- Home
- School Life
- Newsletters
- NEWSLETTER - 25 MARCH
NEWSLETTER - 25 MARCH
THIS WEEK
HIGHLIGHTS
Our students took part in a local Mock Trial competition at the weekend. The competition helps the team understand the roles within magistrates’ court and gets them to look at a case from many different aspects. The students put a lot of work into preparing for the competition but unfortunately did not progress to the next round. Thank you to all the parents who helped with pick-ups and drop-offs and to Ms Phipps for supporting the preparation. A great learning experience for all and something we can build on for next year.
This week, we started the selection process for the Head Students as part of the Sixth Form Leadership Team. We received twenty-three applications and it was a real honour to read the letters and see the inspiring work that out students are doing within the school community and beyond the school gates.
Inclusivity Week organised by Mrs Zell and Mrs Henly has been a great success, covering a wide range of topics delivered in many different ways, from music composed by disabled artists in the Oasis Garden at second break, to talks from Kick it Out (the anti-racism charity) and Support You (LGBTQ+ charity). It has been a varied week which the students were incredible engaged with.
Two of our Senior Students, Molly Miles and Jansen Bartlett, represented the school at the Sunninghill Parish Council meeting. They were, and are, great ambassadors for the school, they presented with confidence and to the time set for them about school life and the opportunities open to students across the school. We would like to thank both Sunninghill and Sunningdale Parish Councils for funding the new covered outdoor area next to the Sixth Form.
MUFTI DAY
Monday 28 March will be a mufti day to raise money for the victims affected by this terrible situation. All monies collected will be paid to the Disaster Emergency Committee DEC. We will be asking students to wear blue and yellow on the day to show support for the millions of people whose lives have been turned upside down by the war and are being persecuted by President Putin.
As a reminder we are school environment so we please ask that students dress in a respectful manner and appreciate that we are a community of many different ages and faiths. Students should not wear crop tops, short shorts, vest or any clothing that has offensive language or slogans on.
Students also need to remember all the equipment they would normally need for their school day.
We ask for a minimum donation of £1 which will be collected from students during registration.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
We have reviewed the school uniform as part of a working group with parents, and listening to the student voice in school. The changes which will come into effect from September 2022 can be found here
The changes are not significant but will help families save some money, for example there is no longer two different colours of jumper for students. Also there is no segregation between genders for example anyone can wear a polo shirt in the Summer Term , before it was restricted to boys and school jumpers can be worn by both boys and girls.
Students who have old uniform that still fits them will be able to wear it until they grow out of the garment.
We feel it is important that we maintain a high standard of uniform as it gives a sense of belonging and pride.
COVID
We have had a considerable amount of disruption due to COVID isolation, for example this week we have had up to twenty staff off which has led to us having to reduce the numbers of students in school each day. We apologise for the inconvenience this may have caused, however we have to ensure correct staff-to-student ratios on the school site.
ATTENDANCE
Early next week, the previous two weeks of attendance will be communicated to you. Any closure day will not impact on attendance. We will also, at the end of every term, communicate to you the year-to-date figure. When we move to our new management information system ARBOR you will be able to see your child’s attendance on the APP. In the meantime we feel it is important to give you this information on a regular basis. There is no need to reply to the text unless you would like some support with dealing with an attendance issue.
CHARTERS CELEBRATES AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK W/B 28 MARCH 2022
Next week Charters students will be involved in a variety of activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Autistic Society and will participate in Autism Awareness Week.
Our Learning Support Department will be working with students to complete daily awareness events throughout the week. These events are designed to be accessible to all students and to encourage our autistic students to act as leaders within school to raise awareness of their strengths.
We will be asking all students and staff to sign their names on a strip of paper, against the statement ‘We accept everyone for who they are’. These strips will be made into a giant paperchain and displayed in school to illustrate how we stand side by side at Charters School in unity in our acceptance of differences.
NEWS ROUND-UP
Read our news stories this week by clicking the links below.
YEAR 9 DEBATE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
NOTICES
@BTINTERNET.COM ACCOUNTS
If you, or someone you know, has a BT internet email account, please check that they are still receiving our emails into their main inbox. We are aware that some mail is being filtered out as BT’s filters classify the bulk emails as Spam.
Please check your Spam/Junk folders and move any misdirected items into your main inbox.
BT advise that in the first instance you add our email address Charters School 8684029@sims-communications.co.uk to your safe senders list following the steps below:
BT Mail safe senders list
1. Sign in to your BT Mail account from a desktop/laptop computer
2. From the Settings tab, select the Safe senders folder
3. Select on the Add button
4. Enter the email address of the sender in the field
5. Select Save.
NEXT PARENT SESSION ZOOM
The next session in parental zooms meeting ds to help support your child will be on Thursday 31 March - Supporting your child with preparing for KS5 exams.
A link to this and all past and future sessions can always be found via the button link at the foot of the newsletter each week.
COMMUNITY
MESSAGE FROM THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Thames Valley Police are raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). CSE can happen to any young person under the age of 18 from any background and can take many forms; in person, online or via mobile phone. It is a form of sexual abuse where the young person is groomed or tricked into thinking they are in a normal relationship and power is held over them, whether it be emotional, financial or physical.
Here are some of the warning signs that may prompt you to have a more in-depth conversation with your child:
- Truancy or performance declining in school
- Change in appearance
- Regularly using drugs or alcohol
- Change in friendship groups and avoiding lifelong friendships
- Unexplained ‘friendships’ with older people
- Staying out late or not returning home
- Returning home with unexplained gifts, new clothing, jewellery, mobile phones or money
- Spending more time online and secretive about it
- Mood swings or change in behaviour
- Covering up arms or legs; may be an indicator or bruising or self-harming
- Becoming involved in crime
http://knowaboutcse.co.uk/parents/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/
We know that the grooming process often starts online, please have a discussion with your child about being safe online. The following links contact key information for parents and carers:
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/
If you have any information or concerns about a child being exploited, please contact 101 or if you have immediate concerns please dial 999. Alternatively you can contact crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
HEALTHWATCH EAST BERKSHIRE SURVEY
Healthwatch East Berkshire (Healthwatch Slough, Healthwatch Bracknell Forest, Healthwatch Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead) have launched a survey asking the public to share their experiences of waiting for hospital appointments and care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people having their operations, treatment and appointments delayed. A record number of people - more than 6 million - are waiting for NHS hospital treatment in England. They want to find out how this is affecting people locally and what can be done to better support people while they wait.
They want to hear the views and experiences of those who have experienced waiting for hospital appointments or treatment. They also ask that primary carers for those who have waited also fill out the survey.
Healthwatch East Berkshire are independent of the NHS and local hospitals. They will not publish or share anything that identifies anyone, but the information gathered will be used to help the NHS understand how it should support people who are waiting for treatment. They are interested in good experiences as well as the not so good.
Who is this questionnaire for?
- People who are currently waiting for a hospital appointment, diagnostic tests at a hospital, or hospital treatment
- People who have had a planned hospital appointment, planned diagnostic tests or planned treatment since January 2021 (ie not emergency treatment)
The questionnaire will take 10-15 minutes to complete. You can find it here.
If you would like a paper copy of this survey posted to you, or would like other support to complete the survey, please get in touch with us on 0300 0120184 or email info@healthwatchwam.co.uk.
PARENT CURRICULUM/SUPPORT INFORMATION
Disclaimer: Any websites or apps mentioned in the Weekly Newsletter are not endorsed by the School and are used at your own discretion. Any views or opinions expressed within the website or app are not necessarily those of Charters School.
