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Headteachers' Blog

Week Commencing Monday 28th November 2011

Ofsted
Last week we received a draft letter from Ofsted summarising the findings of their recent survey: A review of Anti-Bullying Practice in Schools. The letter was extremely positive. It made the following points:
 
  • Staff and students acknowledge the positive impact of changes made at the school in recent years. In particular, older students speak of a ‘kinder and happier’ school and that the incidents of bullying behaviour have declined. The vertical grouping of Years 9-13 in Tutor Groups supports the emphasis on mutual support and respect between students by providing more opportunities for peer-mentoring and effective role modelling.
  • The organisation and delivery of the curriculum in years 7 and 8 contributes strongly to students’ moral and social development. Effective evaluation provides evidence of the impact this has had on students’ behaviour and motivation.
  • The policies on behaviour and anti-bullying are very well written and set out the school’s high expectations of how students should behave to one another. Both staff and students are clear these approaches apply across the school community and acknowledge the important contribution made by the behaviour support team.
  • The action to be taken when bullying occurs is explicit and is well understood by everyone. Bullying behaviours are clearly described and sanctions are included in the policy with full explanations of when staff should seek support from more senior staff.
We are delighted with the comments but we will not relax. We will place a copy of the final letter in the downloads section of this website as soon as we receive it.
 
Year 9 Parents’/Options evening
Many thanks to all the parents who attended the above event last week. Attendance was close to 90%. Can we kindly request that you return any questionnaires to your child’s Form Tutor as soon as possible. We will be collating the results this week, with the results being placed on the website next Monday.
 
Celebration Evening
Last Thursday we held our annual Celebration Evening. Over 100 students collected awards in recognition of their effort and achievement during the 2010-2011 academic year. The awards were presented by Hamish Kennedy, Head of Education Development at Sony. Photographs will be on the website shortly.
 
Get Set Network - Recognition from London 2012 and allocation of free tickets!
It is with great delight that Stanley Park High has successfully been accepted as a member of London 2012’s UK-wide reward and recognition scheme, the Get Set network. We are now eligible for a number of exciting rewards from London 2012, including free tickets to the Games! Through the programme, we have been doing work linked to London 2012. This has included working with our Primary Schools by using our Young Sports Leaders to lead multi-skills events. We are delighted to have been recognised by the London 2012 Organising Committee as a school that is demonstrating its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic values, and have become a member of the Get Set network.
 
This means that we are now guaranteed free tickets to London 2012.
 
In addition, we will also:
 
  • have the right to use the London 2012 education logo – look out for this on our school sign, letterhead and website;
  • receive a plaque and certificate to show we are part of the London 2012 family;
  • and we’ll be in with a chance of winning visits from athletes and the London 2012 mascots;
 
Over the coming months, we at Stanley Park High will be getting ready for London 2012 by linking more work to the Games and ensuring that our students feel that they are a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. We look forward to updating you on this exciting work.
 
Horticulture
Mr Walker is in the process of developing a very healthy relationship with the Royal Horticultural Society. There was another excellent trip to Wisley on Tuesday with the Year 10 & 11 Horticulture students. We are off again to Wisley with Year 9 on Monday to plant trees for National Tree Week.
 
T-Factor
The week concluded with several members of staff singing their hearts out for the coveted T-Factor Award. The event drew large numbers of students to the Sports Hall, with each person paying a pound to support the Post 16 Tanzania Educational Visit. The event was won by Mrs O’Gara and Miss Potter.
 
Here are last week’s Sports Results:

Year 7 Netball v Overton - Won 14-6 (5 wins in a row!!)
Year 8 Netball v Greenshaw - Won- 11-6
Year 8 Netball v Car Girls - Lost 8-6
Year 9 Netball v Greenshaw - Won 8-5
Year 9 Netball v Car Girls – Won 11-7
 
Under 13 Girls Football - Inter borough competition - Winners!!! Will now represent Crystal Palace at the Nationals
 
Year 7 Football v Cheam - Lost 1-0
Year 7 Football v Greenshaw - Won 3-2
Year 8 Football v Greenshaw - Won 1-0
Year 9 Football v Greenshaw - Drew 3-3
Year 10 football V Greenshaw - Lost 5-2
U18 Academy Football v Reading - Lost 5-1
 
The week ahead
 
Strike Action – School Closed
You should have received a letter on Friday that stated our need to close the school because of Industrial Action on Wednesday 30th November 2011. The number of staff members choosing to undertake action means that it would be impossible to provide any form of education on this day. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause to all parents. We will reopen the school at the normal time on Thursday 1st December.
 
