MANGOTSFIELD SCHOOL BULLETIN
15th January 2016
Headteacher's News
A very Happy New Year to parents and carers!
In what is a very short term, there are a few notable issues to inform you about. We are about to show suggested uniforms to our students in assemblies. This is in response to feedback and views of stakeholders in Term 2 and potentially a really significant step to further share and foster a new ethos around aspiration and ambition. We will then ask students for their preference. Obviously, we will communicate next steps regarding uniform as soon as we can. We are also finalising elements of a new curriculum, which we are confident will motivate and engage our students. For the current Year 8 this will mean they will choose options to study over three years, allowing them longer to gain the skills and depth of knowledge that the new GCSEs will require. The current Year 9 will choose their options too. For both year groups there will be lots of advice and guidance through assemblies. For your diary: the Year 9 Options Pathway Information Evening will be held on Thursday 3rd March and the Year 8 Aspirations Parents' Evening will be held on Wednesday 23rd March.
Sixth Form interviews continue apace, and we are enjoying exploring their AS choices with Year 11 students. All those who have completed an application to join the Downend and Mangotsfield Sixth Form receive a dedicated 1:1 interview. We are proud of the efforts of Year 11, who have worked hard for their mock exams. The challenge now is to keep the momentum going. It's all about pinpointing weaknesses and filling in the gaps, with lots of practice. They have all completed individualised feedback forms in all subjects and we are working hard to offer specialised intervention to ensure that the maximum number reach those all important target grades. It doesn't feel very long since just before Christmas but we will soon be writing a mock timetable for Mocks Take Two!
Mr. Spence
Stacie...
It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of a past student, Stacie Skinner, who passed away on Christmas Day.
Stacie left the school in 2014 and had a huge impact on both staff and students during her time at Mangotsfield as she was such a memorable character, an excellent friend and a natural leader.
Her funeral will be held on 22nd January at 11.30 am at the Westerleigh Crematorium, Westerleigh Rd, Bristol BS37 8QP. The family would like anyone who knew Stacie to attend to pay their respects.
Show My Homework
We are pleased to announce that we have adopted Show My Homework as a school. It is still early days for us, but we are really excited by the possibilities of this website: www.showmyhomework.co.uk
Soon, students will be able to log in to Show My Homework using their normal school
log- in. Once logged in, they will be able to see all the homework that has been set for them. Teachers will be able to attach articles, resources and videos for them to work from and will also be able to set spelling tests and multiple choice questions.
As soon as we can, we shall put the Show My Homework link onto the school website and you will be able to check the homework being set yourself. You will also be able to see any resources or reading material given and this will make it easier for you to support your son or daughter.
Look out for regular updates as we develop our use of this exciting new tool.
Mr. Bowyer
Visit to Emersons Green Primary School
On the 16th December a group of Year 8 students took part in various activities at Emersons Green Primary School. These students had all attended Emersons Green school themselves and it was a great opportunity to return there to work with the current Year 6 pupils.
The activities included a question and answer session about life at Mangotsfield School to give the Year 6 pupils a chance to ask any burning questions they might have.
The main activity was for the Year 6 pupils to design and decorate some gingerbread biscuits with the help of our Year 8 students. This was a nice activity that gave them the chance to ask questions in small groups about life at secondary school. We ended the day with a Christmas karaoke session and prize-giving for some of the students.
The visit provided our Year 8 students with a fantastic opportunity to return to their old school, work with some younger children and pass on their own experiences and advice about stepping up to secondary school. The exercise also allowed our students to develop skills in team work and communication. The students represented themselves and our school fantastically well, whilst having fun in the process.
Special thanks to Emersons Green Primary School for welcoming us, Mr Elkington for driving us and the Year 8 students for making the afternoon so enjoyable.
Mr. Jordan
Sport Update
Year 9 Rowing
Students from Mangotsfield travelled to Hanham Woods Academy to participate in a static rowing competiton. Unfortunately we were the only school with a full team, so there was no actual competition, but they still got a chance to row.
The team will be competing in the L3 Winter Games on 29th January. There will be an update on their progress in the next Bulletin.
World Challenge Fundraiser
P. T. A.
Come and Join us...
Dear Parent/Carer,
Would you have a few hours to spare to help raise money to provide extra equipment or experiences for children at our school?
