Ely College Newsletter September 2017

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1 Ely College Newsletter September 2017 From the Principal I d like to begin by extending a very warm welcome to the parents and carers of our fantastic new Year 7 students. The students have settled in very well, and it has been a pleasure to see them engaging in their lessons, looking so smart, and interacting so positively with the older students. We look forward to working with them and you in the coming years, and have great expectations of what they can achieve! A new academic year is always a time of optimism and fresh opportunities. Here at Ely College we are starting the year full of excitement. Year 11 secured the best GCSE results in the history of the college this summer. The proportion of students securing a grade 4 (equivalent to the old grade C ) or better in both English and mathematics was 65%, a huge improvement on the 36% secured in This means that we are now performing better than the national average and are one of the fastest improving schools in the east of England. We were also delighted that 17 students secured the new grade 9, placing them in the top 3% of students nationally. Congratulations to everyone involved in this success. Now we are ready to set about the challenge of doing even better next year. In addition to examination success, we are delighted to move into the newly refurbished Bedford Block (Turing House). Those parents who attended the school in the past, or even who remember the old Ely Girls High School, may be aware that the building is sixty years old this year. Over the summer a significant renovation was completed, with new windows, carpets, doors, ceilings, furniture and decoration throughout. It is now a fantastic teaching space fit for the 21 st century, and we look forward to showing many of you round at Open Evening on 5 th October The new Show My Homework online homework recording system is up and running. I hope that you are finding it helpful. This came about through discussions at the Parents In The Loop consultation meetings we hold throughout the year. I hope that many of you will be able to attend these again this year, our first meeting will be on Monday 6 th November 2017 at 6pm. Page 1 Meet the Tutor Evening 26 th September 2017 Once again, we will be delighted to welcome Year 7 and Year 12 parents into school for our meet the tutor evening. The House offices will be calling home to make appointments. There will also be an optional forum discussion with the Principal at pm. We look forward to seeing you soon. Parents In the Loop Forum Meeting We hope to see many of you here in school on Monday 6 th November at 6.00pm. This will be our first parents in the loop forum meeting for this term. We will send out information nearer the time and details about the focus for the evening. But, in the meantime, please save the date!

As principal, I will do everything in my power to ensure that we build on the progress made last year. Like you, I want the very best for our students in terms of care, welfare and excellent teaching.

2 Thank you for your support with the new uniform. The students look exceptionally smart and have responded very well to the change. I hope you agree that our uniform sets a positive example of high standards. What hasn t changed this year are our high expectations and aspirations for the students. As principal, I will do everything in my power to ensure that we build on the progress made last year. Like you, I want the very best for our students in terms of care, welfare and excellent teaching. I m proud of what we ve achieved together so far and looking forward to even greater success in partnership with you in 2017/18. Happy new year! Richard Spencer Principal Here are some of the messages I have been sharing with students during morning assemblies Post 16 Results Summer 2017 Bishop Laney Sixth Form achieved a 100% pass rate for its vocational courses, with 66% of results awarded at Distinction or Distinction* level and 89% awarded at either Merit or Distinction level. The pass rate for the small number of A-Level entries was also 87 per cent. We hope to build on this success as we attract more students and widen our range of subjects offered from GCSE Results Summer 2017 This summer produced our best ever GCSE results for Ely College. The results achieved were as a result of hard work from staff, students and Year 11 families. 64% of our students secured the top grades 4-9 in both English and mathematics - a 14% rise from last year, and a 29% rise on Page 2

Diary Dates 4 th Sept Training Day, school closed 5 th Sept Autumn Term 2017 starts 7 th Sept School photographer in

College (Lantern School) 6pm 19 th Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Downham Feoffees 6pm 21 st Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Ely St Mary

progression evening 5 th Oct Training Day, school closed 5 th Oct Yr 6 Open Evening 5.

