July 2016 Dear Parent/Carer INFORMATION LETTER NO. 4 As we approach the end of this academic year, there are a number of important announcements and reminders to tell you about, so please do take the time to read this as it contains a lot of important information regarding arrangements for the final days of this term and the beginning of next year. We are very much looking forward to this Monday when we will be welcoming Lord Sebastian Coe and our sponsor David Ross to a celebration of our first year of being part of the David Ross Education Trust. It will also see the opening of our new gym and fitness suite and refurbished sixth form centre. The end of term is a sad occasion when we say farewell to a large number of staff who are leaving us. As you read on, you will see a listing of all those staff who won t be with us next term. Many of them have given lengthy service to Charnwood College, through either Burleigh or Garendon. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking them for their tremendous contribution to the success of the students who have benefited from their expertise and care. Finally, may I wish you all a very happy holiday! Yours sincerely Mark Sutton Principal
END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS As has traditionally been the case, we will be closing the college slightly earlier than normal on Friday 15 th July, the final day of term. That will mean students will be dismissed at 1:15 pm. EXAMINATION RESULTS DAYS GCE Results GCSE Results Thursday 18th August - 7:30am for Year 13 students only; 9:00 am until 1:00 pm for both Year 12 and 13 Thursday 25th August - 10:00 am 1:00 pm For students unable to collect their results, the options are: nominate someone - the nominated person must arrive with a letter signed by the student, naming the person due the results and the person collecting; who must bring ID. leave a stamped addressed A4 envelope at reception which will be posted out the same day - please write on in pencil "GCSE/GCE* results" (*delete as appropriate) in the top left-hand corner of envelope. students who live abroad should leave an envelope (as described above) with the appropriate postage, or should contact the Exams Officer before close of the academic year (15th July). Following receipt of results, all students enter a short period in which they are able to challenge a result. However please note that a parent cannot do this only the individual student can and they must sign the application form themselves. Details of services available, costs, deadline dates and how to submit an application will be attached to the individual's result. START OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS The first day of term for students is Tuesday 30 th August when students need to arrive by 8:30 am for an extended tutor period until 9:55 am, after which normal lessons will begin. All students must bring their PE kit on this first day.
TERM DATES AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2016-17 Please note that these are different from the Leicestershire County Council published dates. ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017 Autumn Term School Opens Tuesday 30 th August 2016 Mid Term Break Monday 17th Friday 21 st October 2016 Teacher Training Day Friday 18th November 2016 School Closes Friday 16th December 2016 Spring Term School Opens Tuesday 3 rd January 2017 Mid Term Break Monday 13th Friday 17th February 2017 School Closes Friday 7 th April 2017 Summer Term School Opens Tuesday 25 th April 2017 May Day Monday 1 st May 2017 Mid Term Break Monday 29th May Friday 2 nd June 2017 School Closes Friday 14th July 2017 ENRICHMENT WEDNESDAY Next year, the timings of the school day will change on Wednesdays to enable all students to take part in enrichment activities from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The timings will be:- Timing Period 8.35-9.30 Period 1 9.30 10.25 Period 2 10.25 to 10.40 Break 10.40 to 11.35 Period 3 11.35 to 12.30 Period 4 12.30 to 1.00 Lunch 1.00-1.55 Period 5 2.00-3.00 Enrichment 3.00 Finish or Fixtures
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday timings will remain the same. Students and staff have all chosen an enrichment activity. SAFETY ON THORPE HILL The roads in front of the college are very busy with cars and buses before and after college. Students should use the paths and crossings provided at all times especially on Thorpe Hill. UNIFORM We have noticed an increasing tendency among some students to break the rules on uniform. The following in particular have become issues with a small but noticeable minority: Trainers instead of shoes Black jeans instead of school trousers Leggings instead of school trousers or skirt Non-uniform coats in place of the College coat In some cases, students appear to have got away with it for some time so that by the time they are challenged they and/or their parents believe it is acceptable. This is not the case and we have always been very clear on what is and is not acceptable. We recognise it can be difficult to change incorrect items with only a short time left in the current school year. We are, however, giving notice that these items need to be correct for the start of the new academic year and will be putting checks in place during the early weeks. A reminder of what our uniform code actually says is below. This also appears in the student handbook, on their uniform cards and on our website: Charcoal grey blazer with embroidered Charnwood College logo. Plain white school shirt with a collar, long or short sleeved, tucked into trousers or skirt. College tie with College logo in relevant House colour, correctly knotted to the neck so that four complete stripes are visible below the knot. Black school style trousers or pleated black school skirt. Jeans, leggings or shorts are not permitted. Plain black tights or black ankle socks in the summer if a skirt is worn. Low heeled, conventional school shoes in plain black. Boots or trainers are not permitted. College coat (to be worn over not in place of the blazer). Hoodies,
