Bulletin - 1st November

Hello all and welcome back.

This term:


Year 11 Mocks
The English mock this year will be on Monday 22nd and Tues 23rd November. Unless anyone objects, I suggest we use the November 2009 exams (accessible here: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qualifications/gcses/english/english-a.php ), and avoid using the Suffragette one (although it would be good to do that one in class, if only to show them to expect the unexpected!). It's the Police one for Section A and Night of the Scorpion 'aspects of people's lives' for Paper 2. It also uses the new numbering system, so probably better than doing the Bryson one.


In terms of feedback, I'm interested in trying to build in more formative approaches for this, rather than just giving grades back - given the amount of time we put in, it would be good to be making the students work a little harder in generating their own feedback. I've been trialling this with my current year 11s, and will send around some materials for peer and self-assessment of mocks for year 11 teachers to have a look at.



Competions:
- Various competitions and events are advertised on the student bit of SERCO, so please publicise with your classes.

Thanks
Tom

Bulletin - 18th October 2010

Hi all,

First of all, a massive well done and thank you to everyone for the work that's gone in to creating such a smooth start to the year. Detentions are right down, and the atmosphere in classrooms seems great. Also, Open Evening was an enjoyable affair - thanks to Pat for her hospitality in C24, and to all for manning the hatches. Lots of positive feedback from parents apparently.

This week:
Department meeting on Tues
C26
3.15 - 4.15
1) Documentation update and discussion for KS3 (25 mins)
2) TLC influence on English (10 mins)
3) Sharing Practice and reflection on Term 1 (20 mins)
4) Resourcing update (5 mins)
5) AOB

Welcome
A warm welcome to the team to Felicity, who begins this week in the role of department cover supervisor. This will allow us some exciting potential for flexibility, particularly by way of enabling small group intervention during normal lesson time, so do have a think about how we might begin to capitalise on this.

Year 11 Coursework
Just a reminder that we are moderating this year's coursework in January - Jamie is sending a spreadsheet around for marks.

Have a wonderful last week of term everyone,
Tom