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NEWSLETTER
Ambition, Achievement, Equality, Respect, Care
April 2014
We have come to the end of another very busy term at Abbeyfield School, a particularly key term in the preparation for public examinations for many of our students. Many of the notable activities this term are shared with you in this newsletter, but I am particularly proud of the continued commitment that our students make to a range of different charities, even as they are maintaining their own focus on progress towards their examinations. A group of students have been working as part of the ‘Giving Nation’ initiative and have raised a considerable sum of money through a range of activities including bag packing at our local Tesco. Hundreds of students took part in the ‘Sport Relief’ activities organised through our house system, running a sponsored mile in sunshine and showers. I have been so impressed this term by the quality of the examination performances that our students have achieved in the performing arts, notably in Drama and Dance. Students and staff spend many extra hours in rehearsal for these examinations, and the outcomes this year seem to have been exceptional. We are already looking forward to receiving the final results of these later in the year. I am really pleased with the response from both students and parents to the new uniform which all our students will be wearing from September. I hope that, if you have not yet seen it, you will agree how smart it is and how much it will enhance the students’ pride in the school and in themselves. All students will be given an initial new uniform of a grey jacket, black slip pullover and clip-on tie. More information will be coming home to you over the next term about the uniform; we are all looking forward to seeing the students in their new attire! Meetings have taken place this week between Year 11 students, their parents and Sixth Form teachers in order to plan for progression into Abbeyfield Sixth Form. These meetings have been an absolute delight and we look forward to meeting these young people as they progress from Year 11, achieve the necessary grades and begin in Year 12. We will welcome them into school for their induction and bridging week after the GCSE exams have finished. In the run-up to the examinations, staff will be in school over the Easter holidays offering extra revision sessions; please have a look at the schedule which is in this newsletter. I would particularly like to thank those staff who are going the extra mile to support our students and I congratulate all those students who take up this opportunity and benefit from the extra progress they are able to make. Extra classes will continue right up to the exams after school, with staff and students working together to achieve the best possible outcomes. As the weather improves and the days lengthen, we hope you all have an enjoyable and safe Easter holiday.
Claire Morrell, Principal
Notices
Film Club will resume after the Easter holidays. The first film will be Monday 28 April at 3.20 and every Monday thereafter, in H4. Students wishing to attend should see Mrs Casey to obtain a permission slip, as some films will be cert. 12/15.
Mrs T Casey - English Faculty
French and Spanish controlled speaking assessments for Year 10 will take place next term. This represents 15% of the final grade.
Mrs S Herridge Head of Modern Foreign Languages Faculty
We are collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers. Please take vouchers to the school Library.
Online Safety
Keeping your children safe from dangers online
You will be aware the internet hosts many exciting opportunities for education. The online world is a wonderful place for young people to explore, with
unprecedented opportunities for learning and creativity. However, just like in the real world there are risks and
dangers they should be aware of and which we should all act to protect them from. As a school we encourage the use of technology as an important part of our students’ development, but always want them to spend their time
online safely. As a parent/carer you can play a significant part in ensuring this.
We are planning on holding a free training and information evening for parents/carers. This event will take place in
the evening and last approximately an hour. If you would be interested in attending please contact us
for further information: [email protected]
01604 763616
Rotary Challenge
This year’s Annual Rotary Challenge had the largest number of participants in the event’s nine year history. Abbeyfield entered three teams of four students; one team consisted of Year 9’s and the other two were made up of Year 11’s. The challenge this year was to design and make a trigger based object which could remove a tennis ball from a box by going through a small window in the side of the box, from a distance of 1.5 metres away and then place it onto a target. All three of our teams managed to produce a working product that completed the task. Despite being the strongest set of teams we have ever entered, they narrowly missed the prize. The students who participated in the event were Annabel Eden, Ehsan Raza, Rebecca Clarke, Callum Biddulph, Jackson Vu, Matthew Harding and James Le in Year 11, with Josh Bastow, Jasmin Cox, Jasmin West and Nathan Lockett in Year 9. All of these students represented the school exceptionally well, displaying positive attitudes towards the task set and behaving in a mature and sensible manner.
