February 2012 - Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Newsletter
February 2012
This issue:
Page 2 Sports Relief/Music Exam Results
Page 3 Drama Production
Page 4 Sports News
Page 5 Parent/Pupil Information
Page 6 Parent Information
Page 7 Bullying
Message from Dr Holden
On our website, you will find information about how our
school fared in the recently published performance tables.
Once again the Math compares very favourably with other
selective schools. We are particularly pleased to note
that we came sixth out of 45 grammar schools in Kent
and Medway in the ‘value-added’ measure at GCSE,
which rates schools according to the progress students
make while at the school, while, once again we achieved
the highest percentage of A* grades at A level of any
school in the region.
Students in Y9 and Y11 have had the chance this term to
consider their options for years 10 and 12 respectively.
As you know, the Government is keen that, as well as
English, Maths and Science, young people also study
History or Geography and a modern foreign language as
part of the English Baccalaureate. For 2012, we require
Math school students to take English, Maths, Science and
either History or Geography. Although we are not
insisting, we strongly recommend that all students also
choose a modern foreign language as one of their
options.
With regards to sixth form choices, we believe we offer a
wide, varied and effective curriculum, and we hope to see
as many of our Y11 students as possible return to join us
next year, having met or exceeded their targets at GCSE.
Many students will be sitting GCSE modular examinations
during term 4, and I wish them every success.
Y13 students have, for the most part, received offers from
their chosen universities and are now focussed on what
they need to do to achieve the grades required. In
particular, I congratulate the seven students who have
received offers from Oxford or Cambridge this year.
The students are: George Clark, Ben Giles, Sam
Martin, James Lucas, Sam Seed, Callum Burgess and
Olivia Sharpe and we all wish them every success as
they embark on the final weeks of preparation for the
examinations ahead.
The usual range of after school and Easter holiday
revision opportunities will be available to students in
years 11-13 and Mr Morris will be contacting parents
during term 4 with more details of these.
The termly Newsletter usually concentrates, quite
rightly, on the many successes of our students.
However, on this occasion, I would like to offer my
warmest congratulations to nine members of staff who
were awarded their MA in Education degrees at a
ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral last week, after three
years of part time study. The teachers are: Mrs Atwal,
Mr Bailey, Mr Correia, Mr Hodges, Mr Loizou, Mrs
Matthews, Mr Milne, Mrs Milne and Mr Owen.
I would like to finish by expressing thanks on behalf of
all at the school to Mr Mold who handed over the
editorship of “The Williamsonian” to Mr Loizou after 25
years at the helm – a remarkable achievement.
I would like to wish all families a good spring term
break. During term 4, we look forward to the annual
Spring Concert, the eagerly awaited production of
Journey’s End, and the hotly contested RMSA Quiz.
G Holden (Dr)
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SPORTS
SPORTS
RELIEF
RELIEF
2012
2012
So, Sport Relief 2012 is underway and already just 4 days in and staff are being bombarded with
requests to supervise some daring and some outlandish ideas. It's already very exciting.
I have delivered a challenge to the school as laid down by the comedian John Bishop, who is
undertaking Sport Relief's big challenge this year. The John Bishop video clip and one other film from
Sport Relief 2010 explains why we do what we do on the school website.
An appeal: The success of Sport Relief at the Math is down to our students uncanny ability to
turn our community of 1,200 people into one of 12,000 - or even 120,000.
And you know that will involve you as friends and families in a big way.
Obviously, I appeal for you all to dig deep but I also appeal for help. The more you can get involved
the better. So, perhaps you can take your child's sponsor form to work or even run your own event.
The students top tip this year is turn outward from the school and to go into the local community as
much as possible. The financial resources and time availability of the students and staff are finite, but
by turning outward the possibilities are infinite. You may even be able to come and use the school's
facilities if the idea is big enough - just give me a call.
Also, I am looking for the big sponsor. Someone or some organisation who really sees the school's
efforts for what it is, a national record-breaker, and would like to put their name to it. Imagine your
firm's logo on all our literature and merchandise, not to mention the fact that we were all over the BBC
last year. Again, please just give me a call.
