Summer Sunshine!
Finally it seems we may have some sunshine this term that will allow the boys to use the Swimming Pool. Due to new H&S legislation we have increased the number of staff who supervise this activity and this can only make the whole experience safer as well as fun! The PE Team will also be working hard to certificate boys whose swimming skills improve over time. Our Annual Superteams competition will take place on Wednesday 10th July 2013, and weather permitting, will also include additional games and activities this year; including Archery. It is also proposed that the Catering Team assisted by the pupils will provide a BBQ. Term-time holiday The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulation 2006 currently allow Head Teachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time in ‘special circumstances’ of up to ten school days per year. There have now been changes to these regulations and it is now clear that Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term-time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Head Teachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted. If anyone would like to discuss these changes please do not hesitate to contact the school. Changes In consultation with the staff, pupil representatives on the School Council and our informal ‘Coffee Morning’ meetings we have altered the daily lesson time table and we now only have five lessons a day. This is already proving beneficial in that the boys have more quality time in which to learn and to produce good work. Lessons such as Food Technology and Design and Technology also profit from additional time to perfect their creations. Swimming is of course also an all round favourite! Due to popular demand we have also slightly altered the school uniform. Please DO NOT PANIC as you will NOT be expected to buy the new colours until your son has outgrown his current polo shirt or sweatshirt. From September 2013 boys should wear a polo shirt under a sweatshirt and we will expect ALL boys to wear plain black school trousers and black shoes or trainers. We are convinced that the trousers and trainers will be much cheaper (all the local Supermarkets sell them) than the expensive fashionable ones that you are persuaded by the boys to buy at the moment. We will of course continue to provide the PE Uniform at no charge but would ask that you make sure that boys have trainers in which to take part in sporting activities safely. Thank you so much for supporting the school in these changes but please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns Year 10 Work Experience Many of our boys attended a two week period of work experience during the last half term. All without exception were a huge success, with some having been offered extended placements. We are very proud of all of them! Year 10 Wales Trip As per tradition our Year 10 pupils have headed off on the annual Wales Adventure on 17th June 2013. The boys have taken part in mountain climbing, potholing, white water rafting and other such relaxing activities. They will return exhausted and exhilarated; the staff will just return exhausted! Year 11 Our Year 11 pupils have completed their time at Ramsden Hall and now have only their GCSEs to sit over the next couple of weeks. They have grown from challenging little boys into mature young men who we know have successful futures in front of them. Thank you to all the Year 11 parents and carers for the partnership you formed with us to support these young men through some difficult times as well as successes. We sincerely hope that the boys will stay in touch with us and visit in the future to share their triumphant stories with other pupils. |
Celebrations
Our Pupil Charity Committee has formed an alliance with the Little Havens Children’s Hospice and they organising a fund raising event that took place at the school on 19th June. Two boys visited the Hospice on 5th June and were excellent ambassadors for our school. We are also interested in sponsoring a Loggerhead Sea Turtle! Loggerhead Turtles face many challenges and we can help them by protecting them in the sea and on shore. When we have more information we will of course share it with you. The Disabled Sports Foundation held a number of Golf Assessment days when over 100 children took part. Thirteen children have now been selected to take part in a more detailed assessment day on the 25th June (including three from our school) in order to grant 2 – 3 pupils a Golf Tuition Scholarship. Fingers crossed that at least one of our boys will achieve this scholarship. Open Evening This will take place between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday 18th July 2013. As well as being able to meet with the staff to discuss boys’ progress and view their work you will be able to enjoy the delights of The Ramsden Hall School Buffet. We look forward enjoying your company then. School Term and Holiday Dates Please find attached the Essex County Council School Term and Holiday Dates for the next academic year beginning in September. Year 7 will begin at Ramsden Hall on Monday, 2 September. School will re-open for Years 8 and above from Wednesday, 4 September. Non-Pupil days for Ramsden Hall School – so far dates have been set for: Monday, 30 September 2013 Monday, 11 November 2013 Monday, 20 January 2014 As always we welcome your comments, compliments and constructive criticism in order to keep improving our service to you and your families. Warm wishes, Yvonne Goouge Jan Cowen Acting Principal Chair of Governors |