THE HAYESBROOK SCHOOL A Brook Learning Trust Academy

CEO BROOK LEARNING TRUST: Mrs D J Coslett MBA, BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH, NLE

PRINCIPAL: Mr D J A Day MA, PGCE, NPQH, NLE

Brook Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2PH

Tel: 01732 500 600 Fax: 01732 500 556

email: secretary@hayesbrook.kent.sch.uk website: www.hayesbrook.kent.sch.uk twitter: @HayesbrookSch

Learning Together Registered company name: Brook Learning Trust

Company Registration No: 07368292

NEWSLETTER 5 JANUARY 2015 Dear Parents/Carers 2015 has started well for Hayesbrook students. Year 13 are now in receipt of university offers and Mr Ward will be running some ‘how to write essays and revise’ sessions for Year 12 and 13 A level students after the February break to help students realise those university and employment offers with the relevant grades. It is very encouraging to see record numbers applying to study in Year 12 for September 2015, together with increased applications from students in other schools to join our Sixth Form, where the new A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology are proving popular. Second Pre-Public Examinations and Parents’ Evening for Year 11 Due to popular demand and to cement our partnership with Year 11 parents, there will be a further consultation evening on Thursday, 26th March 2015. This will be the second Year 11 parents’ evening of this academic year, as you deserve to know what your son needs to do to achieve those high GCSE grades following a second round of pre- public examinations when pupils are tested against actual GCSE papers during the week commencing Monday 23rd February following our return from the February break. Timetables for revision sessions and pre-public exams will be published to all Year 11 students.

Kent U16 Handball Squad Congratulations to Alex Theobald who has been selected to train with the Kent Handball Squad. Alex was only introduced to the sport less than a year ago, so this really is an achievement to be proud of! Well done Alex! University of Sussex Visit for GCSE Radiation Workshop and Year 7 Rocket Workshop – Mrs Mercer writes In January, 140 GCSE students completed a radiation workshop delivered by the University of Sussex, when they were given the opportunity to use Geiger counters to look at different types of radiation. Also, 26 students from Year 7 enjoyed a morning building and launching their own rockets. This was a wonderful opportunity for students involved. Parents’ Evenings Year 7 parents were very complimentary about the teaching received and the progress their sons have made. We thank every parent who attended the event. We look forward to seeing everyone at our parents’ evenings as follows:

Year 12 and 13 February - Thursday, 5th February 2015 (4.00 – 7.00pm)

Year 8 - Thursday 12th February 2015 (3.30 – 6.30pm)

Year 10 - Thursday 26th February 2015 (3.30 – 6.30pm)

Year 9 – Thursday,15th March 2015 (3.30 – 6.30pm)

Year 9 GCSE Options Evening – Thursday, 12th March 2015. Details to be issued by Miss Nelson.

Year 11 – Thursday, 26th March (3.30 – 6.30pm) Food Bank Collection – Mrs Brooks writes Thank you so much to parents and staff for their generous donations during December for local food banks. 650 items were collected and dropped off to ‘Nourish Community’ at the end of last term.

Cycling Daniel Tulett and his younger brother Ben have both received European acclaim for their cycling success. Ben has won the 2015 National Cyclo-Cross Championships held in Wales and Daniel stormed home in first place in the Danish Youth Boys Under 16 category of the cyclo-cross National championships having left the field behind at the second corner. Both boys are receiving considerable national publicity for their fine achievements.

Bus Services We have been made aware of a lack of capacity on a number of local bus routes and KCC is currently reviewing timetables with Arriva to improve services. Recent press reports have highlighted that students who have been unable to gain a seat, have been standing on the upper deck or in the stairwell of buses travelling on the A21. Please advise your son on the risks of not being seated during any bus journey.

Sickness Several schools, including Hayesbrook, have had a number of students who have been suffering a persistent virus with intermittent symptoms. Unless advised by a medical practitioner, the school does not require 48 hours clear of symptoms (such as sickness and diarrhoea) and students may return to school when feeling well enough. Please contact the Attendance Officer on Extension 223 if you require further advice. Whilst your son is recovering he may feel able to continue to study and we suggest that he accesses work online through Moodle or gcsepod, as appropriate, as it is not practical to provide work individually.

Trading Places: Mental arithmetic for stock market traders The Hayesbrook School is delighted to be working with a former stock market trader, now turned business development director, Blayne Jackson, who has introduced a mental arithmetic programme into The Hayesbrook School’s enrichment provision since January 2015. The boys learn the ‘old fashioned’ sign language and how to quickly calculate the buying prices and selling prices for commodities as replicated by the pre-computer age share dealers. Principal, David Day, remarked “This is a brilliant concept in trying to apply quick thinking mental mathematics to modern trading markets.” Jack Moseley in Year 7 said, “It is as much fun as an everlasting roller-coaster!” Spenser Osborne added “It makes you confident.” Alex Silk noted, “I think it is enjoyable whilst still being able to learn about trading.” The enjoyment factor is clearly very strong. We look forward to continued success.

Farewell Mr Templeman At the end of this term Mr Templeman leaves us to join a school closer to his Surrey home. Mr Brazier will take over the teaching of Mr Templeman’s GCSE and A Level classes ensuring the Head of Department is giving the boys the best possible support. The Year 7, 8 and 9 classes will be taught by Mrs Crawford, who will be joining us initially on a fixed term basis until July 2015. Mr Templeman has given almost 18 years of sterling service to Hayesbrook and the ‘Brook Street Coffee Shop’ has been a tremendous legacy of his enthusiasm for ensuring boys develop enterprise skills. He has also produced some highly impressive videos and creative graphic promotional work to supplement his core role as a keen graphics teacher. We wish him well for the future.

Dates for Your Diary FEBRUARY Thursday 5th Intermediate Maths Challenge in the Hall (Top set in Years 9, 10 & 11) Thursday 5th Year 12/13 Parent/Teacher Consultations (4.00 – 7.00pm) Tuesday 10th Family Learning Event - Understanding Your Teenager (7.00 – 9.00pm) Wednesday 11th E-Safety Roadshow for all students Thursday 12th Enterprise Day 2 – Kenward Trust in school. Parents’ session at (4.00-5.30pm) Thursday 12th Year 8 Parent/Teacher Consultations (3.30 – 6.30pm) Friday 13th Last Day of Term 3 Monday 23rd First Day of Term 4 – Timetable Week 1 Yours sincerely David J A Day Principal