Head’s End of Term Letter Easter 2008

Dear Parents,

for the first time I am not writing to you at the end of the spring term to break for Easter. Next year, Easter falls within the two week break as usual, so things will feel a bit more normal!

I always list our priorities as a school, so that you can understand that the work we are doing together focuses on these particular aims:

• To provide more choices of learning styles for students in years 9-11
• Develop personal pathways for students
• Build up a sense of community in the school
• Enhance the learning environment to be fit for purpose

These will help to promote choices, chances, challenge and collaboration for all students.

The learning environment

Later next term, we begin more refurbishment of older parts of the school site. A new learning resources centre will open in September. This will be a facility available not just during, but also after school, for students to complete work, projects, research etc. Adjacent to it will be a coffee shop serving light refreshments. A new Student Services centre will also be open for September, bringing together attendance, examinations, counselling and other pupil services under one roof. The investment in these projects is around £300,000.

Parking on Queen’s Road, (which runs in front of the school) is becoming increasingly dangerous at the close of school. We have in excess of 10 school buses which correctly park on Queen’s Road. A number of vehicles are parking on the opposite side of the road and at the bottom of Queen’s Road outside Ribblesdale Nursery. Please can I ask parents not to do so and instead park on the nearby streets away from the school. The police/PCSOs are aware of this situation and I have been asked to tell you that they will take action against vehicles obstructing pavements, parking on yellow lines, etc. The Council and County Council are intending to place parking restrictions on Queen’s Road shortly, but in the meantime, please think about the children – especially the younger ones – and park sensibly.

Uniform

A uniform list is set out in the school planner. It is essential and expected that everyone wears uniform correctly. Uniform is one important way in making sure we can build a sense of community, not just in school, but outside too. On the last day of the spring term, coaches conducted a detailed assessment of each student’s standard of uniform. The feedback is enclosed. Please read it carefully and note the comments about footwear, outdoor coats, etc. The great majority of our students are very smart and should be congratulated on their appearance; but a small minority are not smart and they will need to improve their appearance straight away after the holiday.

Student councils

Mrs Jennison runs Student Councils in each year group. Representatives from each year now meet with me regularly in order to talk about matters of mutual interest and concern. I am delighted that these young people give their time as active citizens and are starting to make a difference. I should also congratulate one of our students, Aaron Ripley in Year 9, who was elected to the Youth Parliament last month by his peers. I am sure everyone will be watching carefully how Aaron fulfills his role!

Staffing

A number of teachers have left the school since Christmas. Mr Birtles (science) and Mr Rogers (mathematics) have emigrated abroad with their families. Mrs Meyer-Atkinson (languages) and Mrs Bradbury (school services) have also left the school to new posts. We thank them all and wish them well. In the last couple of weeks we have appointed several new staff to the school and I will introduce them to you in the summer newsletter.

NUT National Strike: Closure of School on Thursday 24 April 2008

You may be aware from the media that the National Union of Teachers has successfully balloted for a one day national strike on the above date. At Ribblesdale, this will affect many of our teachers (about half are in the NUT). It will be impossible to operate a normal teaching day and provide adequate supervision of students. Consequently, the school will be closed to all students on Thursday 24 April.

School Production – Bugsy Malone

Congratulations to the cast of Bugsy! Nearly 1,000 people have seen the show and I know all were really impressed. It is such a wonderful experience to see so many young people – about 100 of them – involved in something that brings great pride to me and the school’s community. There are far too many people to thank – they know who they are and we are grateful for their efforts. We look forward to the next event in the summer term!

In the new term our priorities are for Year 9 SATs and Year 10/11 GCSE examinations. I hope that Year 11 students in particular use the two week break usefully and get to grips with their revision and preparation for the final summer examinations that will play a major role in determining their futures.

May I wish all of you a restful holiday as we all look forward now to the summer term.

Yours sincerely

S A Smith