TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL

& SIXTH FORM CENTRE

A WARM WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

We are delighted to be able to welcome a number of new staff to the school this year, and congratulate a number of existing staff on promotion or changes to their role. Along with all the staff here at Trinity we will all do our very best to ensure every student gets the best education possible.

NEW TEACHING APPOINTMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2014 Mr D Earles Head of Mathematics Mrs D Vijayan Mathematics Ms H Grosskopf Mathematics Ms A Shirley Physics Ms Y Kadodia Physical Education Mr L Roberts Science (Biology) Ms M Causer English Ms C Coleclough Food Mrs J Winslade English (maternity cover) PROMOTIONS Mrs J Cottle Deputy Headteacher Mr T Thomas Deputy Headteacher Mr T Jordan Assistant Headteacher Mrs K Hannan Head of Humanities and Communication Faculty Mrs A Cadman Head of Food Ms G Attenborrow Head of Resistant Materials Mrs K Fisher Lead Practitioner/Head of Business Studies Miss J Wilkinson Head of English Miss K Jonsberg 2i/c English Miss C Pinnell 2i/c Mathematics Mr M Delaney Head of General Studies Mr C Innes i/c Whole School Numeracy Mrs E YOUNG Head of RE SUPPORT Mrs L Laxton Careers and Guidance Adviser Ms K Ward Learning Supervisor Ms C O’Gorman Learning Supervisor Mr A Watkins Learning Supervisor Mrs S Hughes Receptionist/Administration Assistant Miss J McKinnon Attendance/Administration Ms J Tough Administration Assistant Mrs K Ayres Kitchen Mr David Evans ICT Apprentice Mr Ben Clarke ICT Apprentice

Newsletter No 2 12th September 2014 www.trinity.worcs.sch.uk

CONTENTS

WARM WELCOME TO NEW STAFF SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL EVENTS NEWS FACULTY NEWS UNIFORM CAREER INFORMATION PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION EXTRA CURRICULAR UP AND COMING SCHOOL TRIPS NOTICES DATES FOR DIARY GOVERNOR ELECTION FORM ACORN ADVENTURE REDDITCH SOCIETY

SCHOOL NEWS GCSE AND A LEVEL RESULTS

I am delighted that Trinity has continued to produce outstanding results, both at GCSE and A level. GCSE results this year were a very pleasing 70% 5+ A*-C grades (including English and Maths). This is again considerably above our target, which we have beaten by 17%!! Nationally it seems that schools like Trinity have taken a big drop in results, following changes in the way we were able to enter students for exams, and in the way subjects are included in the performance tables. It is testament to the extremely hard work of both students and staff at the school that we have continued to gain such outstanding results. In the Sixth Form, results have improved for the third year running. This demonstrates that the investment we have put into teaching and learning is having a real and tangible outcome. I am delighted to report that this reputation seems to be spreading beyond the immediate school community, as we have welcomed the highest number of students into Year 12 that we have ever had. A special welcome to those students who have joined us from other local schools and colleges. I would like to congratulate the following students in particular for their excellent performance in the summer examinations: GCSE Jamie Hathaway 4 A*’s and 3 A’s Ellen Jones 3 A*’s and 2 A’s Ella Ford 2 A*’s and 4 A’s Molly O’Connor 2 A*s and 3 A’s Ahmed Hussain 2A *’s and 3 A’s Lauren Buss 1 A*and 7 A’s Marlon Lokenath 1 A* and 6 A’s Nadine Foster 1A* and 6A’s A LEVEL Some of our top performing students include: Raees Akhtar A*, A*, B and Atah Shah A*,A*,A*, B – both going to read Accountancy at the University of Birmingham, Leigh White A*, A*, A* - reading Maths at Birmingham, Harry Bishop A, A, B, B – going to Exeter (English), Caitlin Walshe A, A, A – to Sheffield (International Relations), Charlotte Tongue A*, A, B, B – studying Midwifery at Wolverhampton and Charlotte Taylor to study Architecture. ATTENDANCE Good attendance at school is essential for ensuring students succeed and fulfil their potential. I am delighted that attendance for our first week back at school stood at 97.3% overall. Year 9 = 98.11%, Year 10 = 96.83% and Year 11 = 96.84%. OPEN EVENING The annual Open Evening is on Thursday 25th September, starting at 6pm. If your son or daughter has volunteered to help on the evening, they will need to be collected from school at about 8.30pm. Please feel free to come along and see the school for yourselves. It promises to be an exciting and informative evening where you will be able to see the improvements we have made this year to our already excellent facilities. A big thank you to all those students who are helping out, and to their parents and carers for their support. VEHICLE & PEDESTRIAN GATES In order to improve the safety and security of all school users, electronic gates have been installed at the Grove Street entrance. The vehicle gates will be open in the mornings until 8.45am, after which time visitors to the school will need to use the intercom facility and speak to the Receptionist to be allowed into the car park. All visitors are asked to park on the Visitors’ Car Park (down the ramp) and not block the area around the gates. The gates will open automatically to let vehicles out. The pedestrian gate will be open from 8am – 9am, after which time the intercom will need to be used to gain access. We would ask all drivers to observe the speed limit (10mph) and drive carefully when on the school site for the safety of our students. Thank you for your co-operation.

