Issue 8 Principal’s Message It is quite amazing to think that we have reached the end of our first half term already. After only eight weeks of College, we now have a Year 7 student group who are more at home and more relaxed with our College community than ever and new students in our Sixth Form who have immediately found their place within our College, already having proved themselves to be true ambassadors and champions of who we are and who they now are! I cannot imagine a more successful start to a term. It is only fitting to begin the Principal’s message this week with the warmest of thanks to all of our students for everything they have done and everything they have accomplished over the past half term - imagine what wonders await us as we continue this year! As we look towards next term, it is important to mention that our Year 11 students will begin the term with Mock Examinations in English and Mathematics. In fact, the Year 11 English Mock Examination will begin as soon as students return to College after their half term break, with all students in Year 11 expected to return and immediately report to the Sixth Form Hall to begin their assessment. During the course of the week, the students will also complete their Mock Mathematics non-calculator and calculator papers on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. These assessments are an important part of the process we undertake to ascertain the level of support each individual student needs to accomplish to their full potential. However, as has been explained to our Year 11 students, the Mock Examinations are not the defining moment of the year, just a part in the process. They support the decision making process of Tier of Entry for our students but further conversation and discussion takes place to ensure all students and parents are aware of the target grades, before final confirmation next year. Most importantly though, these Mock Examinations highlight areas to target so that teachers, home and students are all aware of their individual needs. It is also important to mention that, whilst the Year 11 students are undertaking these Mock Examinations, some students in our Sixth Form are completing their ‘real’ Examinations to improve on their results from previous examinations series. We wish all of these students the best of luck in whichever paper they may be sitting. Finally, it is only appropriate that I finish in wishing everyone a well earned rest and a safe half term break, ready to return to College on Monday, November 3rd, ready to continue on the excellent start they have made this year. 23rd October 2014 E-Safety - It has been brought to our attention that a few students in College have recently started using a site called omegle.com which encourages people using the Social Media Site to "talk to strangers". As a College, we would encourage parents to ensure that their children are not endangering themselves by using this site or any similar sites. We have a clear policy within College regarding Social Media Sites and e-safety is regularly discussed within ICT lessons for students across the College. Thank you for your support in this matter. Twitter - We are delighted to be able to inform parents that we have now added the PE Department to our list of Twitter accounts at the College. PE is @CollegePEDept ICT is CollegeICTDept Art is CollegeArtDept Ladies’ Night - We are pleased to support this fund raising event . Many local companies are attending and will be running stalls. An opportunity for early Christmas shopping!! Please see page 3 for further details. Diary Dates October Friday 24th November Monday 3rd Friday 7th Tuesday 4th Thursday 6th Thursday 13th Staff Training Day Students and staff return Holy Mass and Communion 9.05 am Ski Trip Information Meeting UC Dining Hall 18.00 ‘Ladies Night’ Joe Ellis Fundraising Sixth Form Hall 19.00 Sixth Form Open Evening We ask prayers for: all Christians, that they may have the courage and grace to speak the words of salvation in all aspects of their lives; that we continue to remember in prayer and praise those persecuted for their faith; our students, that they may have a relaxing and safe half term. Thank you for your support so far with regards to our fortnightly ‘Literacy Focus’. The idea is that, each fortnight, a new focus will be communicated to students, staff and parLiteracy Focus ents and we are asking all of our community to pay particular attention to checking and, if necessary, correcting that element in their own writing and the work of others. We will start with quite fundamental literacy skills as often students can make careless errors with basics and these can then become bad habits! For the next week, our focus is on its and it’s as a lot of people have trouble knowing when to use each one. its is a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to it E.g. The creature opened its mouth. it’s is a contraction (a shortened version) for it is or it has. E.g. It’s started raining again! It’s nearly time for bed. Tip: If you aren't sure which one to use, try replacing it with it is or it has. If that makes sense, use it's. If not, try replacing it with her or his. If that makes sense, then use its. Try this website for a short quiz: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/its-or-it-s We hope we can rely on your support in reinforcing this important message concerning literacy and taking care with written skills. If you have any ideas or feedback on our fortnightly Literacy Focus, please do not hesitate to get in touch (email: [email protected] [email protected]). Deadline for entry to Year 7 at Christ the King College for September 2015 - A reminder to all parents and families associated with Christ the King College that the deadline for completion of the two application forms for entry to Year 7 in September 2015 is Friday, October 31st. Duke of Edinburgh – The first DofE meeting will be on Tuesday, 4th November from 4pm to 5pm in S23 (please note the amended time from last week’s Parents’ Bulletin). Any student who has not yet returned their forms must do so by Wednesday, 22nd October please. Any parents or student who would like to discuss this more prior to the evening or for more information, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. P Stirling, DofE Coordinator. Holy Mass and Communion - The sacraments will be shared on Friday, 7th November at 9.00am. Holy Mass will be held in Sixth Form Hall and Holy Communion in the Sixth Form Drama Centre. Parents and friends of the College are very welcome to join with us. Senior Leadership Team Clinics—Please Note Change of Day – Mr. R. Williams, Assistant Principal, is available each Tuesday after College, from 4.00 pm until 5.00 pm. However, before attending this clinic, we would ask you to have discussed the matter with your child's Form Tutor, Subject Teacher, the Subject Leader, Year Leader or Phase Leader. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. R. Williams. Theme: Prisoners of Conscience O God our Father, whose Son forgave His enemies while He was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us Your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen. Chromebook Scheme for Christ the King College - We would like to remind parents of all students within the College that the Chromebook Scheme (formerly Netbook Scheme) that we have offered students in Year 7 has now been extended to all year groups across the College. If parents would like to sign up for the scheme then please use the link in the image below. If you wish to find out further information please contact Miss. C Curliss in the Administration Office, on 537070 or by email to [email protected]. easyfundraising’ is the easiest way to raise money for Christ the King College. As we all begin to think about Christmas shopping, this is an ideal opportunity to shop with any of over 3000 well known retailers listed on easyfundraising.org.uk and a percentage of what you spend is passed to Christ the King College at no additional cost to you. Retailers include Amazon, M&S, Vodafone, eBay, Tesco, Viking and many more. Please register to support us today. http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ctkc Governors’ Building Fund - A reminder to all parents that we rely on your contributions to this fund. £10 per term or £2 per week, either by Parent Pay or standing order. Thank you. Lloyds TSB, Newport, Isle of Wight Sort Code: 30:95:99 Account Number: 32687660 Account Name: Christ the King College