you today After more than two and a half years of patience, resilience, and adaptability from our entire school community, the doors to our main building are officially open once again.
Walking through the corridors this week, the atmosphere has been electric Seeing our students back in their rightful home - surrounded by modern facilities designed to support their growth - is no doubt the highlight of the academic year so far This reopening is more than just a return to a physical space; it marks a fresh chapter for Roding
One of the most significant upgrades we are thrilled to unveil is our excellent canteen and catering suite We know that a well-fed student is a focused student, and our new facilities have been designed to offer variety, quality, and comfort.
Our students are already spoilt for choice with several dedicated stations The new Pizza Bar and Pasta Bar have quickly become firm favourites, offering fresh, delicious meals daily Alongside these, we provide a wide range of nutritious hot meals, fresh cold options, and healthy snacks to suit every palate
The new dining area features ample seating designed to comfortably accommodate all students, ensuring that lunchtime is a social, relaxing break rather than a rush Furthermore, to better serve those who prefer to spend their break times outdoors, we have opened a brand-new servery on the playground, offering quick access to highquality food without needing to head inside.
Perhaps most impressively, despite the huge popularity of these new outlets, we are already seeing the benefits of our streamlined layout Queue times have been
significantly reduced, allowing students more time to enjoy their food and recharge for their afternoon lessons
I want to thank you for your ongoing support during the transition period To see the school buzzing with life in such a high-spec environment is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the patience of our families We look forward to a fantastic term ahead in our "new" home
Stars of the Week
Year Group
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13
W/C 23rd March W/C 17th April
Winnie Duffy - for constantly getting the most house points week on week
Courtney Malone - for always being so respectful and polite every day
Jake Dabare - for always being so polite and enthusiastic A wonderful role model
Nevaeh Nisbeth - for excellent contribution to the school community through helping at parents evening and an excellent mental health awareness poster
Anna Boiko - for being such an incredible all round student. She has shown such dedication to her studies and is a perfect example of a model Roding Valley Student
Sonny Heath - for his exceptional support for year 11 during Easter revision sessions
Evie Giddy - for securing an apprenticeship during the Easter holidays
Jack Dickins - for consistently doing the right thing
Charlie Ellis - for always showing such a positive attitude in lessons, and around the school community
Erin Davies - for always having a smile on her face and radiating positivity
Tristan Sutton - for representing England in the Squash 5 Nations and coming first.
Cerys Clark - for always being a pleasure to speak to & for being targeted on getting the best grades she can
Ahiyan Kabar - for his exceptional support for year 11 during Easter revision sessions
Lucie Marks - for securing an apprenticeship during the Easter holidays
If you are interested, please take a look at our RVHS history page to see what the newsletters used to look like, it is from March 1939 when the school was Loughton High School for Girls! https://www.rodingvalley.net/aboutus/our-history
Warm regards
Mr D Charlton
Messages from Our Heads of Year Messages from Our Heads of Year
Our team is proud to be your child’s Head of Year and very much looking forward to supporting your child and with such a great cohort of students, we are sure it will be a great half term To ensure that you are aware of who your child’s Head of Year is and who to contact, please refer to their details below:
Year 7: Mr John
To contact Mr John, please email bjohn@rodingvalley net
Year 8: Miss Aston
To contact Miss Aston, please email caston@rodingvalley net
Year 9: Miss Burke
To contact Miss Burke, please email tburke@rodingvalley net
Year 10: Ms Wills
To contact Ms Wills, please email rwills@rodingvalley.net
Year 11: Mr Ryan
To contact Mr Ryan, please email fryan@rodingvalley net
YYear7News ear7News
Message from Mr John
Two terms done, one more to go! It has been a busy and productive few months, and I have several important updates regarding our school site and upcoming events To improve our facilities, theYear 7 and 8 toilets have been relocated to the space formerly occupied by the Baguette Bar by the FoodTech classrooms To use these new toilets, students will need to head over the bridge However, please remind your child that they must return back to Zone 2 immediately after use We now have six different queues available for students to get food, which should significantly help with the lunchtime queues: Baguette Bar (Now located in the playground), Pizza Bar ,Pasta Bar ,Hot Food Station ,Cold Food Station ,The Original Snack Shack (Located in Zone 2).
