Hi everyone,
Right then, one more week...
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 19th December: 2-3: Department Meeting; 3-4 Personal Directed Time
Wed 19th December: Dept Christmas Meal
Fri 21st December: END OF TERM (school finishes at end of P3)
2. Dept detention
We discussed whether people would be happy to volunteer to run dept detentions so that we could set detentions on a daily basis rather than running over a week, etc. There seemed to be some enthusiasm for the idea at the meeting but so far only myself and Louise have signed up on the whiteboard in the dept office. This is not an attempt to pressure people into doing it - I just need to ascertain whether people haven't signed up because they haven't got round to it or because they are not wanting to volunteer (in which case, I need to come up with another solution).
3. Thank you
This has been, by anyone's standards, an incredibly long and tiring term. Between mock exams and coursework and exam board madness and everything else that makes up the lot of the 21st century teacher, you have conducted yourselves with enthusiasm, professionalism and no small amount of good humour. I cannot think of a group of people that care more about what they do or work harder to do it. So, from me and everyone you teach: thank you and Happy Christmas.
Ho. Ho. Ho.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Monday, 10 December 2012
Bulletin - 10.12.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 12th Dec: 2-3 dept literacy meeting (get together)
Fri 14th Dec: Year 7 and 11 reports due (get reporting)
Fri 14th Dec: Secret Santa (get giving)
Fri 14th Dec: English/Drama staff tea (get baking)
Fri 14th Dec: STAFF PARTY!! (get celebrating)
Mon 17th-Fri 21st: Year 8 Options lessons (get creative writing)
Fri 21st Dec: AP2 due (get data grabbing)
Fri 21st Dec: END OF TERM (get the hell out of here)
2. Observations
Can we please ensure that all observations are done and the feedback given to me by the end of this week please.
3. Congratulations...
...to Andrew, who will be Acting Head of EAL while Nicci B is away on maternity leave.
4. Secret Santa
Everyone should have their intended recipient now. Present time will be Fri 14th in the dept office there will be cakes and music and laughter and dancing and revelling and Santa will be there.*
Once more through the timetable, dear friends, once more...
* Not all of that is true
Wed 12th Dec: 2-3 dept literacy meeting (get together)
Fri 14th Dec: Year 7 and 11 reports due (get reporting)
Fri 14th Dec: Secret Santa (get giving)
Fri 14th Dec: English/Drama staff tea (get baking)
Fri 14th Dec: STAFF PARTY!! (get celebrating)
Mon 17th-Fri 21st: Year 8 Options lessons (get creative writing)
Fri 21st Dec: AP2 due (get data grabbing)
Fri 21st Dec: END OF TERM (get the hell out of here)
2. Observations
Can we please ensure that all observations are done and the feedback given to me by the end of this week please.
3. Congratulations...
...to Andrew, who will be Acting Head of EAL while Nicci B is away on maternity leave.
4. Secret Santa
Everyone should have their intended recipient now. Present time will be Fri 14th in the dept office there will be cakes and music and laughter and dancing and revelling and Santa will be there.*
Once more through the timetable, dear friends, once more...
* Not all of that is true
Monday, 3 December 2012
Bulletin - 3.12.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 5th Dec: No meeting - directed time for reports/assessment point data entry
Thurs 6th Dec: Year 12 parents evening
Fri 7th Dec: Rock Challenge quiz night
Mon 10th Dec: No morning briefing (data entry time)
Wed 12th Dec: 2-3pm: Dept meeting (literacy focus)
Wed 12th Dec: School Christmas Concert
2. Learning Walk
I will doing a series of learning walks this week so don't be surprised if I turn up in your classroom for a 10 mins or so over the next few days. In line with agreed school policy, I will not be grading lessons in any way but may give brief feedback to teachers on what I saw. I will give general feedback to the department in due course.
3. Observations
All staff need to be observed for a total of an hour before Christmas. All English staff had a 30-minute observation as part of the departmental review and some staff have had observations in different contexts that have brought them up to this amount.
Observations that need to take place in the next two weeks are:
JKY: PST, JD, NTU
PTO: ACL, PWA
LMA: PTO, CSW
PWA: LMA
Please can both observer and observee please take responsibility for making sure these take place and that observation feedback is passed on to me no later than Fri 14th Dec.
Staff can book cover in order to hold these observations - please email Sally Marsh/Danielle.
4. Mock exam - second sitting
Students who missed the mock exam on Mon 26th Nov sat it on Mon 3rd Dec - all scripts are in relevant staff pigeon holes.
5. Male students - inappropriate behaviour
There have been some complaints by female TAs about male KS4 students talking inappropriately about or showing a noticeable lack of respect female members of staff. This has been especially the case in all-male groups. If this is something you have noticed in any of your classes, can you please let me know so that we know what students to intervene with.
Thank you,
Jamie
Wed 5th Dec: No meeting - directed time for reports/assessment point data entry
Thurs 6th Dec: Year 12 parents evening
Fri 7th Dec: Rock Challenge quiz night
Mon 10th Dec: No morning briefing (data entry time)
Wed 12th Dec: 2-3pm: Dept meeting (literacy focus)
Wed 12th Dec: School Christmas Concert
2. Learning Walk
I will doing a series of learning walks this week so don't be surprised if I turn up in your classroom for a 10 mins or so over the next few days. In line with agreed school policy, I will not be grading lessons in any way but may give brief feedback to teachers on what I saw. I will give general feedback to the department in due course.
3. Observations
All staff need to be observed for a total of an hour before Christmas. All English staff had a 30-minute observation as part of the departmental review and some staff have had observations in different contexts that have brought them up to this amount.
Observations that need to take place in the next two weeks are:
JKY: PST, JD, NTU
PTO: ACL, PWA
LMA: PTO, CSW
PWA: LMA
Please can both observer and observee please take responsibility for making sure these take place and that observation feedback is passed on to me no later than Fri 14th Dec.
Staff can book cover in order to hold these observations - please email Sally Marsh/Danielle.
4. Mock exam - second sitting
Students who missed the mock exam on Mon 26th Nov sat it on Mon 3rd Dec - all scripts are in relevant staff pigeon holes.
5. Male students - inappropriate behaviour
There have been some complaints by female TAs about male KS4 students talking inappropriately about or showing a noticeable lack of respect female members of staff. This has been especially the case in all-male groups. If this is something you have noticed in any of your classes, can you please let me know so that we know what students to intervene with.
Thank you,
Jamie
Monday, 26 November 2012
Bulletin - 26.11.12
1. Dates for your diaries
Mon 26th Nov: Year 11 mock exam
Wed 28th Nov: Double dept coursework
Fri 30 Nov: Year 13 reports due
Thur 6th Dec: Year 12 parents evening
2. Mock exam
If you teach Year 11, Danielle will put your copies of the mock exam in your pigeon hole. Please mark it in the agreed format:
- no marks on the paper
- they mark it using the success criteria sheets
- they receive your feedback (still not scores) to see if there's any course they'd like to think out.
- Receive their actual score
- Use the One Mark Booster pack to decide what ideas are applicable to them
3. Standardisation
Please make sure you have marked the folders that are relevant to the KS4 courses you are teaching this year (and next took, if relevant) and mark the folders that apply to those students. We will split into two teams (Team English and Team Lang/Lit) in our meeting on Wednesday, so please prepare the folder(s) that apply to you before then. We are still waiting to hear whether we're going to get the two days off.
4. Dept kitchen
After taking on the task of cleaning the sink, I am now suffering from flashbacks and have the 1000-yard stare of a 'Nam veteran. Please make sure we don't let it get like that again. I've put dishwasher tablets under the sink, so no excuses!
Mon 26th Nov: Year 11 mock exam
Wed 28th Nov: Double dept coursework
Fri 30 Nov: Year 13 reports due
Thur 6th Dec: Year 12 parents evening
2. Mock exam
If you teach Year 11, Danielle will put your copies of the mock exam in your pigeon hole. Please mark it in the agreed format:
- no marks on the paper
- they mark it using the success criteria sheets
- they receive your feedback (still not scores) to see if there's any course they'd like to think out.
- Receive their actual score
- Use the One Mark Booster pack to decide what ideas are applicable to them
3. Standardisation
Please make sure you have marked the folders that are relevant to the KS4 courses you are teaching this year (and next took, if relevant) and mark the folders that apply to those students. We will split into two teams (Team English and Team Lang/Lit) in our meeting on Wednesday, so please prepare the folder(s) that apply to you before then. We are still waiting to hear whether we're going to get the two days off.
4. Dept kitchen
After taking on the task of cleaning the sink, I am now suffering from flashbacks and have the 1000-yard stare of a 'Nam veteran. Please make sure we don't let it get like that again. I've put dishwasher tablets under the sink, so no excuses!
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Bulletin - 20.11.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 21st Nov: 2-3 directed time (Assessment Points + standardisation material)
Mon 26th Nov, 9:00-11:30: GCSE Eng/Eng Lang mock exam
Fri 23rd Nov: Year 10 reports due
Wed 28th Nov, 2:00-4:00: Double Dept meeting
Fri 30 Nov: Year 13 full reports due
2. Assessment Points/Data Grabs
An agreement has been reached between SLT and the unions regarding time for Assessment Points/Data Grabs. As such, it is vital that APs are completed on Serco for Year 7 and Year 11 (other year groups will have their APs populated by the recent reports so you don't need to worry about them).
Please use the directed time on Wednesday 2pm-3pm to complete Year 7 and Year 11 APs.
I did my Year 11s this morning and it genuinely took me about 4 minutes.