3 Diary Dates 4 th Sept Training Day, school closed 5 th Sept Autumn Term 2017 starts 7 th Sept School photographer in 12 th Sept Kenya trip parents meeting 6pm 13 th Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Ely St Johns 6pm 14 th Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Ely College (Lantern School) 6pm 19 th Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Downham Feoffees 6pm 21 st Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Ely St Mary s 6pm 25 th Sept Yr 6 roadshow at Ely College 6pm 26 th Sept Meet the Tutor evening for Yr 7 and Yr 12 4 th Oct Yr 11 progression evening 5 th Oct Training Day, school closed 5 th Oct Yr 6 Open Evening 5.30pm 6 th Oct Yr 6 Open Morning 9-11am 10 th Oct PLEDGES day 1 10 th Oct Yr 11 parents evening Page 3 18 th - 28 th Oct Kenya trip 23 rd 27 th Oct Half Term

Any queries please contact Mr Fisher afisher@elycollege.co.uk Thank you.

4 College Open Events Uniform Donations Old College uniform, including PE kits, can be left at our main reception. It will be collected and sent to a school in Sierra Leone by the Countess Church, Ely in partnership with Mission Direct. Any queries please contact Mr Fisher afisher@elycollege.co.uk Thank you. Primary School Year 6 Roadshows Venue Date Time Ely St John s Primary Lantern Primary (at Ely College) Little Downham Feoffees Primary Ely St Mary s Junior School Ely College (all welcome) 13 th September 14 th September 19 th September 21 st September 25 th September 6.00pm 6.00pm 6.00pm 6.00pm 6.00pm Page 4

5 Summer Refurbishment Works to Bedford Block Page 5

6 Recruitment Opportunities We are currently looking to recruit staff for the following posts: - Early Morning Cleaners - Student Support Assistant - Cover Supervisor If you are interested in any of these posts, please click into the link below for more details Alternatively, our HR Officer Mrs Cutforth, is happy to chat about the positions in more detail: Show My Homework Staff have begun to use this to set homework for students. All students should have their individual logins by now. If you have any questions or concerns about Show My Homework, please ElyShowMyHomework@elycollege.co.uk for help and support. School Photographer Our school photographer was in school all day on 7 th September 2017 taking individual student photographs for our records. Proofs will come home shortly enabling parents/carers to purchase copies. Please keep an eye out for these to come home. Any queries, please refer to your House Office in the usual way. Year 11 Matters As Year 11 is such a busy year, and we issue lots of important information, we have created a specific Year 11 Matters newsletter page, please see this towards the end of this newsletter. Mrs Mustill is always happy to help and guide students and families through this busy year. Page 6

Community Education There is still time to enrol on a course for the Autumn term, we ve got a wide variety of evening and daytime courses, as well as Saturday day schools.

Other courses include: Mindfulness, Fitsteps, MS Office, Upcycle Your Furniture, Woodworking, Japanese, Badminton, Glass Jewellery Making, French, German, and many, many more!

7 Community Education There is still time to enrol on a course for the Autumn term, we ve got a wide variety of evening and daytime courses, as well as Saturday day schools. We are also offering Maths GCSE which is free if you are 19 or over and haven t already achieved a grade C or above equivalent. Other courses include: Mindfulness, Fitsteps, MS Office, Upcycle Your Furniture, Woodworking, Japanese, Badminton, Glass Jewellery Making, French, German, and many, many more! Take a look at our website for details of what s on offer: or call us on Shakespeare Schools Festival Our Drama Department, once again, will be part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival Our talented students have already begun rehearsing for their performance and adaptation of Comedy of Errors. Students involved will attend a cast workshop early next month and the Festival will take place on 13 th November 2017 at the Mumford Theatre, Cambridge. We look forward to this performance and sharing details in future newsletters. Page 7 Plea. Please may we request that all your child s belongings are clearly named and labelled, from blazers to pencil cases! If any items are misplaced they can quickly be returned to the correct child. This helps immensely to the smooth running of our school day and is especially helpful to our newest students who are still getting to grips with being more responsible and managing their belongings/equipment. Thank you for your valued support. Energy Drinks May we please remind all of our parents and carers to ensure that students do not bring or consume in school energy/caffeinated drinks ie. Monster, Red Bull, etc. Water stations are situated around the school site for students to access during break times. Juices, milk and water are also available to purchase from our canteen.

