Issue 10 14th November 2014 Principal’s Message This week has been as busy and successful as predicted in last week’s Newsletter! Firstly, I need to thank the significant number of Year 11 parents and students who attended our Sixth Form Open Evening last night. It was wonderful to be supported by such large numbers for such an important evening, and I hope that everyone in attendance found it informative and enjoyable. There was a very special feel to last night’s event, a strong sense of community, purposefulness and pride. I believe that this is mainly due to the all-round recognition of the success of our Sixth Form; the confidence our students, parents and wider community show in us as they plan for progressing into the Sixth Form; and, not least and extremely importantly, the genuine excitement and ‘buzz’ that is felt about the whole atmosphere in the Sixth Centre. Our Sixth Form students themselves were totally committed to taking responsibility for part of the evening, and no-one who visited their Common Room could fail to be impressed by the way they promoted our College; as always, they were wonderful ambassadors. Indeed, our students have been representing us superbly at events around the Island as the centenary commemorations have taken place for World War 1. My thanks for all of those families who supported us last weekend for the parade and service at the Minster. Once again, our College students were praised for the way in which they conducted themselves. College students also led the prayers in the Minster itself. On Tuesday, as you would expect, the entire student and staff body marked the occasion admirably. Finally, may I remind you that, on Friday 21st November at 4.00 pm, we are welcoming Jacob Rees-Mogg MP to the College as a Guest Speaker. It is an enormous privilege to have been able to secure such a prestigious speaker; a man well known for his combination of wit and intellect whom I am sure you will have watched or heard on many occasions. I sincerely hope that some parents will be able to join us. As I complete this newsletter, the rains have stopped and the sun is shining; I hope this augurs well for a wonderful weekend which we can all enjoy! Year 11 Parents’ Consultation Evening – Thursday, 20th November 2014 - On Thursday, 20th November 2014, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s Subject Tutors. Appointments can be made using the easy to use, online booking system. This allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers. You will receive an email confirming your appointments. Appointments can be made now and will close on Tuesday, 18th November. Please either visit https://christtheking.parentseveningsystem.co.uk to book your appointments or via the link on the College website in the Parent Information section. Please login with your child’s first name, surname and Tutor Group. There is no need to include the year group just the staff initials. Please do not hesitate to contact Student Services if you have any problems. We ask prayers for: Christ the King College, our students, staff and parent community; members of our College community who are experiencing ill health. Thank you for your support so far with regards to our fortnightly ‘Literacy Focus’. For the next week, our focus is on there, Literacy Focus There, their there and their and they’re as a lot of people have trouble knowing when to use each one. they’re has two uses. it shows a place, for example: It was over there. it is also used with verbs, as in : There are seven days in a week. their means ‘belonging to them’, for example: It is their home. they’re is an abbreviation for ‘they are’, for example: They’re working hard in that class. Tip: If you aren't sure which one to use, try asking these questions before you choose which one to write: Would ‘they are’ make sense in your writing? If so, choose they’re. Is something being owned by ‘them’? If so, choose their. If neither of the above seems right, choose there. 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] or [email protected] National Anti-bullying week 17th -24th November - Every year the Anti-Bullying Alliance coordinate national Anti-Bullying Week; a week where children and young people, schools, parents and carers come together with one aim: to stop bullying for all. This year we are calling on the College community to take action to stop the bullying of ALL children and young people – including disabled children and those with special educational needs – children who are significantly more likely to experience bullying in schools and the wider community. Congratulations - Well done to George Woodburn who has just completed his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze. iPad Mini - The portal is now live for the Sixth Form students, offering an iPad Mini over 24 and 36 months. Please see the following website for more information and to order the iPad Mini. www.student-id.co.uk Voucher code: CHRISID74612 Christ the King College Website - Please visit the College website to find information from many Island services. In particular, we would draw your attention to the November newsletter for Children & Young People with Additional Needs and the IOW Music Service Open Day on Saturday, 15th November. www.christ-the-king.iow.sch.uk Theme: Christ the King O God, whose Son came to reign in majesty, we give thanks for his justice and mercy as our shepherd and our teacher. May we continue to be responsive to his call when he seeks to protect us and when he challenges us. When we need help in deciding what to do, let us always take his example as our model and seek clues to our behaviour from his parables. More than anything, let us be unstinting in our praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and King. Amen Diary Dates November Tuesday 18th Visit of Rebecca Wilson Great Britain Olympic Athlete Thursday 20th Year 11 Parents’ Consultation Eve Friday 21st Jacob Rees-Mogg MP 16.00 Wednesday 26th – Friday 28th Jesus Christ Superstar