The Chelmer Valley Weekly Bulletin
15th September 2023
LATE START
Amendment to the late start on Friday 22nd September
In our last parent update it was communicated that we will be having a late start day on Friday 22nd September following our Open Event the evening before. We would like to clarify that the late start will be 10.30am and not 10am as previously communicated.
The structure of the day will be as follows:
10.30 am – 10.45 am Registration
10.45 am – 11.45 am Period 1
11.45 am – 12.45 pm Period 2
12.45 pm – 1.30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm – 2.15 pm Period 3
2.15 pm – 3.00 pm Period 4
3.00 pm onwards Depart
NB the periods refer to the normal periods 1/2/3/4
Student Transport
School buses will collect the students at the normal pick up points, although pick up times will be two hours later than normal.
POLITE REMINDER
THORPE PARK REWARD TRIP SUCCESS
We are delighted to share a heart-warming report on the recent school reward trip to Thorpe Park, which took place on Friday September 8th. The day was a resounding success, not just because of the thrilling rides and exciting experiences, but primarily due to the exemplary conduct of our students throughout the trip.
A total of 299 students in 7 coaches along with our enthusiastic staff, embarked on this adventure. It was truly commendable to witness such a positive atmosphere and strong sense of responsibility among our students. It is a testament to the respect our students have for themselves and those around them. They demonstrated that they are not only excellent students academically but also outstanding ambassadors for our school.
We believe that such experiences are essential for personal development and bonding within the school community. The students have not only made us proud but have also set an exceptional example for their peers.
Thank you for your continued support in nurturing these fine young individuals.
Mrs Whyte-McLean & Mr Storey
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN TUTOR TIME?
This week in tutor time our students in Years 8 – 11 have been familiarising themselves with the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Please click here for a link to the school website where these presentations can be viewed.
The Year 7 students have started a Transition support programme which will run until February half term, this is to support them with all the changes they are currently facing.
This week the assemblies in Year 7-10 have been about the schools reward system and the rewards that students can achieve if they meet the school expectations. The Year 11 assembly was about the school sixth form and next steps after Year 11.
YEAR 7 CAT TESTS
Next week Year 7 will be sitting CAT tests (Cognitive Ability Tests). Some students will sit them on Wednesday and others on Thursday. These standardised tests measure a student’s general intelligence using these four main areas or reasoning.
- Verbal Reasoning – Thinking and problem solving with words
- Non-Verbal Reasoning – Thinking and problem solving with shapes and space
- Quantitative Reasoning – Thinking and problem solving with numbers
- Spatial Reasoning – Visualising, picturing and moving shapes around
The results help the school know more about a student’s potential and if they have strengths in any particular areas. Students are not required to do any preparation or revision for these tests.
Students must remember to bring in a sharp HB pencil, a rubber, pencil sharpener and a ruler. All pieces of equipment they should bring in every day.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD THROUGH THEIR HISTORY GCSE
An email was sent on Parentmail (Monday 11th September) with curriculum outlines, resource links, links to exam papers/mark schemes and Edexcel exam specifications and how to revise in History with revision techniques to support your child through their GCSE History course. Please directly email your child’s History teacher if you did not get this so they can email it to you directly and also during the year if you or your child needs any further support.
Mrs Cook
Head of History
10A - kcook@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
10B - swehmeyer@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
10C - hgilderson@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
10D - channan@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
11BY - kcook@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
MATHS GCSE AND A-LEVEL REVISION
HOMEWORK CLUB
Homework Club is held in Quest after school:
Mon-Thurs from 3.00pm to 4.00pm
Friday from 3.00pm to 3.30pm
Quest is also available during break and lunch, for Years 7, 8 & 9.
PRAYER SPACE
We have a prayer space available for students of all faiths to use in school. Students should speak to Mrs McGovern in the Humanities Office for more details.
MUSIC CLUBS
GLEE CLUB CHALLENGE
DRAMA CLUB
PE FIXTURES - w/c 18th SEPTEMBER
Please Note:
- Fixtures are subject to change.
- Students must check the team sheets on the notice boards in PE to check team and confirm timings.
Unfortunately we are no longer able to have parents come into school to watch their children in sporting fixtures. We appreciate this is very disappointing for both students and parents, however, we must adhere to the stringent safeguarding guidance given to us. We apologise for any inconvenience.
PE EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS - WINTER TIMETABLE
ART CLUB
Art Club has started on Tuesdays, if you have signed up, please come to every session - if you no longer want to attend, please let the department know so the space can be reallocated.
ART WORK OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Thomas Jarvis 10M for winning Art Work of the Week with his amazing observational landscape painting completed over the summer- we loved the rich colour and gestural paint effect!
SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS
FINANCE
WISEPAY APP - If you wish to use the WisePay App the school organisation code is: 88864946.
WISEPAY FOOD ACCOUNT - Please remember to keep students accounts topped up on WisePay. The till balances are transferred to WisePay at the end of the school day where you will be able to view their balance and what has been purchased. Please note that the current daily allowance for food is set at £8.00 (unless you have previously asked this to be amended for your child). If you require this to be increased, please email finance@chelmer.essex.sch.uk.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS – If you are entitled to free school meals you will be given an allowance of £2.50 per day. The free school meal allowance does not show as a balance on WisePay but will be on the tills. The items purchased can be viewed on WisePay at the end of the day.
FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHERS (DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) – We have been advised that there will be changes to the issue of these. No vouchers will be issued in October or February half term but vouchers will be issued in December to cover Christmas and the half term holidays.
LOOKING AHEAD.....
Monday 18th September to Friday 22nd September - WEEK A
Monday 18th September to Friday 22nd September - Year 7 CAT Testing (NFER)
Thursday 21st September - Whole School Open Evening (5.30pm - 8.00pm)
Friday 22nd September - Late Start (10.00am)
Monday 25th September to Friday 29th September - WEEK B
Monday 25th September to Friday 29th September - Year 13 Five Steps to Success Mock Resits (after school) - resit students only
ABOUT US
Letters sent to Parents/Carers can be found on our website here:
https://www.chelmervalleyhighschool.co.uk/310/parentmailletters-sent-home
Email: school@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
Website: www.chelmervalleyhighschool.co.uk
Location: Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, UK
Phone: 01245 440232
Twitter: @chelmervalleyhs
ONLINE SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
Please follow this link for information on supporting parents and carers in keeping their children safe online.
REMOTE LEARNING
For further support with remote learning please visit our school webpage for lots of information https://www.chelmervalleyhighschool.co.uk/1992/students-working-at-home
TOP TIPS FOR STAYING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
The Top tips for staying emotionally healthy during self-isolation include using the NHS 5 ways of wellness which can be accessed here.
E-SAFETY NEWS & INFO
The school website features an E-safety News & Information widget, which you can find under our quick links on the home page as well as under Safeguarding. This will enable you to keep up to date with the latest stories regarding E-safety. https://www.chelmervalleyhighschool.co.uk/317/e-safety
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE
Netware is a parents’ guide to the social networks children and young people use. Stay up to date and keep your child safe in today’s digital world. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/