Session 6 Offers A full schedule of session 6 offers will be circulated shortly, but in the meantime please make a note of the following PE offers:- Judo Club Tuesdays 3.15-4.

8 Session 6 Offers A full schedule of session 6 offers will be circulated shortly, but in the meantime please make a note of the following PE offers:- Judo Club Tuesdays pm Years 7 and 8 Girls Football Tuesdays pm Years 10 and 11 Boys Futsal Tuesdays pm Year 6 Families Between now and the application deadline for Year 7 places in 2018 (31 st October 2017), Mr Spencer is happy to meet with families to provide a tour of Ely College and answer questions. Mr Spencer has set aside Friday mornings for this. Kenya Trip Five weeks remaining until the Kenya trip. The students have had a busy year of fundraising and many of the students have fundraised the entire cost of the trip. We will spend the next five weeks planning lessons and preparing resources to take with us. A huge thank you to everyone that has donated shoes, we have had hundreds of pairs and we cannot wait to give them to the Kenyan students directly. The students from S-EWA will be running a campaign to collect classroom resources over the next few weeks, so if anyone has any stationery (pencils, paper, rubbers, sharpeners etc) they are willing to donate, please could they send them in with students and we ll make sure they re safely delivered to Jubilee and Ungana Academies in October. There will be a collection box for stationery items in the Scott House Office. Thank you. If you would like a tour with Mr Spencer, then please contact the school office so that an appointment can be made. Brave the Shave Huge congratulations to Ben Hinchliffe, Year 8, Turing House who Braved the Shave in early August. Ben had his hair shaved off and raised over 800 for Macmillan Nurses. An incredible sum of money, well done Ben! Page 8

Parental Points of Contact:. Tel: 01353 667763. Email: office@elycol

9 Parental Points of Contact:. Tel: To report a student absence Absence Line: First contact - For a practical day to day or urgent response to questions about attendance, uniform, rewards and sanctions, or other logistical aspects of school life, please contact the House Student Support Assistant. For a matter relating to a specific subject (for example queries over homework or progress), please contact the class teacher in the first instance. For a matter relating to the well-being, general progress or behaviour of your child, please contact the tutor in the first instance. Second contact - Should you have concerns about the progress your child is making in a subject that you don t feel can be addressed by the class teacher, please contact the subject or curriculum leader. Should you be concerned about the tutoring or wider progress being made by your child, or you wish to discuss their well-being, safety or potential bullying, please contact the senior tutor for your child s house. Third contact - Should you feel that your concerns or queries have not been addressed adequately, please contact the relevant Assistant Principal or senior leader for either your child s house or the subject/area concerned. Etheldreda House - House Office call: House etheldredahouse@elycollege.co.uk Student Support Assistant Jean Winters Senior Tutor Christian Cunningham Assistant Principal Sarah Goodey Curriculum Leader PE Jason Coe Subject Leader Art Lisa Edwards Curriculum Leader Technology Victoria Collin Subject Leader ICT Toyin Adegoke Page 9

