Half Term Newsletter February 2013 - Howard of Effingham

February 2013
Dear Parents/Carers
We continue to be incredibly busy here in school so it is not surprising that this half term seems to
have passed really quickly. The snow during January presented us with some challenges but I
would like to thank parents for their support with the adapted school day timings during this
period. I must also congratulate students on their seamless return to full school uniform after a
week of wearing mufti as well as their generally excellent, mature behaviour during the bad
weather.
The gym and dance display was, once again, inspirational. The talent of the students is uplifting
and their dedication and that of the staff is exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the
performances. We are losing a great deal of talent at the end of this year as some of our older
students move on so it was very encouraging to see the enthusiasm and very high standards on
display from our rising younger stars. Many thanks to all involved and to parents for their support
of this delightful event.

Teaching Schools
Both The Howard and Thomas Knyvett are continuing to work with Weydon School, Farnham and The
University of Chichester as strategic partners within their Teaching School status, the i2i Partnership.
This work covers a range of teaching and development opportunities however this term we have
been focusing on teacher training recruitment via the new School Direct Programme. School Direct
allows schools to grow their own new teachers by giving them the opportunity to recruit and train
their own staff. Further information can be found on the school website or via the Department for
Education website http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment
We have also hosted a number of visits for candidates who are thinking of applying to initial teacher
training and want to gain first-hand experience of life in a busy comprehensive school. This
experience involves observing lessons and talking to staff and students. If this is of interest to you
more information can be found on the school website or via the Department for Education website
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/initial/a00205899/sep
Travelling To and From School
I am sure you will appreciate that we need to keep our car park clear for coaches at the beginning
and end of the school day. Please do not use the car park as a dropping off or turning area,
otherwise the car park will be congested as the coaches arrive.
If there are exceptional circumstances and you need to drop your child off in the car park in the
morning, we ask that you do so before 8.20 am.
Thank you for your co-operation with this.
Please may I also ask you to remind your son/daughter of the importance of crossing roads sensibly
and safely.
Bicycle Number Plates
May I remind you that students cycling to school should obtain a number plate for their bicycle
(details available from Student Services). There are a number of bicycles without plates currently
being used. Bicycles should be roadworthy and students should wear suitable protective equipment
and lights if required. Spot checks will be undertaken over the next half term.
VLE Frog
This term we have had a focus on e-Safety in school, including assemblies and training staff to CEOP
(Child Exploitation and Online Protection) standards. We have also brought together on Frog
advice for students and parents on staying safe online.
As part of our commitment to this issue, we are offering parents the opportunity to attend an
information evening at 6 pm on Thursday 21 March. It will cover how your children can use the
internet in a positive way whilst keeping them safe, and it will inform you of the latest technological
advances our students are using which you may not be aware of. The training will be led by Dan
Bowen from Babcock4S and will replace the parent council on Wednesday 20 March. If you wish to
come along to this free event, please register on Frog.
Please remember that you do not need a username or password to access much of the information
on Frog. Simply click on Unregistered Parent Login.
However, we do recommend that you request one online to give you access to more personalised
information about your child.
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School Musical – “Little Shop of Horrors”
Our Spring Musical is ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Theatre Leatherhead, 7 –
9 March 2013. This fun, colourful and extremely entertaining show will
involve a cast of over 75 students and is expected to play for four
performances to packed houses. With fantastic songs and a stunning set,
Little Shop of Horrors tells of a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant
that feeds on human blood and flesh.
The music includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)",
"Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour". Tickets are available now from the school or
from the box office at the Theatre.
Lost Property
We have a large amount of un-named lost property in Student Services, including many items of
uniform and non-uniform, shoes and trainers, coats, jewellery and pencil cases. If any parent would
like to come and look through this lost property please telephone Student Services to make an
appointment as soon as possible. We need to dispose of any unclaimed items by Friday 1 March.
Dates for your Diary
The pre-arranged Mufti Day this term is taking place on Friday 15 March 2013 proceeds to support
Red Nose Day – students are encouraged to wear an item of red in support of this charity.
If you have not paid your £4 for your child to participate in all four mufti days this year, please can
you do so before this date.
7 March AS/A2 module results published
7 March – 9 March “Little Shop of Horrors” at Leatherhead Theatre
12 March Academic Tutoring/INSET
14 March Year 8 Parents’ Evening
26 March Y12 Higher Education Evening
28 March End of term (normal closure time)
Signature for Receipt of this Newsletter
Please sign the relevant place in your son’s/daughter’s planner (Yrs 7-11) to indicate that you have
received this February newsletter.
Yours sincerely
H Pennington
Head of School
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Additional Note from the Executive Head
Dear Parents and Friends
You will be delighted to hear that Mrs Helen Pennington has been confirmed by Governors as the
permanent Head of School at Howard of Effingham.
I am confident parents and friends will want to join me in congratulating Mrs Pennington who has
had such a positive impact in this role since September 2012.
Howard Partnership Activities
Over the last couple of terms a small, but significant number of Surrey Primary Schools have had
adverse judgement from Ofsted. On behalf of its maintained schools, the Local Authority response
has been to develop an interim strategy of approaching secondary schools to work with particular
primaries.
The Howard Partnership Schools have been asked to undertake school-to-school collaborative work
with Kenyngton Manor School, Sunbury-on-Thames in Spelthorne. This is in recognition of our status
as a National Support School and as a result of the success and experience we have gained in this
field.
I and other senior staff from both Howard of Effingham School and Thomas Knyvett College are
currently working with staff and Governors of Kenyngton Manor to address necessary development.
As this relationship develops we are finding, as ever that such partnership working has huge benefits
for the lead schools as well as the school currently in challenging circumstances. We will keep you
informed of progress via the next Ship’s Log newsletter as the process unfolds.
I wish you all a good half term break.
Yours faithfully
R J Barnfield
Executive Head
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