Here are this week’s Sports Fixtures:
 

Tuesday 29th

  • Under 13 Girls Football v Nonsuch- A
  • Under 13 Table tennis @ Wilsons

Wednesday 30th

  • U18 Football Academy v Leatherhead - A

Thursday 1st

  • Year 8 and 9 Netball v Glenthorne H

Friday 2nd

  • Under 16 and Under 13 Girls Table Tennis @ Whitgift 1.30-5pm

Week Commencing Monday 21st November 2011

Strike Action
Last week a number of Unions announced the results of their ballots on the possibility of Strike Action. Whilst we are yet to receive formal notice of an intention for their members to strike from any Union, it is very likely that it will be forthcoming this week. Given that more Unions are proposing Industrial Action than in the summer, it is very likely that we will be closed to all students on Wednesday 30th November 2011. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause to all parents.
 
Moving Site
Recently we have spent a considerable amount of time preparing for our move. We had representatives from Edes, the removal firm, in school. They confirmed that this will be a mammoth task but we will not be taking everything with us. The school, through effective budgeting, has ensured that we will not be taking old/worn equipment to the new school. Consequently, all subjects have been able to bid for funds to replace such equipment. This will ensure that we don’t have to ruin a new building with old stock!
 
The build is nearing completion. Inside, flooring is being laid, and signage is now going up around the building. Outside the Multi-Use Games Areas and the running track are nearing completion. Plants are being planted and the football pitches, because of the mild autumn, are looking spectacular.
 
Arrangements for the Move
As you will be aware we close for Christmas on Friday 16th December 2011. Further details about the time of closure on that day will be announced in about two week’s time. Please note that we are also closed to students between Wednesday 4th January and Friday 6th January 2012 for Inset.
 
Between Monday 9th January and Friday 13th January students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13 will follow a similar timetable to that which they follow currently. The significant change is that these students will not have a period 6 on any day. Students will be taught the normal timetable periods 1-4. Then at 12:10pm they will move straight to period 5. At the end of period 5, 1:00pm, students will be dismissed without lunch. This amended timetable has been determined because we will be without canteen facilities during that week.
 
Please note that there are some external examinations during that week for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. See the Exam Information tab on this website for the January timetable.
 
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will not be in school for the week commencing 9th January 2011. This will allow our colleagues some time at the new site to unpack and familiarise themselves with new procedures, particularly those in relation to Health and Safety. Students will be set work on the MLE (Please see details below). However, a staffed room will be available for students whose parents will find childcare difficult during that week. This room will operate a normal day throughout the week but there will be no canteen provision, so students will require a packed lunch. Please note that any parent wishing their child to have access to this provision, must inform their child’s Tutor in writing by Friday 9th December 2011.
 
Our MLE will be the source for all students in Years 7-9 to access the resources needed for them to study from home. All students are currently being trained about how to use the MLE correctly over the next few weeks and there will be guidance displayed on the school website incase they have any problems, or if you as parents are keen to see how this works. If there are any problems with your child accessing the MLE from home we will be able to make alternative arrangements, but will need to know this information from your child shortly.
 
All students will start at the new school on Monday 16th January 2011. The start time will be slightly later at 9:30am. From Tuesday 17th January 2011 we will revert to the normal start time.
 
We are in the final stages of planning the Bus arrangements for the new site. They will run between Shotfield and the new site at the beginning and end of the day. Further details should be available in about a fortnight and will be published in this Blog.
 
Children in Need
On Friday we had a Mufti-Day for Children in Need. Over £1000 was raised at the school gate. The sum will increase as many students chose to undertake additional tasks like Sponsored Silence and baking cakes.
 
Here are last week’s Sports Results:

Year 7 Netball v Carshalton Girls - 22-1 Win

Under 13 Girls Football v Nonsuch - 3-1 Win

Year 8 Champions Schools Rugby League (Nationals) - Finished 4th

U18 Academy Football v Eastleigh - 3-2 Loss

London Borough of Sutton Swimming Gala - Champions (retained trophy)
 
The week ahead
 
It is going to be very busy.
 
On Tuesday 22nd November we have the Year 9 Parents’/Options Evening between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. This is a very important event and we strongly encourage all parents to attend.
 
On Wednesday 23rd November the Full Governing Body meeting commences at 5pm.
 

