The Hemel Hempstead School Issue 1005 13 January 2017 Email: [email protected]Website: www.hhs.herts.sch.uk HeadLines Although the Christmas holiday is already a distant memory I hope that you all had a restful break. Year 13 have been sitting trial exams this week, for many of them in preparation for new style A levels exams in the summer. Year 11 students will receive their trial exam results next Tuesday along the lines of the August GCSE results day. The idea is to provide them with an opportunity to consider the action that needs to be taken in the last full term of Year 11 in order to ensure the best possible outcomes in May and June. In my 1:1 interviews of Year 11 I have been impressed with how many students have already embarked on revision and how they are able to articulate their revision methods, the most popular being to make notes (to help recall information) and then use of past paper questions (to test understanding). Sticking to this revision routine and strategy now will certainly give them a better chance of reaching their aspiration grades. Given the Met Office weather warnings of heavy snow for Hemel Hempstead yesterday I decided to postpone the Year 10 Parent Consultation Evening notifying parents by email in the morning. In the Newsletter of 23 rd November I included the text below on the new school closure notification system. Although I hope that we will not need to make use of this it is a timely to remind parents of how to register for notifications for any Hertfordshire schools should severe weather occur. Patrick Harty Headteacher Reminder AFTERNOON TEA EVENT On Tuesday 31 st January from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, Year 12 BTEC Business students will be holding a 1950s Afternoon Tea, a social event aimed at brightening up January for the older members of the community. Tickets cost £8, or two for £15; sandwiches, cakes, unlimited tea and entertainment are included. These tickets would make a great thank you present. The Afternoon Tea will be held in our School Hall which is accessible to wheelchair users. Please see Gold Letter 79 for details of how to order your tickets. Mrs Donkin and Year 12 Business students HEADTEACHER’S CERTIFICATE For Exceptional Achievement – for participation in the Youth Speaks Competition in December Andrew Boardman 10C Sam Eades 10L Hollie Partridge 10F Year 10 Vaccinations The Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Meningococcal ACWY vaccinations for Year 10 students will take place at School on Monday 30 th January 2017. The Vaccination Consent Form was emailed to Parents / Carers in December and also on Friday 6th January. The Vaccination Consent Forms are required back at School as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, please print, complete and return it to School by Monday 16 th January when they will be collected by the School Immunisations Team. If you are unable to print the Vaccination Consent Form please contact me at school. Thank you. Matron
Although the Christmas holiday is already a distant memory I hope that you all had a restful break. Year 13 have been sitting trial exams this week, for many of them in preparation for new style A levels exams in the summer. Year 11 students will receive their trial exam results next Tuesday along the lines of the August GCSE results day. The idea is to provide them with an opportunity to consider the action that needs to be taken in the last full term of Year 11 in order to ensure the best possible outcomes in May and June. In my 1:1 interviews of Year 11 I have been impressed with how many students have already embarked on revision and how they are able to articulate their revision methods, the most popular being to make notes (to help recall information) and then use of past paper questions (to test understanding). Sticking to this revision routine and strategy now will certainly give them a better chance of reaching their aspiration grades. Given the Met Office weather warnings of heavy snow for Hemel Hempstead yesterday I decided to postpone the Year 10 Parent Consultation Evening notifying parents by email in the morning. In the Newsletter of 23rd November I included the text below on the new school closure notification system. Although I hope that we will not need to make use of this it is a timely to remind parents of how to register for notifications for any Hertfordshire schools should severe weather occur. Patrick Harty Headteacher
Reminder
AFTERNOON TEA EVENT On Tuesday 31st January from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, Year 12 BTEC Business students will be holding a 1950s Afternoon Tea, a social event aimed at brightening up January for the older members of the community. Tickets cost £8, or two for £15; sandwiches, cakes, unlimited tea and entertainment are included. These tickets would make a great thank you present. The Afternoon Tea will be held in our School Hall which is accessible to wheelchair users. Please see Gold Letter 79 for details of how to order your tickets.
Mrs Donkin and Year 12 Business students
HEADTEACHER’S
CERTIFICATE
For Exceptional Achievement – for participation in the Youth Speaks Competition in December
Andrew Boardman 10C Sam Eades 10L
Hollie Partridge 10F
Year 10 Vaccinations
The Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Meningococcal ACWY vaccinations for Year 10 students will take place at School on Monday 30th January 2017.