Next week, we will be holding ourYear 7 CelebrationAssembly This is a highlight of the term, giving us the chance to formally recognize the hard work, resilience, and kindness our students have shown throughout the SpringTerm I look forward to sharing these successes with the year group!
Looking ahead, I am incredibly excited for the Mini Marathon on Friday 1 May.This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get active and earn rewards All students will receive House points for taking part simply taking part st
The Challenge:Any student who manages to beat me across the 2.6k race will earn a further 10 House points!
I’d love to see ourYear 7s take home those extra points! We look forward to the SummerTerm and all the opportunities it will bring.
Keep up the fantastic work,Year 7
It is important that parents register their children for free school meals if they are entitled as the school receives additional funding known as the Pupil Premium to support the children’s learning The use of the pupil premium is personalised to meet the needs of the children who are entitled to support, such as 1-1 tuition, additional LSA support and intervention groups, access to school visits, Learning Mentor, speech and language assistants, Family Support and counselling If you believe that your child is eligible for Free School Meals, please click here to use our Free School Meals Checker Your Certificate of Eligibility will then need to be emailed to finance@rodingvalley net
YYear8News ear8News
Message from MissAston
Welcome back to all students and families following the Easter break We hope you had a restful and enjoyable holiday
We are looking forward to holding our CelebrationAssembly next week, where we will
recognise and celebrate students’achievements and contributions to school
Highest House points so far inYear 8 - well done!:
1 - Christopher Jones st
2 - Ellie Sau nd
3 - Ayaz Alici rd 4 - Thomas Kershaw th
5 - Chloe Smith th
6 - Salwa Inayat th 7 - Alexander Vogiatzis th
8 - Ralph Poett th
9 - Sophia Sapal th 10 - Matt Cai th
Finally, a quick reminder that we will be hosting the Roding Valley Mini Marathon on Friday 1 May. This is a wonderful opportunity for ourYear 8 students to demonstrate their fantastic community spirit st
Sign-up details: Students can register at the PE Office during lunchtimes from 15 to 22 April th nd
Charity:The event will be raising funds for Panathlon, which supports sporting opportunities for children with disabilities
RVHS Pre Loved Uniform
Any parents/carers wishing to purchase some RVHS preloved uniform, please use this link to select & pay for any uniform you wish to purchase.
The process is quick and easy to use. You will be notified once your order is ready for your collection.
All orders will be processed during term time only
Do you have any old uniform your child has outgrown or no longer uses?
Please wash and donate back to our pre-loved uniform. This can be dropped into our main reception.
YYear9News ear9News
Message from Miss Burke
I hope you all had a well-deserved break and had a wonderful time with friends and family over the Easter period It has been lovely to welcome the students back to school, refreshed and ready for the busy term ahead
Success on the Slopes: France Ski Trip
Firstly, I would like to say a huge "well done" to all of ourYear 9 students who joined me on the ski trip to France over the holidays.
For a number of students, this was their very first time skiing, and the progress they made over the course of the week was truly remarkable Watching them transform from taking tentative first steps on the nursery slopes to confidently navigating runs by the end of the trip was an absolute pleasure Even those who initially felt unsure grew in confidence and really thrived
Overall, the trip was a huge success, and we are incredibly proud of how ourYear 9 students represented Roding Valley High School Their behaviour, enthusiasm, and support for one another made the experience even more special
LookingAhead: The Transition to Options
Moving into this half term, we find ourselves at a significant milestone. This is the final half term before students begin to move into their chosen GCSE and vocational options lessons
As we approach this transition, it is vital that students maintain their focus and work ethic in all subjects to ensure they finish Key Stage 3 on a high This period is about building the stamina and habits required for the start of their Key Stage 4 journey
Upcoming Event: Mini Marathon 2026
Aquick reminder that we are also hosting the Roding Valley Mini Marathon on Friday 1 May This is a great chance forYear 9 to show that fantastic community spirit we saw in France! st
Sign-ups: Students can sign up at the PE Office during lunchtimes from 15 to 22 April. th nd
Charity: We are raising money for Panathlon, supporting sports opportunities for children with disabilities.
