CLAIRES COURT BULLETIN
SENIOR BOYS
Bulletin 3| Lent Term 2016
Email: mjw@clairescourt.com
Website: http://www.clairescourt.com
Location: SL6 8TE
Phone: 01628 411470
Facebook: facebook.com/clairescourt
Twitter: @clairescourt
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FROM THE HEAD'S DESK
My congratulations go to the boys of Year 9 who performed their Pantomimes last Friday, definitely a seasonal treat. Also well done to the Public Speaking teams who performed last night in the Rotary competitions. Both teams did well, especially the Year 8 team who won their event and progress to the next round.
I look forward to meeting parents from Year 11 next week at their very important Parents Evening, as we can feedback on how the boys are working towards the challenges of the summer exams.
Our success is measured in many ways, though sometimes these are not effective! The government are changing how they evaluate schools (again) and I pass on this message from our Academic Principal James Wilding:
"This is the last year in which schools in England are to be ranked by the DfE in their GCSE performance tables.
A quick look at the data on Berkshire Independent schools this year shows you just how silly the tables have become, because the DfE do not permit the inclusion of international GCSEs in the tables, and almost all independent schools makes use of the iGCSE subject specifications in some way. At Claires Court, pupils take iGCSEs in English and Maths, although we do, in addition, make use of English GCSEs in these subjects as well, so we appear in some measure placed in the tables. Eton, the Abbey and Reading Bluecoat, for example, only use iGCSEs so are shown scoring 0% in the performance tables.
Next year, only state schools are to be included in performance tables, making use of data on progress across a prescribed 8 subjects at GCSE. Our schools performance in both GCSE and A levels is reported correctly by the Independent Schools Council in their published figures, which are first released shortly after the publication of exam results in early September. In addition, you can see our data in the Court Report, sent home in our Christmas mailing and on our website.
The DfE A level performance data is very much more in line with published data, as most schools make use of A levels and as a result the statement of performance provides fair comparison."
Emergency Closure Guidance
DATES
Monday 25 January - RBWM Youth Achievement Awards 7.00pm - 9.30pm
Thursday 28 January - Year 9 Holocaust Day.
Year 11 iGCSE English
Year 11 Parents Evening from 6.15pm
Saturday 30 January - Burns Night Supper from 6.30pm - SOLD OUT
Monday 1 February - Year 9 GCSE Information Evening from 6.15pm
Wednesday 3 February - Open Morning 9.30am to 11.30am at all three sites
Thursday 4 February - UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge
Friday 5 February - ISA London West Cross Country (Sherfield)
Saturday 6 February - Boat Club Race Night, full information available lower down on this Bulletin, or hard copy from Reception.
TRIPS
Geography field Trip - Year 10 - Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March - to Margam Park - full information has been emailed home.
Sailing Trip - Years 7 to 13 - Portland, Dorset Thursday 7 to Friday 8 April
Sailing Courses which will be open to all Claires Court pupils. Two days of sailing and overnight with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre, based at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy. The accommodation is at RYA Portland House and the cost will be around £200. A full information sheet is available from Reception.
Hazewinkel Rowing Camp
Letters requesting balance payments and passports have been emailed home.
FROM THE OFFICE
Burns Night Supper - Saturday 30 January - Sold Out - Tickets have been posted home.
Years 9 & 11 Immunisation
Our School Nurse has posted home a letter and form, please ensure that this is completed appropriately and returned to school. The form must be returned to school even if you do not wish your son to be immunised. The date for this is Thursday 11 February.
Jazz Band Letter - Mr Roach has handed out an important letter to the members of the Jazz Band with regard to the arrangements for the Orchestral Day to be held on 12 February at the Girls site. Please could you ask your son for the letter, or alternatively check their blazer.
Year 12 Young Enterprise - Saturday 23 January
Come and support the Year 12 Claires Court Young Enterprise team Critical Clothing at the Young Enterprise Trade Fair at the Nicholson Centre Maidenhead on Saturday. Together with twenty other school teams they will be selling their clothing in the unit opposite Tesco in the centre from 9.30am-3.00pm. Help the Claires Court team to be winners again this year.
Lost Property
We are searching for a brand new pair of specs that were lost on Friday 15 January, belonging to Toby Prestedge. Please do hand in to the office if found, they are much needed and very expensive to replace.
We are searching for a blue zip up pencil case belonging to Ben Rogers, please return to the office if found.
Labelled Items - The School Nurse has all the lost property items that are found - the named items, parents will receive an email and pupils come to collect. This system works really well but only if the items are labelled. Please label all the items worn/brought into school.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Monday 15 to Friday 19 February at The Girls site - 9.00am - 4.00pm with the option to extend from 8.00am to 6.00pm. 'World of Animals' week this coming holiday… from pets and farm animals to birds and reptiles of the Amazon. There will be plenty of themed activities, fun facts, crafts and challenges, as well as specialised activities for older children.
Sports Club are also delivering three days of Multi-Sports from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 February, at the Junior Boy site. For more information and to book see our website.
DONATIONS - Holiday Club are always on the lookout for good condition construction toys, board games etc., if you have any that you would like to donate it would be much appreciated. Please let us know at holidayclub@clairescourt.com.
PTA QUIZ NIGHT - Friday 26 February - this event has been cancelled.
Regatta Race Night - Saturday 6 February
Come and support the Boat Club at their annual Regatta Race Night. For further information on how to buy tickets, sponsor a boat or race, please visit our website