Weekly Newsletters

This much I know about… taking examinations.

As somebody who has not sat public examinations for quite a few years, actually, to tell the truth, a few decades, there is a distant empathy about the whole process.  I try all I can to calm the nerves and reassure the students.  A smile, a reassurance or whatever I can do sometimes seems so insignificant.

As a parent of a Year 11 daughter who is taking her GCSE examinations, the reality is it is a stressful time and I want to acknowledge the students for their resilient approach to the examinations they have undertaken so far.  As a parent/carer, if you arrive home to find sticky notes stuck everywhere, including your bathroom, then this is the least of your worries!  I am sympathetic that you may be facing roller coaster emotions and managing your child's well-being. If you feel you wish to speak to someone, then please contact your child’s Head Of House or Student Support Officer.

I wish to also thank the staff in the school that have thought through many opportunities to academically support, reduce the stress and also recognise the challenge faced by anyone sitting public exams this summer. We are putting on breakfast, as well as support sessions (academic and wellbeing) prior to the examinations. The attitude and resilience of the Year 11 and Post16 students has been first class. 

As a parent/carer, being aware of the opportunities is half the challenge.  Please could I encourage you to ensure your child attends any of the opportunities listed below either before, during and after school, including sessions in the half term holiday and at weekends.

I truly hope our combined effort translates into the rewards that are expected of them.

Year 7 and 8 Subject Evening

It was good to speak to many parents on the Year 7 subject evening.  We have taken on board that there was not enough booking slots so that as a parent/carer you could meet with your child’s subject teacher.  Moving forward for next year this will be rectified.

With this in mind, I urge you to make your appointments asap for the Year 8 subject evening on Tuesday 5 June.

Have a good half term together, whatever you plan to do!

Best wishes

Bryan Erwin
Principal

The predicted paper for paper 2 will be given out at the half term revision session on Tuesday. Revision in students spare time in school and at home from numerous resources that have been made available is therefore more important than ever. Revising SMART (topics students struggle with) is the key to improving their grades from the previous PPEs.  As well as the countdown please find attached a PowerPoint about how to do a Maths exam, a lot of this could also apply to other subjects as well!

A great way of doing this is through the free PiXL Maths App which is available for download on all smartphones and can be accessed on laptops, desktop computers and Ipads. We have been busy uploading students recent marks from their Maths PPEs onto the app and students can now work directly on their own individual areas of weakness. The app has excellent videos and PowerPoints to help students relearn topics with lots of questions to practice on too! If students have forgotten how to access the App or their login details they will need to see their class teacher.

Every week I have been sending out resources students can start using at home called the final countdown. I am pleased to attach week 14 of the countdown in this edition of the newsletter. This is a set of resources of questions students can do at home with parental support (markschemes have also been added as well as examiners reports). Furthermore there is a PLC students can use to track their progress which can also be used alongside HegartyMaths (www.hegartymaths.com) and/or the PiXL Maths App. 

Please do feel free to email me personally for advice and more resources to help Year 11s revise at l.donnelly@kscs.org.uk. Together we can ensure our students are successful in the exams ahead. Depending on year halves and exam commitments there is only one lesson between maths papers so the revision sessions offered during May half term and the Saturday the 9th of June will be vital for students revision from predicted papers.

After school revision classes are ongoing with maths teachers available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Half term revision and a Super Saturday on June 9th will take place where students will be given predicted papers for paper two and three which in previous years have been extremely accurate so attendance at these sessions could be the difference between grades.

Mr L Donnelly
Maths

 Over the past couple of weeks, some students have fallen below our standards. As a result they have been challenged and reminded about the need to adhere to the school rules.

Could I kindly request that you take the opportunity to check that your son/daughter is meeting the school uniform requirements. The uniform policy (click here) is published on the website to provide information to parents/careers as to what is and isn’t appropriate. 

We are acutely aware that the time and effort used challenging and rectifying uniform takes away vital resources that could be used for other purposes across the school. Therefore we would like to request your support, as at the beginning of next half term, we will be ensuring these standards are consistently met.

Many thanks 

Mr Whales
Vice Principal

Aspire are still in first place this week. Integrity has squeezed into 2nd place with the other Houses closing in behind them. We will soon be in our last half term for this academic year. Lets see if we can make it a good one for attendance. Good luck to Year 11 and Post 16 for your exams.

Mrs S Blackledge
Attendance Officer