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Friday 2nd March 2018

School Closure Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd March
We never make the decision to close the school lightly - our intention is always to remain open when safe and practical to do so - but on Thursday and Friday the weather has defeated us! However, we fully expect everything to be back to normal on Monday, so please plan accordingly. We will however review conditions on Sunday and will post a notice on the school website. It may not be possible to make a final decision until early on Monday and all are asked to check the website/emails before leaving for school.

Assemblies
Monday's assembly for Year 11 was taken by the National Citizen Service with a short parents information meeting at 6.00 pm that day, to which Year 11 parents were invited. Since 2104 The National Citizen Service (NCS), the government backed youth citizenship programme, has selected Harrow Way Community School to be one of their Champion Schools for NCS.

As a Champion School Harrow Way fully embraces the NCS into their ethos. Year 11 students can join the programme which has been designed to help young people build skills for work and life, take on new challenges and meet new friends. Over several weeks it provides them with an amazing springboard for the future by developing new skills, confidence and a broader set of horizons. Participants do different and exciting activities, meet new people, learn lessons that can't be learned in a classroom and put their energy and enthusiasm into projects that matter to them.

Places are now available on this years courses for Year 11 students, which take place over 3 weeks, at a cost of only £50! Please see their website and below for additional information and to enrol.

New Appointments
I look forward to most days in work but I am particularly excited when I have the opportunity to appoint staff to the Harrow Way Team. In the last week we appointed an additional Maths Teacher for September 2018. Mr Nias who trained with us three years ago has just completed his first three years teaching at The Costello school in Basingstoke. We have also appointed Megan Gritti to the MFL team for September 2018 who is currently training as part of the Learn Alliance programme who we work very closely with as a strategic partner.

Reformed Examinations
For those parents with students in Year 10 and 11, these slides taken from Ofqual demonstrate the changes to the examination structure that will affect your children.

Prefect Process
Prefects have been selected and senior prefects have been given the opportunity to be interviewed for the positions of Head Girl and Head Boy and their Deputies. These interviews will take place next week.

Sporting Achievements
Congratulations to two of our students: Adam Robinson made a win at an event in Sheffield count last weekend - he is now the Indoor National Champion for U15 High Jump 2018 and Michael Summerfield has been selected for both the Hampshire Rugby first team and the Silver London Irish Under 16 Squad. Great achievements and we wish both boys every success for their sporting future.

World Book Day - postponed due to poor weather.

Kit Malthouse Visit
We have had to postpone his visit on Friday due to poor weather. I met earlier in the week with some students to ask them to think about some questions to ask our MP. They emailed me these questions on Thursday. I had to share these with you!

1. Are you happy with the new GCSE grading system and does it work?
2. Why aren't all Teachers required to be trained in mental health issues?
3. What inspired you to be an MP?
4. What are the government's future plans for Education?
5. In your opinion do you think that Mr Serridge has enough school funding?

Punctuality
We picked the worst possible week to e-mail parents about punctuality; main roads closed because of an accident and bad weather causing all kinds of travel chaos! Please can I take this opportunity to thank all those students and their families who help to ensure that students arrive consistently at school ready at their tutors door by 8:45 every day.

However, I would like to draw attention to the fact that too many students are regularly late arriving at their tutor after 8:45am. This has a negative impact on the smooth running of the school as students often miss out on important information and details for that day.

Students who are late, arriving at the tutor room after 8:45am, will receive a same day detention at lunchtime.

It is really important that students develop the good habit of punctuality as it is an essential life skill. I thank you in anticipation of your support in ensuring that your child arrives at school on time.

Thank you for your continued support.

These visits for 2017/18 have currently been agreed by the Headteacher. Others will be added throughout the year. There is no guarantee that they will all go ahead as this depends on student uptake. Further details on each visit will be given out to the year group/classes involved by the member of staff organising the visit.

Harrow Way Community School (All Parents) Mailing List

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