3. Standardisation
Please see LMA's email re: GCSE standardisation. We have identified one folder from English, English Language and English Literature for people to 'mark' in time for our meeting on Wed 28th Nov. Please only do the ones that are relevant for the Year 10/11 classes you teach.
4. Work scrutiny
Many thanks for letting me have a selection of your KS3 books. I will look at these and return asap. If there are any books you need back because you are teaching that class, please send a student over and I will return them to you.
I will give feedback at our meeting on Wed 28th Nov
5. Learning walk
Following out of the work scrutiny, there will also be a series of learning walks during the week of Mon 3rd-Fri 7th Dec. The focus will be on the principles of agile teaching and pupil progress.
6. GCSE English/English Language mock exam - Mon 26th Nov
I have arranged breakfast for Year 11 on Mon before their mock exam from 8:30-9:00. If you teach Year 11, please make them aware of this. I am free P1, so will be there and will be offering last minute advice, etc.
7. Dept Detention
Dept Detetion is proving problematic because students are forgetting about it, reminder slips aren't reaching students, etc. I would like to discuss as a department a way of making our behaviour/detention system more robust and more effective. One idea is to run daily detentions so that the consequence is immediate. This might require volunteers to staff these. There is no expectation that colleagues would step forward and this is just one idea - please have a think and bring your thoughts to our meeting on Wed 28th Nov.
8. Xmas meal and Secret Santa
Xmas meal has been booked in for Thursday 20th Dec at the Red Lion in Gloucester Green. Please let me know if you would like to attend (so far it's a table for two for myself and Pat!). Also, please let me know if you want to be involved in Secret Santa this year and I'll get names into a hat asap.
Wed 21st Nov: 2-3 directed time (Assessment Points + standardisation material)
Mon 26th Nov, 9:00-11:30: GCSE Eng/Eng Lang mock exam
Fri 23rd Nov: Year 10 reports due
Wed 28th Nov, 2:00-4:00: Double Dept meeting
Fri 30 Nov: Year 13 full reports due
2. Assessment Points/Data Grabs
An agreement has been reached between SLT and the unions regarding time for Assessment Points/Data Grabs. As such, it is vital that APs are completed on Serco for Year 7 and Year 11 (other year groups will have their APs populated by the recent reports so you don't need to worry about them).
Please use the directed time on Wednesday 2pm-3pm to complete Year 7 and Year 11 APs.
I did my Year 11s this morning and it genuinely took me about 4 minutes.
3. Standardisation
Please see LMA's email re: GCSE standardisation. We have identified one folder from English, English Language and English Literature for people to 'mark' in time for our meeting on Wed 28th Nov. Please only do the ones that are relevant for the Year 10/11 classes you teach.
4. Work scrutiny
Many thanks for letting me have a selection of your KS3 books. I will look at these and return asap. If there are any books you need back because you are teaching that class, please send a student over and I will return them to you.
I will give feedback at our meeting on Wed 28th Nov
5. Learning walk
Following out of the work scrutiny, there will also be a series of learning walks during the week of Mon 3rd-Fri 7th Dec. The focus will be on the principles of agile teaching and pupil progress.
6. GCSE English/English Language mock exam - Mon 26th Nov
I have arranged breakfast for Year 11 on Mon before their mock exam from 8:30-9:00. If you teach Year 11, please make them aware of this. I am free P1, so will be there and will be offering last minute advice, etc.
7. Dept Detention
Dept Detetion is proving problematic because students are forgetting about it, reminder slips aren't reaching students, etc. I would like to discuss as a department a way of making our behaviour/detention system more robust and more effective. One idea is to run daily detentions so that the consequence is immediate. This might require volunteers to staff these. There is no expectation that colleagues would step forward and this is just one idea - please have a think and bring your thoughts to our meeting on Wed 28th Nov.
8. Xmas meal and Secret Santa
Xmas meal has been booked in for Thursday 20th Dec at the Red Lion in Gloucester Green. Please let me know if you would like to attend (so far it's a table for two for myself and Pat!). Also, please let me know if you want to be involved in Secret Santa this year and I'll get names into a hat asap.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Bulletin - 12.11.12
1. Dates for your diaries
Wed 14th Nov, 2-4:45: Jim Smith, The Lazy Teacher
Wed 14th Nov, 6:30-8:30: Year 11 Options Evening (JKY + PTO)
Fri 16th Nov: Literacy Learning Walk
Fri 16th Nov: Year 12 reports due
w/c Mon 19th Nov: KS3 work scrutiny
Mon 26th Nov: Year 11 mock exam
2. Department visitor
Lorna Bambridge will be visiting the department and observing some lessons on Wed 14th Nov. She is hoping to do a PGCE next year and needs some more time in schools. I will send round an observation timetable asap.
3. Ho ho ho, etc.
Dept Christmas meal is planned for Thurs 20th Dec at the Red Lion pub on Gloucester Green. Please let me know if you plan to come so I can book a table.
Secret Santa to be arranged soon.
Wed 14th Nov, 2-4:45: Jim Smith, The Lazy Teacher
Wed 14th Nov, 6:30-8:30: Year 11 Options Evening (JKY + PTO)
Fri 16th Nov: Literacy Learning Walk
Fri 16th Nov: Year 12 reports due
w/c Mon 19th Nov: KS3 work scrutiny
Mon 26th Nov: Year 11 mock exam
2. Department visitor
Lorna Bambridge will be visiting the department and observing some lessons on Wed 14th Nov. She is hoping to do a PGCE next year and needs some more time in schools. I will send round an observation timetable asap.
3. Ho ho ho, etc.
Dept Christmas meal is planned for Thurs 20th Dec at the Red Lion pub on Gloucester Green. Please let me know if you plan to come so I can book a table.
Secret Santa to be arranged soon.
Monday, 22 October 2012
Bulletin - 22.10.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
ALL WEEK: Inter-college Sports - see Serco for more info
Wed 24th Oct, 2-3pm: Dept Meeting
Fri 26th Oct: HALF-TERM!
That, it would appear, is all.
Thanks for all your hard work over the last six weeks, enjoy a very restful half-term.
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
ALL WEEK: Inter-college Sports - see Serco for more info
Wed 24th Oct, 2-3pm: Dept Meeting
Fri 26th Oct: HALF-TERM!
That, it would appear, is all.
Thanks for all your hard work over the last six weeks, enjoy a very restful half-term.
Jamie
Monday, 15 October 2012
Bulletin - 15.10.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 17th Oct, 2-3pm: Dept meeting
Thurs 18th Oct, 3-4pm: Voluntary meeting re: Academy transition
Fri 19th Oct: Year 13 reports due
2. Coursework catch-up sessions
Not many students are coming to these. If you have students in Year 10 or Year 11 who are missing Creative Coursework pieces, or those that have underperformed against their Stat Pred, can you please send them to the after-school sessions on Mondays, along with some direction on what task you want them to take. Coursework was clearly a weakness going into last year's exams so it's vital that we get results as high as possible this year.
3. Naomi Saffery
Naomi is hoping to apply to teacher training next year and will be in the dept on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Please make her feel welcome and help her find her way around.
Have a great week.
Wed 17th Oct, 2-3pm: Dept meeting
Thurs 18th Oct, 3-4pm: Voluntary meeting re: Academy transition
Fri 19th Oct: Year 13 reports due
2. Coursework catch-up sessions
Not many students are coming to these. If you have students in Year 10 or Year 11 who are missing Creative Coursework pieces, or those that have underperformed against their Stat Pred, can you please send them to the after-school sessions on Mondays, along with some direction on what task you want them to take. Coursework was clearly a weakness going into last year's exams so it's vital that we get results as high as possible this year.
3. Naomi Saffery
Naomi is hoping to apply to teacher training next year and will be in the dept on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Please make her feel welcome and help her find her way around.
Have a great week.
Monday, 8 October 2012
Bulletin - 8.10.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 10th Oct: 2-3pm - Teaching and Learning Development Groups; 3-4pm - College meeting
Fri 12th Oct: Year 12 Skills report due
Fri 12th Oct: ENGLISH/DRAMA STAFF TEA
Fri 19th Oct: Year 13 Short report due
2. English Department Review
Many thanks for your hard work and professionalism last week while Pat O'Shea and Jill Judson were in. The feedback I have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive with a few areas for development/consideration. I will receive their full report in the next few days and will share all the findings with everyone.
3. KS5 reports
Any new staff who are unsure about the procedures for KS5 reports, please ask the other teacher for your class (it's best to do them jointly in any case)
4. Late detention
As of today, any student who is late for P1 will have an automatic 30-minute detention after school. Classroom teachers don't have to do anything to initiate this detention (apart from mark them as late on your register as usual).
5. Coursework catch-up
Coursework catch-up is on again after school today. We are focusing on Creative Writing, so please send any student who is missing a piece of Creative Writing (preferably with an indication of what one you'd like them to do, or at least which one they have already done) or any student who you feel has underperformed in Creative Writing and needs to try for a higher grade.
Thanks and have a great week,
Jamie
Wed 10th Oct: 2-3pm - Teaching and Learning Development Groups; 3-4pm - College meeting
Fri 12th Oct: Year 12 Skills report due
Fri 12th Oct: ENGLISH/DRAMA STAFF TEA
Fri 19th Oct: Year 13 Short report due
2. English Department Review
Many thanks for your hard work and professionalism last week while Pat O'Shea and Jill Judson were in. The feedback I have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive with a few areas for development/consideration. I will receive their full report in the next few days and will share all the findings with everyone.