Thank You
Mr Parker
Congratulations to the following students who have
recently taken music grade examinations. They are:
SPORTS RELIEF 2012
Arun Aggarawal, 11Go - Acoustic Guitar
Grade 3 (Merit)
Matthew Cole, 9 Go - Piano
Grade 2 (Distinction)
Liam Coleman, 10Ca - Piano
Grade 2 (Merit)
Samuel Holt, 8 Th - Piano
Grade 2 (Merit)
Nathan Myo, 9 Go - Piano
Grade 1 (Pass)
James Parker, 10Br - Piano
Grade 1 (Distinction)
Trifon M. Parsons-Xinogala, 8Ri - Piano
Grade 1 (Pass)
James Read, 10 Ca - Piano
Grade 2 (Pass)
Manish Sandhu, 10 Ri - Electronic
Grade 2 Keyboard (Distinction)
Max Syer, 8Go - Piano
Grade 1 (Pass)
This year you will be able to donate online, via
JustGiving.com, or the Sport Relief Giving
Pages. The school will have a page on each of
these sites. Just make sure you mention the
name and form of the student you are
sponsoring, if appropriate, in the comments
box.
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Drama Production
Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School
JOURNEY’S END
Dear School Office
I will require _____ tickets for the school production ‘Journey’s End 2012 at 7.00pm in the main
School Hall.
Thursday 22nd March 2012
Friday 23rd March 2012
Parent of: _______________________________
Form: ____________________
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Page 5

Sports News
This term, hockey has been the main focus for the sports teams. Senior players
have assisted with training younger players in the Autumn Term, and this has
been of great benefit to younger students, particularly those in Years 7 & 8.
Results have shown that there is now depth and strength in all age groups, with
the flagship 1st XI side scoring plenty of goals against King's and Skinners and getting to
the quarter final of the U18 Kent Plate.
After half term, the team will face King's Canterbury School and will hope to progress to
the semi final.
The U14 are due to play Tonbridge School in the Kent Cup quarter final. The matches
against Skinners were very encouraging given that we scored 13 goals and conceded
only 5 in the matches played so far.
After half term, matches against Kent College, Reigate Grammar, King's Rochester,
Norton Knatchbull, Chatham Grammar, Gravesend Grammar and Borden Grammar will
provide good tests to the teams and show that real progress has been made this season.
There are also the Canterbury Tournaments for U13 & U15 squads. The Math has ended
the last 2 weeks of hockey matches well and all players must be congratulated
for their effort, determination and enthusiasm.
Mr Hathaway
Pupil Information
Don’t fall behind with your
work!
We are here to help you…
Academic Support Club with Miss Heather
Every night after school (Except Fridays)
3.15 – 4pm. Room 10
Come along if…
• You need a quiet place to do your homework/
coursework,
• You need a bit of encouragement or help.
YOU DON’T NEED TO SIGN UP, JUST TURN UP.
Academic Support Club has now been extended to
lunchtimes for pupils who cannot stay after school.
Whether you’re stuck with Maths, need some inspiration
for an English essay or want help preparing for Science
tests…
There are Year 10 Mentors available to help you.
Mondays & Wednesdays 1.20 – 1.50 pm, Room 5
Catering
Remember, breakfast is served from
7.50am to 8.20am.
Hot buttered toast,
Filled toasties,
Fruit,
Bacon Sandwiches.
Don’t forget to check out the lunch menu on the school website, (in
the school information section).
The school meal service provides the best value healthy lunch, as
well as tasty snack items.
Contact us:
Main School Number:
01634 844008
Absence Reporting Number:
01634 815250
It would greatly assist our administrative staff if parents
were to telephone the school before 9.00am on each day
of their son’s or daughter’s absence. A
message can be left on the answer phone,
which is activated after several rings.
Via e-mail:
Office email
office@sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk
School Website:
www.sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk
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Page 4

Holidays During Term Time
The Math has an App which will allow pupils and parents to get the
latest news stories and calendar events added to the school
website straight to their iPhone or Android phone.