10 Turing House - House Office call: House turinghouse@elycollege.co.uk Student Support Assistant Louise Youtzy (acting) Senior Tutor Sheila Branch Assistant Principal Samantha Haworth Curriculum Leader English Emma Bentley Curriculum Leader Maths Sarah Denney Franklin House - House Office call: House franklinhouse@elycollege.co.uk Student Support Assistant Caroline Price Senior Tutor Lynn Anderson Assistant Principal Sally Kay Curriculum Leader Science Sam Craven Curriculum Leader Languages Nicole Ross Scott House - House Office call: House scotthouse@elycollege.co.uk Student Support Assistant Nikki Pritchett Senior Tutor Jamie Waters Assistant Principal KJ Norton-Berry Acting Subject Leader Drama Steve Andrews Subject Leader Music Iain Mann Subject Leader RE Bethea Thompson Subject Leader History Robert Hancock Subject Leader Geography Emily Hill Subject Leader Media Ella Watkins Subject Leader Business Jenny Coggins Special Educational Needs - SENCO Eileen Mullin Assistant Principal Sally Kay Vice Principal Lee Mawby Vice Principal Jay Brown Sixth Form - Sixth Form call: Sixth Form office@elycollege.co.uk Sixth Form Achievement Lead Stuart Patman Assistant Principal Adam Steels Year 11 Achievement - Year 11 Achievement Lead Rachael Mustill Extra-Curricular - Head of Extended Learning Andrew Fisher Principal - Principal s PA (Bev Saddington) call: Principal s PA principal@elycollege.co.uk Page 10

11 Welcome to the Year 11 Matters Newsletter September 2017 Welcome to the first issue of the Ely College Year 11 Matters Newsletter It has certainly been a busy first week back at College and Year 11 have a lot coming up this term. I wanted to share some key dates with you and also remind / inform you of a few important items. I hope to be communicating regularly to support your child in this important year. If you have any questions about this newsletter or any other issues surrounding achievement, please me directly at rmustill@elycollege.co.uk Key Dates in the Autumn Term Reports with predicted grades published Academic Mentoring begins Post-16 Progression Evening PLEDGES Day, Ely Cathedral Careers Fair Year 11 Parents Evening Bishop Laney Open Evening Year 11 Mock Exam Weeks Second PLEDGES Day Deadline for UCAS Progress Applications Autumn Celebration Assembly Friday 29 September, 3pm Monday 2 October, 8.30am Wednesday 4 October, 7pm Tuesday 10 October, 8.30am Tuesday 10 October, 4pm Wednesday 1 November, 6pm Monday 20 November, 8.30am Wednesday 13 December, 8.30am Friday 15 December, 3pm Monday 18 December, 8.30am Page 11, 12

Key Information SSG Those students who are working towards Double Science rather than Triple Science have an hour with me on their timetable each fortnight.

All students should have their logins now, but they can use the red office 365 button to login using their normal college username and password if they haven t done so already.

12 Key Information SSG Those students who are working towards Double Science rather than Triple Science have an hour with me on their timetable each fortnight. We will be sharing good practice for study skills and revision techniques this half term. Show my Homework Staff have begun to use this to set homework for students. All students should have their logins now, but they can use the red office 365 button to login using their normal college username and password if they haven t done so already. School Photographs Well done to the cast majority of Year 11 students who were complimented by the photographers that came in on Thursday to take the individual school photographs. GCSE RE If students are studying Double Science and still wish to gain a GCSE in RE, Mrs Thompson is offering after school lessons which will enable students to do so. If they have not already done so, students should see Mrs Thompson to sign up for these lessons. UCAS Progress Students were sent login details for this last term and almost all had at least logged on before the end of term. There is the option to search for post-16 courses and students should also be thinking about the completion of their profile sections. Academic Progress Review Some students have begun these reports to support their progress in chosen subjects. If your child has begun one of these, please talk to them about the successes they have had and areas in which they could improve. EAL Well done to all those students that sat exams in their first language in the summer term. There were some fantastic results. Suzumi Yokohama also sat an A Level in Japanese and gained an Agrade! If any student would like to take a GCSE in their first language, they can see Mrs Bates on Thursdays in BCG6 (next to the Scott Office) where she will show them the past papers and they can have a go at it before they make a decision if they want to be entered or not. Mrs Mustill Year 11 Achievement Lead Page 11, 12

Welcome to the Bishop Laney Sixth Form Page The new year is well underway, and students, especially our new intake of year 12, have settled into

There are a number pieces of work lined up, with the Public Services working with the Fire and Rescue Service in the coming weeks and our Year 13

We re delighted to be able launch, in the next few weeks, the Business Mentoring programme for many of our students.

mentor, not only providing extra guidance and support in the development of important employability skills, but also provides a link to local

Meet the Bishop Laney Team, from September 2017: Mr Adam Steels Assistant Principal Mr Stuart Patman Progress and Achievement Leader Mr Max Grezio

net or via the telephone to 01353 625877. If no-one is available, your call will be taken by Ely College s Main Reception.