Thank you for your continued support in making this a successful year for our students
Punctuality to School
Dear Parent/Carers
If your child is late, you must ensure you call the school before 8.30am. We understand there may be heavy traffic on the road from time to time, please allow enough time to navigate the traffic. When a child is absent or late for school, this causes disruption to the rest of the class and causes your child to fall behind. Many thanks - Attendance team
YYear10News ear10News
Message from Ms Wills
I hope that you all had a good rest over the Easter break and are enjoying the spring days and longer evenings
It is lovely to see theYear 10s return with energy and in good uniform, ready to learn This
half term we will be focusing on preparing for the first round of PPEs beginning 15 June for 2 weeks. We will ensure that your child is given revision techniques and staff prepare students with what to be revising for these exams. They will be a good first practice at going into the exam hall and so I would encourage you to ensure your child is preparing as well as possible so that they develop good habits which will stand them in good stead for the final exams this time next year th
Agentle reminder that theTakeYour Child to Work day form does need to be completed by 4 May Please complete the parental consent form here th
Areminder that Harlow College is also holding aYear 10 focus Open Event on Wednesday 29 April 5 00pm7 00pm showcasing their Vocational courses, ALevels,TLevels andApprenticeships offer Tickets are available onTicket Source: https://wwwticketsource co uk/harlow-college/e-adezbq th
The Open Event will run alongside the annual Harlow College Careers Fair, also on the college campus, from 4.00pm-7.00pm. Visitors who attend the Open Event will have exclusive access to the Careers Fair, where they will meet 30+ employers from across the region.
Finally, in our regular slot onTristan Sutton’s progress representing England in Squash, he represented England in the Five NationsTournament and the team won! Please keep your eyes out for more success and a possible Olympic medal!
LOST PROPERTY
YYear11News ear11News
Message from Mr Ryan
We are back now for the final push towards the GCSE exams This is the equivalent of the end of the London Marathon where competitors see the finish line and how they approach it can affect the final result These final weeks can affect the final exams All content has been delivered and we are now focussing on how to tackle the papers If students are: focussed, punctual and prepared to learn then they will do well I have been quite impressed with the
behaviour of the year group on the two days before the Easter holidays and Monday andTuesday of this week This must continue
It was lovely to share in the successes of the year group in our Mock Results assembly yesterday This is an example of what to expect on results day inAugust It is also an opportunity to reflect on what went well and what could be done to improve
Next week during Period 1 Mr Cocker will be running two revision sessions. These will be happening on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week in the school canteen.
This is a reminder that there will be interventions running during and after school as well as during May half term I hope to share the timetable with you soon
l would like to draw your attention to the Brook Library Asixth form study space which is overseen by Mrs Parton, our study supervisor It is a quiet space with revision resources, a computer suite and chromebooks which students can use It is used by sixth formers after school and we invite your child to join this mature and proactive working environment to support them with their revision in the coming weeks and months It will be open to year 11 until they go on study leave in May, every Monday -Thursday We look forward to welcoming them into this space and supporting them with their GCSEs in the coming weeks and months
As always our uniform expectations are incredibly high. We will expect these standards to be maintained throughout the rest of the year. Students are expected to be in the correct shoes and wear their blazers. Should you require any assistance with this, please make your child’s form tutor aware and we will help any way we can
‘‘’Passport to Prom’is still underway, students will receive house points for doing certain things for example: having attendance over 98%, being in correct uniform etc they will be able to use these points to ensure that they are able to attend Prom which is after their final exam.You can also purchase aYearbook which is available on Parentpay.
