This week we enjoyed hosting lots of visitors in school – Parents/ carers at Parent Forum, Year 7 ‘Meet the Tutor’ and our Open Mornings; prospective students at Year 5/6 Open Mornings; outside agencies and members of the community for Year 11 PSHCRE Day and prospective staff at our Recruitment Event. Our Year 10 Prefects have been very busy showing everyone around the school and feedback from all these events has been extremely positive. We thought we would share some comments with you:
- ‘The school seems very calm and students are polite’.
- ‘My child has settled in well and there has been lots of information’.
- ‘We have had lots of communication from the school – it has been outstanding’.
- ‘My child has integrated well and loves all he extra-curricular opportunities’.
- ‘The tour guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable. This is the best Open Morning we have been to’.
- ‘My daughter’s tutor is wonderful – Attentive and supportive’.
- ‘There was some really good learning going on in lessons – Students seems very engaged and on task’.
- ‘There was lots of praise from the team from HSBC – They commented that behaviour and input was really good’.
- ‘It was a pleasure to come to your school – The children are great’.
- ‘Thanks for having me in to speak to the students yesterday. They were a wonderfully receptive audience. I’d be happy to return anytime!’
We have more Year 5/6 Open Mornings over the next few weeks – If you have a child in these year groups or know someone who does, please do sign up: https://forms.office.com/e/Px1zqDmteb
Our Recruitment Event was very successful on Friday; however, we have received some requests to host another event after school hours. We are delighted to inform you that our next recruitment session is on Thursday 12 October 4:30pm-5:30pm. You can sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/EUAH8Y8CtQ
Next week is WEEK 1.
Events w/b 2 October
All week – Year 8 Review Assessment Week. Students are expected to revise using the resources provided by teachers on Class Charts.
All week – Year 7 CATs tests (please see previous email).
Monday 9 October – 8B2 LifeLab Trip (see previous letter).
Tuesday 10 October – 8B3 LifeLab Trip (see previous letter), Open Morning for prospective Year 7 students.
Thursday 12 October –Open Morning for prospective Year 7 students, Staff Recruitment Event.
Future dates
Tuesday 17 October – 6pm – Year 11 Raising Achievement Evening for students and parents/ carers – Please Save the Date.
Friday 20 October – INSED Day (the school will be closed to students).
Monday 23 – Friday 27 October – Half term Holiday
Thursday 7 November – Cause for Concern Year 11 Parents’ Evening (selected students).
Letters sent this week
All letters can be found here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/letters-to-parents/
All – Governors Update, Drugs misuse, illegal substances and protecting students.
The canteen menus can be found here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/food-and-drink/
Please check your child’s Attendance regularly on Class Charts
Theme of the Week – Anti Social Behaviour
This week, Year 7-10 will be focusing what anti-social behaviour is, the effects of anti-social behaviour and how to be a positive citizen within a community. The Progress Leaders will be leading assemblies looking at:
- The risks of vaping
- Why do people drop litter and the effects of litter
- Using appropriate language within different contexts
- Courteousness and the effect of developing this as a soft skill
- Why we should treat each other with respect
- How do we call out disrespectful/inappropriate language.
In tutor time, Years 7-10 will be looking at ‘How can we be positive members of our community?’ – focussing on how to be a positive role model, random acts of kindness/pay it forward and getting involved in volunteering.
Parent/ Carer Support – The Dangers of Vaping
At our Parent Forum parents/ carers asked if we could host a series of workshops/ coffee mornings. We are looking to put together a schedule, which will be communicated in due course. In the meantime, we will provide you with some parent/ carer information each week to support you via the Weekly Message.
Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It’s common among teens.
How Does Vaping Work?
E-cigarettes (or “vape pens”) heat a liquid until it becomes a vapour, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or “vape juice”) can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. E-cigarettes can be refillable or pre-filled with cartridges containing the e-liquid. The pre-filled e-cigarettes (called “Puff Bars”) are designed for one-time use. After taking a certain number of “puffs,” the user throws the device away.
What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?
The health risks of vaping include:
- addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that’s highly addictive. You don’t have to vape every day to get addicted.
- anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.
- becoming a smoker: Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future.
- sleep problems
- exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
- chronic bronchitis
- lung damage that can be life-threatening
Other health effects are possible that we don’t yet know about. Vaping hasn’t been around that long, so its health risks aren’t all known.
How Do I Know if My Child Is Vaping?
Start by asking your child in a non-judgmental, concerned way if they have tried vaping. You want to encourage conversation, not shut it down. Even if you don’t think your children vape, talk about it with them anyway so they know it’s unhealthy.
Signs of vaping include:
- new health issues such as coughing or wheezing
- e-cigarette supplies, like cartridges or other suspicious looking items
- new smells (some flavourings are banned, but others are in nicotine and marijuana vapes — so parents might notice fruity or sweet scents)
What Should I Do if My Child Vapes?
Your child will need your help and support to quit. Help them find the motivation to stop vaping. You might want to talk about:
- wanting to be the best, healthiest version of themselves
- not wanting to be addicted
- avoiding health effects including impotence and decreased sports performance
- not wanting to increase anxiety or depression
- saving money
- going against advertising that targets young people
Some people use vaping to curb their appetite, but there’s no proof that vaping helps with weight loss. If you think this is why your child vapes, talk to them about healthier ways to stay at a healthy weight or lose weight.