13 Welcome to the Bishop Laney Sixth Form Page The new year is well underway, and students, especially our new intake of year 12, have settled into lessons incredibly well. It is pleasing to have increased our course offer this year, and had such a positive take up across the courses. There are a number pieces of work lined up, with the Public Services working with the Fire and Rescue Service in the coming weeks and our Year 13 from the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport programme leading some fitness session for the lower school. We re delighted to be able launch, in the next few weeks, the Business Mentoring programme for many of our students. The programme, operated with the support of local skills organization, Form the Future, links students with a local businessperson who serves mentor, not only providing extra guidance and support in the development of important employability skills, but also provides a link to local employment, training and subject sectors which might be of interest. Meet the Bishop Laney Team, from September 2017: Mr Adam Steels Assistant Principal Mr Stuart Patman Progress and Achievement Leader Mr Max Grezio Post 16 Programmes Leader Mrs Belinda Lennon Post 16 Administrator The House Team can be contacted via to bishoplaney@cmatrust.net or via the telephone to If no-one is available, your call will be taken by Ely College s Main Reception. Each student is assigned a tutor who oversees their progress and welfare during their time at Bishop Laney. Our tutors will be in touch over the next week or so to introduce themselves to you individually: Mr J Coe Tutor for BL-JCO Mrs S Collings Tutor for BL-SCO Mrs L Riches Tutor for BL-LRI Page 13 Bishop Laney Sixth Form, Downham Road, Ely, CB6 2SH

News and achievements from Etheldreda House Etheldreda House students have settled in well already.

Please do contact tutors with any concerns or questions. Students are looking smart and professional in their new uniforms. We will be continuing to insist on high standards of uniform and equipment.

Mr Cunningham Senior Tutor Etheldreda Etheldreda Sports captains Mr Bradley and Mr Isaac are currently selecting House captains. Applications should be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

I believe it important to also note that last year s Year 11 Etheldreda students did amazingly well in their GCSEs, in terms of attainment and progress. Well done to those students.

14 News and achievements from Etheldreda House Etheldreda House students have settled in well already. I would like to thank students, old and new, for the pride and enthusiasm that they have shown so far. Tutors are working hard to get to know new students and to catch up with existing students. Please do contact tutors with any concerns or questions. Students are looking smart and professional in their new uniforms. We will be continuing to insist on high standards of uniform and equipment. Please check the website for details of standards or contact your child s tutor if in any doubt. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mrs Goodey to the team as Head of House. Mr Cunningham Senior Tutor Etheldreda Etheldreda Sports captains Mr Bradley and Mr Isaac are currently selecting House captains. Applications should be forwarded to him as soon as possible. Etheldreda Champions As you may know, Etheldreda had a very successful year last year in terms of winning the first House cup. I believe it important to also note that last year s Year 11 Etheldreda students did amazingly well in their GCSEs, in terms of attainment and progress. Well done to those students. Year 7 students have really understood the ethos of the House and are already amassing achievement points. Etheldreda are currently leading the way again! Well done, I hope all students enjoy a really productive year ahead. Mrs S Goodey Mr C Cunningham Mrs J Winter Assistant Principal Etheldreda Senior Tutor Etheldreda Student Support Assistant sgoodey@elycollege.co.uk ccunningham@elycollege.co.uk jwinters@elycollege.co.uk Pages 14

