Bulletin - 1.7.13

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 1st July: Celebration Day
Wed 3rd July: Meetings: 2-3, TLGs; 3-4 Lead Practitioners/CALs
Thurs 4th July, 7pm: Summer concert
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th July: Year 6 Transition days
Mon 8th July: New Year 8 timetable starts
Mon 10th July: Meetings: 2-3, Whole-school T&L event; 3-4 TLG presentations
Mon 8th - Tues 16th July: Bayards Year 6 students in Cheney

2. Phoebe Mortimer and Rachael Millar
Phoebe and Rachael will be starting at Cheney on Mon 1st July. I've put together a timetable of observations and meetings for them for the first week and then, from Mon 8th July, they will both be teaching two KS3 classes until the end of term.

I've emailed relevant staff with details of their observation schedule and the lessons they'll be taking over so that they can liaise, etc.

I'm sure you'll all make them feel very welcome.

3. Year 8 arrangements
Many thanks for your flexibility and patience with the Year 8 arrangements - at least it is only one year group that is being disrupted this year.

If you have any questions about the groups you will be taking on or what to do with them for the last couple of weeks, please just ask. You can either liaise with the existing class teacher and see if it's worth carrying on their existing unit or you can use the two-week mini-unit that Paul W is putting together.

4. INSET day stuff
Many thanks for all your hard work on Friday, I hear it was a really positive and productive day. I also hear the new displays look brilliant, I can't wait to see them.

Bulletin - 24.6.13

1.Dates for diaries
Tues 25th + Wed 26th June: Year 11 KS5 Induction Days
Wed 2th June, 2-4pm: College meeting (KS3 literacy review)
Fri 28th June: INSET day
Mon 1st July: Celebration Day
Thurs 4th July, 7pm: Summer concert
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th July: Year 6 Transition days

2. INSET day
JKY and PWA will be in Nottingham with the Lead Practitioners away day.
Directed time for staff:
a) 'Tweak and share' KS3 modules
b) Displays

3. Year 6 Transition
English staff are not involved in delivering any content for the two transition days or with developing any kind of English test for students.
Instead, English staff with freed-up time will be used to mark the literacy test students will sit, using a simple, tick-box marking grid that LMA will put together. Details to follow.

4. Reports
JKY is putting together a feedback document to SLT re: the reporting infrastructure discussed at our last meeting. If you have any thoughts that you would like to be part of that document, please email them.

Bulletin - 17.6.13

1. Dates for diares
Mon 17th June: English Teacher interview day
Tues 18th June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Wed 19th June, 2-4pm: DOUBLE dept meeting
Fri 21st June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Tues 25th + Wed 26th June: Year 11 KS5 Induction Days
Fri 28th June: INSET day

2. Progresso
The launch date for Progresso has been pushed back until October. Serco lives a little longer!

3. Dept lesson observation week: Mon 17th - Fri 21st June
I emailed a lesson observation schedule out last week. If the slot I put you down for doesn't work, either for you or your observer, please liaise with each other in the first instance and if you can't find a mutually convenient slot, please get back to me.

4. Lowi Ifor: Mon 17th - Fri 21st June
Lowri Ifor is an Oxford University student who will be part of the Teach First programme next year. To gain some experience, she will be spending a week in the department, as well as spending time with EAL and SEN. I've put together a timetable for her to follow while she is here, which I have sent to relevant staff. I'm sure you will all make her feel welcome and that teaching really is a good idea. Honest.

5. Phoebe Mortimer: Wed 19th June
Since we are having a double dept meeting on Wednesday, with a view to planning for the end of this year and for the next academic year, I thought it would be a good idea if Phoebe Mortimer, who will be starting as an NQT in the department at the end of this year, were to join us for the day. Again, I've put together a lesson observation schedule for her and, once again, please make her feel welcome. If I order some tea and biscuits, how about lunch in the dept office?

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 10th June: Year 12 students return to lessons
Wed 12th June: 2-3pm: College meetings; 3-4pm: Lead Practioners
Fri 14th June, 8:30-10am: New Year 7s Welcome to Cheney (other students arrive at school at 10:30)
Mon 17th June: English Teacher interview day
Tues 18th June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Wed 19th June, 2-4pm: DOUBLE dept meeting
Fri 21st June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove

2. Student of the Year
Just a reminder that I need nominations for a Student of the Year from KS3 and KS4 for EACH of the six colleges.

Please send in nominations (with a sentence saying why) asap. So far I have a total of 4 for the 12 that I need!

3. English Teacher interview day
We will be interviewing for a new English Teacher on Mon 17th June. There will be an opportunity for you to meet the candidates at breaktime. Please come along a grab a coffee.

4. Progresso
Please see my email re: Progresso and take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the site in advance of the system going live on Mon 24th June.

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 5th June, 2-4pm: Double dept meeting
Fri 7th June: Year 12 careers/UCAS day
Mon 10th June: Year 12 students return to lessons
Wed 12th June: 2-3pm: College meetings; 3-4pm: Lead Practioners
Fri 14th June, 8:30-10am: New Year 7s Welcome to Cheney (other students arrive at school at 10:30)

2. Exams this week
Tues 4th June, 9am: GCSE English/English Language
Tues 4th June, 2pm: A2 Media Studies
Thurs 6th June, 9am: A2 English Literature

3. The sun
Nice, isn't it?