Message from Ms Wheaton & Mrs Curling
th th
We are now entering exam season. For year 12, this is for their first set of PPEs, which begin on 5 May. For Year 13, it is the final external exams The final day of year 13 lessons will be on Friday 8 May The Brook library is open before and after school for any student who wishes to make use of it Students have been involved in revision workshops and we have shared a number of strategies over time We have stressed the need for regular revision but also a sense of balance to ensure their revision timetables are sustainable If you feel your child needs further support during this period, please do not hesitate to get in touch
“On the 25 February, I had the magnificent opportunity to attend a taster day regarding Natural Sciences at Emmanuel College of Cambridge th
First thing in the morning was Human Bingo which was so much fun I had the objective to be the first one to win, and so I did The day throughout was filled to the brim with activities and important information regarding the application process - how you are being evaluated, this including not only your predicted grades, but you as a whole. Another one of the activities involved building a crane that would hold a small weight, the objective being to maximise its length without it breaking down. The reason the predicted grades need to be so high is because the way Cambridge teaches demands high effort, and if you’re not up to the task, it will be worse for you Overall, it was a delight to attend this taster day and I couldn’t stress enough the joy it brought me to be there in person” - Sorin, Year 12
Last half term we had a fantastic visit from a mother and daughter team: Charlotte Fox and Vicky Fox FIPA, to talk about careers in Advertising and Media. Charlotte is a Roding Valley alumnus recently completed her apprenticeship at Ogilvy, and Vicky, is chief planning officer at OMG. For our current Sixth Formers looking at career paths, this was a masterclass in the two sides of the industry. Having two industry experts who also happen to be mother and daughter share their journey from our classrooms to global agencies was truly a highlight of the term
A massive thank you to you both!
Year 13 Leavers Group Photo
Good News the Sith Form Group Photo is now available to view and purchase
Please visit www carmeljaneshop co uk
Access code : ewcgzb
This code will take you to view the Group Photo
All photographs will be sent straight to home addresses
Any issues please contact Carmel Jane Photography direct.Email: info@carmeljane.co.uk Tel: 01277 822674 (9am-5pm)
Fusion2026 Fusion 2026 RODINGVALLEYCELEBRATES
The stage at Roding Valley High School was transformed into a multicolour and multicultural festival as students, staff, and the local community gathered for the highly anticipated Fusion event. This popular event is a celebration of identity and diversity, where the school’s students took centre stage to honour their home cultures through the universal languages of song and dance.
From the first beat of the music, the atmosphere was electric. Fusion serves as a vital platform for students to step beyond the standard curriculum and share the different parts of their lives—the traditions, rhythms, and melodies passed down through generations.
A Journey Across Continents
The evening’s programme was a whirlwind tour of the globe.Audiences were treated to a variety of different performances, from amongst others, Irish rock, Zimbabwean song, Moldovan dance,American theatre, through to Indian song and dance.
More Than Just a Performance
As the final ensemble took to the stage for a collaborative finale—mixing different dance styles into one cohesive routine—the message of the night was clear: Diversity and home culture is not just a fact to be acknowledged, but a strength in our school to be celebrated and welcomed.
The Fusion event at Roding Valley continues to be a highlight of the academic calendar, proving that when students are given the space to celebrate their roots, they grow even taller
The echoes of the drums and the vibrant colours of the costumes may have faded, but the sense of pride and belonging instilled in the students will undoubtedly resonate until next year’s showcase.