3. KS5 reports
Any new staff who are unsure about the procedures for KS5 reports, please ask the other teacher for your class (it's best to do them jointly in any case)
4. Late detention
As of today, any student who is late for P1 will have an automatic 30-minute detention after school. Classroom teachers don't have to do anything to initiate this detention (apart from mark them as late on your register as usual).
5. Coursework catch-up
Coursework catch-up is on again after school today. We are focusing on Creative Writing, so please send any student who is missing a piece of Creative Writing (preferably with an indication of what one you'd like them to do, or at least which one they have already done) or any student who you feel has underperformed in Creative Writing and needs to try for a higher grade.
Thanks and have a great week,
Jamie
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 1st Oct: Year 6 Open Morning
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm - Core Subjects Advice Evening
Tues 2nd - Wed 3rd Oct: Whole-School Literacy Review
Thurs 4th Oct: Sixth Form Census
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th Oct: English Dept Review
Fri 12th Oct: Year 12 skills report due
Fri 12th Oct: English/Drama Staff Tea (not 5th as on calendar)
2. Literacy/Dept Review
Pat O'Shea will be in school from Tues 2nd - Fri 4th Oct. Tues/Wed will focus on literacy; Thurs/Fri will be the English dept review.
I know that there may well be industrial action that will prevent this, but if it does have the go ahead, the plan is:
3. Year 12 skills reports / class lists
We need to check that all your Year 12 class lists are accurate by Thursday 4th October in time for the Sixth Form Census - email TLA/MST if there are any changes that need to be made.
The Year 12 skills report is now on Serco and needs to be completed before Fri 12th Oct. Please see the email from Tim Lawrence for more information - new staff, please feel free to ask what this all means.
4. Coursework catch-up
GCSE coursework catch-up starts Monday 1st October. We are going to work in sections this year, starting with Creative Writing. If any student in your Year 10 or 11 set is missing a piece of Creative Writing coursework, or if a student would benefit from resubmitting a piece, please send them to these sessions. Please inform them of what title you would like them to undertake and supply as much in the way of materials as you can. Otherwise, we will use the coursework catch-up packs (T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Coursework catch-up sessions)
5. Year 9 S&L/Creative Writing coursework
At yesterday's Core Subjects Evening for Year 10, a number of students and parents expressed concern that they hadn't received any marks or feedback for the S&L or Creative Writing coursework they did in Year 9. Some students from seem to believe that their S&L videos had been lost. All S&L videos from last year are on Staff Resources: T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Speaking and Listening\S&L videos
Please can you make sure that students are aware of their marks and, more importantly, their feedback, as this will be hugely beneficial before they take their next assessment.
6. Open Evening/Morning
Many thanks for all your hard work for Open Evening on Thursday and Open Morning on Monday. I think we showed the department in the good light that it deserves and all the feedback I've received has been incredibly positive.
7. Performance Management
Thank you for completing your Performance Management so efficicently. If there are any outstanding Overview Statements, please send them to me.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Mon 1st Oct: Year 6 Open Morning
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm - Core Subjects Advice Evening
Tues 2nd - Wed 3rd Oct: Whole-School Literacy Review
Thurs 4th Oct: Sixth Form Census
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th Oct: English Dept Review
Fri 12th Oct: Year 12 skills report due
Fri 12th Oct: English/Drama Staff Tea (not 5th as on calendar)
2. Literacy/Dept Review
Pat O'Shea will be in school from Tues 2nd - Fri 4th Oct. Tues/Wed will focus on literacy; Thurs/Fri will be the English dept review.
I know that there may well be industrial action that will prevent this, but if it does have the go ahead, the plan is:
- 30-minute observations
- Unannounced
- Everyone will be observed but only once
3. Year 12 skills reports / class lists
We need to check that all your Year 12 class lists are accurate by Thursday 4th October in time for the Sixth Form Census - email TLA/MST if there are any changes that need to be made.
The Year 12 skills report is now on Serco and needs to be completed before Fri 12th Oct. Please see the email from Tim Lawrence for more information - new staff, please feel free to ask what this all means.
4. Coursework catch-up
GCSE coursework catch-up starts Monday 1st October. We are going to work in sections this year, starting with Creative Writing. If any student in your Year 10 or 11 set is missing a piece of Creative Writing coursework, or if a student would benefit from resubmitting a piece, please send them to these sessions. Please inform them of what title you would like them to undertake and supply as much in the way of materials as you can. Otherwise, we will use the coursework catch-up packs (T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Coursework catch-up sessions)
5. Year 9 S&L/Creative Writing coursework
At yesterday's Core Subjects Evening for Year 10, a number of students and parents expressed concern that they hadn't received any marks or feedback for the S&L or Creative Writing coursework they did in Year 9. Some students from seem to believe that their S&L videos had been lost. All S&L videos from last year are on Staff Resources: T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Speaking and Listening\S&L videos
Please can you make sure that students are aware of their marks and, more importantly, their feedback, as this will be hugely beneficial before they take their next assessment.
6. Open Evening/Morning
Many thanks for all your hard work for Open Evening on Thursday and Open Morning on Monday. I think we showed the department in the good light that it deserves and all the feedback I've received has been incredibly positive.
7. Performance Management
Thank you for completing your Performance Management so efficicently. If there are any outstanding Overview Statements, please send them to me.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 24 September 2012
Bulletin - 24.9.12
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 24th Sept: Year 7 Open Morning
Mon 24th Sept: Year 7s out of lessons P2, 3 and 4
Wed 26th Sept: International Languages Day
Wed 26th Sept: 2pm - Dept Meeting, C27
Thurs 27th Sept: Early closure (1:30)
Thurs 27th Sept: 6:30-8:30pm Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept: All-day staff INSET: Performance Management
Mon 1st Oct: Year 6 Open Morning
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm - Core Subjects Advice Evening
Tues 2nd - Wed 3rd Oct: Whole-School Literacy Review
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th Oct: English Dept Review
Fri 5th Oct: English/Drama Staff Tea
2. Open Evening
I suggest we use the same system as previous years: use C2 and C5 as our base rooms. Have displays of texts, student work, etc. We can show videos of student S&L work, media studies coursework, etc on the computers/projectors. It would also be great to have another demonstration of students doing storytelling, like we had last year. We can also run some creative writing exercises for students to try (writing on bananas was popular last year).
3. Performance Management
Everyone should know their PM pairings, so please liaise with that person to arrange timings, etc. Any problems, give me a shout.
4. Dept Review
Again, everyone should be aware of the arrangements re: the Dept review next week. If you have any questions about it, please let me know.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Mon 24th Sept: Year 7 Open Morning
Mon 24th Sept: Year 7s out of lessons P2, 3 and 4
Wed 26th Sept: International Languages Day
Wed 26th Sept: 2pm - Dept Meeting, C27
Thurs 27th Sept: Early closure (1:30)
Thurs 27th Sept: 6:30-8:30pm Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept: All-day staff INSET: Performance Management
Mon 1st Oct: Year 6 Open Morning
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm - Core Subjects Advice Evening
Tues 2nd - Wed 3rd Oct: Whole-School Literacy Review
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th Oct: English Dept Review
Fri 5th Oct: English/Drama Staff Tea
2. Open Evening
I suggest we use the same system as previous years: use C2 and C5 as our base rooms. Have displays of texts, student work, etc. We can show videos of student S&L work, media studies coursework, etc on the computers/projectors. It would also be great to have another demonstration of students doing storytelling, like we had last year. We can also run some creative writing exercises for students to try (writing on bananas was popular last year).
3. Performance Management
Everyone should know their PM pairings, so please liaise with that person to arrange timings, etc. Any problems, give me a shout.
4. Dept Review
Again, everyone should be aware of the arrangements re: the Dept review next week. If you have any questions about it, please let me know.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 17 September 2012
Bulletin - 17.9.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 18th Sept: 4:30: Inter-school coursework moderation (Cheney, Cherwell, Larkmead, Oxford Academy)
Wed 19th Sept: 2:05-2:35: Safeguarding training (JKY, AW, CSW, PTO, NTU, JD, NBY); 2:40-4:25: Dept meeting
Thur 20th Sept: 6-8pm: Core Subjects Advice Evening Year 11
Thur 27th Sept: Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept: All-day staff INSET: Performance Management
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm: Core Subjects Advice Evening Year 10
2. Performance Management - Fri 28th Sept
Performance Management reviews will be conducted by the following staff:
AW: JKY, LMA
JKY: PTO, PWA, KWI
PWA: ACL, JD, NTU
PTO: CSW, PST, HDY
New staff (LMA, HDY, KWI) will not be expected to have their performance reviewed so this will be a target setting exercise.
3. English Dept Review
Pat O'Shea and Jill Judson will be conducting a literacy/English review w/c Mon 1st October. AW and JKY are meeting Pat O'Shea on Wed 19th Sept to discuss the format, timings, staff expectations of this review - details to follow.
4. Dept SEF
The department Self-Evaluation Form is under construction and will be made available for the perusal of staff this week.
5. GCSE Controlled Assessment letters
Letters to parents re: GCSE Controlled Assessments timings were emailed to all staff last week. Please use these as templates, adjusting as you need/see fit. For example, check the titles of the various assessments and change if you are planning on doing different ones (and remember these will change year-on-year).
6. Safeguarding training - Wed 19th Sept
Staff who started at Cheney after Dec 2009 need to attend the new, updated safeguarding training on Wed 19th Sept, 2:05-3:35.
i.e. JKY, AW, CSW, PTO, NTU, JD, NBY
I have checked this out and it is a legal obligation that we are there.
Those colleagues who aren't inolved, please feel free to use the time as you see fit. We will start our dept meeting as soon as the training has finished.
6. 'Gove' levels
Look set for 2015. Can't wait...
