Bilton News Friday 21st July 2017

Bilton School, Lawford Lane, Bilton, Rugby, CV22 7JT

T: 01788 840600 E: office@biltonmail.com

Thank you to all parents and carers for your support this year. We hope that all students have a happy and safe summer break.

We look forward to embarking on the 2017-18 academic year in September. We would like to remind students of the high expectations we have of them with regard to conduct within school and their achievement. Students are reminded that:

Uniform should be worn correctly at all times

No make up or nail varnish should be visible whilst in school

Only one pair of small stud earrings and a watch is permitted, no other piercings are allowed

We operate at ‘Not seen, not heard’ policy on mobile phones

Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, both in and out of lessons to ensure that all students can learn and feel confident in school

Uniform

At Bilton School we believe our students are exceptional, and have the potential to achieve anything by being the best they can be. In every area of our school we want students to have the highest expectations of what can be achieved. As part of our high expectation culture we want to have a clear and consistent uniform. By wearing the uniform correctly students send out the message that they are ready to learn and take advantage of all the opportunities available to them at Bilton.

As you are aware the following changes are in place from September 2017:

All girls will be expected to wear Bilton School branded trouser or Bilton School branded skirts.

All boys will be expected to wear Bilton School branded trousers.

This is in line with other schools in Rugby. All clothing can be bought at either the Webb Ellis store or the Schoolwear Centre in Rugby. BOYS UNIFORM Bilton School branded trousers

Plain white school shirt, buttoned to the neck

Grey jumper with Bilton logo and/or grey cardigan with Bilton logo

Classic cut black blazer with Bilton logo or plain, classic cut black blazer with Bilton sew-on logo

Sensible plain black shoes – no boots or trainers

Plain coat or long jacket worn over the blazer to and from school (not to be worn inside school buildings).

Pale blue clip-on tie – in Year 7, 8 and 9

Navy blue clip-on tie – in Year 10 and 11

As part of a leadership review at Bilton Mr Nealon has taken the decision to step away from his role as Deputy Head Teacher to work across the Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust as the Director of System Leadership Development. Whilst this role will mean that Mr Nealon is not in school as frequently as he has been, he will still be in school teaching a number of English lessons and supporting the leadership at Bilton where required. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Nealon for the huge contribution that he has made to Bilton school, as a teacher of English, Head of English, Assistant Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher.

GIRLS UNIFORM Bilton School branded trouser or skirt (skirts should be knee length and available in different length fittings)

Plain white school shirt buttoned to the neck.

Grey jumper with Bilton logo and/or grey cardigan with Bilton logo.

Classic cut black blazer with Bilton logo or plain, classic cut black blazer with Bilton sew-on logo.

Sensible plain black shoes – no boots or trainers

Plain coat or long jacket worn over the blazer to and from school (not to be worn inside school buildings).

Pale blue clip-on tie – in Year 7, 8 and 9

Raspberry clip-on tie – in Year 10 and 11

School Shoes Policy

From September 2017 pupils will only be allowed to attend Bilton School in leather school shoes. Any type of trainers, canvas shoes or boots will not be permitted. This is in line with other schools in Rugby.

Many thanks for your support in this matter.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we will be updating all news via the school website in 2017-18 and would encourage parents/carers as well as students to regularly check the ‘Latest News’ feed on our page. The bumper newsletter will now be published every half term from September.

Ms Mel Mason Head teacher

New Year 11’s

New year 11 parents information evening

On Tuesday 12th September there will be an information evening aimed at parents/carers of our year 11 students who will be sitting their GCSE’s in 2018. The aim is to outline what support, resources and information are available to both parents and pupils; there will also be a chance to meet the key members of staff from a variety of subjects involved in preparing students for their exams. The evening will run from 6.15pm and will last approximately one hour. More information will be sent out regarding the event in September.

Art

Congratulations to our year 13 Art and Photography students who had their work exhibited in St Andrew’s Church Rugby as part of The Rugby Festival of Culture. Artwork was selected from Bilton School, Rugby High School and Lawrence Sheriff School and a panel of judges, all professional artists, were brought in to award prizes.

The exhibition has finished now but we would like to say a special congratulations to Mollie Dalton who won a prize for one of her photography images.

Well Done Mollie!

Sports Day

A huge thank you to Mr Lawes for all his hard work and effort in liaising with Gabor tutors and organising the Gabor teams. Below are photos of Gabor House celebrations and the presentation of the cup to the House Captains.

Personal Achievements

One of our 6th Form Students, Joshua Faulds, has been selected as the only hurdler in a group of 25 Athletes to represent England in the Commonwealth Youth Games. He is currently training in the Bahamas and will compete in the 400m Hurdles event at the end of this week. It’s a fantastic achievement and is a result of a great deal of dedication and effort in his training on Josh’s part, including spending two weeks of intense training at Loughborough University. We are all very proud of Josh and wish him good luck for his race tomorrow!