Trips & Visits
Year 9 Ski Trip - French Alps
Our recent Year 9 ski trip to the French Alps was a truly fantastic experience for all involved It was incredibly rewarding to see such a positive attitude from our students throughout the trip, with many demonstrating resilience, determination, and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zones
For a number of students, this was their very first time skiing, and the progress they made over the course of the trip was remarkable From tentative first steps on the slopes to confidently navigating runs by the end of the week, their improvement was a pleasure to witness. Even those who initially felt unsure grew in confidence and really thrived in the alpine environment
Beyond the slopes, students also enjoyed a range of activities that helped build friendships and create lasting memories. Highlights included a pizza night, where everyone had the chance to relax and socialise, as well as an exciting session of laser tag that brought plenty of energy and laughter.
Overall, the trip was a huge success, and we are incredibly proud of how our Year 9 students represented the school Their behaviour, enthusiasm, and support for one another made the experience even more special
In the lastYear 5 Messy Science Club of the term, pupils took a hands-on approach to cardiovascular anatomy by studying the intricate structure of the heart.They began by meticulously sculpting detailed clay models to familiarise themselves with the chambers, arteries, and valves. This culminated in an exciting disse ction session, allowing the pupils from White Bridge Primary School to apply their newly acquired knowledge and examine the real-world tissues they had just modelled.
Year 12 student,Abigail, brought her dog to MedSoc to lead a session on Veterinary Surgery. Abigail discussed various topics, including monitoring vital signs in an animal, toxic foods, and the importance of vaccinations.
Event details
Date: Friday 1 May 2026 st
Time: Starting at 3.45pm (after school)
We are incredibly excited to announce that we will be hosting the Roding Valley High School Mini Marathon 2026 on Friday 1 May! st
This event is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together, get active, and support a cause very close to our hearts: Panathlon.
Panathlon is a wonderful charity dedicated to providing young people with disabilities and special educational needs the chance to engage in competitive sport. In 2025 alone, they empowered over 74,000 young people to participate in sporting opportunities they might otherwise never have had.
Location: The back field, where a professional 2.6K track will be fully marked out for students
How to Sign Up
Students who wish to participate must sign up in person:
Where:The PE Office
When: Lunchtimes from Wednesday 15 April to Wednesday 22 April. th nd
Once your child has signed up, you will receive a follow-up email containing further details and a formal confirmation letter.
Fundraising & Contributions
We encourage all participants and spectators to help us raise vital funds for Panathlon. Contributions can be made in two ways:
1 ParentPay
2 On the Day: We will be accepting card payments only at the event (no cash, please).
We look forward to seeing a great turnout on the field for an afternoon of fitness, fun, and fundraising!
StudentAbsence
If your child is unable to attend School for any reason, please report their absence by phoning the school number by 8.30am at the latest, you must also ring in each day of your child’s absence
0208-508-1173
On their return to School, please ensure your child brings with them a letter or medical evidence if requested explaining the reason for the absence for our records
MedicalAppointments
Please make sure you make any medical or dental appointments outside of school time If this is not possible then please try to ensure that your child attends before and/or after their appointment.
Holidays in Term Time
The school does not authorise any holidays during term time except if the Headteacher deems it an exceptional circumstance.A‘Leave ofAbsence’form must be completed (these are available at Student Reception) detailing your exceptional circumstances
Please be aware if the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case will be referred to the LocalAuthority who may issue a Penalty Notice for £160 (or £80 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.
For full details regarding attendance, please see ourAttendance Policy.
Who to contact
Should you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or punctuality please contact your child’s Head of Year or ourAttendanceTeam - gmanning@rodingvalleynet
Explore together: Ask your child to show you their favourite websites and apps and what they do on them. Listen, show interest and encourage them to teach you the basics of the site or app
Chat about online safety little and often: Young people are likely to want to explore new apps and websites this month, whether that is for learning or for fun Take this opportunity to talk to them about how to stay safe on these new services, and in general Ask if anything ever worries them while they are online Make sure they know that if they ever feel worried, they can get help by talking to you or another adult they trust.
Help your child identify trusted adults who can help them if they are worried: This includes you and other adults at home, as well as adults from wider family, school or other support services who they are able to contact at this time. Encourage them to draw a picture or write a list of their trusted adults
Be non-judgemental: Explain that you would never blame them for anything that might happen online, and you will always give them calm, loving support.
