We were delighted to welcome the Class of 2022 back to school this week for Presentation Evening. It was wonderful to see so many former students and hear about their first few months at college, apprenticeships and further training. Congratulations to you all and we wish you every success in the future – Please keep in touch and let us know what you are up to. A big ‘thank you’ to the current Year 11 students who helped at the evening and performed some amazing musical items. We also heard a very inspirational speech from Dave King, a local Scout Leader who climbed Mount Everest in 2007.
This week we are very much looking forward to the whole-school production of ‘We Will Rock You’. The students will take part in a technical rehearsal on Monday, perform to the local primary schools in Tuesday and the community will have the opportunity to watch on Wednesday 07 December and Thursday 08 December at 7pm. We cannot wait to see the show and know how much hard work students and staff have put into this. There are a few tickets remaining, please do purchase them from Scopay, if you have not already done so.
Next week is Week 2.
Events w/b 05 December
w/b 05 December – Year 7 Review Assessment Week
Wednesday 07 December – Year 8 Learn with Us Trip (selected students)
Wednesday 07 December & Thursday 08 December – We Will Rock You: School Production. Tickets are now available on Scopay.
Friday 09 December – Nasal Flu Vaccination (Years 7-9). Please seen emails already sent out.
Future dates:
Tuesday 13 December & Wednesday 14 December – School Christmas Lunches.
Friday 16 December – Last day of school (students finish at 1pm). This is also Christmas Jumper Day.
Letters/ Emails sent last week
Years 7-9 – Nasal Flu Vaccination (reminder)
Year 11 – Maths Supergroup (presentation to selected students)
Our letters are available here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/letters-to-parents/
The Headteacher’s Blog is available here and has been updated this week: https://hambleheadteacher.wordpress.com/
Student Hub – Skills Centre
We are excited to announce that Michelle Rolfe from SETA (Southampton Engineering Training Association) is visiting The Student Hub on Tuesday 06 December during lunchtime for our student drop in. Michelle will also be bringing a local employer from SparTec Engineering in Hamble Marina who have an engineering apprenticeship vacancy. This would be a wonderful opportunity for any students interested in this field to come and have an informal chat.
Remember The Hub is open to all year groups.
Theme of the Week: Emergency Services
The week students will be focusing on the role of the Emergency Services. In the Personal Development sessions of tutor time, we will explore the following questions and issues:
- Year 7: What should we do in the event of a fire?
- Year 8: What should we do in the event of an accident?
- Year 9: Prank calling
- Year 10: The important role of ambulances and health services.
Year 11 will continue with their revision and study skills sessions. The assemblies for all year groups this week we will delivered by our local PCSOs.
The keywords for the fortnight are:
- Accountability – to accept responsibility for something.
- Obligation – to have a duty or commitment to something.
Please use these at home and discuss the words with your son/ daughter.
Parent/ Carer Surveys
In the past we have used parent/ carer surveys and the Parent Forum to gain opinions of different aspects of school improvement. The key areas we will be focusing on over the next few terms are listed below:
- Communication
- Special Educational Needs Development (SEND)
- Behaviour/ Attendance
- Progress Data/ Reviews
- Information about what your child is learning
We plan to send out a series of parent/ carer surveys to gain your views. The outcomes will be shared with the governing body and other relevant stakeholders.
Our first survey is on ‘communication’ in general. Over the past year, we have made a number of changes:
- The website was redesigned to make it easier to access.
- A Weekly Message was introduced (you can access it from the website’s Home page), which has allowed us to reduce the number of letters we send out.
- We have been sending out text messages for urgent/ important communication, because you said this was more convenient for you.
- We launched a Facebook page because the feedback was that more of you used this social media platform.
- We have appointed five Student Support officers (one for each year group), so that it is more likely there is a member of staff available if/ when you call the school.
The biggest frustration that we most commonly hear is that you want to be able to speak to teaching staff quicker. Unfortunately, this is difficult for many staff. Most teaching staff teach 4-5 lessons each day, which means they cannot respond immediately. Additional to their teaching commitments, staff are expected to attend meetings, plan and mark work, and perform duty roles before school, at break/ lunch, and after school. Our aim is to reply to phone calls and emails within 48 hours; safeguarding concerns are prioritised.
Please do respond to the parent/ carer survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CommunicationSurveyDec2022
Your opinions are important to us and we want to work together with parents/ carers to ensure the best outcomes for our students. This questionnaire will close on Monday 12 December 2022.
A message from Fareham College
Our joint Christmas Fair and Open Event is next Wednesday 07 December 5pm – 8pm At BRC we have food and gift stalls, free face painting, free festive children’s crafts, a gaming competition, mulled wine and live music. Across all three campuses we will have demonstrations, local employers, students and lecturers available to give you an insight into courses of interest and at BRC and at CEMAST our fast-track application stations will be open. More info is available at www.fareham.ac.uk/open-event and visitors can pre-register to get updates about the event.
Xelabus
A reminder that Xelabus is a commercial bus service and not operated or owned by the school. Over the last couple of weeks we have been made aware that there have been some delays in the morning. The bus service often provides updates on Twitter @Xelabus and can be contacted on 02380 644715 if you require further information.
Staff Wellbeing
We are extremely lucky to have a large team of supportive and dedicated staff at The Hamble School. They often work outside of normal hours and are committed to helping our community.
As a ‘thank you’ for December Mr Taylor and the office team have set up a Hot Chocolate Station in the staffroom. SLT have also provided the annual Advert Calendar draw. Well done to our winners this week – Mr Etherington, Ms Hoey and Mrs Holden.
LRC Christmas Prize Draw
Mrs Kirby (LRC Manager) is running a Christmas competition for students again this year. 🎁 Students in every year group will have an opportunity to win a signed book. All you need to do is write your name on the entry form (found in the LRC) – it is as simple as that! 😊 Winners will be picked on Wednesday 14 December – an early Christmas present for the lucky winners. One entry only per person.
Living with COVID – Current restrictions
We are currently experiencing more viruses and illnesses going around as we go through the winter months. Schools are following the ‘Living with COVID’ Government guidance, which states:
‘Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, COVID-19 and RSV.
For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious, and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.
Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell. This is also true for children and young people with long-term conditions.
Attending education is hugely important for children and young people’s health and their future.
When children and young people with symptoms should stay at home and when they can return to education
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues.
It can be difficult to know when to seek help if your child is unwell. If you are worried about your child, especially if they are aged under 2 years old, then you should seek medical help’.
Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19
Year 11 Learning
Over the next two weeks students will be given their Mock Exam results in lessons and parents/ carers will receive a Progress Report. On this report you will have information every subject. This will include:
- Current grades – What we are seeing now; what the student is currently achieving
- Predicted grades – What we think they will achieve in their final GCSEs if they continue with their current work ethic.
It is also important to look at the ‘attitude to learning’ grade and homework grade. Both of these are vitally important for GCSE success. Parents’ Evening is on Thursday 05 January 2023 – We will be sending out a letter in due course, so that you can sign up to appointments.
Proud Friday
Well done to the following students who showed us some fabulous work at ‘Proud Friday’ this week:
Year 7 – Elliott B, Harley P
Year 8 – Mason M
All of these students received a certificate and email home.
Rewards
The following students achieved the most reward points last week
Oliver B 7-5
Oliver F 8-2
Reese C 9-3
Tillyanne B 10-1
Liliana F 11-3
If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing or would like to report a safeguarding issue, please email staysafe@thehambleschool.co.uk