How the App Works
Firstly, you will need to download the App from either the iTunes
App Store or Android Market by clicking on the relevant buttons
below or by loading up the App store on your phone and searching
for ‘School News’.
Once you have located and downloaded the App (which is free),
launch the App and you will then be able to either click on the
‘Find my school’ button which uses the phones GPS to locate
schools within 20 miles, or you can type in the schools postcode
and click on ‘Get my school’ button. Enter the School’s postcode:
ME1 3EL
You will then see a list of schools that use the App. Click on Sir
Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School.
You will then be able to click on the ‘News’ button to view all of the
latest news items and all of the upcoming calendar events by
clicking on the ‘Events’ button.
When you click on ‘My Schools’, this will display the school
address, telephone number and email address which you can click
on to either phone or email the school directly from the App..
Parking
Mobile App
Please note that parents must NOT drive
onto the school site to drop off or collect their son/
daughter.
The school strongly disapproves of pupils being withdrawn from school
for holidays during term time. Missing school can have a serious effect
upon the continuity of students’ learning and hinder their progress. All
parents of boys joining the school sign an agreement undertaking not to
withdraw their son from school for any reason other than illness or
unavoidable medical appointments. In exceptional circumstances,
the school may grant up to ten days school leave for holidays, but this is
entirely at the school’s discretion and will not be granted if the request
coincides with important school business.
In such circumstances, a Holiday Form should be obtained from
Reception. This must be completed and approved at least two weeks
in advance of the proposed holiday. Please note than long weekends
cannot be counted as an ‘annual holiday’. Parents should be aware that
in cases where an unauthorised holiday is taken, the school may refer
the case to the Attendance Advisory Service who could pursue a penalty
notice of up to £100. The school will not approve any absence for social
events. In certain circumstances students may be granted leave of
absence for special events such as representing the county at major
sports. Such requests should be addressed in the first instance to the
Form Tutor and should be made in advance of the event.
Please note that Founder’s Day on Saturday 7th July is a
compulsory day of attendance. No requests for leave of absence or
holiday will be granted for that day.
Monday 9th July will be a day off school in lieu. By law, all absences
have to be approved by the school and any absences which are not
approved will be recorded as unauthorised absents on the pupil’s record.
Wisepay is the School’s preferred method of payment for the
Instrumental Scheme, school trips, clubs and activities, cash
(exact money please) and cheques (student name & form
on the back please) are still accepted but must be
paid DIRECTLY into the Finance Office - MORNING &
LUNCH BREAKTIMES ONLY. All details relating to receipts
and payment schedule information on instalment trips are
available on Wisepay only.
The only exception is when a pupil has sustained
a temporary injury which makes walking difficult.
In such cases agreement should be reached in
advance with the school by contacting our receptionist.
Letters detailing all username and passwords to access
Wisepay were sent in September 2011. Please e-mail:
knappd@sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk if you
require a reminder of this log on information.
Medical Information
IMPORTANT REMINDER
It is the responsibility of parents to notify the school of any medical
conditions which a child may have and which require the school to
administer medication in an emergency. Any such medication must
be delivered to school in a plastic box labelled with the pupil’s name
and enclosing clear instructions on dosage etc.
A letter authorising the school to administer the medication MUST
also be included. The school is also able to store and distribute
medication of a more routine nature but again it should be delivered
in a plastic box, clearly labelled, enclosing details of dosage,
frequency of issue, etc. Please also note that it is the parents’
responsibility to record expiry dates and to ensure items are replaced
as necessary.
Wisepay is a payment secure site and a link is on the
h o m e p a g e o f t h e s c h o o l w e b s i t e ,
(www.sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk) under “Useful
Links”.