Thank you, have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 18th Sept: 4:30: Inter-school coursework moderation (Cheney, Cherwell, Larkmead, Oxford Academy)
Wed 19th Sept: 2:05-2:35: Safeguarding training (JKY, AW, CSW, PTO, NTU, JD, NBY); 2:40-4:25: Dept meeting
Thur 20th Sept: 6-8pm: Core Subjects Advice Evening Year 11
Thur 27th Sept: Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept: All-day staff INSET: Performance Management
Mon 1st Oct: 6-8pm: Core Subjects Advice Evening Year 10
2. Performance Management - Fri 28th Sept
Performance Management reviews will be conducted by the following staff:
AW: JKY, LMA
JKY: PTO, PWA, KWI
PWA: ACL, JD, NTU
PTO: CSW, PST, HDY
New staff (LMA, HDY, KWI) will not be expected to have their performance reviewed so this will be a target setting exercise.
3. English Dept Review
Pat O'Shea and Jill Judson will be conducting a literacy/English review w/c Mon 1st October. AW and JKY are meeting Pat O'Shea on Wed 19th Sept to discuss the format, timings, staff expectations of this review - details to follow.
4. Dept SEF
The department Self-Evaluation Form is under construction and will be made available for the perusal of staff this week.
5. GCSE Controlled Assessment letters
Letters to parents re: GCSE Controlled Assessments timings were emailed to all staff last week. Please use these as templates, adjusting as you need/see fit. For example, check the titles of the various assessments and change if you are planning on doing different ones (and remember these will change year-on-year).
6. Safeguarding training - Wed 19th Sept
Staff who started at Cheney after Dec 2009 need to attend the new, updated safeguarding training on Wed 19th Sept, 2:05-3:35.
i.e. JKY, AW, CSW, PTO, NTU, JD, NBY
I have checked this out and it is a legal obligation that we are there.
Those colleagues who aren't inolved, please feel free to use the time as you see fit. We will start our dept meeting as soon as the training has finished.
6. 'Gove' levels
Look set for 2015. Can't wait...
Thank you, have a great week,
Jamie
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Bulletin - 10.9.12
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 10th Sept - Year 12 start lessons
Mon 10th Sept - Mindfulness parents meeting (NBY/NTU)
Tues 11th Sept - 10:40am: Fire drill
Wed 12th Sept - 2-3pm: Dept Meeting; 3:30-6pm: Meet the tutor sessions
Wed 19th Sept - 2-4:45pm: Double dept meetig (prep for Open Evening/Performance Management)
Thur 27th Sept - Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept - All Day INSET: Performance Management
2. Brave New Year
Hopefully all Serco issues, timetables, etc, have been resolved now. If not, please contact me/MST.
3. Exam/coursework performance
We are still trying to get some answers out of AQA about why our coursework performance was so much lower than our exam performance. Watch this space.
4. Performance Management
Following from Phil Waters's presentation on Performance Management during INSET, it would be helpful if staff were to look at the booklet Phil produced and thought about self-assessing their performance against the new teacher standards. It would also be worthwhile logging on to BlueSky to check all information there is accurate and to remind yourself of last year's targets.
5. Year 9 coursework
Please ensure ALL Year 9 coursework pieces (Creative Writing / Speaking and Listening presentation) are given to Danielle for her to pass on to new Year 10 teachers.
6. Year 7/8 folders
As above, please ensure all Year 7/8 folders from last year are passed onto Danille for her to pass on to new Year 8/9 teachers.
7. Year 7 spelling tests
If you teach Year 7, you should have the resources for the Year 7 spelling test. You need to deliver this test and return the scripts to Danielle by Thursday so that she can pass them onto the SEN department. You don't have to mark the tests, only run them - it should take about 20 mins.
8. Literacy word mats
There are still two class sets of these in my room. If you haven't got a set, please come and grab them.
Here's to a cracking year...
Mon 10th Sept - Year 12 start lessons
Mon 10th Sept - Mindfulness parents meeting (NBY/NTU)
Tues 11th Sept - 10:40am: Fire drill
Wed 12th Sept - 2-3pm: Dept Meeting; 3:30-6pm: Meet the tutor sessions
Wed 19th Sept - 2-4:45pm: Double dept meetig (prep for Open Evening/Performance Management)
Thur 27th Sept - Open Evening
Fri 28th Sept - All Day INSET: Performance Management
2. Brave New Year
Hopefully all Serco issues, timetables, etc, have been resolved now. If not, please contact me/MST.
3. Exam/coursework performance
We are still trying to get some answers out of AQA about why our coursework performance was so much lower than our exam performance. Watch this space.
4. Performance Management
Following from Phil Waters's presentation on Performance Management during INSET, it would be helpful if staff were to look at the booklet Phil produced and thought about self-assessing their performance against the new teacher standards. It would also be worthwhile logging on to BlueSky to check all information there is accurate and to remind yourself of last year's targets.
5. Year 9 coursework
Please ensure ALL Year 9 coursework pieces (Creative Writing / Speaking and Listening presentation) are given to Danielle for her to pass on to new Year 10 teachers.
6. Year 7/8 folders
As above, please ensure all Year 7/8 folders from last year are passed onto Danille for her to pass on to new Year 8/9 teachers.
7. Year 7 spelling tests
If you teach Year 7, you should have the resources for the Year 7 spelling test. You need to deliver this test and return the scripts to Danielle by Thursday so that she can pass them onto the SEN department. You don't have to mark the tests, only run them - it should take about 20 mins.
8. Literacy word mats
There are still two class sets of these in my room. If you haven't got a set, please come and grab them.
Here's to a cracking year...
Monday, 16 July 2012
Bulletin - 16.7.12
1. Dates for diaries
Tuesday 17th July: JKY out all day on Art/Media trip to OUP - PTO in charge!
Tuesday 17th July: Dept dinner - 7pm drinks, Duke of Cambridge; 8pm dinner, Al-Andalus - both on Little Clarendon Street
Thursday 19th July: LAST DAY OF TERM! Lessons end at 12:20, nibbles, drinks, etc in L1
2. Year 9 coursework catch-up
Please keep sending NEW Year 10 students who didn't complete the Creative Writing and/or Speaking & Listening coursework at the end of Year 9 to me/AW:
Monday 16th July: P3 and P4 (10b students) - C21, AW
Wednesday 18th July: P3 (10a students) - C27, JKY
All completed Creative Writing tasks will be returned to OLD Year 9 teachers and all S&L work will be put on the Staff Resources for relevant staff to access
3. Completed Year 9 coursework
Please give JKY all Year 9 coursework (Creative Writing AND S&L) so that I can store them over the summer holidays and reallocate to new Year 10 teachers in Sept).
4. Students in wrong sets
If, by the end of this term, you think there is a student who has been wrongly allocated, please email JKY. Only do this if there is a compelling reason for them to change - not simply because they/their family has requested it.
Also, if there are inaccuracies in Serco registers, etc, please email me these as well.
Thank you for a great year, enjoy your holidays!
Tuesday 17th July: JKY out all day on Art/Media trip to OUP - PTO in charge!
Tuesday 17th July: Dept dinner - 7pm drinks, Duke of Cambridge; 8pm dinner, Al-Andalus - both on Little Clarendon Street
Thursday 19th July: LAST DAY OF TERM! Lessons end at 12:20, nibbles, drinks, etc in L1
2. Year 9 coursework catch-up
Please keep sending NEW Year 10 students who didn't complete the Creative Writing and/or Speaking & Listening coursework at the end of Year 9 to me/AW:
Monday 16th July: P3 and P4 (10b students) - C21, AW
Wednesday 18th July: P3 (10a students) - C27, JKY
All completed Creative Writing tasks will be returned to OLD Year 9 teachers and all S&L work will be put on the Staff Resources for relevant staff to access
3. Completed Year 9 coursework
Please give JKY all Year 9 coursework (Creative Writing AND S&L) so that I can store them over the summer holidays and reallocate to new Year 10 teachers in Sept).
4. Students in wrong sets
If, by the end of this term, you think there is a student who has been wrongly allocated, please email JKY. Only do this if there is a compelling reason for them to change - not simply because they/their family has requested it.
Also, if there are inaccuracies in Serco registers, etc, please email me these as well.
Thank you for a great year, enjoy your holidays!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Bulletin - 2.7.12
Morning everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 3rd July – Sixth Form Induction Day
Tues 3rd July – Year 9/10 Sports Day - POSTPONED
Wed 4th July – Year 8/8 Sports Day
Wed 4th July – New Staff Induction Day (HDY, LMA, KWI)
Wed 4th July – College Meeting / Dept meeting (agenda to follow)
Thurs 5th July – Celebration Day
Fri 6th July - A Question of Words
Mon 9th July – Torch relay – see JM’s notes re: travel disruption
Mon 9th July – new timetable starts
2. New timetable
Please use the Creative Writing module for Years 8, 9 and 10. Year 11 classes will carry on in the same sets and with the same teachers so please carry on as before. Year 12s should have already started on A2 work.
We should have class lists in the next day or so and I will get them to staff asap (Wed meeting at the latest).
I have been told that teachers with Year 7 class should NOT have to cover lessons for other staff but that these lessons will be covered by departing staff who won't have a timetable.
3. Paul Waite
Paul is still unwell and, after numerous blood tests, the doctors still aren't 100% sure what is up - current best guess is 'sevre unknown virus'. He has been signed off for another two weeks and we are unlikely to see him again this term. His classes will continue to be covered by DCO.
4. Lesson obserations
Lesson observations will start this week - please see the schedule I sent around last week. These are designed to be supportive and positive to enable staff to engage effectively with the Performance Management process in the new year. Any problems/questions, please see JKY.