The Vaccination Consent Form was emailed to Parents / Carers in December and also on Friday 6th January. The Vaccination Consent Forms are required back at School as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, please print, complete and return it to School by Monday 16th January when they will be collected by the School Immunisations Team. If you are unable to print the Vaccination Consent Form please contact me at school. Thank you. Matron
Dates for Your Diary *** Blue Week *** JANUARY 17th Year 11 Biology Set 1 ISA, Lessons 1, 3, 4 & 5 Year 10 Drug Awareness Talk, Lesson 2 Year 11 Trial Exams Results Day, Lesson 2 Year 12 Anthony Nolan Trust Presentation, Lesson 2 HHSA Meeting, Library, 7 – 8.30 pm 18th Technical Theatre visit to Watford Palace (selected students), 9.15 am – 3.30 pm 19th School Council Meeting, Lesson 1 Year 8 Author Talk at North London Collegiate School (selected students) 11.30 am – 1.30 pm Year 7 Parents Consultation Evening, Hall, 4.30 – 7 pm School Play Rehearsals, PA3/4 & DR1/2, 7 – 9.15 pm 20th Years 12/13 English Language students to British Library, 9.30 am – 4 pm 21st HHSA drop-off for Preloved Sale, via Heath Lane car park, 10 am – 12 noon ***Gold Week*** 24th School closes to students at 2.15 pm 26th & 27th School Play The Crucible, Hall, 7 pm The Hemel Hempstead School Association
PTA News Forthcoming Events:. Sixth Form Play ‘The Crucible’: 26th and 27th January 2017, 7 pm. The HHSA will be providing refreshments and will need your help to set up, serve and clear away. Please let us know if you can spare some time. If you are unable to help for a full session, please consider joining us for part of the time
Preloved Sale: Saturday 4th February 2017 from 10 am to 12 noon, in the School Hall. You can help us to raise funds by donating any unwanted saleable clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, household & electrical items, CDs, DVDs, and books. Please leave your donations at Student Services by Friday 3rd February, during school hours, or deliver your items to school on Saturday 21st January 2017, 10 am to 12 noon, Heath Lane car park.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 17th January 2017, at 7 pm in the School Library.
Facebook: Please search for ‘Hemel Hempstead School Association’ and ‘Like’ our page.
School website, HHSA Page: www.hhs.herts.sch.uk/parents/hhsa/ Includes minutes of meetings, second hand uniform, and ways you can help to raise funds.
Post: Performing Arts Music Technician 14 hours per week - actual times can be flexible subject to the needs of the business Term time only (38 weeks) Pay scale: H1 Salary: £14,975 to £15,823 pro rata We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed person to join our Performing Arts Department (Music) on a part-time basis (term time) to provide support and assistance to staff and students. The suitable candidate will be responsible for a wide range of tasks such as, taking responsibility for preparing and operating sound for all performances, checking and maintaining all musical and electrical equipment, and the management and maintenance of Mac suites. Previous technical experience in this area or a similar related area are essential. We are seeking a suitable candidate to start in the role with immediate effect. Further details, including application forms, are available on our website at www.hemelhempsteadschool.co.uk. Please send completed forms to Mr S Robinson, School Business Manager, The Hemel Hempstead School, Heath Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1TX. Tel: 01442 390100, email: [email protected] by the closing date. Please note, if you have not been contacted within one week of the closing date you have not been shortlisted for interview. Closing date for applications: Friday 27th January 2017
Flyer attached: Gade Schools – Parenting courses Families in Focus course DENS Quiz Night
SPORT FIXTURES Monday 16th January Years 8 & 10 Netball v Longdean (A) 4 pm start Year 8 Football v Cavendish (A) 3.45 pm ko
Tuesday 17th January Year 10 Football County Cup Quarter Final v Freeman College (A) 2 pm ko Year 7 Netball Cup v JFK (H) 3.30 pm start
Wednesday 18th January Year 11 Netball v JFK (A) 4 pm start U18 Football v JFK (A) 2.15 pm ko
Saturday 21st January U15 Dacorum Schools Football (selected students only) v North Kent (H) 11 am ko
PE Faculty
Gold Letters issue recently: Letter 81 Sixth Form Gym Opportunity Letter 83 Year 7 Parent Consultation Evening Letter 84 Technical Theatre Day, Watford Palace Theatre (selected students) Letter 85 Year 9 Careers and Options Day Letter 86 DoE Gold Award Letter 87 Years 12/13 Visit to Jaguar/Land Rover Global HQ Letter 88 Year 9 Parent Consultation Evening Letter 89 Quiz Night Letter 90 Year 10 Trip to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time Letter 91 Year 11 Trip to Woman in Black Letter 92 Year 10 GCSE Maths Revision Materials Letter 93 Year 11 Maths Revision and Practice Papers Letter 94 Holocaust Memorial Day
Careers Information Applications are now open for Year 10 students interested in attending the BAM Summer School which takes place between 31st July and 4th August. Make the most of your summer holidays this summer by joining BAM, one of the leading construction companies in the UK, and gain a CREST Bronze Award in Sustainable Communities. This is your chance to learn about the country’s biggest industry and gain work experience relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. To find out more and to apply, please contact June Wilson at [email protected]. Closing date for applications is 31st March.
