Headteacher’s Newsletter to Parents
18 June 2019
Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College
Middlewich Road, Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3NT
www.sandbachhigh.co.uk
www.sandbachsixthform.co.uk
[email protected] 01270 765031
Dear Parent/Carer
We are very pleased to be able to tell you that Mr Leigh is making a good recovery from his back surgery in April. Although physically absent from school, he has been keeping a close eye on all that is going on, particularly news about our students. He sends his regards and thanks for get well wishes and enquiries about his absence. We look forward to his return to school in due course.
Thanks and Farewell
After 16 years of service to our school we say goodbye to Mr Paul Jones. Paul will be well-known to students as the man to see when you've lost all your work or forgotten your password, however as our IT Technician he has provided staff and students with invaluable technical support as well as installing and upgrading computers, Wi-Fi and software, for example. He has done this with good humour, a calm and approachable manner and considerable expertise. He leaves us, but not the company he is contracted to, and is moving into a promoted post with Novus - where he is known as the man who gets the most tickets (jobs) sorted throughout their company!! We congratulate Paul and wish him every success.
Welcome
We welcome Alyson Ward from Novus who is taking over Paul's role.
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Sarah Xhepa to the school. Sarah has joined us as our Nurse Practitioner. Sarah has many years experience of frontline nursing at Leighton hospital. She has also taught student nurses and is a very experienced nurse practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding your daughter/son do not hesitate to contact Sarah by either ringing the school or by emailing her on [email protected].
IT Teacher’s Apprentice - Sandbach High School
Do you want to use your passion for technology and IT to support staff and children in schools, providing technical support for IT and invigorating the technology curriculum?
If so, the Primary Goal IT Teacher’s Apprenticeship could be perfect for you!
Novus are an education focus ICT service provider with over 20 years’ experience working in the education, public and private sectors across the UK.
If you are interested in this vacancy or know someone who may be please follow this link for more information.
http://bit.ly/2KEpZfu
Spanish Exchange
At the beginning of May this year, 15 students, ranging from year 8 to year 12 made the exciting return trip
to stay with their exchange partners in Marbella, with Mrs Bernardi and Miss Griffiths in tow! From the
moment we arrived we were made welcome, and the week was fun filled, with group trips to Ronda,
Seville, Malaga and Nerja, combining culture alongside shopping opportunities. In the evenings the girls
were with their Spanish Mums, Dads and siblings and got to have a real experience of everyday Spanish
life – and try lots of delicious food. The weekend was spent with their Spanish families relaxing on the
beach, visiting local towns and meeting up for get-togethers. On the final day the girls got to join their
partners in a lesson learning English, (they were really good at it!). Many lasting friendships had been
made, and lots of girls were invited to come back and stay in the summer – with or without their parents!
Plans are already afoot for next year’s trip!
College update
Before leaving to sit their examinations we recognised the achievements of our Year 13 and 14 college students at the College Celebration Evening. Following an inspirational and thought-provoking speech from Kate McWilliams, first Easyjet female chief pilot, the students received a wide range of awards both for academic achievements and contributions to the College and School. The winner of the prestigious Ann Gallé Award for Overall Contribution was Esther Watson. We wish them all the best in their examinations.
Year 12 students Helen McGlone, Katerina Piperakis and Lydia Ravenscroft organised a musical theatre day with 45 students from Years 7 and 8 participating, learning songs and dances from Matilda: The Musical and Glee.
All Year 13 forms took part in the first annual Great College Bake Off. After an elimination round 13 Royal were the winners in the final despite fierce competition for their Peter Rabbit cake, represented by Jenny Courtney and Maisie Broughton.
The College Interact Club organised the well attended charity quiz night along with Sandbach Rotary Club and raised £140 for the Railway Children charity.
We have recently held elections for the new Sandbach College Student Union and would like to congratulate the following students and welcome them to the representative council:
Izzy Reed, Emma Baker, Anna Woods, Rose Ramsay, Isobel Wilton, Vicky Owen and Deborah Oyawoye.
The sporting talent at our College continues to impress us. In 2018 Abby Warren was selected to compete in Korea in the mixed (Juniors and Seniors) World Championships for Shooting.
Just last month she once again secured the title of British Prone 50m Junior Champion. Abby has now been British Junior Champion for 2 years in a row. She trains 3-4 times a week at Crewe Rifle and Pistol club. Once again she has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Shooting World Cup, the team is made up of 8 Junior shooters, the competition will commence on the 12th July in Suhl, Germany. We wish Abby the best of luck
South Cheshire Athletics
The following students were selected to represent South Cheshire at the Athletics in the Cheshire Finals on Sat 8th June:
Minor Girls
Emma Heath
Amira Kandeh
Emily Halstead
Junior Girls
Rubie Bowie
Abbie Birchenough
Isabel Ashcroft
Ellie Bushall
Georgia Donald
Shannon King
Elizabeth Scott
Erin Whitehall
Abigayle Gentle
Sophie Reeder
Intermediate Girls
Emily Purcell
Olivia Fowler
Alex Ciesielska
Year 6 Transition
Year 6 Mission Transition is well underway, with the Parent and Student information evening being delivered at the end of May with over 600 people in attendance. The students attended workshops superbly delivered by numerous colleagues, and Parents listened to a presentation in the main hall from a representative from Bushcraft and Miss Whalley about upcoming events and important transition information.
Mission Transition workshops are now in full swing with well over 150 students attending each Wednesday evening for 3 weeks participating in various fun subject specific workshops, enabling the students to meet new friends and teachers.