5. Year 12 in Sept
The new Year 12s will not start lessons for the first week back in September. Instead this time will be used to sort out any timetable/class issues. Students will be set independent work to be done by teaching staff.
6. Dept meal out
It looks like Tues 17th is the more popular date for this. I will book a table at Al-Analus on Little Clarendon Street.
Have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 3rd July – Sixth Form Induction Day
Tues 3rd July – Year 9/10 Sports Day - POSTPONED
Wed 4th July – Year 8/8 Sports Day
Wed 4th July – New Staff Induction Day (HDY, LMA, KWI)
Wed 4th July – College Meeting / Dept meeting (agenda to follow)
Thurs 5th July – Celebration Day
Fri 6th July - A Question of Words
Mon 9th July – Torch relay – see JM’s notes re: travel disruption
Mon 9th July – new timetable starts
2. New timetable
Please use the Creative Writing module for Years 8, 9 and 10. Year 11 classes will carry on in the same sets and with the same teachers so please carry on as before. Year 12s should have already started on A2 work.
We should have class lists in the next day or so and I will get them to staff asap (Wed meeting at the latest).
I have been told that teachers with Year 7 class should NOT have to cover lessons for other staff but that these lessons will be covered by departing staff who won't have a timetable.
3. Paul Waite
Paul is still unwell and, after numerous blood tests, the doctors still aren't 100% sure what is up - current best guess is 'sevre unknown virus'. He has been signed off for another two weeks and we are unlikely to see him again this term. His classes will continue to be covered by DCO.
4. Lesson obserations
Lesson observations will start this week - please see the schedule I sent around last week. These are designed to be supportive and positive to enable staff to engage effectively with the Performance Management process in the new year. Any problems/questions, please see JKY.
5. Year 12 in Sept
The new Year 12s will not start lessons for the first week back in September. Instead this time will be used to sort out any timetable/class issues. Students will be set independent work to be done by teaching staff.
6. Dept meal out
It looks like Tues 17th is the more popular date for this. I will book a table at Al-Analus on Little Clarendon Street.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Bulletin - 25.6.12
1. Dates for your diaries
Tues 26th June: Training day for A Question of Words (P1: Year 7, P2: Year 8, P3: Year 9; P4: Year 10)
Wed 27th June, 2-3pm: TLCs (new groups, see email from RBO)
Thurs 28 – Fri 29th June: Transfer Days
Sunday 1st July: Year 9 SATs data entry to be completed (see below)
Tues 3rd July: Year 9/10 Sports Day
Wed 4th July: Year 7/8 Sports Day
Thurs 5th July: Celebration Day
Friday 6th July: A Question of Words
2. Class lists
There is a colour print-out of the proposed Year 10 set lists on the table in dept office. Can people take a look at these and let me know if you think anyone is in the wrong set. Please either email me or make a note on the form. Also, if you have a strong desire to teach a particular set, please let me know (I can’t make any promises but will take teacher preference into account). I need to get this information to MST by the end of the day on Wed so please take a look asap.
I will be doing the same shortly for next year’s Year 8 and 9 sets.
3. Transfer Days
Many thanks to everyone who agreed to deliver a lesson for the Year 6s coming in on Thurs 28th/Fri 29th June – I’m sure they will leave your classrooms knowing that they will be in safe hands next year.
4. Lesson observations
Please accept my apologies that lesson observations didn’t take place last term. We will have lesson observations before the end of this term and another round early in the autumn term to ensure that all staff have three observations prior to their performance management review. I will put together an observation schedule to share with you all asap.
5. Course specs
Print outs for the GCSE English, English Language and English Literature specifications are in the dept office. I’ve got the current version AND the version for 2014 entry (by which time GCSE will presumably have been scrapped altogether...!)
6. Year 9 SATs data entry
Please make sure that you have entered the Teacher Assessment SATs data for your Year 9 classes. This is IN ADDITION to their regular Serco report. MST put instructions for how to do this on the Staff News section of Serco a few weeks back but if you’re unsure, please ask me.
7. Dept end of term meal
It turns out that Fri 13th July is Janet Minot’s leaving do so we’re looking to re-schedule our departmental night out for either Mon 16th or Tues 17th July. If you haven’t already done so, please email me with a preference.
Thank you, have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 18 June 2012
Bulletin - 18.6.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 20th June: Transfer meeting 3:15-3:45; Dept meeting 3:45-4:15)
Fri 22nd June: Year 8 and 9 reports finished
Sat 23rd June: Year 11 prom
Thur 21st June: Year 6 transfer interviews (normal school starts at 10am)
Thur 28th + Fri 29th June: Year 6 Transfer Days
2. Transfer Days
Many thanks to everyone who has agreed to teach a transfer lesson on Thurs 28th/Fri 9th June. I will email out a lesson that you can use if you would like to save yourself the planning time but feel free to do whatever you would like. Julie and Maureen will email the updated timetable asap.
3. Wed 20th June
Louise Marsh, Heather Doherty and Kate Wild will be spending the day with us on Wednesday in preparation for starting here in September. I have ordered tea/coffee for morning break and a FREE lunch for everyone at lunchtime. Please come along and make them feel welcome.
We also have an extended dept meeting that afternoon with a fair amount to get through so please make your way to C26 as soon as we are done with the whole-school meeting re transfer interviews.
4. Paul Waite
Paul has been signed off for two weeks. They think it might be haemochromotosis...an hereditary condition that tends to manifest itslef in middle age whereby the body produces too much blood. He 'hopes' that it is this because it's very easily treatable. A card will be organised.
Have a great week.
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 20th June: Transfer meeting 3:15-3:45; Dept meeting 3:45-4:15)
Fri 22nd June: Year 8 and 9 reports finished
Sat 23rd June: Year 11 prom
Thur 21st June: Year 6 transfer interviews (normal school starts at 10am)
Thur 28th + Fri 29th June: Year 6 Transfer Days
2. Transfer Days
Many thanks to everyone who has agreed to teach a transfer lesson on Thurs 28th/Fri 9th June. I will email out a lesson that you can use if you would like to save yourself the planning time but feel free to do whatever you would like. Julie and Maureen will email the updated timetable asap.
3. Wed 20th June
Louise Marsh, Heather Doherty and Kate Wild will be spending the day with us on Wednesday in preparation for starting here in September. I have ordered tea/coffee for morning break and a FREE lunch for everyone at lunchtime. Please come along and make them feel welcome.
We also have an extended dept meeting that afternoon with a fair amount to get through so please make your way to C26 as soon as we are done with the whole-school meeting re transfer interviews.
4. Paul Waite
Paul has been signed off for two weeks. They think it might be haemochromotosis...an hereditary condition that tends to manifest itslef in middle age whereby the body produces too much blood. He 'hopes' that it is this because it's very easily treatable. A card will be organised.
Have a great week.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Bulletin - 8.5.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 9th - Fri 11th May: A level Art exam (students will be missing from lessons)
Wed 9th May: Academy Information Meeting (1pm and 2:15pm in the Assembly Hall)
2. Timetable update
I have been asked to put together staffing from KS5 and KS4 for next year. This I have done, using the information people have given me in the 'English Dept Staffing and Organisation' form I gave out last week - many thanks to everyone who returned those to me. KS3 staffing will be arranged shortly and I will keep people informed as and when developments happen.
3. Admin
With Ruth's departure, we are short on the admin side of things for a bit. We are recruiting a replacement as we speak but in the meantime, please email admin (dept detentions, etc) to me. Talking of which...
4. Planner ordering
Please let me know what planners/diaries you would like for next year. Options are:
- A4 spiral
- A5 spiral
- A4 day-per-page
- A4 week-to-view
- A5 day-per-page
- A5 week-to-view
Please let me know asap so I can get the order into finance.
Thanks, have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 9th - Fri 11th May: A level Art exam (students will be missing from lessons)
Wed 9th May: Academy Information Meeting (1pm and 2:15pm in the Assembly Hall)
2. Timetable update
I have been asked to put together staffing from KS5 and KS4 for next year. This I have done, using the information people have given me in the 'English Dept Staffing and Organisation' form I gave out last week - many thanks to everyone who returned those to me. KS3 staffing will be arranged shortly and I will keep people informed as and when developments happen.
3. Admin
With Ruth's departure, we are short on the admin side of things for a bit. We are recruiting a replacement as we speak but in the meantime, please email admin (dept detentions, etc) to me. Talking of which...
4. Planner ordering
Please let me know what planners/diaries you would like for next year. Options are:
- A4 spiral
- A5 spiral
- A4 day-per-page
- A4 week-to-view
- A5 day-per-page
- A5 week-to-view
Please let me know asap so I can get the order into finance.
Thanks, have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 30 April 2012
Bulletin - 30.4.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 30th April - Whole-school Health and Safety inspection
Fri 4th May - Ruth's last day, table booked at La Cucina for 8pm
2. DOUBLE department meeting - Wed 2nd May
Agenda to follow but to focus on planning for next year. See 'Organisation and Staffing' document sent around last week.
3. GCSE Eng/Eng Lang exam resit revision classes
3:15, C27, Tuesdays. Notice on Serco. Please mention to students who are resitting the exam.
Any resources/assistance would be more than welcome!
4. Study leave
Year 12: starts Mon 14th MayYear 11: starts Mon 28th May
Year 13: starts at half-term
Have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 30th April - Whole-school Health and Safety inspection
Fri 4th May - Ruth's last day, table booked at La Cucina for 8pm
2. DOUBLE department meeting - Wed 2nd May
Agenda to follow but to focus on planning for next year. See 'Organisation and Staffing' document sent around last week.