We do have a school PTA (Parent Teacher Association) but currently only have very few members which makes it difficult to organise any events. It doesn’t need to be a big commitment, even some occasional help would be appreciated.
We have formal PTA meetings every couple of months, and sometimes meet informally in between when we have events to organise. Our aim would be to put on 3 – 4 events each year if we have enough people. There is no need to come to every meeting, or help with every event, but just a few more people willing to help out would make a real difference.
In the past we have held quizzes, car boot sales and ladies nights – but ideas for other events are always welcome. We have supported the school by making a donation towards the new minibus, and have paid to refurbish the climbing wall and given donations to the Duke of Edinburgh’s award group, the Warhammer Club and the Pet Club. We would love to be able to support much more!
If you are willing to join in and help us out, please email Nicki Hudd on nickihudd@btinternet.com or phone the school office on 01454 862700. We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 26th January at 7.00 pm in the LRC. We look forward to seeing you.
Thank you.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESOL for Families Course
If English is not your first language, then this FREE course is for you.
Would you like to improve your spoken and written English? Our small class is an opportunity for adults to learn in a relaxed atmosphere and meet other parents.
Classes focus on spoken and written English, helping you to develop your English language skills, understand the English school system and increase your confidence in English for everyday life.
We are meeting on Wednesday mornings from 9.30 am to 11.30 am at Mangotsfield School. Why not join us?
Contact Mrs. Poole in the Inclusion Base at Mangotsfield School on 01454 862700 or E-mail your details to j.poole@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
Careers
Urgent Reminder!
Students who have yet to confirm placements for the Year 10 Work Experience Week, 13th to 17th June 2016, need to do so as soon as possible. This is to ensure that the school has sufficient time to confirm health and safety arrangements.
This is an exciting opportunity for students to obtain experience in the workplace, build their skills and gain an employer reference for the future. Information, example application letter and advice for students are all available on the school network.
Miss Phillips is your contact at school.
Could you help inspire our students at a careers event?
As part of Science Week, we would like students to have the opportunity to meet people who work in jobs linked to science and technology and who found that study in this area helped them progress. If this is you and you could spare some time on Wednesday 9th March to come into school, please do contact Miss Phillips on 01454 862731. Thank you.
Apprenticeships/Careers Mail Out Group
Certain students in Year 11 and Sixth Form have opted in to an email group for apprenticeship and careers updates. If you would like to be included in a parent group for similar information, please do let Miss Phillips know by emailing c.phillips@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
Ambitions+ For Year 12
All our Year 12 students will be attending the Ambitions+ Careers event on 16th February in the afternoon; an essential careers event to explore options after sixth form - University, Employment, Apprenticeships, Volunteering, Gap Year and career opportunities sector by sector.
Miss Phillips
Burges Salmon Law Information Days
Parent Governor Vacancy
Are you interested in becoming a Parent Governor at Mangotsfield School?
The Local Governing Body meets once per term in the evening. You would also be invited to serve on a committee responsible for a particular area of work such as finance or resources. In addition, governors are involved in monitoring school self-evaluation, interview panels to appoint new staff and the school’s disciplinary processes.
If you would like more information, please contact Julie Scull, Head’s PA, on 01454-862703.
Contact e-mail addresses
To ensure your emails get quickly to the right member of staff, and to respond to parental feedback, we have created the following dedicated e-mail addresses:
exams@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
extracurricular@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
headofyear@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
learningsupport@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
parentvoice@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
studentabsence@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
sixthform@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
teaching@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
E-mails to any of these accounts will be directed immediately to the department concerned who will reply via that e-mail address. If you know the name of the teacher you wish to contact, please add it to the subject line to ensure a prompt reply.
Thank you.
Lunchbreak Supervisors
Term Dates 2016-17
Term 1
Thursday 1 September 2016
Friday 21 October 2016
Term 2
Monday 31 October 2016
Friday 16 December 2016
Term 3
Tuesday 3 January 2017
Friday 10 February 2017
Term 4
Monday 20 February 2017
Friday 7 April 2017
Term 5
Monday 24 April 2017
Friday 26 May 2017
Term 6
Monday 5 June 2017
Friday 21 July 2017
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Wednesday 20th January: Year 9 Parents' Subject Evening
Thursday 28th January: Year 11 Parents' Subject Evening
Wednesday 3rd February: Year 7/8 Disco, 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Friday 5th February: Last day of Term 3
Monday 15th February: Term 4 starts, Week A