THIS WEEK

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the late notice this morning regarding today's school closure.  We tracked the weather the day before, and as of 9.00 pm yesterday, the storm was skirting our area and moving northeast.  The Red weather warning was issued early this morning for the South East and London.  As soon as we had all the relevant information, a decision was made and people informed.

HIGHLIGHT(S)

Seeing so many people at face to face parents evening for Year 11 on Thursday was lovely to see.  The importance of face to face conversation at such a crucial time for the students is invaluable.  I want to thank all the parents on behalf of the staff for adhering to the guidance we had in place to make the evening possible.

The Valentine's Cake Bake saw our budding bakers bring in some fantastic cakes showing their skills.  Thank you to all that baked and all who brought cakes in.  The sale raised over £650 for the House charities.  The cake we had at our SLT meeting that afternoon was delicious. 
 

HALF-TERM PICTURE COMPETITION

We would like to invite students to design/paint/create a picture for us over the half-term – these pictures will be displayed on the Headteacher’s landing and used for our website and greeting cards.

For your design, please think about the school and the local area, along with the school motto as your theme, Unity  Respect  Excellence.

Please bring your pictures to the Headteacher’s office during the first week back after the break – make sure they have your name and tutor group clearly marked on the back.  Last day for entry is Thursday 3 March.

Pictures to be no larger than A3.

KNITTING

The staff and some older students in school are knitting square patches as part of a kindness project.  If you are interested in helping out, that would be wonderful.  Any patches knitted need to be returned to Mrs Lee-Wragg, Head of Art.  The instructions are:

Plain knit, 30 stitches, 60 rows
Any colour, @ 5/6 size needles, DK wool

Read the full story on our NEWS link below and further information can be found on
https://www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk/

ACTS OF KINDNESS

As we all know, being kind to others and supporting people makes us feel better about ourselves.  We always encouraging our students, of whatever age, to be kind to others and themselves.  We know that many of the students are taking part in activities that show kindness, as well as individuals who are supporting people.  I wanted to highlight something that one of our Year 11 students is doing this half-term.  As yesterday was 'A Random Act of Kindness Day'.

During half-term, Raedon will be getting his hair cut for charity where he will donate his hair (which is over 13 inches long) to the Little Princess Trust.  The trust makes and distributes natural hair wigs to children and young people dealing with hair loss due to cancer treatments.

Part of his plan is to raise awareness of the trust and raise money through his JustGiving page, as it costs £500 to make one wig.  This very simple act will make dealing with all the impacts that cancer can bring for young people more bearable.  If you would like to support him in his efforts, his Just Giving Page can be found here. If you are interested in the work of the charity, more information can be found here

NEWS ROUND-UP

Read our news stories this week by clicking the links below.

POET JACOB SAM-LA ROSE VISITS CHARTERS

SIXTH FORM STUDENT RECEIVES LTA AWARD

GIRLS' ROBOTIC CLUB

HOUSE BAKE SALE

PiXL EDGE

Students are continuing to work on their PiXL Edge Profiles focusing on showcasing the key life skills of Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication. It’s fantastic to see so many worthwhile activities taking place both inside and outside of the school further highlighting how Charters' students really do have the Edge! Please click here to see a list of the students who have achieve accreditation this academic year.

NOTICES

CHARTERS SCHOOL CHARITY QUIZ

FRIDAY 4 MARCH 7 PM

Tickets for the ever popular Charters School Charity quiz are now available.  Make up a team of eight or just join an existing one for an evening of fun.  For details and to book tickets please visit: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BLJI

We look forward to seeing you there. 

ATTENDANCE

During the half-term break, the government will likely announce that there is no need for individuals to self isolate if they have Covid.  This will make another step to schools returning to normal.  If students are not well enough to come to school, we will not be setting work for them to complete at home or inviting them to TEAMS lessons.

We will provide you with more information at the start of next half-term

COATS AFTER HALF-TERM

As part of our mitigation for Covid, we have been, at the teachers' discretion, allowing students to wear coats in class.  As the government guidance is changing, we will adjust accordingly.  This, therefore, means that NO coats for any students will be allowed in classrooms when we return. 

TEST KITS AND TESTING REGULARLY

Please can we remind parents/carers that they are able to order test kits on-line if necessary.   Students should have enough kits to be able to test before we come back to school after the half-term.  

SUMMER 2022 EXAM INFORMATION

On the 7 February Ofqual released details of the support that will be available for the summer Examinations for the Year 11 and Year 13 students who will be sitting GCSE, Vocational and A Level qualifications.  Details of this support, changes to the content and the way these qualifications will be examined is available on our website here.  Your child will receive this information from their subject teachers over the coming weeks and they will ensure that all are fully supported in their preparations for their examinations.”

PARENT TRUSTEE APPOINTMENTS

The results of the parent election are in and we have two new Parent Trustees - Sally Graham and James Toney - who will begin their four-year term after half-term.

BRITISH YOUTH COUNCIL

Over the month of February, the BYC is running their annual make your mark campaign for young people aged 11 – 18 across the UK.

Over a two-year term, members of the youth parliament work on three main campaigns together with key decision makers like MPs and local councillors. The Make your Mark campaign provides a democratic vote where every young person across the country is given their say on the three campaigns, they want the youth parliament to work on.

Students will be asked to fill out a survey providing their age, postcode, and school before choosing one of the 10 topics up they would like to vote for. There is also an optional section where they may be asked to provide some information about how they identify as a person to help show the demographic of those voting. All data is anonymous and not connected to the vote. Please encourage your child to take part.

If you are interested in finding out more about the BYC and this year’s, make your mark campaign please see their website: https://www.byc.org.uk/uk/uk-youth-parliament/make-your-mark .

WORLD BOOK DAY 

World Book Day Book Tokens have been distributed by Tutors this week, for students to use during half-term, or any time up until 27 March 2022.  

These can be used in exchange for one of the exclusive, specially commissioned World Book Day Books (while stocks last) or as £1 payment towards an alternative book for their choice.

World Book Day itself is on Thursday 3 March, and we will have a week of activities in school that will be promoted in assemblies throughout our first week back after half-term.  This will include a Picture Book quiz that students can access in the Library

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD

We will be continuing to deliver 20–30-minute free online sessions to support you during your child’s time with us at Charters. The presentations have been created based on parental feedback and cover a range of topics including revision, the online world and high ability students. Please see our list of sessions for next half-term on the school website here. Book onto any session up to up to 48 hours before to receive a secure Zoom link. 

COVID VACCINATION SITES FOR 12-15 YEAR OLD STUDENTS OVER HALF-TERM

Covid -19 vaccinations are available to book for students aged 12-15yrs over half term at these centres.

For more information and the booking form click here

For information on frequently asked question, please click: Vaccinations for clinically vulnerable children and your people – your questions answered.

COMMUNITY

GEMS 

GEMS are a local organisation offering information and support to parents and carers of children with autism and ADHD.  They have a number of upcoming workshops which should be booked with GEMS directly online.  Please see the flyers below for further information on the sessions. 

AUTISM & FOOD

MARCH GEMS WORKSHOPS

APRIL GEMS WORKSHOPS

 

    

PARENT CURRICULUM INFORMATION

  

 

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