3. GCSE Eng/Eng Lang exam resit revision classes
3:15, C27, Tuesdays. Notice on Serco. Please mention to students who are resitting the exam.
Any resources/assistance would be more than welcome!
4. Study leave
Year 12: starts Mon 14th MayYear 11: starts Mon 28th May
Year 13: starts at half-term
Have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 23 April 2012
Bulletin - 23.4.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for your diaries
Monday 23rd April - Year 10 reports due
Thursday 26th April - Year 7 parents evening
Thursday 26th April - SL Powell visit to school (KS3 names to JKY please)
Monday 30th April - Health and Safety inspection
2. A huge (moderated) thank you
You have all received an A* (that has been independently verified) for all your hard work during last week's moderation. Thank you so much for your patience and your diligence in working under less than ideal circumstances and taking on such a massive job.
3. Comings and goings
Congratulations to Ruth who has got herself a job at Wheatley Park, starting next week. Your hard work and organisation will be hugely missed, the very best of luck.
Congratulations also to Paul W who is now the permanent KS3 Leader, so he can continue the excellent work he has already started.
And finally, Louise Marsh has been appointed as KS4 Leader and will start in September.
4. GCSE marks
Now that coursework marks have been checked, can everyone give me their final coursework marks so that I/Ruth can enter them on the Centre Mark Forms.
I need...
GCSE English:
Total Speaking and Listening mark (/45)
Total CA mark (Creative Writing + Literary Reading) (/90)
GCSE English Lang:
Total Speaking and Listening mark (/45)
Total CA mark (Creative Writing + Extended Reading + Spoken Lang Study) (/80)
GCSE English Lit:
Shakespeare and Literary Heritage mark (/40)
Have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for your diaries
Monday 23rd April - Year 10 reports due
Thursday 26th April - Year 7 parents evening
Thursday 26th April - SL Powell visit to school (KS3 names to JKY please)
Monday 30th April - Health and Safety inspection
2. A huge (moderated) thank you
You have all received an A* (that has been independently verified) for all your hard work during last week's moderation. Thank you so much for your patience and your diligence in working under less than ideal circumstances and taking on such a massive job.
3. Comings and goings
Congratulations to Ruth who has got herself a job at Wheatley Park, starting next week. Your hard work and organisation will be hugely missed, the very best of luck.
Congratulations also to Paul W who is now the permanent KS3 Leader, so he can continue the excellent work he has already started.
And finally, Louise Marsh has been appointed as KS4 Leader and will start in September.
4. GCSE marks
Now that coursework marks have been checked, can everyone give me their final coursework marks so that I/Ruth can enter them on the Centre Mark Forms.
I need...
GCSE English:
Total Speaking and Listening mark (/45)
Total CA mark (Creative Writing + Literary Reading) (/90)
GCSE English Lang:
Total Speaking and Listening mark (/45)
Total CA mark (Creative Writing + Extended Reading + Spoken Lang Study) (/80)
GCSE English Lit:
Shakespeare and Literary Heritage mark (/40)
Have a great week,
Jamie
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Bulletin - 26.3.12
Hi everyone,
Sorry I'm a bit late this week but...
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 26th-Thurs 29th: GCSE Art exams (Year 11: Mon/Tues; Year 10: Wed/Thurs)
Mon 26-Fri 30th: Inter-College Sports (see Serco for more info)
Wed 28th: DOUBLE department meeting (minutes to follow)
Fri 30th: Eng/Dram/Govenors Staff Tea
2. Standardisation meeting
In Wednesday's double dept meeting, we will be going through the AQA standardisation material. Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to look at this in preparation for this meeting. If people think it would be helpful to bring a small sample of their own marked work, we could also look at this if time allows.
3. Moderation
Year 11 and KS5 teachers will be off timetable on Tues 17th and Wed 18th April for coursework moderation. Please make sure you bring all the coursework folders you have, preferably with top sheets filled in.
4. Coursework catch-up
We're nearly there on getting all the coursework in. I'm down to six people with outstanding GCSE Controlled Assessments. Please advise those students that sessions are running after school every day this week apart from Friday.
5. New carpets and furniture
We are getting new carpets, desks (including teacher desks) chairs over Easter holidays. As such, everything needs to come off the floor before we leave. So please put files, folders, etc on shelves, window sills, etc, and empty anything you want to keep out of your own desk.
Computers will be sorted out by ICT/site staff.
6. End of term...
Nearly there! Have a great two weeks off, recharge those batteries as much as you can for the final assault on exams, etc. You have all done incredible work so far this year and behalf of all our students...thank you.
Sorry I'm a bit late this week but...
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 26th-Thurs 29th: GCSE Art exams (Year 11: Mon/Tues; Year 10: Wed/Thurs)
Mon 26-Fri 30th: Inter-College Sports (see Serco for more info)
Wed 28th: DOUBLE department meeting (minutes to follow)
Fri 30th: Eng/Dram/Govenors Staff Tea
2. Standardisation meeting
In Wednesday's double dept meeting, we will be going through the AQA standardisation material. Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to look at this in preparation for this meeting. If people think it would be helpful to bring a small sample of their own marked work, we could also look at this if time allows.
3. Moderation
Year 11 and KS5 teachers will be off timetable on Tues 17th and Wed 18th April for coursework moderation. Please make sure you bring all the coursework folders you have, preferably with top sheets filled in.
4. Coursework catch-up
We're nearly there on getting all the coursework in. I'm down to six people with outstanding GCSE Controlled Assessments. Please advise those students that sessions are running after school every day this week apart from Friday.
5. New carpets and furniture
We are getting new carpets, desks (including teacher desks) chairs over Easter holidays. As such, everything needs to come off the floor before we leave. So please put files, folders, etc on shelves, window sills, etc, and empty anything you want to keep out of your own desk.
Computers will be sorted out by ICT/site staff.
6. End of term...
Nearly there! Have a great two weeks off, recharge those batteries as much as you can for the final assault on exams, etc. You have all done incredible work so far this year and behalf of all our students...thank you.
Monday, 19 March 2012
Bulletin - 19.3.12
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 21st March: TLCs in P5
Thurs 22nd March: Year 13 parents evening
Fri 23-Tues 27: Italian trip (PTO going...apparently...whatever)
Wed 28th Mar: Double dept meeting (inc standardisation)
2. Standardisation
The marks and examiner feedback for the standardisation material are in your pigeon holes - please take a look before our standardisation meeting on Wed 28th March.
If you are able to fill in top sheets before the standardisation takes place that would be great but it's not a priority
3. KS3 and KS4 Leader positions
These have been advertised externally and we are also taking internal applications. Details are on the school website. If you have applied for this role already, there is no reason to submit a new application but if you would like to update your application and resubmit, you are welcome to do so up until the deadline.
4. Exam re-sits
We have about 85 students re-sitting the English/English Language exam in May. Many thanks for chivvying and hassling your students.
5. An Inspector Calls
We will be taking a group of Year 11 students to see An Inspector Calls at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury on Wednesday. We will leave at 12:30 and will return to school c. 6:00pm.
6. Hamlet
There is one spare ticket for Hamlet at Blackwells on Wednesday - see GSN if interested.
Have a great week.
Wed 21st March: TLCs in P5
Thurs 22nd March: Year 13 parents evening
Fri 23-Tues 27: Italian trip (PTO going...apparently...whatever)
Wed 28th Mar: Double dept meeting (inc standardisation)
2. Standardisation
The marks and examiner feedback for the standardisation material are in your pigeon holes - please take a look before our standardisation meeting on Wed 28th March.
If you are able to fill in top sheets before the standardisation takes place that would be great but it's not a priority
3. KS3 and KS4 Leader positions
These have been advertised externally and we are also taking internal applications. Details are on the school website. If you have applied for this role already, there is no reason to submit a new application but if you would like to update your application and resubmit, you are welcome to do so up until the deadline.
4. Exam re-sits
We have about 85 students re-sitting the English/English Language exam in May. Many thanks for chivvying and hassling your students.
5. An Inspector Calls
We will be taking a group of Year 11 students to see An Inspector Calls at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury on Wednesday. We will leave at 12:30 and will return to school c. 6:00pm.
6. Hamlet
There is one spare ticket for Hamlet at Blackwells on Wednesday - see GSN if interested.
Have a great week.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Bulletin - 12.3.12
Morning everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 14th Mar: NHS blood donation service in school, 11:30-9:00
Wed 14th Mar: College meetings, 2-3pm
Fri 16th Mar: Deadline for list of student re-sits for GCSE English/English Lang exam
Fri 16th Mar: Non-school uniform day (college colours) to raise money for Rock Challenge
Fri 16th Mar: Cheney Question Time (7:00-9:30)
Fri 16th Mar: Year 13 reports due
Thur 22nd Mar: Year 13 parents evening
2. Exam results and re-sits
Well done to everyone for the GCSE English/English Language exam results that came out on Thursday. 66% of students who sat the exam achieved A*-C and this is a reflection of the hard work you all invested in those students.
If a student in you set wants to re-sit the exam, please send them to me to collect a letter. This needs to be done by Fri 16th Mar.
3. Moon on the Tides anthologies...
...have finally arrived. You can find them in the English office. Help yourselves.
4. Standarisation meeting - Wed 28th March
We have a double meeting on Wed 28th March which we will use for GCSE moderation. Year 10 and Year 11 teachers will need to attend. I will get the relevant information out to you asap.
