The latest student news - 19 December
|
|
|
AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMMES
Details of these popular events
LATEST PE AWARDS
Students' outstanding performance
|
| Learning Resource Centre news |
| We are still collecting the tokens on Nestle Cereal boxes and from January, tokens will be printed in the Times and Sunday Times. We can use these tokens to claim free books for our college, and this will benefit all our students. The tokens can be brought to me in the LRC.
Author Visits
In November, we were lucky to have the visit of a former student, Ross Baker, who has just published his first novel, the Fable of Mythrian. Ross spoke to some of the year 7s about what inspired him, the challenges of being an author, and provided tips for successful writing. He signed copies of his book for students. I still have a couple of signed copies of the book if anyone is interested, £10 each.
Nine year 10s had the opportunity to attend a Fantasy Writing workshop being run at Oakham Castle by Rutland Libraries. The guest author was Juliet E McKenna and she used various styles and techniques to illustrate how tone and atmosphere could be changed when writing. Thank you to our students who were very well behaved and a credit to the college.
Overdue Library books
All books on loan from the Learning Resources Centre over the Christmas holidays will be due for return on Tuesday 6th January, 2009. Could all parents or guardians please remind their children to remember to bring back their books on time as if they are late they could be stopping someone else from undertaking their studies effectively.
|
Winners
Oakham Library had a short story competition and a number of students took part. The overall winner was Grace Ray of 7KH who won tickets to see Sir Gawain and the Green Knight at Catmose Theatre. James Winstanley of 7KH and William O'Hara of 7KH were short listed in the top five. Congratulations to all our winners. Oakham Library is also running a fantasy short story competition which has a deadline of 31st December. Full details are available from Rutland Library Service or the Learning Resources Centre.
Christmas Poetry Picnic
Following the success of the poetry picnic on the National Poetry Day in November, a Christmas poetry Picnic was held in the LRC. Students munched on biscuits and chocolates and read poetry, some of which were written by the students.
Oakham Library is also running a fantasy short story competition which has a deadline of 31st December. All you need to do is write a story of up to 500 words to be in with a chance of winning a Beedle the Bard Collector's Edition by J K Rowling (First prize) or a ?10 National Book Token (runner-up prize). Full details are available from Rutland Library Service.
As the National Year of Reading comes to an end, I would like to thank all the parents for encouraging their children to read and for making the year so successful in college. Keep up the good work - it does pay off in the end.
|
| Festive Challenge |
|
 |
|
Students from 7JW, 7KH and 7AAP responded to the challenge of creating a unique Christmas tree as part of the Langham Christmas tree festival. They created the tree from corrugated cardboard sprayed cool blue and sparkling silver and produced handmade felt Gingerbread men and houses, Christmas puddings and mince pies to decorate it.
|
The tree along with others could be seen in Langham church last weekend. Paul Nixon, Leicestershire County Cricketer officially opened the festival at a fund raising reception on Friday 5 December. All proceeds from the festival will go towards the upkeep of St Peter and St Paul Parish church and also to Macmillan Cancer Support. |
| Head Boy, Head Girl and other appointments |
I interviewed a number of students last term for the position of head boy and head girl and was extremely impressed by the calibre of students I interviewed.
Supporting Amy Longhurst, Head Girl and Adam Mabbott, Head Boy (above) are 3 deputies and 31 senior prefects. I value the opinions of all our students but these students in particular have an important role in both setting an example for their peers to follow and also to ensure that student opinion is reflected in the way we run the college.
Stuart Williams
|
Head Girl Amy Longhurst
Deputy Head Girl Genevieve Frost
Deputy Head Girl Ann Gwyther
Head Boy Adam Mabbott
Deputy Head Boy Stephen Brignall
Deputy Head Boy Joe Longhurst
Senior Prefects
Rachel Baker, Sam Batten, Emily Bird, Lucy Brown, Kelly Bulmer, Adam Comber, Cassandra Dunmore, Thomas Evans, Leanne Fitches, Richard Hughes, Sian Kerwin, Hannah Lee, Stephanie Lightfoot, Paddie Marlow Barnes, Lauren Miles, Jade Morgan, Alex Mulvey, Polly Murch, Jade Neville, David Poolan, Alexander Quinn, Isaac Smith, Kerry Smith, Sarah Spence, Joe Stafford, Ben Stimpson, Serena Volpe, Laura Volpe, Brtittany Wade, Emily Wardle, Nicole Whitefield
|
|
Stationery
All the items listed are available for sale from the Learning Resources Centre.
Papermate stick Biros (black, blue, green, red) - 10p each
Papermate flexigrip ball point biros (black, blue, red) - 50p each
Pilot Ball biros with Gel ink - various colours - 75p each
Protractors - 40p each
|
Eddings 55 pens (black) - 50p each
HB pencils - 10p each
Papermate non-stop pencils - 30p each
Pencil Sharpeners (plastic) - 10p each
(metal) - 20p each
Erasers (small) - 10p
(large) - 15p
Rulers (15cm) - 20p each
(30cm) - 30p each
Quick Stick - 50p each
Compass - 40p each
|
MOBILE PHONES
May I remind students and parents that mobile phones must not be used during the college day, including break and lunchtimes. Phones must be switched off during the day.