On Thursday 24th November we have our annual Celebration Evening. Doors open at 6:30pm for this ticket only event.

Here are this week’s Sports Fixtures:

Monday 21st

  • Year 7 Football v Cheam- Surrey Cup (A)
  • Year 8 and 9 Netball v Greenshaw (A)


Tuesday 22nd

  • Year 7 Netball v Overton B (H)
  • Year 7 Football 'B' Team Tournament @ Cheam


Wednesday 23rd

  • Year 8 and 9 Netball v Carshalton Girls (H)
  • Academy Football v Reading (H)
  • Girls Table Tennis Tournament @ SPHS


Friday 25th

  • Under 13 Girls 6 a side South London Tournament

Week Commencing Monday 14th November 2011

Welcome to the first Headteachers’ Blog on our new website. I hope you like the new website, as we consider it to be a vast improvement on our old one. It is worth noting that it has many more interactive features, although it will not be fully operational until we get into the new school building. Significantly we will have a full 360 degree tour available in early 2012.

Each Blog will be published on a Monday. Ms Symons and I aim to provide you with up-to-date information. We will provide a brief summary of news and events that occurred in the week prior to the Blog, as well as give you our thoughts on the week ahead. This will include a diary.
 
Last week was very busy. On the Tuesday we had our Post 16 Parents’ Evening. We would like to thank all those parents for attending the event. It is just as important post 16 as pre 16.
 
On Wednesday we had a surprise visit from Ofsted. This wasn’t one of the usual Inspections but one of a number they do looking at a particular aspect of school. This one was a survey of Bullying and we were one of 150 schools selected at random to take part. During the day three Inspectors met with many students and staff. They also took the opportunity to interact with our students during break and lunchtime. The Inspectors were very complimentary about our work. They will be writing a letter to the school shortly and we will make the letter available on this website.
 
On Thursday the staff visited the new site at 6pm. We weren’t quite given access all areas but, nevertheless, it truly is breathtaking. Please see some images in the photo gallery.
 
On Friday the school fell silent for two minutes at 11:00am as we remembered those who had laid down their lives in two world wars and other conflicts.
 
Also on Friday, Year 8 had their ‘African Child in Poverty’ Day. The images from this day will shortly be on the website. 
 
During the evening Mr Stapleton attended the regional Jack Petchey Award ceremony at the Secombe Theatre. Seven of our students received awards: George Birkinhead, Ben Foley, Toby Griffin, Amelia Hill, Riyadh Mamdeen, Charly-Jo Stanbrook and Frankie Wood.
 
Here are last week’s Sports Results:
 
Netball League Games
Year 7 v Greenshaw  - 15-2 Win
Year 8 v Beacon - 10-4 Win
Year 9 v Beacon - 12-1 Win

Football Sutton Cup Quarter Final
Year 7 v Greenshaw - 1-0 Win
 
Football Conference League
U18 Academy v Borehamwood - 7-1 Win
 
Football League Games
Under 14 Girls Football - 5-0 Win
Year 9 v Glenthorne - 2-1 Loss

Rugby League National Champions School Competition
Year 7 - Four wins (Smashed Carshalton Boys 22-0). Lost in Final.
 
The week ahead will be very busy. On Monday night the Senior Leadership Team will be meeting to discuss the arrangements for the week commencing 9th January 2012. We hope to give you the final details in next week’s Blog.
 
Examinations this week include:
 
Monday 14th November
Year 10 Mathematics Calculator Modular Exam starts at 9:00am
 
Thursday 17th November
Year 12&13 Mathematics Modular Exam starts at 1:30pm
 
 
Please note that the January external examination timetable has been placed on this website for students in Years 10-13.
 
On Wednesday we are delighted to host the Whole Education Conference at our school. This is a very prestigious event that will invite teachers and other educationalists to look at what we are doing. Please see www.wholeeducation.org for further details.
 
Friday 18th November will be a mufti day in aid of Children in Need. If students and staff wish to take part a £1 donation is required. No pyjamas or fancy dress!
 
Here are this week’s Sports Fixtures:
 
Monday 14th
 
  • Year 7 Netball v Carshalton Girls - Away
  • Under 16 Badminton at Carshalton Boys Sports College

Tuesday 15th

  • Under 13 Football v Nonsuch - Away
  • Year 8 National Champion Schools Competition

Wednesday 16th

  • Year 8 Rugby League v Hinchley Wood - Away
  • U18 Academy Football v Eastleigh- Away