

Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 22nd January: Y10 & 11 Biology Exam

Thursday 24th January: Y10 & 11 Chemistry Exam

Thursday 24th January: Y11 Parents’ Evening

Friday 25th January: Y10 & 11 Physics Exam

Monday 4th February: Y10 DTP Vaccinations

Thursday 14th February: Y10 Parents’ Evening

Friday 15th February: Break for Half Term

Monday 25th February: Pupils return to school

Wednesday 27th February: Y11 Maths Paper 1 Exam

Thursday 28th February: Y8 Parents’ Evening

Monday 4th March: Y11 Maths Paper 2 Exam

Thursday 14th March: Y9 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 21st March: Y8 Pathways Evening

Friday 22nd March: Red Nose Day House Event

Wednesday 27th March: Inter House Swimming Gala

Thursday 28th March: Break for Easter

Tuesday 16th April: Pupils return to School (new building)

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney. January 2013 Issue

Uniform and Appearance

School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our school and sets an appropriate tone. It instils pride; supports positive be-haviour; encourages students to identify with the school and ensures that pupils of all races and backgrounds feel welcome. School uniform protects students from social pressure to dress in a particular way; nurtures cohesion and promotes good relations between different groups of students. Boys School Uniform is: White shirt (stiff collar) House Tie (clip on) School Blazer (blue with badge) School Jumper (navy blue with badge), which is optional Black Trousers (must be plain, not denims, jeans or cords) Black shoes (plain, leather and polished) Girls School Uniform is: White shirt (stiff collar) House Tie (clip on) School Blazer (blue with badge) School Jumper (navy blue with badge), which is optional Black skirt or Pinafore dress Black shoes (plain, leather and polished) White socks

Students must also attend school with a sensible hairstyle, which is not extreme or which includes unnatural, bright colouring or outrageous hair patterns. Jewellery is not allowed with the exception of a watch and one plain, small stud earring in each ear; no other jewellery or piercings are allowed. The uniform for Physical Education is: A navy, red and white round neck T-Shirt Navy blue shorts Navy blue socks Trainers, but not canvas type shoes (E.g. Converse) The PE uniform can be purchased exclusively through the school office.

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The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney. January 2013 Issue

Building Update

As the work on the building has progressed we have lost further car parking spaces. This will inevitably cause inconvenience to visitors and particularly parents and carers who attend parent’s evenings. Please accept my apologies for this; I trust you will understand.

Graduation Criteria

Community/out of hours criteria

The focus is on school organised activities. Examples include: Form Reps, School Council Reps, School Sports Teams, Choir, School Performances, House competitions, Library helpers, Peer mentors, Open Evening/Parents Evening/Induction Evening helpers, Enterprise, Form Competitions, CLUBS – sports, gardening, HW, music, cookery, ICT.

Merits

This remains unchanged.

Attendance criteria

Each of the three periods has been extended to 12 weeks follows: Period 1 4th September 2012 – 30th November 2012 Period 2 3rd December 2012 – 15th March 2013 Period 3 18th March 2013 – 28th June 2013 An absence of 3 days in any twelve week period remains within the 95% threshold.

Attainment

We have included English and Maths in both Silver and Gold Graduation levels.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney. January 2013 Issue

Out of hours Vivos Attendance Progress

BRONZE 3 hours 100 95% in any

period

Reach target in any 5

subjects

SILVER 6 hours 150 95% in any 2

periods

Reach target in English &

maths plus 6 other subjects

GOLD 12 hours 200 95% at the end

of period 3 Reach target in all subjects