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Term Dates for 2011/12
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS -
PUPILS DO NOT ATTEND
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th July 2012
Term 4
Start: Monday, 20th February 2012 (Day 1)
Finish: Friday, 30th March 2012
Spring break:
Monday, 2nd April to
Friday, 13th April 2012
Term 5
Start: Monday, 16th April 2012 (Day 1)
Finish: Friday, 1st June 2012
Early May Bank Holiday:
Monday, 7th May 2012
Queen's Jubilee break:
Monday, 4th June to Friday 8th June 2012
Bank Holidays:
4th and 5th June 2012
Term 6
Start: Monday, 11th June 2012 (Day 6)
Finish: Friday, 20th July 2012
Last day of term early lunch and early assembly
Founder’s Day Saturday 7th July
Day off in Lieu Monday 9th July
School Shop
Opening Times
Monday and Friday
12.45pm—2.15pm
Wednesday
2.30pm—4.30pm
Shop telephone number
(only in use when school shop is open)
01634 830148
See our website for uniform prices.
Or Telephone Simmonds
Tunbridge Wells
01982 510123
Open 9.00am—5.30pm
Monday—Saturday
In the event of snow…
If the school needs to be closed because of snow/bad
weather the following arrangements for notifying staff/
students will occur:
Details of closure will be posted on the school website – we
will endeavour to make this decision by 7.00am.
We will continue to notify Radio Kent, Heart FM and KMFM,
although they have been rather unreliable in the past.
A message regarding closure will be sent to parents via
Schoolcomms. (If you haven’t already registered, please
contact Reception today.)
An up to date message will be placed on the school
answerphone number on 01634 844008.
Students will be told to consult our website, as well as those
of the radio stations.
NB Notification of closure only will be made – no closure
notice means the school will be open.
Engagement with Parents
Parent View
Ofsted launched its ‘Parent View’ website in November 2011.
Parent View asks for your opinion on 12 aspects of your
child’s school, from the quality of teaching, and how well the
school is managed to dealing with bullying and poor
behaviour.
I would like to encourage you to complete the brief survey. By
sharing your views, you’ll be helping our school to improve.
The answers provided to each question tell us if we need to
change any aspect of our work for the better. You will also be
able to see what other parents have said about our school.
The Ofsted site requires your email address and a password
to complete the questionnaire. Before registering please read
the Ofsted "Terms of Use."
Parent Surgery
The school hosts a monthly Parents Surgery on the second
Thursday of every month. This provides an opportunity for
parents to raise any issue, concern, complaint or worry directly
with senior staff. If something is on your mind, come along and
we’ll sort it out. No appointment is necessary, just turn up.
Refreshments are available while you wait. Go to Reception
where you will be directed to the Surgery venue.
Schoolcomms is a system that enables us to generate a
single e-mail that can contain an attachment such as a
newsletter, details of a trip, invitation etc and we can send it
to a targeted audience who could be parents of members of a
form, a class, a team or even the whole school – assuming everyone has signed up! No more letters which disappear into
student’s bag, only to appear two weeks after an event has taken place!!
If you are not receiving messages via Schoolcomms please email: office@sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk
For security reasons, please include your son’s/ daughter’s name, form, address and post code in this email.
Page 6

Bullying
We want to remind parents about our approach to bullying and what to do if your son or daughter
is being bullied at school.
The school regards bullying as: ‘The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person by another.
Bullying can be carried out physically, verbally, emotionally or through cyberspace’.
Bullying is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The school raises awareness of the anti-social nature of bullying through school assemblies, the
School Council, use of tutorial time, participation in Anti-Bullying Week and in the national
curriculum programmes of study as appropriate.
If your son or daughter is being bullied at school, you should contact the appropriate Head of
Year and we will do everything possible to resolve the issue.
Bullying is a breach of our school rules (see the Conduct section of our Rules) and those who
perpetrate it will face sanctions.
The school has its own Anti-Bullying Forum (ABF) which is the name given to the Pastoral
Prefects attached to each form group. A pupil who is worried about bullying can speak to their
Pastoral Prefect, a pastoral supporter (Mrs Lovelock, Mrs Huxted or Mr Kallend) or send a
confidential email to abf@sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk
This email address can also be used by parents to register a concern, or by anyone who wants to
report bullying they have witnessed.
Please see our website (Information for Parents section) for more information on how we tackle
bullying in school and to view our Anti-Bullying Guide.
Page 7