Have a great week,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 14th Mar: NHS blood donation service in school, 11:30-9:00
Wed 14th Mar: College meetings, 2-3pm
Fri 16th Mar: Deadline for list of student re-sits for GCSE English/English Lang exam
Fri 16th Mar: Non-school uniform day (college colours) to raise money for Rock Challenge
Fri 16th Mar: Cheney Question Time (7:00-9:30)
Fri 16th Mar: Year 13 reports due
Thur 22nd Mar: Year 13 parents evening
2. Exam results and re-sits
Well done to everyone for the GCSE English/English Language exam results that came out on Thursday. 66% of students who sat the exam achieved A*-C and this is a reflection of the hard work you all invested in those students.
If a student in you set wants to re-sit the exam, please send them to me to collect a letter. This needs to be done by Fri 16th Mar.
3. Moon on the Tides anthologies...
...have finally arrived. You can find them in the English office. Help yourselves.
4. Standarisation meeting - Wed 28th March
We have a double meeting on Wed 28th March which we will use for GCSE moderation. Year 10 and Year 11 teachers will need to attend. I will get the relevant information out to you asap.
Have a great week,
Jamie
Monday, 5 March 2012
Bulletin - 5.3.12
Hi everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
There has been a change of plan for giving Year 11 students their GCSE English/English Lang results. They will now receive them during P2 on Thursday. 11x have English so that's all fine, 11y will be in Science but this has been agreed.
The rules on resitting are:
1. Dates for diaries
- Mon 5th: Year 13 short reports open
- Mon 5th / Wed 7th Mar: Year 11 maths exam
- Thurs 8th Mar: Year 10 parents eve
- Thurs 8th Mar: GCSE English/English Lang exam results
- Fri 9th Mar: Rep from LEA visit
- Thurs 15th Mar: Year 11 parents eve
There has been a change of plan for giving Year 11 students their GCSE English/English Lang results. They will now receive them during P2 on Thursday. 11x have English so that's all fine, 11y will be in Science but this has been agreed.
The rules on resitting are:
- Students who fail to achieve their statistical predictor will be re-entered for the exam in May
- Students who achieve their statistical predictor but want to re-sit to improve their grade can do so but will have to pay (with an exemption for FSM and EAL)
If students want to re-sit, they will need to come and see me in C27 at 3pm on Thursday.
3. Year 12 reports
Feedback for individual Year 12 teachers have been handed out - please make the necessary changes on Serco.
Furthermore, please make sure that:
- students have a separate comment and target
- reports are addressed directly to the student
4. KS4 coursework catch-up sessions
I am going to start running more after-school coursework catch-up sessions in the forthcoming weeks. Details to follow.
Thanks, have a great week.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Bulletin - 27.2.12
Morning everyone,
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 27th Feb: Year 12 long reports due
Mon 5th Mar: Year 13 short reports open (2 weeks)
Tues 6th Mar: Transition coffee morning
Wed 7th Mar: Year 11 Maths exam / Year 12 Physics ISA (all day)
Thur 8th Mar: Jan exams results day
Thur 8th Mar: Year 10 parents evening
2. Academy consultations
There are a series of consultations/assemblies regarding the proposal to turn Cheney into an Adademy. If you have questions or concerns about this proposal, this is your chance to have your voice heard.
Wed 29th Mar: Parents meeting 7pm
Wed 29th Mar: Whole staff meeting - 11:45-1:15 / 2:00-3:00
Thur 1st Mar: Parents meeting - 11:30-1:00
There will also be a series of Year assemblies in the w/c 5th March - see Serco for more info.
Wed 7th Mar: Individual staff opportunities 2:00pm - 5:00pm in The Green Room
Mon 12th Mar: Individual student opportunities 8:30am - 9:00am in The Green Room
Mon 12th Mar: Bayard Hill School, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Mon 12th Mar: Community/Open Meeting, other than parents/students .e.g. lettings/primary parents 7:00pm - 8:30pm in The Assembly Hall
Wed 14 Mar: Individual student opportunities 8:30am - 9:00am in The Green Room
Wed 14 Mar: Wood Farm School, 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Have a great week.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 27th Feb: Year 12 long reports due
Mon 5th Mar: Year 13 short reports open (2 weeks)
Tues 6th Mar: Transition coffee morning
Wed 7th Mar: Year 11 Maths exam / Year 12 Physics ISA (all day)
Thur 8th Mar: Jan exams results day
Thur 8th Mar: Year 10 parents evening
2. Academy consultations
There are a series of consultations/assemblies regarding the proposal to turn Cheney into an Adademy. If you have questions or concerns about this proposal, this is your chance to have your voice heard.
Wed 29th Mar: Parents meeting 7pm
Wed 29th Mar: Whole staff meeting - 11:45-1:15 / 2:00-3:00
Thur 1st Mar: Parents meeting - 11:30-1:00
There will also be a series of Year assemblies in the w/c 5th March - see Serco for more info.
Wed 7th Mar: Individual staff opportunities 2:00pm - 5:00pm in The Green Room
Mon 12th Mar: Individual student opportunities 8:30am - 9:00am in The Green Room
Mon 12th Mar: Bayard Hill School, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Mon 12th Mar: Community/Open Meeting, other than parents/students .e.g. lettings/primary parents 7:00pm - 8:30pm in The Assembly Hall
Wed 14 Mar: Individual student opportunities 8:30am - 9:00am in The Green Room
Wed 14 Mar: Wood Farm School, 3:15pm - 4:15pm
3. January exam results
Results for the GCSE English/English Language exam from Janurary are due out on Thur 8th Mar. Exact details have yet to be confirmed but I would imagine it will be done during tutor time. If you can get your tutor group covered, it would be great to have a departmental presence down there - hopefully seeing lots of happy, excited faces...!
4. Congratulations to Liz!
On Friday, Liz accepted the post of Assistant Head at Larkmead School. A sad day for us, who lose a very valued and trusted colleague, great news for Larkmead. Some suitably celebratory things will be happening in the coming days to celebrate/mourn this occassion. Watch this space.Have a great week.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Bulletin - 6.2.12
Morning all,
1. Dates for diaries
ALL THIS WEEK: Inter-college sports competition, see info from PE dept
Mon 6th Feb: Year 12 long reports open (due on Fri 24th Feb)
Wed 8th Feb: Dept meeting (2-3), College meeting (3-4)
Thur 9th: Year 8 (A-side of timetable) Sex-Ed session (P2-P5)
Fri 10th Feb: Year 8 (B-side of timetable) Sex-Ed session (P2-P5)
2. Post-Toni arrangements
Now that Toni has left, admin is going to be spread between Simon and Ruth. The exact details of this have yet to be sorted out, so in the meantime send detention names, etc to me.
3. An Inspector Calls
We've booked 44 student tickets (+ 5 staff tickets) to see An Inspector Calls on Wednesday 22nd March) at the Riverside Theatre in Aylesbury. It's a matinee performance, so we'd leave school around luncthime and be back c 6ish. We're opening up to Year 11 students in the first instance and if we have tickets left over, to Year 10s who will study the play next year, so please let your students know if it would be relevant to them.
We also need some staff volunteers to accompany the trip - let me know if you're interested.
Thanks and have a great week - nearly half-term!
1. Dates for diaries
ALL THIS WEEK: Inter-college sports competition, see info from PE dept
Mon 6th Feb: Year 12 long reports open (due on Fri 24th Feb)
Wed 8th Feb: Dept meeting (2-3), College meeting (3-4)
Thur 9th: Year 8 (A-side of timetable) Sex-Ed session (P2-P5)
Fri 10th Feb: Year 8 (B-side of timetable) Sex-Ed session (P2-P5)
2. Post-Toni arrangements
Now that Toni has left, admin is going to be spread between Simon and Ruth. The exact details of this have yet to be sorted out, so in the meantime send detention names, etc to me.
3. An Inspector Calls
We've booked 44 student tickets (+ 5 staff tickets) to see An Inspector Calls on Wednesday 22nd March) at the Riverside Theatre in Aylesbury. It's a matinee performance, so we'd leave school around luncthime and be back c 6ish. We're opening up to Year 11 students in the first instance and if we have tickets left over, to Year 10s who will study the play next year, so please let your students know if it would be relevant to them.
We also need some staff volunteers to accompany the trip - let me know if you're interested.
Thanks and have a great week - nearly half-term!
Monday, 30 January 2012
Bulletin - 30.1.12
Morning all,
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 1st Feb: Performance Management Mid-Point reviews (see below)
Thur 2nd Feb: Head of English interviews
Fri 3rd Feb: Year 9 options forms due
Fri 3rd Feb: Toni's last day (see below)
Mon 6th Feb: Year 8 options forms due
2. Performance Management Mid-Point reviews
These are to take place in the double meeting slot on Wed 1st Feb, 2-4pm. They should take 10-15 mins. The relevant personnel are listed below, so please liaise to arrange a suitable time. Use the rest of the time at your own discretion.
JKY: PWA, PTO, PST
PWA: ACL, NTU
PTO: GSN, CSW
AW: JKY, JD
EWA and NBY will have their reviews with HNE and MJO respectively.
3. Exam data entry
Many thanks to all the Year 11 teachers who supplied information and predictions for GCSE students. I'm aware it's a difficult process without grade boundaries, so thank you for your efforts.
We also need to collect the same information for KS5 classes - JKY will liaise with relevant staff on that.
4. Coursework moderation
The school has agreed in principle to us having two coursework moderation days. These have been provisionally booked for Tues 17th and Wed 18th April (the first week back after Easter holidays).
It is therefore vital that you have ALL coursework in and marked by these dates.
5. English department quiz
A Less Impressive Book Titles quiz is with CW.