Miss Bond, Careers Co-ordinator
Headlice warning Parents should be aware of reports of some suspected cases of headlice in Years 7 – 9. Please check your child’s hair and go to the chemist for the latest treatment and advice, if in any doubt. Matron
Quiz Night! On Friday 20th January, The Dragon’s Apprentice Group will be running a Quiz Night to raise money for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Join us for a fun evening which will include a raffle and the chance to win a large family hamper. The event will take place in the Sixth Form Study Room. Doors open at 7 pm with the quiz starting at 7.30 pm. Adults are welcome to bring their own alcoholic drinks; soft drinks and nibbles will be available to buy. Tickets may be purchased online or bought on the door (£5 per person). Maximum number of 8 people per team.
Mrs S J Cooper, Sixth Form Office
Music Department We had a hugely successful Christmas period in the Music Department and as always Andrew Pennycook has done an incredible job of editing the Christmas Concert recording. The DVD is available to order. The cost will be between £3 and £5, dependent on how many we order. Please contact Sharon Jackson either via Parent Mail ([email protected]) or phone on 01442 267681 if you would like to place an order. All orders will need to be received by Monday 23rd January. Below is a link to a short trailer of the DVD: https://youtu.be/ereFngsZi5I
Mrs Bailey, Head of Performing Arts
Sixth Form Applications If you are applying to our Sixth Form please be aware that applications should be returned to the Sixth Form Office by Monday 16th January. Thank you.
Students invited to attend the Headteacher’s Achievement Lunch for students with the highest net behaviour points in Autumn Term 2016
Year 7 Year 10 Eden Archibald 7F Zoe Collier-Hedley 10L Ella Bradley 7C Kaia Davis 10P Aiden Dabare 7L Memphis Foster 10A Darcey Goodchild 7P Crystal Jugoo 10F Grace Gower 7F Joe Kwaricany 10F Sanly Hampanijad 7C Jessie Lowe 10A Daniel Jones 7C Annie Martell 10L Joe Mostyn 7F Aneesa Siddique 10N Maiyu Mutio 7P Maddy Tuhey 10N Carolina Sousa 7C Min Wei 10N Holly Sullivan 7C Year 8 Year 11 Abigail Brightman 8C Katie Beck 11N Ella Cairns 8N Lucy Brown 11F Joseph Clark 8P Adam Deaney 11L Anna Gibson 8N Ailsa Goff 11L Katrina McDowall 8N Megan James 11C Harry Miller 8F Maddy Jenkins 11A Arabella Norris 8C Jess Tripp 11C Billy Reed-Hook 8N Rose Tuffery 11F Daisy Smith 8N Katie Williams 11N Oliver Stone 8N Nathan Withers 11P Derin Su 8P Year 9 Matthew Ellis 9A Rosie Farney 9C Isobel Finnamore 9N Elisha Ford 9C Millie Johnson 9L Samee Khan 9A Poppy Nixon 9P Lucy Scott 9A Dylan Shankland 9P Jessica Swannell 9C Harvey Taylor 9C
Library News
To celebrate Harry Potter Book Night: The Professors of Hogwarts Bloomsbury Publishers have launched a magical national schools competition!