SCHOOL EVENTS NEWS UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME 2014 Out of the 100’s of applicants Maleeha Ahmed, Aleksandra Monka, Zak Shaban and Shanna McNamee were selected to take part in the University of Birmingham Academic Enrichment Programme of 2014. The programme lasted for 5 days running from Monday 18th August – Friday 22nd, it consisted of four different streams, Physical Sciences, Humanities, Health and Biological Sciences and Business. The stream we were placed in was dependent upon the course we were looking to study. Monday began with us taking part in ice breaker activities, during these we were forced to make friends with people we had never spoken to before through various team building games and activities. We were then taken bowling followed by dinner at a restaurant with the night ending in a Bhangra Dancing session. The second day and the days following were when the academic lectures began. Lectures varied depending on what stream you were placed in, Physical Science lecture topics ranged from Maths, to Physics, to Civil and Chemical Engineering, Humanities lectures ranged from Law to Psychology to History, Business varied from Economics, to Marketing to Business Management and Health which also varied from Dentistry to Medicine to Physiotherapy. After a day of lectures, students were taken to Edgbaston Reservoir where we were able to take part in water sports for the evening. We were allowed to do two from raft building, kayaking, paddle boarding, as well as dry sports (fencing and rock climbing). The day was concluded with a quiz, with Zak and Aleks being part of the winning team. For Wednesday the lectures continued, as well as these students were each assigned mentors who were doing the same or similar courses to those we were interested in pursuing. This was very helpful as we were able to ask for advice and information regarding university and our courses of interest, as well as this we were all assigned online accounts to take part in e mentoring. This allowed us to continue to seek advice and help from our mentors even after the summer residential was over. On Thursday after a day of lectures, to celebrate the week the evening was ended with a formal dinner where students were further given the chance to interact with those we had never spoken to before. University Alumni were also invited and certain students were selected to sit with them, this was our chance as students to thank them and the University for funding such a wonderful programme. The programme was very insightful into university life and the future prospects that can come with higher education. The night then ended in a disco where we were all able to let our hair down and have fun after an informative and busy week! On the final day all students remained together, with the last day being one of the most helpful. We were given advice on important things such as UCAS applications, personal statements and student finance. As well as this we learnt of the ‘Access to Birmingham’ scheme, which supports students of less privileged backgrounds (parents haven’t been to university) when applying to university. The scheme involved students coming to the university for a study skills session and completing a subject related essay, once completing and passing both of these the scheme would result in the university reducing a standard offer for your choice of course by at least two grades. We also learnt of other various scholarships, it was great to see such a prestigious university supporting and funding a chance for all students to have equal opportunities. That was the end of our week at the University of Birmingham Academic Enrichment Programme! We all had a great week, it was both informative and extremely helpful, we were given advice and information that we may not have been able to seek elsewhere. The University funded over £800 per student and the experience itself was invaluable, we experienced university life to the fullest, and we amongst all other students who attended will be forever truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity. We would like to personally thank Mr Petit for helping us to sign up to such a great programme, and to Mohammed Ansar and all of the Ambassadors for making our week so informative and successful! Thank you to Maimoona Ahmed (former student and AEPer) for also helping to secure our places! By Maleeha Ahmed (13AET) and Aleksandra Monka (13VGT)