coloured tops, denim jackets are not permitted anywhere on campus Academy bag. Heavy make-up is not permitted. No jewellery may be worn other than a watch, one plain nose stud, one small stud per pierced ear, and a single bracelet/chain. All of these items must be removed during PE for safety. No other facial piercings are permitted. Unnaturally coloured hair or extreme hairstyles are not permitted. Headwear is only allowed on religious and cultural grounds and should be plain black or plain white. Caps are not permitted Branded uniform items must be purchased through the online retailer Academy School Uniforms at www.academyschooluniforms.co.uk There will also be a uniform pop up shop at the college in the sixth form area on Monday 8 th August and Tuesday 9 th August from 10 am to 2 pm. Academy bags will be provided for the new Year 7s and Year 9s free of charge. Financial support towards the cost of new uniform is available from two local charities. Application forms are available from the college website. Some second hand uniform is also available from college for students to purchase. If you have any old Charnwood uniform that is in good condition that you no longer require, please consider donating it to the college to support families on a low income. General items such as white shirts, black school trousers/skirts and black PE shorts/socks can also all be bought in large supermarkets and chain stores but please ensure that these are school style trousers not jeans style, skinnies or leggings and that the skirt is black and pleated. Sixth form dress code As you will be aware, we have been introducing a business wear dress code in the Sixth Form. Sixth Formers are expected to dress appropriately for a work place in which younger students and adults follow a smart dress code. Smart-casual is expected for Year 13 students, whilst business wear is required for Year 12. The following are NOT acceptable in College: jeans leggings hoodies hats/caps indoors; bare midriffs; shorts; very short or very long skirts; revealing tops; unnaturally coloured hair or extreme hairstyles;
facial piercings (other than a single nose stud); ripped or dirty clothing and offensive slogans. Students on the AASE programme and the new football development programme are permitted to wear their official sports kit. No other sportswear is allowed. The David Ross Education Trust will be providing every Year 12 student with an academy bag and all students must wear their college ID badge at all times. Year 12 business wear dress code Please note, these are meant as a guide helping ensure that our students are ready for the world of work, while allowing a level of individuality for each student. Male students will be required to wear: Suit jacket or blazer Tailored trousers, no denim Shirt of any colour, but must be of a business, not leisure, style Shirts must have a collar, however a tie is optional Shoes must be appropriate for a business environment no flip flops, pumps, clog-style footwear or trainers Female students will be required to wear: Suit jacket or blazer Dress, skirt or tailored trousers, no denim Blouse or smart top of any colour, but must be of a business, not leisure, style Shoes must be appropriate for a business environment no flip flops, pumps, clog-style footwear or trainers Shoes with moderate heels are permitted, however, high heels can be a health and safety issue (maximum height 5cm) Skirts/dresses should be of reasonable length (not maxi) and not too tight-fitting. Students must not wear any clothing that leaves the midriff exposed. Denim is not allowed in any variation. SHOW MY HOMEWORK Parents of students in Years 7 9 should already be familiar with the Show my Homework app which tracks the homework that has been set for each child. This will be rolled out to all year groups including the Sixth Form at the start of the new academic year in August. The app can be accessed from the front page of our website and more details will follow next term.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS PERFORMANCES Our musical performance for December is Annie. Auditions have taken place and over 50 children are taking part. There will be a rehearsal day during the summer holiday (date to be confirmed with students and on the website) and full rehearsals will take place during lunch and after school from September. Rehearsals have started for Midsummer Night's Dream. There will be another rehearsal day during the summer before we go into full rehearsal schedule. Students will perform on Monday 21st November at Curve theatre, Leicester. Tickets available from 7th September. STAFF FAREWELLS A number of staff are leaving at the end of this year, and I would like to express my gratitude for the many years of service they have collectively given to Charnwood College and its predecessor schools of Garendon and Burleigh: Teachers: Nikki Bains Mark Bicknell Denise Bradley Rosalind Hamson Patrick Harkins David Ryan Laura Steele Learning Support Assistants: Emilia Mellow Debbie Salt