Headlines By James Saunders 17th May 2019
Thanks to
A brilliant time with The Brilliant Club
A few weeks ago I mentioned that our C9 and C10 learners had completed ‘The Brilliant Club’. This week I had the pleasure of accompanying them for their graduation trip to Selwyn College at the University of Cambridge. The learners entered the college through an archway that opened up into an oasis of calm. As the learners strolled round the immaculate grounds I am sure it all felt a bit, well, “Harry Potterish”. They even got to eat in the hall just like in Hogwarts. Around the hall were portraits of famous alumni. It felt like a world of privilege and advantage. However, that could not be further from the truth. The work of The Brilliant Club is all about increasing access to and participation in the best universities in the country so they do not become the preserve of the elite, but a reflection of the diverse society we live in. No more so was this more present than in the keynote speech the learners listened to. Many of them commented on how moving it was to hear about the life changing effect education can have on society. The learners spent the day learning about the steps they need to take to get to university. They learnt about facilitating subjects - a group of A Levels that are recommended by Russell Group universities. Subjects like English, Maths, Science, Languages and Humanities form the facilitating subjects. It was clear that to reach a top university learners must do well in their core subjects at GCSE. After a tour of the College buildings they received their certificates. Congratulations to Jude Battersby and Luke Evans who both received a 1st and to Louise Ball, Will Ferguson, Holly Ginn, Maxine-Emily Harvey, Charlie Mullenger, Freddie North, Roxie Orrow, Harry Ratcliffe, Eloise Rigby and Felix Wilson, who all received a 2:1 for their dissertations. These were marked using university criteria and were pitched well beyond what is expected at GCSE which makes their accomplishments even more impressive: an outstanding achievement for every one of them. The Brilliant Club has been such a success that we will most definitely be providing this opportunity again next year. Keep an eye out for the next launch assembly this summer.
Hannah Byrne and Maya Robson, Lead Learners, for meeting with visitors today to tour our school.
Independent Study "Independent Study is not an optional extra, but an essential part of a good education". -1999 White Paper, Excellence in Schools In response to feedback from learners, families and teachers we have been working on our policy for Independent Study so that expectations and requirements are clear. Over the rest of the term we will be looking to ensure consistency with the new policy ready for September. Below is an extract from this new policy: Aims Independent Study enables learners to:
Consolidate, apply and extend work covered in learning sessions or prepare for new learning activities. Access resources beyond the classroom. Develop research skills. Have an opportunity for independent work. Demonstrate progress and understanding. To enhance their study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline. To take ownership and responsibility for learning. Engage parental cooperation and support. Create channels for home/school dialogue.
Communication of Independent Study ALL Independent Study should be communicated to learners via Google Classroom and, where appropriate, feedback will be given using Google Classroom. Not all Independent Study will require the use of Google Classroom, however there is an expectation that this is consistently used to communicate it. Independent Study should be labelled as 'Independent Study' in the post heading with a due date and time set. Parents will receive a weekly summary of all work set in Google Classroom. (Contd...)
Independent Study contd…
Responsibilities: The role of the Learner
To listen to Independent Study instructions in class. To check Google Classroom each day after 3.30pm noting the Independent Study set and deadline To ensure that Independent Study is completed and marked on Google Classroom as ‘handed in’ prior to the deadline. To attempt all Independent Study to the best of their effort. To inform the class teacher of any difficulties before the deadline.
Responsibilities: The role of the Class Teacher
The class teacher controls the direction of Independent Study and the nature of tasks undertaken which will broadly fit into one of the following three categories – Consolidation, Application, Preparation. The teacher will:
Set Independent Study according to the timetable. Provide the stimulus. Give full and comprehensive instructions. Set reasonable deadlines for completed Independent Study and ensure that they are met. Provide feedback where appropriate (for consolidation and application work) within a reasonable timeframe. Provide help and support. Inform the Subject Leader, Cohort Leader, and Learning Group Leader as appropriate, when problems arise.
Dates for the diary
28th June 2019
Thursday 23rd May
C11 Leavers Day celebrations
Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May
Half term
Monday 3rd June
Start of Summer Term C11 on Study Leave
Sunday 9th June
Feel Good Fayre
Wednesday 12th June
Uniform sale Main hall 3:00pm— 5:30pm
Saturday 15th June
D of E qualifying expedition
Thursday 20th June
Summer Arts’ Festival 6:30pm
Friday 21st June
Sports’ Day
Tuesday 25th June
Intake Day 1
Thursday 27th June
Intake Day 2 Information evening for parents/ carers only 6:30pm
Friday 28th June
C11 Prom @ Colne Valley Golf Club
Tuesday 2nd July
C10 Futures Evening for Parent/ Carers only
Saturday 6th July
C11 Thorpe Park (some C10)
Colne Valley Golf Club Station Road Earls Colne 6:30pm—11:00pm Tickets on sale from Monday 29th April from Mrs Frogley £28.00 (Cash or cheque only please)
Thankyou to our Cohort 8 Duty Receptionists
Melissa Lemin Tyler Greenwood Ethan Briggs Harrison Campe Mia Fisher James Rissen David Spencer
Reminder to families: Please use the App where you can access the online portal to view, update or amend your child's contacts/medical details etc when needed. You can also access your child's timetable and the school calendar. This information is necessary when organising trips and visits so any changes, please update as soon as possible. Information for C8 families: Your child will receive a letter through the register today with information about their GCSE options for next year. Please remind them to share with you.
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Dress Code Sale Wednesday 12th June 3:00-5:30pm The School supplier will be in the main hall with samples and items for sale. The new school skirt samples will be available for families at that time.
To report an absence : Call: 01376 - 561 231 - option 1 Email: attendance@honywoodschool.com
Parents’ Time Members of the Leadership Team will be available to see parents without appointment: Monday
7:15am—8:00am
Wednesday
3.00pm—3.45pm
Friday
7.15am—8.00am
Tours for current and prospective parents are available on Wednesdays , 9:15am—10:15am.