UK Maths Challenge
In the recent UK intermediate Mathematical Challenge, the following students were among the top 13% of students nationally that received Silver Certificate: Jakub Miskiewicz, James Le, Sharoon Lassen, Samantha Hakes and Lucy Gray. Isabel Martin-Lyons, Danielle Groves, Elise Webb, Hannah Furniss, Preng Lleshi, Dmitri Guidea, Andy Dinh and Gemma Haywood also were among the top 21% nationally that achieved Bronze. Jukub Miskiewicz also achieved Best in School and Best in Year award. Jed Richardson achieved Best in Year for year 10 students. Our students did the School proud. Mr Michael Mpieri Whole School G&T Coordinator.
Tate Britain Art Trip
On Thursday 20 March we took 49 Year 11, 12 and 13 Art GCSE and A level students to the London Gallery. Once we had located the correct entrance (some feat as the Gallery has had lots of alterations) we were notified that we needed to stay with specific students throughout the visit. After a bit of reorganisation Mrs Suffield, Mr Chapman and I began our tours of the various rooms. On reflection, this enabled the students to think a little more about the work they were viewing and the staff were all impressed about the type of questions and discussions the students were engaging in. It’s the first time that we have been curators at a Gallery! The students responded positively to the work on display and got to view both contemporary and traditional pieces; most were really impressed by the rooms dedicated to Turner. An excellent visit, lots of sketching and researching of relevant artists for the set exam themes, and for some their first visit to a Gallery. The students were a real pleasure, being very mature in their attitude and a true credit to the school. All staff really enjoyed their day….. The annual Art exhibition will be on Thursday 26 June. Mrs G Peterson Head of Expressive Arts Faculty
Theatre Trip
On Tuesday evening 25 March the Drama Department took 108 Year 10, 11 and 12 Drama students to see Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers directed by Bill Kenwright at the Royal and Derngate theatre. Year 11 students took notes on the production in preparation for a 2000 word assignment for their GCSE Drama course. The show, starring Maureen Nolan, was outstanding and our students, exceptional. They behaved perfectly and were a real credit to the school. Members of the public and theatre staff commented on how polite and courteous they were. Well done, students. Miss Unwin.
West End Performance
In February, Jade Warren in Year 10 appeared in a musical in the West End at Her Majesty's Theatre in Soho. Jade sang and danced her way through a production called ‘Fright Night'.
As a school, we are immensely proud of her achievement and it is true to say it was an amazing experience for Jade (pictured second from right below).
"I was overjoyed when I was chosen as one of the main dancers. I never dreamed that I would appear in a West End theatre. It was amazing to perform in front of over 1,200 people and it was lovely that my family could be there. Now that I have had that experience, I am determined to follow my dream and become a professional theatre performer," commented Jade.
The staff at Abbeyfield School are all looking forward to attending Jade's first professional performance.
Easter Cupcake competition
1ST – Jessica Gordon - Cooper 2ND – Ellie Richardson - Jones 3RD – Georgia Brown - Cooper Most original - Josh Bastow - Jones Biggest variety of designs - Ruth Tomlinson - Muir
House Poetry competition
This competition is for the poets among you. Hand your poem in to Mr Johnson by Friday 9
May 2014. The best ones will go into an Abbeyfield Anthology, and the top 20 entries will be
sent off to be considered for the national competition.
"Here's your chance to take part in this exciting competition and arrest us with your poems.
Keep it real. Keep it fresh. Write in your own voice. I'll be on the lookout for poems that
surprise me with their images; in fact poems that engage the senses and imagination and
catch us up in the world they create.”
Grace Nichols, 2014 Foyle Judge
Watch this space……….
Attendance and Achievement Links
All educational research would suggest that there is a strong correlation between good attendance and achievement. We endeavour to work with students and families to ensure that we provide the best education possible for your child in order for them to achieve their potential and goals in life. We can only do this if they are in school!
95% Attendance
2 weeks off per year
50 lessons missed (50 hours learning missed)
90% Attendance
4 weeks off per year
100 lessons missed
85% Attendance
6 weeks off per year
150 lessons missed
80% Attendance
8 weeks off per year
200 lessons missed
Planned Absence during Term Time- Holidays September 2013 Change in the Law regarding taking family holidays during term time – No Holidays will be authorised
1 week holiday
2.5% drop in Attendance
25 lessons missed 25 hours missed learning
2 week holiday
5% drop in Attendance
50 lessons missed 50 hours missed learning
The table above shows how much your holiday will affect your child’s attendance (and
therefore possibly their attainment!)
