Summer Issue

2001

Keeping Up Standards

Contents:

Front Page

Letter from Martin Salter M.P.

Keeping up
Standards

Award for School
 Website

News & Events

Drama News

Piper/Benyon

Hunt/Scott

Maths

English,

History,

R.E.

P.E.News

Science

Technology

Adult Education

Mobile Phones

New Staff

Diary Dates


Girls Trousers

Girls are now allowed the option of wearing skirts or trousers as part of their official school uniform. Trousers must be plain black and in a smart style. All items of school uniform are available from school stockists – The Meadway Outfitters and Heelas of Reading. We recommend parents to purchase uniform from these outlets so as to be sure that clothing items conform to school regulations.

About Jewellery

The rule is that our students are not allowed to wear jewellery except for a single plain stud in pierced ears. If a student persists in wearing other items of jewellery, the latter are confiscated, sealed in an envelope and are deposited in the school safe. The jewellery is returned only to parents when they are able to collect it.

Attendance & Punctuality

Parents will be aware that as part of our ongoing drive to raise standards and improve teaching and learning, we are paying particular attention to students’ attendance and punctuality. The senior staff are supporting the Heads of Houses in carefully monitoring students
who turn up late for school. Each late arrival is logged and, if the lateness could have been avoided (which is often the case), parents are immediately contacted by phone or, failing that, by letter so as to be made aware of the situation.

We are pleased to report a significant improvement since January. But there are still a few students who arrive well after the start of registration or even later. The most common reason given is: “ I got up late!” Parents are asked to support the school in its drive to eliminate lateness and thereby improve standards and learning.

Tippex & Chewing Gum

As a result of some unfortunate accidents with Tippex, students have been asked not to bring correcting fluid to school. Likewise, with so many of our floors carpeted, we are reminding students that chewing gum is banned – once it gets on the carpets it causes an awful mess which is impossible to remove

About Trainers

Just a reminder about trainers. The school’s dress regulations are quite clear about this – trainers are not allowed! The rule is that students (both boys and girls) should wear black shoes in a sensible style, suitable for walking quite long distances during the school day.

On rare occasions, a student may have a genuine foot problem, in which case we ask them to take a medical certificate to their Head of House. But all too often we are presented with a variety of reasons why trainers are being worn – sore feet, twisted ankles and so on. In all such cases, the support given by sturdy shoes is a safer option than soft trainers. We ask parents to support our drive to eliminate the ‘trainers syndrome’ and if there is a genuine medical reason, to send in a medical certificate

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