Bulletin - 26.1.15

1. Dates for diaries
Tues 27th - Fri 8th Feb: KS4 mock exams
Wed 28th Jan: 2:30-3:30: Report writing; 3:30-4:30: Voluntary standardisation
Thurs 29th Jan: Year 9 TDP/MENC vaccinations
Thurs 29th Jan: Year 13 parents evening
Fri 30th Jan, 6:30-9:30pm: Cheney Friends film fundraiser
Mon 2nd - Tues 3rd Feb: BTEC Drama Assessment
Tues 3rd Feb, P3-P5: D&T Trip to Modern Art Oxford
Wed 4th Feb: 2:30-3:30: College meeting (Progress Day); 3:30-4:30 Dept meeting
Thurs 5th Feb, P3-P5: Y7 & Y8 Animating Ancient Gods Day

2. Reports
Year 7, 9 and 10 reports are due Tues 27th Feb.

3. Voluntary standardisation meeting
If you would like to check your coursework marking, we're holding a voluntary standardisation meeting on Wed 28th Jan, 3:30-4:30. This is an expectation for NQTs and advised for people teaching a new curriculum (I'd certainly like a second opinion on my IGCSE marking) but absolutely everyone is welcome. Just come along to C27 with 3/4 student folders of work.

Bulletin - 19.1.15

1. Dates for diaries
Tues 20th Jan: Ancient Astronomy Day, Classics Centre
Tues 20th Jan, P4+5: Year 11 Careers Fest
Wed 21st Jan, 3:30-5:30: Cheney School Multi-Academy Trust meeting
Thurs 22nd Jan: GCSE Geography off-timetable
Thurs 22nd Jan, 5-7pm: Year 11 parents evening
Tues 27th - Fri 8th Feb: KS4 mock exams
Wed 28th Jan: 2:30-3:30: Report writing
Thurs 29th Jan: Year 9 TDP/MENC vaccinations
Thurs 29th Jan: Year 13 parents evening
Fri 30th Jan, 6:30-9:30pm: Cheney Friends film fundraiser

2. Reports
Reports on Serco ARE working. Please complete reports for Years 7, 9 and 10. All need to be done by Fri 23rd Jan.
See email from JKY for details on what to do.

Bulletin - 12.1.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 12th - Fri 23rd Jan: Year 12 mock exams
Mon 12th Jan: GCSE Geography trip
Wed 14th Jan: GCSE Geography trip
Wed 14th Jan, 2-4pm: Sixth Form subject taster sessions
Wed 14th Jan: 2:30-3:25: CPD observation discussions; 3:30-4:30 Time in lieu for observations
Thurs 15th Jan, tutor time: Year 9 PSHE assembly
Fri 16th Jan: English staff tea
Tues 20th Jan: Ancient Astronomy Day, Classics Centre
Tues 20th Jan, P4+5: Year 11 Careers Fest
Wed 21st Jan, 3:30-5:30: Cheney School Multi-Academy Trust meeting
Thurs 22nd Jan, 5-7pm: Year 11 parents evening

2. Reports
Reports on Serco ARE working. Please complete reports for Years 7, 9 and 10. All need to be done by Fri 23rd Jan.
See email from JKY for details on what to do.

3. Standardisation
Please complete the standardisation folders outlined by MHL in time for the dept standardisation meeting on Wed 25th Feb.

There is also an extra standardisation meeting (AQA and IGCSE) on Wed 28th Jan - just bring along a couple of pieces that you have marked. Please can new staff attend this meeting but it is also open to any staff who wish to check their marking (eg if teaching a new curriculum for the first time).

4. Walking/Talking mock exam
Thank you to everyone who helped the walking/talking mock go so well on Friday - whether that be helping out in the various exam locations or taking on extra Year 8s during P3. Feedback from students has been incredibly positive and the experience has been a huge success.

All the resources for marking and giving feedback to students are saved here: T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Mock exams\January 2015

One-Mark Booster Packs and all the student self-assessment materials are printed off and in the dept office.

5. English Staff Tea on Friday
The Great English vs Drama Bake-Off...

Bulletin - 5.1.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 7th Jan: Sixth Form Open Morning + Open Evening
Wed 7th Jan: 2:30-3:25: Guided Choices (Options) meeting; 3:30-4:30 Dept meeting
Fri 9th Jan: GCSE English mock exam
Mon 12th - Fri 23rd Jan: Year 12 mock exams
Mon 12th Jan: GCSE Geography trip
Wed 14th Jan: GCSE Geography trip
Wed 14th Jan, 2-4pm: Sixth Form subject taster sessions
Wed 14th Jan: 2:30-3:25: CPD observation discussions; 3:30-4:30 Time in lieu for observations
Thurs 15th Jan, tutor time: Year 9 PSHE assembly
Fri 16th Jan: English staff tea

2. Reports
There are report entries on Serco for Years 7, 9 and 10. After the issues with the last set of reports, I have emailed the relevant people to see if these reports are going ahead. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything back.

3. Mock exam
Please tell your Year 11 students to go to the canteen at 8:30 on Friday morning. Also, please let them know where they need to go for the exam itself:
AQA (Higher): Assembly Hall
AQA (Foundation): Community Hall
IGCSE (Core): Lower Gym
IGCSE (Extended): C27

All the relevant materials for marking and feedback can be found here: T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Mock exams\January 2015

4. Year 8 lesson on Fri 9th Jan
Please check the mock exam arrangements sheet for all the information on what is happening with the Year 8 lesson, P3 on Friday. If your students have to go to another location, please make sure they know where to go and put a list on your door.

I have put together a one-off lesson that you can use on that day: T:\Staff Resources\English\KS4 Resources\NEW KS4 RESOURCES FROM 2011\Mock exams\January 2015

It is based around a short film (15 mins) - the YouTube link is in the PowerPoint. It's a good film (Oscar nominated) but there are a few swear words in there (two d**kheads, one fr*gging, a couple of f**ks and a b***h). I will leave it to your discretion if you are happy to show this film to Year 8 students. Personally, I don't feel it is gratuitous or over-the-top but I'll leave it up to you. You could just as easily replace that film with another short film or a short extract from a film.