15 Welcome to the Franklin House Page A warm welcome back to all of our students. September has got off to a great start in Franklin House lots of exciting plans for the coming months are being made and a grand total of 698 Pledge points earned already! A special welcome to all our new Year 7 s. We re so excited to have Evie, Tommy, Emma, Robert, Jenna, Lilia, James, Joe, Jacob, Christopher, Ella, William E, William F, Kaiden, James, Lilly, Courtney, Daniel, Oliver, Izzy, Romano, Seth, Candice, Freddie, Isaac, Gopika, Anna, Oakley, Jessica, Summerly, Aaliyah, Hanna, Charles, Shawn-Daniel, Callum, Thomas, Joshua, Rugile, Lauren, Grace, Dollie, Daniele and Marrissa to our House. I m also pleased to report they all made it through their first week without a single behaviour point and that they have all received at least one pledge point. What a fantastic start from everyone. Well done Franklin! Mrs S Kay Ms L Anderson Mrs C Price Assistant Principal Franklin Senior Tutor Franklin Student Support Assistant skay@elycollege.co.uk landerson@elycollege.co.uk cprice@elycollege.co.uk Pages 15

Welcome to the Scott House Page To all staff and students, a warm welcome to Scott House.

We also hope to run our Scott residential trip again following on from the success of last term. I look forward to getting to know all of our new starters and finding out more about you.

It can also be stressful at times and I want you to know that if you need support it will be made available to you.

16 Welcome to the Scott House Page To all staff and students, a warm welcome to Scott House. There is a lot to look forward to this year and over the course of the term we will be talking more about the Pledges system and why we value that so much at Ely College. We also hope to run our Scott residential trip again following on from the success of last term. I look forward to getting to know all of our new starters and finding out more about you. I really want this year to be about celebrating success and achievement. A special mention to our Year 11 students. This is an important year and it is vital you hit the ground running! It can also be stressful at times and I want you to know that if you need support it will be made available to you. Expectations of Students at Ely College - It is important to remind you all of the high expectations we place on all of our students. Mobile phones are not permitted out during the working day. Hoodies under blazers are not permitted. Chewing gum is not permitted in the college. Therefore, do not bring it in. Do not chew it in college. You will be challenged and it will be confiscated. Energy drinks and caffeinated drinks are not permitted in the college. Do not bring these in and/or consume them on the college site. They will be confiscated. Break time and lunchtime there are still lessons and activities taking place during this time. Please be mindful of this. Disturbing these activities impacts on the progress and instruction taking place. If you intend on interrupting these sessions expect to receive a sanction. Respect all staff; that includes all teachers, (new and old), support staff, cover staff, the catering team, our site team, visitors etc. If instruction is given by any member of staff it is for your benefit and to help you and others move forward with their education. Respect is a two-way thing and can and should be earned. However, we expect you to show respect at all times and to act upon the instruction given. Your priority is your education as it will give you the chance to move forward. Therefore, focus upon you. Finally; manners.manners cost nothing. Please don t forget to use them! All the Best for a great year, let s make this the year we win the House Cup! Dr KJ Norton-Berry Mr J Waters Ms N Pritchett Assistant Principal Scott House Senior Tutor - Scott House Student Support Assistant Knorton-berry@elycollege.co.uk Jwaters@elycollege.co.uk npritchett@elycollege.co.uk Page 16

I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and carers that we are here to support your young people to achieve their potential.

17 Welcome to the Turing House Page What a great start to the new term! Very smartly dressed Turing students came back to an unrecognizable, refurbished, Bedford block and the news that the College s results were the best ever. Could we ask for more? I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and carers that we are here to support your young people to achieve their potential. Often, we have a better idea of what that is and need to extend them beyond what they believe they can do. The more we communicate, the more successful we are. With that in mind, please don t hesitate to contact us - and we look forward to seeing you when you are invited in or make an appointment. Mrs S Haworth Ms S Branch Ms L Youtzy Assistant Principal Turing Senior Tutor Turing Student Support Assistant shaworth@elycollege.co.uk sbranch@elycollege.co.uk lyoutzy@elycollege.co.uk Pages 17

Ely College Newsletter October 2017

Ely College Newsletter October 2017 From the Principal The word I keep returning to when describing our current mood here at the college is buoyant. This isn t a reference to any flooding in the Needhams