FACULTY NEWS MATHS PROBLEM OF THE WEEK. Ninety-nine people stand in a queue to buy tickets to a match. There are enough tickets for each person to purchase two tickets. Each person at the front of the queue buys five tickets until there are none left. How many people do not receive any tickets? Get your answers in to Mr Innes by 17th September. The winning answer, drawn at random, will receive 20 e-praise. Good Luck! Well done to Megan Groves (9TMC) who answered 40 in last week’s problem. WAR OF WORDS - POETRY WRITING COMPETITION Open to Y9, 10, 11 and Sixth Form, War of Words is Young Writers’ New Inspiring Poetry Competition for 11-18 year olds. We are inviting you to create a poem about conflict, using any poetry style you choose. From haiku to sonnet, from bullying to a family member in the Forces, there is huge scope for original, inspired poetry. Conflict affects us all - why not write about how you feel about it? There is the opportunity to see your work published and to win great prizes for yourself and the school. If you are interested in taking part, please see Miss Tomlinson in Room 24 to sign up by Wednesday 24th September.

MFL SLANG OF THE WEEK!

Blé : wheat (literal), money (slang) Example : Il gagne beaucoup de blé. He earns a lot of money.

MFL MAGAZINES Teachers in the Modern Foreign Language Department are always looking at ways to help improve students’ skills, knowledge and grades in the foreign language they are studying. With this in mind, we are able to offer a subscription to a magazine in either French, German or Spanish at a greatly reduced rate. For just £6.00 per student per language, subscriptions would include 5 magazines, 25 MP3 audio tracks, 5 authentic videos and 40 online activities. The magazines are designed to complement and extend textbook teaching and contain up-to-date topics aimed at teenagers. If you wish to order these, please see Mrs Weatherley or Miss Johal for a letter. SCIENCE FACT OF THE WEEK Around 8% of children and 2% of adults have some kind of food allergy, this occurs when the body’s immune system incorrectly assumes a certain food protein is harmful and attacks it. Common examples of food allergies include reactions to peanuts, gluten and shellfish.

“Change one

thing, change

everything”

The

Butterfly

“An eye for an

eye will turn the

world blind”

Gandhi

FACULTY NEWS GEOGRAPHY IN THE NEWS The Ice Bucket Challenge is a craze which has spread to countries all over the globe this summer with a variety of people from celebrities to Trinity students and staff taking part. Here are some facts about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that you might not have known: ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

but is more commonly referred to as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in the UK

From 29 July to 28 August this year the ALS Association received $98.2m - compared with $2.7m donated during the same period last year

In the UK, other charities have benefited with Macmillan Cancer Support raising £3m from challenges. Water Aid has seen a spike in donations, including £47,000 in one day - 50% higher than it ever received in a single day before

In Iran where water is a scarce resource some people have swapped water for sand in order to also raise awareness of desertification.

Have a think… What has the Ice Bucket Challenge got to do with Geography? Do you think it’s a good or bad thing and why/why not? THIS WEEK IN HISTORY The identity of the serial killer who brutally murdered six women in the East End of London in 1888 has been one of history’s great mysteries. Last week however, author Russell Edwards released his book ‘Naming Jack the Ripper’ in which he claims to have discovered

the true identity of the monster behind the dark cloak. Following 14 years of research, Edwards has pointed the finger at a Polish immigrant named Aaron Kosminski who was one of the primary suspects at the time. Some people have questioned Edwards’ findings; do you think it is important to put a name to the killer? Or does anonymity make the story more fascinating to study?

RE NEWS From this term, all four to seven-year-olds in state-funded infant schools in England will be entitled to a free hot meal at lunchtime every day. Sitting down to eat a hot meal together not only allows children to have a nutritious meal, it also promotes a sense of community. Sharing food is a central belief of the Sikh community; and it is a long standing tradition that anyone that visits a Gurdwara will be offered a free hot meal. Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food is served to anyone without charge. The term Langar is also used for the communal meal served at the Gurdwaras. The food served in the Langar must be simple, so as to prevent wealthy congregations turning it into a feast that shows off their superiority. Although Sikhs are not required to be vegetarian, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwaras. This ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara, whatever the dietary restrictions of their faith, can eat in the Langar.

UNIFORM Yet again, we have been extremely impressed with the high standards of uniform maintained by the vast majority of our students this week. We appreciate that a small number of students still have items of uniform on order from Clive Mark Schoolwear and, as such, have issued them with uniform passes. With effect from Monday 15th September 2014, any students arriving to school dressed inappropriately and not in possession of a pass will be expected to either: return home to change, borrow the item of uniform from school or, where this is not possible, be placed in isolation until their uniform, hairstyle or piercing has been rectified.