If any student is found using a mobile phone at any time during the college day it will be confiscated until the end of the day.
MUSIC PLAYERS
Music players can be brought into the college but like mobile 'phones they must not be used at all during the college day. They are also valuable items for which we cannot be responsible. If a student is found misusing a music player they will be asked to put it away.
The college cannot take responsibility for students' personal belongings. If they bring items of value into the college, this is at their own risk.
|
Storage of valuables
With immediate effect, valuables will no longer be collected by staff during students' physical education lessons. In order to provide a more secure and efficient system students will be able to store valuables in lockers situated in the changing room area.
Padlocks will be available from the main college office and PE department at a cost of £1.50. Students are encouraged to purchase a padlock in order to ensure valuables are safe and secure.
Students bring valuables in at their own risk and as such the PE department are not responsible in the event of items being mislaid or stolen.
Thanks for your continued support.
|
|
Homework
ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO UNDERTAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORK AT HOME. This is a necessary and valuable part of the education we provide.
Students will receive a homework timetable and a diary to help them to organise your time. Students can use our library during the midday break and from 3.20pm each day (see overleaf for library opening times). We expect parents to ensure that homework is completed and to comment in the student diary. From time to time parents observe that too much work is set or too little. We ask parents to assist us in monitoring the amount of homework completed and to raise any issues that may arise with your form tutor.
As a guide, we recommend the following each evening:
|
Year 7
|
1 hour
|
|
Year 8
|
1.5 hours
|
|
Year 9
|
1.5 hours
|
|
Year 10
|
2 hours
|
|
Year 11
|
2.5 hours
|
|
Homework will be set in each subject every week. It is the students' responsibility to record work accurately and hand in on the day specified by subject teachers.
At the front of each diary there are 2 forms to be signed by all students and their parents. Form teachers will be asked to check that all agreements are signed by the end of the month.
Personal organiser
All students should now be using their personal organiser. It is also a useful reference book for parents as it contains a lot of useful information.
At the front of each diary there are two forms to be signed by all students and their parents. Can parents please ensure that the forms are signed. Form teachers will be asked to check that all agreements are signed by the end of the month.
Homework/study support
Homework/study support will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.30-4.30pm and is open to all students.
Students can collect permission forms from reception or E7
|
Refocus room
As you are aware the refocus room has been established this year. There are 4 key objectives for the refocus room;
1. reduce external exclusions;
2. improve effectiveness of internal exclusions;
3. manage student behaviour effectively;
4. manage transition back into college after exclusion.
Referrals to the refocus room are made by senior members of staff after discussion with myself or Stuart Williams. The length of placement in the refocus room will not exceed 2 full days; the period of isolation may be a lesson, a morning/afternoon or a full day.
|
Whilst in the refocus room students will be a given a programme of work to do relating to their lessons for the day under close supervision.
If students are in the refocus room they will be given guidance and advice relating to the specific incident that led them to being in the refocus room. They will be asked to apologise if this is appropriate and will be given advice on re-entry into the college regarding equipment, attitude and behaviour. Students will be issued with a report card for teachers to complete after every lesson and their behaviour will be monitored until it is felt that the student is meeting the required standard.
The college's code of conduct can be downloaded here.
Ms Savage
|
SCHOOL NURSE
Marita Tempest, the school nurse, is at the college every Monday lunchtime for a 'drop-in' session for pupils. All students are welcome and there is no appointment necessary. Just go to the medical room.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Can you please ensure that you notify the college if your contact details change. It is important that we are notified of any change to address or 'phone numbers (including mobile 'phones
|
PIERCINGS
As stated in our uniform policy the only visible face piercing permitted is a small nose stud. All other piercings must be either removed or covered with a plaster for health and safety. The students should supply their own covering. If a student fails to comply to this rule they will be internally excluded and their lessons completed in the refocus room. This policy is clearly stated in the homework diaries and has been for a number of years. If you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact the college.
|
EARN CREDITS AND ENJOY THE REWARDS
As you are aware, students have the opportunity to earn points throughout the year. All students are invited to think about the kind of prizes they would like to win for the achievement of their hard earned points. Ideas to Ms Ross, the college manager, by post or email office@catmose.rutland.sch.uk
|
Smoking
The college is a non smoking site and we continue with our drive to eliminate smoking from the college. Students are encouraged to complain and identify smokers because we want to work in a healthy environment. Any student caught smoking or in circumstances where it is likely they have been smoking or are with smokers, will be excluded from the college.
|
If you have any comments contact the college on 01572 722286, by fax on 01572 724429 , by e-mail on office@catmose.rutland.sch.uk or by post
|
|