Harrow Way ENEWS

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Friday 7th July 2017

Good afternoon,

Very successful induction day and evening.


The formal induction process for our new incoming Year 7 students started with their Induction Day on Tuesday. Year 6 students began their day with an introductory assembly; afterwards they spent some time in lessons with senior staff going through our 3 simple rules – Be Ready Be Respectful Be your Best. We also had lunch together in the auditorium. The purpose of this day is to provide a fun and informative experience so that students feel fully prepared for the big step in September and can therefore relax and enjoy the summer holidays. They were a delight to have in school and we are excited about them starting with us in September.


Special induction activities are also planned for the first two days of Year 7 to enable students to get to know their tutor group and to familiarise themselves with the layout of the School.


The evening was followed by a very successful induction evening for parents. Links to the presentations used and other helpful information can be viewed on the website here.


Drop down day
We had our our 50th anniversary, 1960s drop down day on Wednesday. It was lovely to see years 7,8 and 9 working together and there was a super atmosphere with some very engaging activities, which can be viewed here. The range of activities included:

  • Science - Moon landing and rocket making
  • Maths - The cost of things in the 60s compared to now
  • English - Protest songs through poetry
  • Catering - 1960s tea – I even had some some 'Banana Angel Delight'
  • Film and Media - Radio podcasts based around the Marine Defences Act and Radio Caroline.
  • PE – Olympic games – they were trying to break some world records in teams
  • Computing and ICT - Quiz/Retro games – I loved the old tech!
  • D&T - Wallpaper products through time
  • Performing Arts - 'Good Morning Baltimore' from Hairspray
  • Art - Making bunting
  • MFL - Lip Syncing in French and Spanish of songs from the 60s
  • PSHE - Children's human rights were different in the 60s.
  • RE - The Hippy Movement
  • Geography - Mapping Andover
  • History - The Swinging Sixties
  • The Library - 1960s TV shows and books


50th Anniversary Summer Fete - 8th July from 1pm to 5pm
Please come along and support the school in this special year. Our 50th Anniversary booklet can be viewed here.


A busy week for Year 10
Year 10 students spent a taster day at Andover College, looking at their options for the next stage of their education. Parents also joined them for a Careers Evening and over 100 students will be out of school on work experience next week.


We also invited Cragrats in to spend a day working with Year 10. In this real-life Careers programme the Cragrats tutors take on the role of a headhunting firm, with each Year 10 student in turn becoming a candidate – with blank slates and an equal chance of impressing and getting the 'job'.


This programme covers areas all young people need to learn about as they progress through education and enter application processes.


The activities included:

  • Personal branding and awareness of roles/sectors/industries.
  • CV & Personal Statement writing.
  • Interview preparation and strategies to maximize performance.
  • Awareness of the need to take responsibility for their futures.


This was a great day and we hope raised the self awareness, aspirations and confidence of your Year 10 children.


Year 6 Graduation
I also had the pleasure of attending the Portway Year 6 Graduation ceremony at The Lights. It was a lovely occasion apart from Mr Deery (knowing I am an avid Manchester United fan!) presenting me with a Southampton FC fidget spinner. I will need to get him back! I am looking forward to attending the Roman Way and Knights Enham ceremonies next week.


Sports day
The whole school was involved in our annual sports day today. There was amazing effort & commitment from our students to a wide variety of sports, including tennis, javelin, shot put, long jump, track races and the climbing dyno challenge. Final scores are:
1st - Hawks
2nd - Buzzards
3rd - Kestrels


Hampshire Book Awards
You may have seen the book list for the Hampshire Book Awards on a previous e-news. Our 12 year 8 Hampshire Book Award participants went to the North Hampshire voting day on Tuesday. We may be biased, but we thought they were the smartest and best behaved there!


Year 4 & 5 Open Mornings
Parents of Year 4 or 5 pupils are invited to attend an Open Morning from 9.15 to 10.3 am on 19th or 20th July. More information can be viewed here.


Uniform change
We are changing the way we sell uniform. With immediate effect, all items of clothing are available from our suppliers Stitch a Logo. We will continue to make items available at school until stocks are exhausted.


We have also made some changes to the uniform for next year. Our PE kit has been revamped and extended. Please note that this change will be introduced for the new Year 7's in September onwards. Current students will continue with their usual uniform requirements and expectations.


e-Books
e-Books

We are pleased to confirm that our e-book platform is up and running and we are currently promoting its use. It can be accessed from https://harrowway-hantssls.wheelers.co


The platform is provided by Hampshire Schools Library Service and is free for students to use on devices at home. The service can be accessed by the students normal network log-in. There are over 2,300 titles and the appropriate age restrictions are in place. We are sure that students will find this a useful addition to the resources provided by our School Library . Students and parents/carers are welcome to contact Mrs Burningham in the school Library direct for more information.

HW50 Summer Fete

Harrow Way 50
Summer Fete

To celebrate the schools 50th Anniversary we are holding a family fun Summer Fete!

  • Saturday 8th July, 1pm - 5pm
  • Giant Inflatables
  • Raffle
  • Stalls
  • Harrow Way 50 Exhibition
  • Live Music
  • Refreshments

 
Calendar
July 2017

Monday 10th July
Year 7 Geography Field Trip - New Forest
6.30 pm Year 8 HW Guarantee Ceremony


Tuesday 11th July
9.30-10.30 - Public 50th Anniversary Coffee Morning


Wednesday 12th July
7.00 pm Performing Arts Summer Showcase


Presentation Evening Date Change

10.7.17 – Year 8 HWCS Guarantee Ceremony
17.7.17 – Year 7, 9 & 10 Presentation Evening

New term start dates:

Monday 4th September 2017 - INSET Day - No students should attend.
Tuesday 5th September 2017 - 8.45 am - New Year 7 students and Year 11 Prefects only.
Wednesday 6th September 2017 - 8.45 am - New Year 7 students and Year 11 Prefects only.
Thursday 7th September 2017 - 8.45 am - All students.

Legal Position on Attendance update from the Local Authority

Following the recent court case, The Supreme Court said that "regular" means "in accordance with the rules published by the school" and rejected the view that regular meant "sufficiently frequently".


This clarifies the position regarding attendance and it is clear that schools can continue to determine whether an absence is authorised and that schools need to abide by the Hampshire County Council's Code of Conduct when issuing Penalty Notices. Schools should now be fully implementing Hampshire's Code of Conduct where needed.


A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said:
"We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously agreed with our position – that no child should be taken out of school without good reason. As before, headteachers have the ability to decide when exceptional circumstances allow for a child to be absent but today's ruling removes the uncertainty for schools and local authorities that was created by the previous judgment.


"The evidence shows every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil's chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their life chances."


Peter Symonds
Peter Symonds Open Dates

Year 10 Open Evenings for 2018 entry are on:
12th and 13th July, 6-9pm
18th and 19th October, 6-9pm

See flyer for details.

 
Community Courses
Community Courses

Please follow this link to view courses available at Harrow Way from September, together with enrolment details.

Harrow Way Community School,
Harrow Way, Andover, SP10 3RH
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