The next and most exciting event is the 4 day transition for all our new students and they will be following a fun packed timetable allowing them to find their feet and meet new class mates.
All of the students have been visited in their primary settings and we are very impressed with the mature and lovely nature of the upcoming Year 6. We would especially like to thank all our primary colleagues who have allowed us into the schools and assisted us with the meetings.
Payment for Trips/Music Tuition etc
The majority of parents/carers pay promptly for school trips, tuition fees etc – thank you - but there is an increasing number of occasions when payment is not received despite reminders being sent out. Sadly as the number of debts continues to rise we have found it necessary to instruct the school’s legal advisor to issue solicitors letters which means that should payment still not be received the school would have to take legal proceedings. If you have difficulty in paying for trips, tuition etc please contact the School’s Business Manager or a member of the Finance Team as we are happy to arrange a payment plan with you.
We can no longer accept cash as payment for trips/music tuition.
Parentpay Daily Limit
Currently a daily limit of £4/day is set for all students regarding the amount of money they can spend in the school canteen.
If you would like the limit for your daughter to be increased please contact the school Finance Team.
Teentech Awards
Some amazing news, for the 3rd year running we have 4 projects through to the finals of the Teentech awards. The standard seems to get better every year. Well done to all concerned, especially Mr Massey who will accompany the finalists.
The finalists are:
Georgie Beresford for her GCSE Textiles project which tackles menstrual care problems for school
children living in LEDCs.
Immy Dowell for her A level Product Design project which provides a safe and relaxing place for
children who suffer from stress and anxiety.
Kirsty Barr for her A Level Product Design project which is an innovative piece of multi-functional
furniture specifically designed to address issues associated with smaller living spaces.
Natasha Longshaw for her A Level Product Design project which looks at the use of CNC equipment
to locally manufacture furniture for refugee accommodation.
The final will be held on Monday 24th June at The IET, Savoy Place, London.
Parental Carer Support for Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
We would like to extend an invitation to a coffee morning; an opportunity for parent/carers to come together to chat to others over a coffee and meet Kelly Martin specialist CEAT teacher, Janet Threader Family liaison officer with the team and Diane Grubber from CEAIS. The discussion will include what autism is and will provide some strategies that can be used to support a person with ASC in the home. For more information please contact [email protected]
Careers
Would you like to help to introduce our students to the vast array of careers and jobs that exist?
What: Careers Carousel (‘speed networking’) event for Year 7
When: Friday 19th July 2019 9:15am – 12:30pm
Who can volunteer? Any adult involved in ‘the world of work’ (not restricted to Year 7 Parents)
Why volunteer? Are you an alumni? There is nothing like hearing from someone who went to the same school as you! The national careers strategy suggests that each student from Years 7 – 13 should have at least one meaningful encounter with employers and employees a year. At Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College we are continuing to develop our careers education provision. We hope that events such as this will provide exciting and enriching ways for our students to broaden their knowledge of the range of occupations available and help them to understand the skills that are valued in the workplace.
Can’t take the time off work? Perhaps your company has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy and may support you in attending the event as it meets their ethical and social aims.
With 40 volunteers ranging from employee, employer to self-employed we can run a successful event for 250 students.
If you would like to be part of this, please register using the following link: https://forms.gle/PygA8AG3zpUQm9KK6
Please do pass this email on if you know of someone who may be interested in volunteering to attend.
School Fund
The Sandbach High School & Sixth Form College School Fund aims to advance and support the education provided by the school.
The school fund exists to provide additional materials, books and equipment and to finance opportunities that enhance the learning experiences of our students. The fund is used to provide items over and above those generally provided for through the school’s delegated budget.
Funds received in 2018/2019 were used for the following purposes:
To purchase specialist equipment to enhance students’ experiences
To update our ICT Infrastructure in order to ensure students have access to the latest technologies.
Schools, particularly those in Cheshire East, have faced a reduction in funding over the last few years and the outlook remains challenging. Through the SHSSFC Fund and the collection of £10 per student we can make a real difference to our school and to the education of our students.
Optional items:
PE skort £19
PE Shorts £16
PE zip up long sleeved top £22
NEW PE KIT
Gentle reminder that ALL students will be required to be wearing the new blue PE kit by September 2019.
Compulsory items:
PE Top £17
PE Leggings £18
The PE kit and School Uniform can be purchased from our school Uniform Shop which is open Tuesdays 3.15pm—5pm. Alternatively you can pay via Parentpay and your daughter can collect her kit from Mrs Kesteven’s office on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes. Any questions regarding uniform or PE kit please email [email protected].
Yours sincerely
The School Leadership Team
Friday, 21 June Year 11 Prom
25—28 June Year 6 Transition
Tuesday, 25 June Young Performing Artist of the Year Final 7pm—9pm
Thursday, 27 June Sports Presentation Evening 7pm—9pm
Saturday 29 June OPEN MORNING FOR PROSPECTIVE
STUDENTS
9.30PM—12 NOON
Wednesday, 3 July Summer Music Concert 7pm—9pm
Monday, 22 July Year 9 Presentation
Tuesday, 23 July School Closes for Summer Break
Forthcoming Events
DUE TO A
WATERLOGGED PITCH
SPORTS DAY
ON WEDNESDAY
IS CANCELLED
NEW PROVISIONAL DATE
THURSDAY 4 JULY
Please note that from September The Learning Centre will be open to students:
Monday - Thursday 7.45 am - 4.45 pm and Friday 7.45 am - 3.45 pm.