Athletics

Well done to Kacey Barnes, Megan Burge, Zoe Gardner, Jessica Large, Meghan Lawes and Alicja Telka who won 2nd place throughout Warwickshire in their Athletics competition .

Science

Throughout this academic year, Students and Staff have come together through a range of activities and raised £1939.96 for Children in Need, Teenage Cancer Trust, RNIB, Lepra and NSPCC.

£746.13 from various events throughout the year £781.48 Non uniform Day £357.45 Biltons Got Talent £54.90 Sports Day Thank you to everyone involved

Year 7 students have been working hard producing some amazing pieces of creative work as part of the Space topic. Students from Ms Dhillon’s and Mr Kanwar’s class produced some fantastic models of the solar system.

Fundraising

Library: Busta Rhyme Competition Publication

Congratulations to Alicja Telka who is due to have her poem, ‘Redefined’, published in October! Alicja, along with over 6000 applicants entered the National Busta Rhyme Competition back in May. Alicja’s poem has now been shortlisted in the competition and has been selected for publication. The winner of the competition is due to be announced following the publication of the book and we wish Alicja the best of luck. Well done!

Mrs Weatherall

Data/Medical Forms

Summer exam results

Summer exam season

A huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 and 13 for a great exam season. Our invigilator team spoke very highly of our Year 11s in particular and stated that they were exemplary throughout. We are really proud of the effort they have given over the last year and we look forward to celebrating their successes with them on results day in the Summer.

Year 13 (GCE) results day – Thursday 17th August 2017.

Year 11 (GCSE) results day – Thursday 24th August 2017.

Year 10 English Literature (GCSE) results day – Thursday 24th August 2017.

If your son/daughter is unable to attend the above date to collect their results then these can be posted to their home address if a large pre-paid envelope is provided. This will need to be handed to reception before the end of the Summer term. If you would like a nominated person to collect on their behalf, then a written letter of authorisation is required from the student stating their name and the name of the person collecting. This includes a parent/guardian collecting on behalf of a student. Please address this letter to the attention of: Mrs L Moore (Exams Officer). The nominated person collecting will be asked to provide ID on the day.

In early September, every student in school (including Post 16) will receive a new Data collection sheet and Medical form. The Data sheet will ensure we have the correct home address, contact names, phone numbers and email addresses for your child, as circumstances can change from time to time. The Medical form will cover your child for every non-residential trip they go on throughout the academic year. However, if your child’s medical needs change during the year, please con-tact the school to ask for a new medical form, so that we can keep updated with all the relevant information. A new form will automatically be sent out for residen-tial trips. When writing contact numbers on the medical form, please state the person’s name next to the number so that we are aware of whom we are calling in an emergency.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

8F4 for having the highest attendance last week with 99.4%!

Attendance

Year Week commencing 10/07

Cumulative this year

Year 7 94.7% 95.5%

Year 8 93.6% 94.1%

Year 9 90.9% 93.9%

Year 10 90.3% 92.8%

Chinese

Our Year 9 Chinese group had a trip to an authentic Chinese restaurant in Coventry on Monday 17th July. They practised their Chinese speaking skills with the staff in the restaurant and ordered their meals in Chinese. They all loved trying the authentic Chinese food; Ben, Alicia and Aleksa loved the soup noodles, Olivia, Zoe and Grace really enjoyed the crispy duck and pancake. They had applied their language skills in real life situation and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

North Warwickshire Citizens' Academy

Warwickshire Police is offering people in North Warwickshire an exciting opportunity to learn about and experience the day-to-day workings of their local police force as part of the Citizens' Academy.

This programme provides local people over the age of 16 with a unique insight into Warwickshire Police's work to protect people from harm and improve residents' quality of life.

Members of the public can support the work of the police and their partner agencies by enrolling in the ten-week Citizens' Academy programme, to be held at Rugby College Technology Dr, Rugby CV21 1AR and delivered weekly from 6:30-8:30pm, beginning on Wednesday 6th September 2017 where police officers, police staff and supporting agencies/organisations will deliver presentations on key.

What will you get from the course?

Students completing the programme will graduate from the Citizens' Academy and their participation will be recognised with a formal ceremony.

It is hoped that students will pass on their experiences and increased knowledge to the rest of the community, or become special constables or volunteers with the police or other agencies.

The course will cover a range of policing functions/roles including crime prevention and detection, recording crimes and incidents, road safety, forensic investigation, police use of firearms, internet safety, and the role of Safer Neighbourhood Teams as well as other key departments. There may be opportunities for students to experience ride-alongs with police officers and to visit a police station.

Participants will also be encouraged to request subjects of specific interest to them to ensure they get the best possible benefit from the time they invest.

You can watch a video on YouTube which will show you a little more of what to expect https://youtu.be/iwCSV2UF-N4

How to apply for the North Warwickshire Citizens' Academy

If you live in North Warwickshire, are at least 16 years of age and would like to apply to be part of this exciting new venture. Register your interest at

WarksNorth.Citizensacademy@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

and an application form will be sent out.

