Half Term Newsletter February 2013 - Howard of Effingham

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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