New beginnings and setting the standard

At the end of last term I spoke in my newsletter about letting the pandemic become part of our history, part of who we are and how we rose to the challenges. 

This week’s assembly, surprisingly enough was themed New Beginnings and I spoke with our students about not just having new year’s resolutions but embracing new starts and new opportunities. I know we still have challenges, but as a community I want us to embrace the future and strive for greater things. So once again we will be setting the standards high at Ringmer. We have no reason not to try our hardest and aim to be the very best version of ourselves. 

Next week we will be refocusing our standards on uniform, behaviour and expectations and asking for your support in this. We are proud of our students and the reputation in the community and we have to keep focussed on that, if we want our school to be the very best. So we thank you in advance as we remind our students to dress smartly and think smartly. 

I would also like to share with you a short film which I used in assembly. I wanted to share the joy and passion of these actors from the West End production of The Lion King as they return to rehearsals for the first time since the theatre closed for lockdown. Whilst we cannot expect our students to have the same overwhelming emotion, I would like to think that being back amongst friends, with our future ahead of us, is something to sing about. 

THE LION KING in London: Glimpse Into The Rehearsal Room

 

 

Face Coverings 

Only today the government has issued its report on the wearing of face coverings in public settings and I can see that face coverings in school has hit the headlines again, with parents expressing concerns that some students were refusing to follow the guidance.  

The details of the latest government report can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the use of face coverings in education settings.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly two years ago, KAR has worked hard to balance common sense, government guidance and the teaching and learning needs of our students. From the number of Covid cases and the response from you as a community, I believe we have succeeded. Our attendance has never dropped below 90% and our Covid cases kept to a minimum. We currently have only 4% of our students absent due to Covid.

I hope therefore, that you will continue to support the measures we have in place at school to ensure that our students get the teaching and learning they need as well as remaining safe. 

We ask that students wear face coverings in all inside spaces including classrooms. These face coverings should be worn over the nose and mouth and of a suitable material. 

Exemptions

We ask that if your son or daughter is exempt from wearing a face covering that they display either a wristband or lanyard. This is not compulsory but will help reduce the number of conversations about face coverings - we would much rather be talking about lessons and learning. 

In addition, we have had some staffing issues due to Covid and the safety and wellbeing of staff is also important to me. Knowing that our students are testing regularly and wearing face coverings if they are able, really supports the wellbeing of the staff, so I am grateful to you all for continuing to support us. 

 

Eco Hub 

Hi, welcome back. We hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year.  All our wrapping paper has been recycled here at KAR and all the other Christmas waste separated ready to be reused. 

We have been thinking about Green New Year’s resolutions and starting this new year determined to make a positive change. So, our top 3 are

• Planting bee friendly plants

• Turning off lights and monitors

• Reduce our use of single use plastics

Let us know what yours are and if you have any questions or ideas for the Eco Hub

Ms Pillar and Mrs Holmes

 

 

East Sussex College Lewes – Brand new course in makeup artistry

Please see attached flyer below.

East Sussex College, Lewes is currently running a Level 2 Makeup Artistry course. The course is tailored to students that are passionate about makeup. You will learn the following; Glam makeup designs, along with special effects makeup, editorial, cultural bridal, fashion, red carpet, film, television and photographic makeup. On this course, you will also be undertaking lashes, facial treatments and hairstyling.

Our makeup artist Nélia has been trained by both of the celebrity makeup artists Kardashians and the Jenners personal makeup artists @makeupbymario and @makeupbyariel. 

@makeupbynelia will be teaching you a variety of makeup skills, to get you ready for the professional makeup industry.

We are currently starting to enrol applicants from Wednesday 19th January 2022.

Seeking to apply or have some questions regarding the course? Contact Nelia.mici@escg.ac.uk, Nélia would love to hear from you. 

 

 

Safeguarding Focus 

I have no doubt that there were some new phones and gaming consoles received over the holidays and some excited new social media recruits. So can we just remind you that as a parent it’s important you know that all social networking platforms (or social networking apps, if on a smartphone) have age limits. Some social networks use technologies that may not be right for some ages or engage with communities that are made up of people much older than your child. Here is a link to the guidance on when to start social networking and below that, a very useful web page on how to parent your son or daughter’s online activities 

At what age can my child start social networking?

The Best Parental Control Apps for Your Phone in 2022

 

Kind regards

Sian Williams

Principal