CAREER INFORMATION Dear Parent, Carer and Student As the new Careers Advice and Guidance Counsellor I will be working very closely with all staff, tutors, and different agencies to ensure that all of our students here at Trinity High School receive relevant and appropriate advice and guidance not only for their particular stage of education but throughout their time at the school. There are various forms of careers information and guidance such as:

A drop-in facility every break and lunchtime (Room 2a ) An individual interview on request Assemblies Tutor discussions Advanced Learning Days Careers Fairs HE Guidance Apprenticeship Guidance Parent and student evenings The latest information on display

There is obviously a key focus upon Year 11 choices beyond 16 and there will be a continual programme operating throughout the year. If any parent or carer would like to discuss any career issue they are very welcome to contact the school and speak to me. Mrs L Laxton

PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION Trinity High School has a vacancy for one parent governor. Full details regarding this can be found at the end of this newsletter. Should you require any further information or wish to discuss this further, please contact Ms J Reynolds, Clerk to the Governors on the school number or e-mail.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH All students that were involved in DofE last year (bronze, silver and gold) must have all their evidence loaded up onto e-DofE by Friday 3rd October. Friday sessions will be available from 2.30pm-3.30pm in Rooms 1 and 2 starting Friday 19th September to get sections signed off by your leaders. LIBRARY ACTIVITIES MANGA CLUB Manga Club, every Wednesday after school in the Library, ALL WELCOME! BOARD GAMES CLUB Board Games Club, every Thursday after school in the Library, ALL WELCOME!

DRAMA CLUB Thursday after school in the Drama Studio with Mr Keady. Students from all year groups very welcome. BASKETBALL Year 9 basketball every Wednesday after school in the small Gym with Mr Keady.

STUDENT VOICE AT TRINITY Student Voice is a very important decision making vehicle within the school and we value the thoughts of our students. Form Reps and students who are interested in developing and maintaining high standards at Trinity attend meetings on a regular basis. We have a number of 6th Formers who are in charge of various projects from Teaching & Learning to the Canteen; these 6th Formers listen to the views of Years 9, 10 and 11 and work together to help find solutions. Check our notice board (situated bottom of English corridor) for updates on projects and important information such as next meeting date.

Follow us: @THS_Voice

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

REVISION/COURSEWORK SESSIONS ART, DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY After school catch-up for Art, Photography and 3D is on Monday -Thursday from 3.10pm - 4pm.

UP AND COMING SCHOOL TRIPS VISIT TO AACHEN CHRISTMAS MARKET We will be arranging a one day trip to Aachen for all language students in Years 9, 10 and 11. We will visit one of Germany's world famous Christmas Markets. The date of the visit will be 11th - 13th December 2014, and the cost of visit will be £65. Letters are available from Mrs Weatherly and Miss Johal. BARCELONA & SKI TRIPS From September 2014 it has been decided that the school will run its ski trip and Barcelona trip on alternate academic years. The Barcelona trip is planned for summer term 2015 with the proposed ski trip to Killington in the USA, including a day/night stopover in New York City, departing in February 2016. Students will receive information on both trips in assemblies within the next fortnight, including the date and time for an information evening later this month for the USA Ski trip. NORMANDY TRIP We are planning to take our Year 9 students on a residential trip to Acorn Adventure’s centre at Hauteville-sur-Mer, Normandy on the following dates: Sunday 28th June - Friday 3rd July, 2015. Please see letter with permission slip at the end of this newsletter.

DATES FOR THE DIARY 16th & 17th September Year 9 CAT’s Testing 25th September Open Evening 6.00pm — 8.30pm 26th September TED (school closed to students) 27th - 31st October Half Term

Excellence for All Trinity High School & Sixth Form Centre

Headteacher: Mr A Ward

Easemore Road, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8HB

Tel: 01527 585859 / Fax: 01527 65587 / office@trinityhigh.net

NOTICES LOST PROPERTY If you have lost/mislaid anything from a pair of glasses - (many are expensive looking designer styles) keys/uniform/PE Kit - please go along to Student Services to take a look through lost property. All unclaimed items will be sent to the charity shop at the end of term.

ATTENDANCE If your child is going to be absent from School please call 01527 585859 and press 1 to leave a message for the Attendance Office.

Dear Parent 12 September 2014

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY - PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS

There is a vacancy for a parent governor on the school’s governing body. The term of office is 4 years. The governing body

plays a significant part in the development and management of the school and as such, parent governors play an important role

as members of the governing body helping to form policy, set priorities and manage the budget.