There are 190 school days each academic year
There are 175 non-school days each year - PLEASE use these for holidays!
Punctuality to School
Please remember that school starts at 8.40 am
Lesson 1 begins at 8.45am
School gate closes at 8.46am because students are then
LATE and have to enter by LATE GATE and do a detention that day
Please support the school by ensuring your child arrives at school on time
every day
Thank you
Helen Wilkinson, Attendance Manager
PE and Sports News
Badminton The following students took part in the Sainsbury’s National Games badminton competition and won the Northampton section:
Jordan Cox – 9PCn Tom Knight – 9PCn Harry Mulligan – 9NLm Harjan Briah – 9NLm Callum Higgins-White – 9PCn They will now go on to represent the county in the Nationals. Well done! Rugby This year, Abbeyfield School has been part of the All Schools Rugby programme. In October, we attended a Rugby shirt design day in conjunction with the RFU and Canterbury Sports. Following this, Josh Bastow was selected for the official unveiling of the new Abbeyfield Rugby shirt as designed by the students. This took place at Twickenham on Sunday 9 March, where Josh sang the National Anthem before the England V Wales game, whilst wearing our new shirt. We are extremely proud of him. Here he is pictured with singer Laura Wright, who sang the national anthem at the game:
Mrs F Pearse PE Faculty
Sport Relief Abbeyfield School students supported Sport Relief 2014 on Friday 21 March, by taking part in a number of events. In particular, our KS3 students chose to take part in either a competitive mile or a fun mile (some even chose to do both!) during Period 5. They chose to dress up and had a vast array of onesies and even one boy in a dress. We started out in beautiful sunny weather, but the students (and staff) did very well to continue in what turned out to be very inclement weather, driving hail and wind. Money is still coming in but here are the results so far: Year 7 – 1st = Brunel 2nd = Davy / Jones / Muir Year 8 – 1st = Muir 2nd = Brunel 3rd = Jones Year 9 – 1st = Jones 2nd = Brunel / Davy Well done and thank you to all who took part Mrs C Perrin and Mrs F Pearse PE Faculty
Craft2Catwalk Up-date
We were lucky to have Siiri Dollery back into school to deliver some more beaded jewellery workshops. This time both the clubs had a go and Siiri kindly taught us some new skills on both the Wednesday and the Thursday (the two club nights). Thank you so much Siiri for your time and patience. The Craft2Catwalk girls were able to add to their repertoire of bracelets and earrings by making pendants. This turned out to be surprisingly straightforward, and some lovely sets were made. All the students made some lovely pieces and a couple of the students showed a real eye and aptitude for colour combinations.
The year 7 Craft Club, not to be outdone, also made some eye-catching bracelet and earring combinations. They also created presentation bags and boxes ready for Mother’s Day.
The Craft2Catwalk girls have also been busy making vintage style aprons. They have all used the same pattern as a starting point, but with creative usage of material and trimmings, each apron has a very individual look. Here is an example of a finished one. Cooking has never been so glamorous!
Wishing you all a Happy Easter and keep on crafting!