6. Keys
Everyone should have a submaster key by now that opens every door in the department. If you don't, please see PWA. Can you also return the individual key for your room to JKY. Thanks.
6. Farewell to Toni
Toni is leaving (I say 'leaving', I mean abandoning...) us on Friday. She has a babysitter and a pass for Friday night - if you haven't already told me if you are coming out for a meal, please can you let me know asap so I can book a table.
Have a great week.
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 1st Feb: Performance Management Mid-Point reviews (see below)
Thur 2nd Feb: Head of English interviews
Fri 3rd Feb: Year 9 options forms due
Fri 3rd Feb: Toni's last day (see below)
Mon 6th Feb: Year 8 options forms due
2. Performance Management Mid-Point reviews
These are to take place in the double meeting slot on Wed 1st Feb, 2-4pm. They should take 10-15 mins. The relevant personnel are listed below, so please liaise to arrange a suitable time. Use the rest of the time at your own discretion.
JKY: PWA, PTO, PST
PWA: ACL, NTU
PTO: GSN, CSW
AW: JKY, JD
EWA and NBY will have their reviews with HNE and MJO respectively.
3. Exam data entry
Many thanks to all the Year 11 teachers who supplied information and predictions for GCSE students. I'm aware it's a difficult process without grade boundaries, so thank you for your efforts.
We also need to collect the same information for KS5 classes - JKY will liaise with relevant staff on that.
4. Coursework moderation
The school has agreed in principle to us having two coursework moderation days. These have been provisionally booked for Tues 17th and Wed 18th April (the first week back after Easter holidays).
It is therefore vital that you have ALL coursework in and marked by these dates.
5. English department quiz
A Less Impressive Book Titles quiz is with CW.
6. Keys
Everyone should have a submaster key by now that opens every door in the department. If you don't, please see PWA. Can you also return the individual key for your room to JKY. Thanks.
6. Farewell to Toni
Toni is leaving (I say 'leaving', I mean abandoning...) us on Friday. She has a babysitter and a pass for Friday night - if you haven't already told me if you are coming out for a meal, please can you let me know asap so I can book a table.
Have a great week.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Bulletin - 16.1.12
1. Dates for your diaries
Thurs 19th Jan - Year 9 parents evening
Tues 24th Jan - JKY out on training course
Wed 25th Jan - First Aid training course
Thurs 26th Jan - Year 8 parents evening
Fri 27th Jan - Our staff tea
2. First Aid training course
Vic Moore is running a 2-hour first aid training course on Wed 25th Jan, 2pm-4pm. The names I have so far are:
JKY
PTO
NTU
ACL
SCO
RCA
EWA
PWA
2 x EAL staff
If you're not on this list and would like to attend, please email me asap.
The first hour of this session is our Dept Meeting time, so people not attending, please use this hour to do something departmenty (marking, planning, etc).
3. Year 11 exams
WELL DONE and THANK YOU for all your hard work preparing our Year 11 students for the exam last week. It was hugely appreciated. Results will come through in early March, fingers crossed!
4. Year 11 exam data entry
Jo Simpson has given me class sets for Year 11 teachers which need to be checked and filled in with predicted grades, etc. It's a bit complex so I will come round Year 11 teachers and explain in person.
5. Coursework deadlines (to Jo Simpson)
KS4: Fri 27th April
KS5: Mon 7th May
I will look to arrange two moderation days (one for KS4, one for KS5) after the Easter holidays - if you don't feel you are going to make this deadline, please let me know so that we can discuss.
6. Exam dates
Pretty early this year:
Tues 15th May: AS Media
Wed 16th May: AS Eng Lit
Tues 22nd May: GCSE Eng Lit Paper 1
Thur 24th May: GCSE Eng Lit Paper 2
Tues 29th May: GCSE English/GCSE Eng Lang (if re-sitting)
Thurs 14th June: GCSE Media
Fri 15th June: A2 Media
Wed 20th June: A2 Eng Lit
Thank you, have a great week.
Thurs 19th Jan - Year 9 parents evening
Tues 24th Jan - JKY out on training course
Wed 25th Jan - First Aid training course
Thurs 26th Jan - Year 8 parents evening
Fri 27th Jan - Our staff tea
2. First Aid training course
Vic Moore is running a 2-hour first aid training course on Wed 25th Jan, 2pm-4pm. The names I have so far are:
JKY
PTO
NTU
ACL
SCO
RCA
EWA
PWA
2 x EAL staff
If you're not on this list and would like to attend, please email me asap.
The first hour of this session is our Dept Meeting time, so people not attending, please use this hour to do something departmenty (marking, planning, etc).
3. Year 11 exams
WELL DONE and THANK YOU for all your hard work preparing our Year 11 students for the exam last week. It was hugely appreciated. Results will come through in early March, fingers crossed!
4. Year 11 exam data entry
Jo Simpson has given me class sets for Year 11 teachers which need to be checked and filled in with predicted grades, etc. It's a bit complex so I will come round Year 11 teachers and explain in person.
5. Coursework deadlines (to Jo Simpson)
KS4: Fri 27th April
KS5: Mon 7th May
I will look to arrange two moderation days (one for KS4, one for KS5) after the Easter holidays - if you don't feel you are going to make this deadline, please let me know so that we can discuss.
6. Exam dates
Pretty early this year:
Tues 15th May: AS Media
Wed 16th May: AS Eng Lit
Tues 22nd May: GCSE Eng Lit Paper 1
Thur 24th May: GCSE Eng Lit Paper 2
Tues 29th May: GCSE English/GCSE Eng Lang (if re-sitting)
Thurs 14th June: GCSE Media
Fri 15th June: A2 Media
Wed 20th June: A2 Eng Lit
Thank you, have a great week.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Bulletin - 9.1.12
Happy New Year! Hope you all had a relaxing and restful break.
The spring term has started with a bang, lots of stuff going on (though sadly not the heating!).
1. Dates for diaries
Thursday 5th Jan: Year 11 parents evening
Monday 9th Jan: Year 11 Revision session (see below)
Tuesday 10th Jan: GCSE English/English Language exam (see below)
Wednesday 11th Jan: Department Meeting to discuss progress on KS3 modules
Thursday 12th Jan: Year 8/9 Guided Choices Evening (JKY + PWA)
Thursday 19th Jan: Year 9 parents evening
Thursday 26th Jan: Year 8 parents evening
2. Arrangements for GCSE English/English Language exam
Year 11 will be off timetable for P1 and P2 on Monday 9th Jan to do an exam conditions revision exercise. Year 11 teachers need to go to the Assembly Hall/Gym to help out on the lesson where they would have been teaching Year 11.
There is breakfast available for Year 11 students on Tuesday 10th Jan before the exam at 9am. If Year 11 teachers want to get their tutor groups covered and give last minute advice and inspiration, that would be great.
3. Welcome to Mary Glynn
Mary is a GTP student at Cherwell School who is joining us in the English department until half-term. Please make her feel welcome.
4. Farewell to Toni
Toni has shamefully got herself a new job at the Early Intervention Service with the Council and will be leaving us. Her last day is Friday 3rd Jan and she will be hugely missed. Thank you, Toni, for all your hard work and organisation - I'm not sure what we're going to do without you!
5. Netbook keys
We have been entrusted with TWO keys to the netbooks safe. They are currently in the top drawer of my desk until we can come up with a safe and usable system for storing them. I don't want to just leave them somewhere as there is a security issue there but at the same time me carrying them around isn't helpful if I'm not there. Thougths, anyone?
6. Heating
I have been assured that a new boiler will be installed before the end of this week and we will have heating by Monday. Feel free to let students keep coats, hats, scarves, etc on until then.
Thanks everyone, here's to 2012 - a year of Olympic levels of success!
The spring term has started with a bang, lots of stuff going on (though sadly not the heating!).
1. Dates for diaries
Thursday 5th Jan: Year 11 parents evening
Monday 9th Jan: Year 11 Revision session (see below)
Tuesday 10th Jan: GCSE English/English Language exam (see below)
Wednesday 11th Jan: Department Meeting to discuss progress on KS3 modules
Thursday 12th Jan: Year 8/9 Guided Choices Evening (JKY + PWA)
Thursday 19th Jan: Year 9 parents evening
Thursday 26th Jan: Year 8 parents evening
2. Arrangements for GCSE English/English Language exam
Year 11 will be off timetable for P1 and P2 on Monday 9th Jan to do an exam conditions revision exercise. Year 11 teachers need to go to the Assembly Hall/Gym to help out on the lesson where they would have been teaching Year 11.
There is breakfast available for Year 11 students on Tuesday 10th Jan before the exam at 9am. If Year 11 teachers want to get their tutor groups covered and give last minute advice and inspiration, that would be great.
3. Welcome to Mary Glynn
Mary is a GTP student at Cherwell School who is joining us in the English department until half-term. Please make her feel welcome.
4. Farewell to Toni
Toni has shamefully got herself a new job at the Early Intervention Service with the Council and will be leaving us. Her last day is Friday 3rd Jan and she will be hugely missed. Thank you, Toni, for all your hard work and organisation - I'm not sure what we're going to do without you!
5. Netbook keys
We have been entrusted with TWO keys to the netbooks safe. They are currently in the top drawer of my desk until we can come up with a safe and usable system for storing them. I don't want to just leave them somewhere as there is a security issue there but at the same time me carrying them around isn't helpful if I'm not there. Thougths, anyone?
6. Heating
I have been assured that a new boiler will be installed before the end of this week and we will have heating by Monday. Feel free to let students keep coats, hats, scarves, etc on until then.
Thanks everyone, here's to 2012 - a year of Olympic levels of success!
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