Talk about how their online actions can affect others: If your child is engaging with others online, remind them to consider how someone else might feel before they post or share something If they are considering sharing a photo/video of somebody else, they should always ask permission first
Parental controls: Make use of the parental controls available on your home broadband and any internet enabled device in your home You can find out more about how to use parental controls by visiting your broadband provider’s website
Direct your child to age appropriate information about relationships and sex: It’s natural for young people to start exploring their sexual feelings online and adolescents are more inclined to take risks. It’s important to understand this and to talk to your child in a positive way. Thinkuknow, Brook, The Mix and Childline all provide age appropriate information about relationships and sex that you can signpost your child to
Make sure they know about CEOP: Young people can report a concern about grooming or sexual abuse to CEOP at www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ and get support from a specialist Child Protection Advisor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Support your child with CEOPEducation website
The age appropriate CEOPEducation website is a great way to start and continue chats about online safety and other issues. Click on the CEOPimage to access the site
The website provide open and honest guidance for young people on friends, relationships and the internet, covering topics like dealing with pressure; consent; and getting support when you are worried
If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of harm online, you should call the police.Young people can make a report to CEOP
Other Recommended Resources
Brook: Information and advice for young people on sexual health and wellbeing, including staying safe online. https://www.brook.org.uk/
The Mix: Support service for young people with information and advice on sex and relationships.https://www.themix.org.uk/
Internet Matters:Auseful tool showing how to set parental controls across a range of devices and websites. http://www.internetmatters.org/parentalcontrols/interactive-guide/
NSPCC: Provides reviews and guidance on the most popular social networks, apps and games that children use. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Childnet: Information and advice for parents and carers on supporting people online. https://www.childnet.com/resources/supporting-youngpeople-online
How Can I Access Edulink?
EduLink can be accessed on any device – PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device – via the web browser or via the EduLink app. The link to access the EduLink login page on a web browser is www edulinkone com
Alternatively, you can download the EduLink App which is available to download for free on Apple or on Android.
Both the App and the web browser will display this log-in screen
The School ID is ‘Roding’ .
Parents/Carers will need to enter the Username and Password they have been provided with and click ‘Log in’
The displayed is dependant of the platform you are logged in to:
• Via Web Browser
• Via the EduLink App
How to Log on to Google Classroom?
Classroom
Students can log into their Gmail using their school email address and their password Their school email will be the year they started at RVHS started plus their first initial and surname @rodingvalley.net (example- 19plarkin@rodingvalley.net).
Once yourchild has have logged in, they will need to click on the google apps button and then select ‘Google Classroom’
Your child will then be able to see all of the classes they belong to. They will then need to click on the class they want to use resources for and take a look at everything that their class teacher has posted for them to work on. They will be able to download items and make comments on them Teachers will be regularly posting new work on their Google Classrooms
What to Do if your child is a Missing a Subject their Google Classroom?
If your childis missing a Google Classroom for one of their subjects, they will need to click on the addition symbol, followed by ‘Join Class’ and then enter the Class Code for their missing subject Class Codes are available from their subject teacher
Top Tips for Our Students
Students must keep up to date with their lessons by using Google Classroom every day
Use their workbooks to complete the work shown on their Google Classroom
Don’t slack on presentation! Keep their notes in order of the lessons on the Google Classroom
Year 11and 13 Students: There will be revision materials available on Google Classroom. Please use them.
U S E F U L C O N T A C T S
Year 7: Mr John - bjohn@rodingvalleynet
Year 8: MissAston - caston@rodingvalley.net
Year 9: Miss Burke - tburke@rodingvalley.net
Year 10: Ms Wills - rwills@rodingvalleynet
Year 11: Mr Ryan - fryan@rodingvalley.net
Sixth Form: Ms Wheaton & Ms Curling - awheaton@rodingvalleynet / lcurling@rodingvalley.net
