Weekly Update – 13 February
Absence Requests: As a school, we are seeing an increase in absence requests during term time. Whilst we are sympathetic to requests of this nature, we are required to follow local authority (LA) and government policies regarding absences. Therefore, unfortunately we are unable to authorise any term-time absences. You may be aware that the national threshold for penalty notices is 10 sessions (five days), however, a penalty notice can now be issued by the local authority even if the absence is below the national threshold. It’s useful to understand the systems which we have to follow – see this link for a summary from Hampshire County Council.
We are looking for a new Clerk to the Governors – please see this link for further details and to apply if interested.
Whiteboard Pen: As you are aware, we have invested heavily in providing mini whiteboards for all classes. We have had brilliant feedback from our students who love using them for a variety of reasons, and we know that many of the parents who came to our Inside the Classroom event recognised what a fantastic tool for learning they are. We have asked that all students have a whiteboard pen as part of their standard equipment to facilitate their use in the classroom. Please can you make sure that your young person has a working whiteboard pen in their pencil case every day. They will need it. If they have lost it, they can purchase one from reception for 49p. Your support is much appreciated.
Our Year 10 Business Day is on Thursday 26 February – please can parents ensure that Year 10 students bring their CV with them that day.
Please see the latest Trip Bulletin here.
We love to hear about any Out of School Success and wonder if any of your young people are taking on new challenges? It could be sport, dancing, karting, music, animals, volunteer work, fundraising, cadets, cheerleading, gymnastics, personal achievements. etc.
The students are not always very forthcoming when it comes to celebrating themselves so we are relying on you to ‘brag’ about your child. To help us organise the responses, rather than replying to an email, please can you complete this form? We will keep it open so whenever you have any news, please share, including any back-dated celebrations too.
The Calthorpe Head of House Team
On Wednesday, Mrs Woods took a group of our students to deliver a wellbeing multi-skills event at St Peter’s Junior school in Farnborough, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme, “This is My Place – Everyone Belongs,” provided the perfect foundation to showcase how physical activity can play a vital role in supporting positive mental health and emotional well-being. See further details at this link.