The form can also be handed in at your local police station.

Criteria will be applied to the selection process and successful applicants will be subject to security checks. The eligibility criteria include:

• Your age (minimum age 16 years),

• Preferably that you have no previous links/employment with the police or the criminal justice system

• If you have any previous convictions

• Whether you are a malicious or persistent complainant

• The reason for your application

• Whether you are in relevant policing/force area.

Applicants who have been invited to join the course will be asked to bring proof of identity along to the first session for checking when they register on to the course.

Students must sign Official Secrets Act forms to cover their involvement on ride-alongs. They will also be asked to give permission for their photographs to be used in any publicity. Lack of consent from a student to use photographs of them in publicity is not a reason to bar them from joining the course.

The final date for application to be received is Wednesday the 3rd August 2017

Citizens’ Academy

Thursday 17th August: Year 13 GCE results day

Thursday 24th August: Year 11 GCSE results day

Thursday 24th August: Year 10 English Literature GCSE results day

Tuesday 5th September: School starts back

Wednesday 13th September: 9.30am-11.00am Open Morning

Friday 22nd September: 9.30am-11.00am Open Morning

Dates for the Diary

2017/2018 Term Dates

Autumn term (Friday 1st September 2017 - Friday 22nd December 2017)

• Teacher training day 1: Friday 1st September 2017

• Teacher training day 2: Monday 4th September 2017

• Autumn term starts for all: Tuesday 5th September 2017

• Half term: 23rd – 27th October 2017

• Teacher training day 3: Friday 1st December 2017

• Autumn term ends: Friday 22nd December 2017. 12.30pm finish.

Spring term (Friday 5th January 2018 - Thursday 29th March 2018)

• Teacher training day 4: Friday 5th January 2018

• Spring term starts: Monday 8th January 2018

• Half term: 19th – 23rd February 2018

• Spring term ends: Thursday 29th March 2018, 3.05pm finish.

Summer term (Monday 16th April 2018 - Friday 20th July 2018)

• Summer term starts: Monday 16th April 2018

• Bank holiday: Monday 7th May 2018

• Half term: 28th May – 1st June 2018

• Teacher training day 5: Friday 29th June 2018

• Summer term ends: Friday 20th July 2018. 12.30pm finish.

LUNCH MENU 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm

Week 1. Starts Tuesday 5th September

Fresh ingredients are used daily throughout our menu with main meals and jacket potatoes all served on crockery plates with stainless steel cutlery

LUNCH MENU 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm

Week 2

Fresh ingredients are used daily throughout our menu with main meals and jacket potatoes all served on crockery plates with stainless steel cutlery

LUNCH MENU 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm

Week 3

Fresh ingredients are used daily throughout our menu with main meals and jacket potatoes all served on crockery plates with stainless steel cutlery

School Clubs

Subject GCSE club Day

Art GCSE club to start in September (compulsory Monday

Business Studies No club planned

Child Development No club planned

Chinese No club planned

Computer Science GCSE club to start in September Monday

Electronics GCSE club to start in September (compulsory Thursday

English Language GCSE club to start in January (compulsory for Monday

Fashion Design GCSE club to start in September (compulsory Monday

Food Studies GCSE club to start in September (compulsory Thursday

French GCSE club to start in November (compulsory Thursday

Geography TBA

History GCSE club to start in November (compulsory Thursday

ICT Core GCSE club to start in September Thursday

Maths GCSE club to start after February half- Thursday

Music No club planned

PE GCSE No club planned

Religious No club planned

Science GCSE club to start after February half-term. Thursday

Sociology No club planned

Spanish GCSE club to start in November (compulsory Thursday

School Clubs will start from Tuesday 5th September and run from 3.05pm –

Your child’s progress academically as well as

socially is our shared priority

Fixed Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices.

It is important to note, Fixed Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices in the amount of £120 each, totalling £240 for both children, this is reduced to £60 per child if paid within 21 days).

Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid within the required timeframe as set out on the notice, the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal proceedings under S444 Education Act 1996.

The Supreme Court recently reached a decision in the case of Platt v Isle of Wight Council which has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time. The parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they attend school on a regular basis. The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child who are absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.

Head Teachers retain the ability to authorise leave in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration)

(England) Regulations 2006. When considering such requests for a leave of absence, the school are obliged to act within the law. Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. If the leave is granted, head teachers are able to determine the number of school days a child can be absent for.

It is for the Head Teacher to decide what is ‘exceptional’ and it is at their discretion if the circumstances warrant the leave to be granted. The school can only consider Leave of Absence requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent.

Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and on its own merits.

Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child will be required to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, which may result in legal action being taken against the parent (s), by way of a Fixed Penal-ty Notice.

Failure to make an application for leave in advance can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued to the parent (s).

All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Attendance, Compliance and Enforcement Service of Warwickshire County Council.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

BILTON SCHOOL