Mrs Magee and Mrs Hammond
Easter holiday revision sessions
DATE
SUBJECT TIME STAFF ROOM
Monday 7 April
ICT - Year 9 & 11 invited students DT – Years 10 – 13 History – Year 11 IGCSE invited students Maths – Year 11 sets 7 – 9 English Literature – Year 11 set 3
9.00 – 2.00
9.30 – 3.00 9.00 –11.00 11.00 –1.00
9.00 –12.00
11.00 –1.00
Mrs Robinson
Mr Weller Mr Mills
Miss Wilkinson &
Mr Bliss Ms Ranger Mr Johnson
IT2
DT4 SS6 E4
M5 E3
Tuesday 8 April
ICT - Year 9 & 11 invited students DT – Years 10 – 13 Art – Years 11, 12 & 13 Drama – Year 12 Maths – Year 11 sets 7 - 9
9.00 – 2.00
9.30 – 3.00 9.30 – 12.00 9.00 – 3.00 9.00 – 12.00
Mrs Robinson
Mr Weller
Ms Suffield Mr O’Neill Ms Ranger
IT2
DT4
AT 3&4 Theatre
M5
Wednesday 9 April
Art – Years 11, 12 & 13 Drama – Year 11 Drama – Year 12 GCSE Geography Science – Yr 10 sets 2&3 and Yr 11 – sets 2-5
9.30 – 12.00 9.00 – 3.00 10.00 – 2.00 9.30 – 2.00
10.00 – 2.00
Mrs Peterson Mr O’Neill
Miss Unwin Mr McLachlan
& Mrs Silvestre
Mrs Hartny-Mills, Miss Kenyon, Mrs Sexsmith, Mrs Wiseman
AT 1 & 4 Theatre Theatre H1 / H5
S1 & S3
Thursday 10 April
Art – Year 11 Drama – Year 11 AS Geography
9.00 – 2.00 9.00 – 3.00 9.30 – 2.00
Miss Unwin Mr O’Neill
Mr McLachlan
AT2 Theatre
H1
Friday 11 April
Drama – Year 11
10.00 – 3.00
Miss Unwin
Theatre
DATE
SUBJECT TIME STAFF ROOM
Monday 14 April
GCSE Drama – Year 11
9.00 – 3.00
Ms Dedman
PA2
Tuesday 15 April
Food Tech, Child Development, Catering and Hospitality Art DNA Drama – Year 12
9.30 – 3.00
9.00 – 12.00 10.00 – 3.00
Mrs Herratt
Mr Chapman Ms Dedman
DT4 / Bistro
AT5 Theatre
Wednesday 16 April
Food Tech, Child Development, Catering and Hospitality Maths – Year 12 Maths – Year 11 grades D - C
9.30 – 3.00
10.00 – 1.00 10.00 -12.00
Mrs Herratt
Miss Millard Ms Piorkowska
DT4 / Bistro
M8
M2
Thursday 17 April
Food Tech, Child Development, Catering and Hospitality Maths – Year 11 (grades B – A) Maths – Year 11 (grades A – A*)
9.30 – 3.00
10.30 -12.00
10.30 -12.00
Mrs Herratt
Miss Millard
Miss Millard
DT4 / Bistro
M8
M8
Upcoming Exams
Details of upcoming exams for Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 will be available on the school website. Please check carefully. We are very pleased to say that the majority of Year 11 students are on track to achieve their target grades. Well done! As we are committed to supporting students achieve the very best they can, there is a full exam preparation programme is in place. Please remember that all students have access to subject specific learning and revision resources on the school VLE. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either Mrs Kathryn Murphy, Vice Principal or Mrs Jane Laurence, Progress and Attainment Leader on: [email protected] [email protected]
Abbeyfield mobile phone policy and valuables in school.
Please note that the school cannot take responsibility for any valuable items brought in to school. Students bringing valuable items to school do so at their own risk and are responsible for the care of their belongings. A bicycle rack is situated in front of main reception and we strongly advise students use a suitable padlock to secure their bicycle during the day. To view the letter advising on our mobile phone policy, please follow this link: http://www.abbeyfieldschool.org.uk/documents/news/general/mobile_phone_policy.pdf
Dates for your diary
General Reminders
Please remind your child they should bring correct equipment to all lessons. Black pens are available to buy from main reception at a cost of 5 pence each.
Should you have queries regarding Parent Pay please contact the Finance Office [email protected]
If you wish to report your child absent from school, please call the dedicated absence line on 01604 826 150
Plea to all parents
Please do not drop off or pick up your child at the entrance to the school or along the slip road – this is extremely dangerous, especially for other drivers who are trying to pull out onto Mereway. Please show consideration to the safety of all those using our school site by dropping your children in the main school car park or in the lay-by before the school entrance.
Friday 4 April 2014
School closes for Easter Holiday
Tuesday 22 April 2014
School opens to students
Thursday 8 May 2014
Year 10 Parents’ Evening
Monday 19 May 2014
Parents’ Forum Meeting – 6.30pm
Wednesday 21 May 2014
Year HPV injections
Friday 23 May 2014
Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly School closes for Half Term
Monday 2 June 2014
School opens to students
Wednesday 4 June 2014
Year 9 and 10 Awards Evening
Wednesday 11 June 2014
Year 7 and 8 Awards Evening
Friday 11 July 2014
Training Day
Wednesday 23 July 2014
School closes to students for summer holidays