I am therefore writing to invite you either to nominate yourself or to nominate a parent to fill the vacancy. A nomination form

is enclosed (additional forms are available from the school office). If you would like to nominate someone please return the

completed form to the school by Friday 3 October 1014 (12.00noon).

The person nominated must be a parent of a registered pupil at the school on 3 September 2014 (start of term of office).

Please note that you are not eligible to be a parent governor if you are:

an elected member of the Local Authority

paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any twelve month period.

No parent may propose and/or second more nominations than there are vacancies. Parents being nominated are invited to give

on the nomination form some brief biographical details suitable for inclusion in the voting paper.

Under the terms of the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2007, there are certain circumstances where-

by individuals are disqualified from holding office and those are detailed below. If the number of nominations received is the

same as, or fewer than, the number of vacancies to be filled then those nominated will be elected unopposed. If all the vacan-

cies are not filled in this way the governing body will have the opportunity to appoint parent governors to the vacancy/

vacancies.

If there are more nominations than vacancies the election will be by ballot. If that is necessary voting papers will be sent to you

together with details about the ballot procedure.

Yours sincerely

Ms J Reynolds

Clerk to the Governors

Under the terms of the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2007, individuals are disqualified from

holding office if they:

are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983

are subject to a bankruptcy restriction order or an interim order

are subject to a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 or a dis-

qualification order under Part 2 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 or a disqualification undertaking accepted under the

Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 or to an order made under section 429 (2)(b) of the Insolvency Act

1986 (failure to pay under a County Court administration order)

have been removed from the office of charity trustee or trustee for a charity by the Charity Commissioners or High Court on grounds

of any misconduct or mismanagement, or under section 34 of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 from participat-

ing in the management or control of any body

are included in the list of list of people considered by the Secretary of State as unsuitable to work with children

are disqualified from registration for childminding or providing day care

are disqualified from registration under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006

have been sentenced to 3 months or more in prison (without the option of a fine) in the 5 years before becoming a governor or since

becoming a governor

have received a prison sentence of 2½ years or more in the 20 years before becoming a governor

have at any time received a prison sentence of 5 years or more

have been fined for causing a nuisance or disturbance on school premises during the 5 years prior to or since appointment or election as

a governor

refuse an application being made to the Criminal Records Bureau for a criminal records certificate

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNORS NOMINATION FORM

Information about the nominee which he/she would like printing on the voting papers

Maximum number of words: 250

Completed nomination forms must be returned to the school by Friday 3 October 2014 (12.00 noon).

Name of Nominee

Address

Signature of nominee

Confirming willingness to

stand Date The above named parent has a child registered at the school, is willing to serve if elected, and I

would like to nominate him/her for appointment as a parent governor of the school.

(Not required in the case of self-nomination.)

Nominated by Date

Signature and address

Seconded by Date

Signature and address

Dear Parent/Carer We are planning to take our Year 9 students on a residential trip to Acorn Adventure’s centre at Hauteville-sur-Mer, Normandy on the following dates: Sunday 28th June- Friday 3rd July, 2015. Acorn is the leading independent school travel specialist and has been operating for over 28 years. They offer unique learning outside the classroom opportunities which are effectively combined with true adventure, real outdoors and fantastic activities. The Acorn experience stretches far beyond the academic, raising self-confidence, motivation and self-esteem. Acorn has an exemplary safety management system and were the first school travel specialist to be awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Badge. They are accredited by AALA, ABTA, ATOL, BCU, RYA, STF, ROSPA and IOL are a reliable, reputable and safe organisation. The total cost of the trip will be £450 per person, which includes full board accommodation, all transport, equipment and instruction. If you would like your son/daughter/ward to take part, please complete and return the tear-off slip below and return it to me with a cheque for £45 before Thursday 25th September, 2014. Please make cheques payable to Trinity High School. Yours sincerely Mr Michael Delaney ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Student’s name……………………………………………………………. Year…………………………. I hereby give my permission for my son/daughter/ward to attend the Acorn residential trip from Sunday 28th June- Friday 3rd July, 2015. I can confirm that my son/daughter/ward has no medical/dietary requirements My son/daughter/ward has the following medical/dietary requirements (please use a separate sheet if required) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… My son/daughter/ward can/cannot swim 50 metres unaided I confirm I am willing to pay the total cost of £450 for the trip and enclose £45. Parents/Guardian’s signature………………………………………… Printed Name………………………………………………………………… Date…………………………………………………………………