THE PRIZES: One lucky class, of up to 30 pupils, will win a trip of a lifetime to discover the magic of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Leavesden, as well as a hardback box set of the seven Harry Potter books and Harry Potter themed goody bags! PLUS 25 lucky runners-up will also win copies of the books and themed goody bags.
All you need to do is invent your own Magical Professor on the template available from the Library and hand your entry in to Mrs Krajewski by 1 February 2017.
Mrs Krajewski, Librarian
Natural Flair
Parenting Courses/Workshops January – April 2017
Booking is essential
Unless otherwise stated all of the workshops/courses will be held at:
The Gade Community Room, off of Chaulden Junior School, School Row, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 2JU
3 Steps to Managing Family Challenges (Deadline to book is Wednesday 18th January 2017)
Date: Wednesday 25th January 2017
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am
What’s it all about? This workshop will provide parents with some very practical strategies to help support 3
key challenges that many of us face within family life: Developing family rules, discipline and problem solving
including strategies to help actively ignore some behaviours.
Families Feeling Safe Course (Deadline to book is Thursday 19th January 2017)
Dates: Thursday 26th January, 2nd, 9th, 23rd February, 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March 2017
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am
What’s it all about? A free 8 week course to enable families to keep themselves feeling safe by: raising self-
esteem and personal confidence, recognising and trusting feelings, staying in control and making safe
choices, building networks of support and lots more.
Becoming a Digital Parent (Deadline to book is Tuesday 31st January 2017)
Date: Tuesday 7th February 2017
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
What’s it all about? Parents will increase their awareness of online risks and behaviour, apps, gaming and
social media. You will leave with helpful resources and strategies to keep your family safer online.
Autism Support – 1:1 Advice Sessions (Deadline to book is Thursday 9th February 2017)
Date: Tuesday 21st February 2017
Time 9.30am – 10.00am, 10.05am – 10.35am, 10.40am – 11.10am and 11.15am – 11.45am, 11.50am – 12.20pm
What’s it about? Jo Whitlock, Specialist Teacher for Autism will be holding free 30 minute 1:1 advice for
parents with children who have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis or suspected ASD.
Managing Anger in the Family
Date: Wednesday 22nd February – Wednesday 29th March 2017 (6 weeks)
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
What’s it all about? This course focuses on managing and understanding anger generally and also to help
children manager theirs. Topics covered: Understanding Anger, Coping with Anger, Managing Anger in the
Family, Helping Children Manage Anger, developing tools for a calmer family life.
To book please contact Natural Flair on 01992 446051 and [email protected]
What’s it all about? – The Parenting Puzzle is a toolkit of useful ideas to help you enjoy family life. The Nurturing Programme builds on our existing parenting skills and helps us think about: why children behave as they do, the feelings behind behaviour (ours and theirs), different approaches to discipline, developing co-operation and self-discipline in children, the importance of looking after ourselves.
Please note - If you would like to book onto our courses or to find out more information please contact
To book your free place on our award winning parenting course contact Francine & Lesley: [email protected] or Tel: 01442 219 720 or www,familiesinfocus.co.uk
Families in Focus CIC has free places for parents on
A Complete Guide to Parenting Children with
Additional Needs
This popular, tried and tested parenting course is facilitated by Francine
& Lesley who are experienced and qualified trainers, one of whom has a
son with Autism and challenging behaviour. Ten sessions of two hours
sharing tried and tested techniques and strategies to parent children
with a range of additional needs and/or disabilities effectively in the 21st
Century.
Topics included:
Exploring the challenges and stresses of parenting children with
additional needs.
Gain understanding and build resilient family relationships by
sharing the emotional journey of parenting children with SEND.
Strategies, solutions, tips and ideas on managing behaviours
that challenge.
Issues siblings may experience as a result of living with a
sister/brother with additional needs/challenging behaviours.
Tried and tested communication techniques to reduce angry
outbursts
Techniques to manage conflict and so much more….
Where:
Collett School Lockers Park Lane Hemel Hempstead HP1 1TQ
When:
Wednesdays 7pm to 9pm January 11th, 18th, 25th
February 1st, 8th, 22nd
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd (no session over half term)