How Can Kids and Teens Quit Vaping?
For those who want to quit, it can help to:
- Decide why they want to quit and write it down or put it in their phone. They can look at the reason(s) when they feel the urge to vape.
- Pick a day to stop vaping. They can put it on the calendar and tell supportive friends and family that they’re quitting on that day.
- For some people, chewing sugar-free gum or lollipops can help distract them from cravings.
- Get rid of all vaping supplies.
- Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to their phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while they’re trying to stop vaping. Truth Initiative’s This Is Quitting texting program, for example, can help young people quit vaping. Smokefree.gov also offers free apps and other tools that can help someone trying to quit smoking or vaping.
- Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings for nicotine, especially in the first few days after stopping. It also can lead to headaches; feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed; trouble concentrating or sleeping; hunger; and restlessness. These problems get better over the following days and weeks.
What Else Should I Know?
Lend your support as your teen tries to quit. Set a good example by taking care of your own health. Make your house smoke-free and vape-free. If you smoke or vape, make the commitment to quit. Keep all vaping supplies and refill materials in child-resistant packaging out of the reach of children. Nicotine exposure can poison and even kill a child.
Parental Support Courses
Hampshire County Council has partnered with the Solihull Approach to provide free, evidence based online courses with practical tips and advice to boost parent’s and carer’s confidence, help
them navigate family life, and strengthen their relationships. Families receive unlimited access to the courses and can go back to them as their needs change. The interactive courses cover topics like:
- Understanding your child with additional needs (0-19 years)
- Understanding your child’s mental health and wellbeing
- Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child/teenager
- Understanding your brain (for teenagers only)
- Understanding your feelings (for teenagers only)
To access the courses visit www.inourplace.co.uk and enter the word family into the access code.
Prejudicial Language
In school we record, track and respond to prejudicial behaviour in order to:
- identify patterns: identifying trends will enable schools to better tailor programmes of education and carry out more preventative, rather than reactive, work
- identify training needs: understanding the nature and frequency of prejudice-related incidents allows training needs for staff and pupils to be identified and targeted training to be delivered
- monitor the success of strategies
- ensure accountability: thoroughly recording incidents, and all of the actions taken in response, will ensure that staff members and the school are accountable for their actions
- provide a safe environment for staff and pupils: recording prejudice-related incidents
- demonstrate to both staff and pupils that the school has a positive ethos: where all pupils are valued, and prejudice and discrimination are not accepted.
Parents/carers, have an important role to play in combating prejudice and discrimination among our children. You are the most significant and influential people in children’s lives. Parents/ carers therefore have an opportunity to make a real difference by:
- setting a good example for our children through your attitudes and behaviour towards others
- talking to children about prejudice and discrimination and getting them to think about their attitudes and the way they treat others
- giving children support and encouragement if they experience prejudice and discrimination.
Remember any concerns about issues in the school setting can be reported using our ‘Report a Concern’ button on the website: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/report-concerns/
Incidents that happen outside of school should be reported to the Police.
Year 11 Update
Year 11 have made such a fantastic start to their final year at school. Attendance at after school intervention on a Tuesday and Thursday is 98%. Sometimes staff will offer study support on other evenings, if they feel it is necessary – especially coursework subjects.
Over the next week students will be completing a questionnaire in tutor time to check they feel supported in school and allow them to identify any further help they need. Parents/ carers will also get one to fill in during the week too. In addition, we would urge you to keep Thursday 17 October free, so that you can attend the Raising Achievement Evening with your child – the sign up will be out this week.
Extra-Curricular Focus – Christian Union
Our Christian Union Club is now running twice a week every Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime. You do not need to be a Christian to attend. Please come along and get involved.
Sailing Achievement
Congratulations to Eddie L (Year 8), Kate K (Year 8) and Kris K (Year 9) who took part in the Sea Scouts Regatta last weekend. Eddie came first place in the single-handed sailing race ( under 12.5 year olds) and Kate and Kris won first place in the double handed sailing (under 14.5 year olds) event.
Well done from everyone at The Hamble School!
We always like to hear (and celebrate) student achievements outside of school – Please email communication@thehambleschool.co.uk to share your stories.
Rewards
The following students have achieved the most reward points this week:
Year 7 – Emmie P 7-5
Year 8 – Emmanuel O 8-9
Year 9 – Breda-Mai G 9-4
Year 10 – May H 10-3
Year 11 – Georgia B 11-5
Celebration Friday!
The following students were awarded certificates and points for showing us their fantastic work at Proud Friday:
Year 7
Riley M
Frankie F
Henri R
Year 8
Scarlett F-R
Maisy M
Year 9
Mason M
Year 10
Sophie F
Maxwell J
Marty McM
Ruby S
Charlotte E
Lilou KF
Romane KF
Erin G
Olivia M
Ella-Rose D
Jessica H
Year 11
Georgia B
Isla M
Olivia W
Poppy F
Coady H
Libbie D
Marley D
Liam F
Marnie G
This week 189 students gained their Bronze Award and 19 achieved Silver. Well done to all.
If you would like to nominate a member of staff for a ‘thank you’, please click here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/staff-recognition/
Support
If you or you child would like support with wellbeing, please check out the links of our website: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/student-wellbeing-support/ You can report a safeguarding concern here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/report-concerns/
