Headteacher’s Newsletter to Parents

Ofsted

Outstanding for almost 15 years!

17 July 2017

Sandbach High School and College

Middlewich Road, Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3NT

www.sandbachhigh.co.uk

www.sandbachsixthform.co.uk

office@sandhigh.cheshire.sch.uk 01270 765031

Secondary School of the Year !

at the Cheshire Schools Awards

Dear Parent/Carer

The end of the academic year beckons. As we approach these final few days I should like to take this

opportunity to thank all of my colleagues for their dedication and commitment. Their collective contribution

has helped to ensure that our students continue to receive such a high quality and varied educational

experience. Last week, alternative learning week, reflects the lengths that teachers and support staff will

go to in order to nurture the aspirations and talents of our students.

As it is natural at this time we say thanks and farewells to colleagues leaving.

For over 20 years, Mrs B Gilligan has provided a very special level of support, latterly in her role as KS5

Manager, and has been an exemplary member of our support team. Her devotion to colleagues and

students alike has been exceptional with Mrs Gilligan always being willing to ‘go the extra mile’. In

thanking Mrs Gilligan for her remarkable contribution I should also like to wish her happiness as she

enters retirement.

Similarly our thanks and best wishes are extended to Mrs Carruthers who leaves after 13 years. As a

highly talented teacher and Curriculum Leader for Geography her presence will be missed but hopefully in

due course we will see her return to the classroom where she is quite outstanding.

Our appreciation and thanks are also extended to Mrs S Ashford, Mrs H Barrott-Asal, Mrs C Bennion,

Miss M Devon, Mrs L Graham, Miss S Leng, Mr C Pearson, Mrs J Wall and Miss G Woods.

And finally our very best wishes are extended to Mrs E Holmes, Miss R Howlett and Mr C Williams who

are replacing the challenges and excitement of the classroom with new opportunities away from teaching.

As gifted teachers I sincerely hope that in due course they might return to the classroom where they are

so capable of engaging and enthusing their students.

Social Media—a plea for your support

Over recent times I have expressed my concerns regarding the use of social media and the posting of

insensitive and inaccurate comments. Once more, I would ask parents and the community more

generally to reflect on the potential impact of any comment and whether there might be a more

appropriate way of expressing an opinion. Similarly when reading a post and/or forwarding a post ask

yourself whether there is substance to the comment.

Regrettably the school has been the subject of several instances of inappropriate and untruthful “posts”

that have brought distress to my colleagues and students alike, resulting in referrals to the Police.

Lydia Houghton Year 11

I am delighted to be able to congratulate Lydia on winning the Orwell Youth Prize 2017. Her entry entitled

‘The Eyes’ was an inspired piece of writing and richly deserved to be judged the winner from over 170

entries in this nationally acclaimed competition.

Congratulations!

Due to Jasmine Evanson (Year 8) on being crowned British National Tumbling Champion.

Caterlink

New from September—see end of newsletter!

Hairspray “Congratulations on an amazing production of Hairspray”

“last night’s performance of Hairspray was AMAZING”

“a resounding success”

“the casting was perfect and I cannot believe the talent of the students involved……..what an achievement!”

Are just some of the comments that I have received following a series of captivating performances of this year’s school production, Hairspray.

Congratulations are duly extended to cast and crew and to my colleagues who helped to make the show so special: Miss Aldridge, Miss Lawrence, Miss Cooper, Mrs Heywood, Mrs Jackson, Mr Fairclough and the many others who helped out in a variety of capacities.

2017/2018 Please note that the calendar below is also available on the school’s website. Could I remind parents/carers that holidays booked during school terms are unacceptable and may result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) being issued.

School holidays 2017/2018 HOLIDAY DATE DATE OF CLOSING DATE OF RE-OPENING

SUMMER 2017 THURSDAY 20 JULY FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER (STAFF)

MONDAY 4 SEPTEMBER (STUDENTS)

AUTUMN HALF TERM 2017 FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER MONDAY 30 OCTOBER

CHRISTMAS 2017/2018 THURSDAY 21 DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 3 JANUARY 2018

SPRING HALF TERM 2018 FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY

EASTER 2018 THURSDAY 29 MARCH MONDAY 16 APRIL

SUMMER HALF TERM FRIDAY 25 MAY MONDAY 4 JUNE

SUMMER 2018 THURSDAY 19 JULY MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER (STAFF)

TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER (STUDENTS)

Results Days

A level: Thursday 17 August

GCSE: Thursday 24 August

STEM success

Congratulations are due to: Natasha Longshaw whose self-assembly geographically inspired table won

through to the National Finals of the Big Bang Competition.

Keira Dennison whose ‘Does breakfast affect our school work’ project also won through to the National

Finals.

At the regional heat Bridget Rose won the Bright Spark Award for her inspired standing lamp worthy of a

price tag in excess of £400 at any major retail outlet. It is beautiful.

Charity Concert in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support

Thanks to the organisation of Mr M Concar, ably supported by so many not least by musicians from

SHSSFC, Ruskin High School, St Mary’s Primary School (Middlewich) the Love Music Trust Percussion

Ensemble, The Cheshire Constabulary Band and Corps of Drums and the Lions Youth Brass Band and

the generosity of so many, over £3000 was raised on the night for MacMillan Cancer Support. A fantastic

achievement, thank you.

UNIFORM

If you have any items of the new school uniform that your daughter has outgrown we would be happy to

receive it in school where it can be re-cycled to very good use.

Uniform can be ordered to be delivered to your home address by following the link on our website:

http://sandbachhigh.co.uk/uniform-2/

End of Term

Please note that the school will close for all students with effect from 1pm on Thursday, 20 July 2017.

Arrangements for the early arrival of buses have been confirmed.

Start of Term

The new term starts on Friday 1 September, 2017 (for staff only) with students returning on Monday 4

September,

And, finally

Do you know where your daughter is, with whom and what she is doing? If, for example, your daughter is

off to the cinema, what film is she watching? Have you read any reviews that might suggest the material

is inappropriate?

As we approach the holiday period especially please can I remind parents to reinforce to all their children

the importance of being vigilant over personal safety both in terms of their physical security as well as

their virtual safety when accessing the internet/social media sites? There are some very unpleasant

characters in the world and as many parents already do we need to ensure that the safety of our children

remains a priority both when in sight as well as out of sight. Useful links for further information on helping

to sustain safety in the virtual world and more generally include:

https://kooth.com/

http://www.theparentzone.co.uk/parent/information/digital_parenting

http://www.knowandsee.co.uk/#team

http://www.paceuk.info/support-for-parents/advice-centre/

Samaritans—www.samaritans.org Tel: 116123

Youngminds—Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544

Stonewall—www.stonewall.org.uk Tel: 0207 593 185

Childline—www.childline.org.uk/info-advice Tel: 08001111

Be Share Aware and keep your child safe online #SHAREAWARE

Social media sites have certain benefits but at this especially challenging time for members of our school

community, upsetting or “offensive” posts/tweets should be notified to the Police using the 101 number.

If you need to contact me please email me on jmleigh@sandhigh.cheshire.sch.uk and I will reply as soon

as possible.`

Yours sincerely

J M Leigh

Headteacher