Weekly Newsletters

It is a pleasure to encounter so many young people with such a rich variety of talents, whether academic, sporting, performing arts, or other ability.  This week I had the pleasure of meeting with, and acknowledging the talents of, a number of students across all year groups.  They had been identified by their respective Head of House as being worthy for the Principal’s Commendation award.

This award recognises achievement, talent and positive behaviour over this half term.  I am so proud to announce this half terms awards to:

Aspire

Jaydon Cox, Jacob Smith, Harry Barnes, Jemma Thompson, Sophie Jackson,  Ethan Mazurek

Integrity

Brooklyn Day, Charlea Bailey, Jasmine Murray, Charlie Lerverton Hunt, Jay Davitt, Mia Horsfall, Alex Shaul, Kyle Gooding, Mateusz Markowski

Success

Aasia Moore, Marc Humphries , Joseph Kirwan

Excellence

Megan Lynas, Stephanie Pullen, Stefan Cozzetto, Maddie Richards, Rebecca Bates

If your son/daughter is not on this half term’s list then I hope there has been at least one positive phone call home by their tutor this half term.

Whilst visiting the Humanities faculty I encountered outstanding project based homework produced by Year 7 students.  I wish to draw your attention to one of the many high quality responses to the project based learning homework opportunity.

Finally, I wish you all a good half term holiday.  Thank you for your support during this half term and I look forward to working with everyone to making the next very productive.

Best wishes

Bryan Erwin
Acting Principal

Exceptional effort has been recognised in a number of pupils' work but particularly for Katie Mostowyj in Year 9 who created a police file of evidence about the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo at the beginning of WW1 (photo above), and Faith Braddock and Patryk Chelminiak in Year 7 who created personalised projects on their favourite parts of history. 

Shannon Walker
Teacher of History

Our very own Kyle Exton Y11, came 2nd place out of 5 participants and has a possible chance of moving on to the next stage.

I am very proud of him for taking on this challenge and being superb throughout the whole process!

Mrs Sithole
Subject Leader: Food

Last Years Figures

Our overall attendance figure for the academic year 2015/16 was 95.5%. The national average for 2014/15 was 94.7% and the average for Peterborough schools was 95.3%. The 2015/16 data will be published in March and we hope to continue to be above both the local and national figures!

Our target for 16-17 is 96.5%

Punctuality

Being punctual is a life skill and being late greatly disrupts the class.  Although we will consider individual circumstances, if a student arrives after 8.45am they will be marked as late. If they arrive after 9am then they will receive an unauthorised late mark which counts as an absence on the school roll.  Please note that the following reasons are not valid circumstances;

•  Got up late/ My alarm did not go off                                                         
•  The bus was late / Busy traffic
•  My parents made me late
•  Couldn’t find my uniform/ kit/keys                                                              
•  Looking after siblings or taking them to school

Sanctions:- 45 minute after school detention on the day of the late

Failure to attend this will lead to a 1 hour detention the next day.  Failure to attend this sanction will lead to a day in seclusion.

An additional sanction of lunchtime “Improving my punctuality” classes will be given for student who are consistently arriving late

These procedures have decreased our school lates from  5221 (2013/14) to 1180 (2015/16).  We aim to improve this further!

Leave Of Absence During Term Time

You are strongly advised not to take your child out of school during the school term.  Due to government legislation, it is very unlikely that leave will be granted, except for “exceptional circumstances”.  If however, you still decide to do so, then a leave of absence form must be completed.

Please bear in mind if the school has not authorised the absence, on your child’s return to school, a penalty notice may be due.  Currently this stands at £60 per parent, per child, if paid within 21 days.  After this time the fine increases to £120 per parent, and if this is still not paid then the Local Authority may prosecute parents.

Leave of Absence forms must be completed and handed into school with at least 4 weeks notice of the expected date of absence.

Appointments In School Time

Please endeavour to make medical appointments outside of school times.  However if it is unavoidable, please ensure your child attends school either before or after their appointment to avoid missing a whole day of learning.  Please also ensure that you provide the office staff with proof of the appointment, before or on the day.

Absences From School Due To Illness

Poor attendance has a detrimental impact on pupils learning.  Over a 5 year period a pupil whose attendance is 90% will have missed half of a school year!

If your child is not attending school for any reason you must inform the school why on each day of absence before 9am, so that we know the child is safe and can monitor the absence.

The law has now changed and “persistent absence” is now classed as anything under 90%. From September 2015, parents may be prosecuted by the Local Authority if their child’s attendance falls below 90%.

If the students attendance percentage is below 90% then a medical note will be required from the doctor.  A form is available from reception.  Having this medical note prevents any unnecessary penalty notices.

A medical note is required on the third day of illness, for all students

Absences For Other Reasons:-

Please note you must request any leave of absence by completing a leave of absence request form.

This includes:- Moving house/ interviews/ funerals/ viewing other schools.  Please ensure you provide full details so that we can code the absence accordingly.

Thank you for your continuing support.