Dear parent/carer,

As we draw Term 1 to a close, I would like to thank you for all of your support. It has been a fantastic first 34 days in the role, and I am very proud of the outstanding students we have in this school. As part of the ‘first 100 days’, I continue to review all areas of the school and welcome any feedback as to how we move forward to becoming the best school in Sussex. This term has seen 21045 achievement points given out, and I’m pleased to see that the largest proportion of these are for positive contributions and engagement in lessons. We have also finished the half term significantly above the average national, and local schools with regards to school attendance. This is up considerably on this time last year, and gives our students the best chance of success in their future studies. Once again, thank you for your support on this and ensuring your sons and daughters are in every day as the winter months begin.

In assemblies this week, I have discussed with all students the impact of trying to improve 1% each day, and not being worried about making mistakes or failing as this is key to improvement. We have also celebrated our ‘subject champions’ in each subject, with certificates and badges being awarded. Well done to all who received nominations.

Parent and carer coffee and cake morning

We held our parent and carer coffee and cake morning this week, and I’m delighted to advise that we had a great turnout. Parents and carers had the opportunity to raise points as to how we move forward as a community, and I have made a commitment to improve our communications strategy. I will be in touch with all parents and carers in the coming months to advise how we are moving forward on this. Thank you also to those that have completed the parent survey. I will be taking some time over half term to review all the feedback within these and again will be transparent with parents and carers with regards to the key themes that have arisen.

And finally - thank you to Sue Lockyer

I’m sure you will join me in saying a big ‘thank you’ to Sue Lockyer, who leaves us today after over 20 years of service. In a time of educational challenge, commitment over this time period has become increasingly unique, and Sue has given outstanding professionalism and support to the school every day since 2003. She has the respect of students, staff and parents, and has worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children. We wish Sue the very best in her future endeavours, and she knows she is welcome back at any time!

I hope you have an enjoyable and restful half term.

Best wishes,

Chris Harvey, Principal

 

 Year 11 Mock Practice!
 Our English department put on a 'walking, talking mock' for our Year 11. They are getting their exam practice in early to help them prepare fully for exam season next year! Well done Year 11

 

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Careers Workshops for KS3

Our year 8 students had the fantastic opportunity on Tuesday to take part in Endeavour STEM workshops delivered by EVERFl.  The students were guided over the course of the day by one of EVERFl’s facilitators, Tom.  The workshops explored STEM careers connected to the students’ interests and aptitudes whilst practising STEM concepts that are key for career readiness.  The workshops were free to Kings Academy Ringmer students, thanks to the sponsorship of Gatwick Airport.

       

Our year 8 students can now continue to explore the online workshops and free resources both at school and home.  Thank you, Mrs Colbourne 

 

Apprenticeship Open Day 

We have an Apprenticeship Open Day coming up at our Burgess Hill (West Sussex) centre this October Half Term on Thursday 26th October from 1:00pm-7:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students interested in becoming an Electrician or a Plumbing & Heating Engineer to come along to our specialised training centre to look around, meet the team, and learn more about their post-16 options.

If you need it, the booking form is here: https://forms.gle/Com3ywt2GHQ4MhQ69. Your students can access the same form using the QR code on the attached leaflet.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any queries.

Many thanks 

Colleen Willis   
Business Development & Recruitment Coordinator
01444 870860 (Option 2, Apprenticeships)

07720 736252

 

VARNDEAN COLLEGE OPEN EVENINGS

WEDNESDAY 1ST & THURSDAY 2ND NOVEMBER - FROM 5PM-8PM

It's an opportunity for prospective students and parents to look around our college, find out about the courses we offer, and talk to staff and students to discover what it is like to study at Varndean.  There is no need to book a place, they can just turn up on the evening. 

BHAFC Foundation half term football sessions!

Looking for sporting activities for the children to do this half term break? Is your child(ren) a keen football player or looking to join a new club this holiday.

Take a look at the details below from AITC Premier League Kicks with a list of half term, term time and tournament details. A community funded opportunity and a great way to get your child(ren) to be ACTIVE this holiday! Online details here : https://bhafcfoundation.org.uk/.../community-sessions/

Get involved if you can, a great club and brilliant opportunity for our young people!

 

 

ECO news

1. We've had another busy week for Eco here at King's Academy Ringmer.  The Eco Reps have been helping again with the preparation for the village Eco Extravaganza (see flyer for details) happening on Saturday 28th October 10am - 3:30pm.  We are really looking forward to the event and hope to see you there.

 

2. Clothes Swap

Thank you so much to everyone who kindly brought in donations this morning.  We had a fantastic amount donated, which the village church have already collected, ready to organise for the clothes swap.

 

If you still have any donations of good quality clean clothes and accessories, Ringmer Church of St Mary will be collecting these on:

Thursday 26th October, 2-4pm

Friday 26th October, 2-4pm

Please take donations to the church room at the rear of the church. 
The church is around half a mile further along from school just off the Lewes Road, as you drive towards Lewes.  A link to the church website, their address, a google maps and what3words link are below.

Church of St Mary the Virgin
Ringmer

East Sussex
BN8 5JX

https://www.ringmerchurch.org.uk/

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KVgk7b7VfdsCqZNF9

What3words: ///digital.tasks.attends https://w3w.co/digital.tasks.attends

 

3. Eco Committee

The Eco Committee met this week to touch base on the activities we were working on last term and discussed our plans for the future.  As we have dates with events, I will notify everyone.

All Eco activities are open to any student.  They do not have to be an Eco Rep or come to the Eco Club if the student wishes to participate.  Any one-off help and support a student wishes to give is greatly appreciated.  So please do let them know, they are more than welcome to come along.

Thank you and have a great half-term.  Hopefully I'll see you at the village hall on the 28th. 

Mrs Teague

 

Lewes STEM festival returns:

Are your children interested in things technical? Or are you?

On Saturday 11th November the Lewes STEM Festival returns to the Town Hall after a four year hiatus.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and there will be stands from a range of organisations involved in these fields, including Ovesco who will have some hands-on equipment to explain renewable energy in all its forms.  Also exhibiting will be ‘Get Bikery’, an initiative developed by Ovesco that rents electric delivery bicycles for local businesses.The festival is FREE and open to the public from 11am to 3pm. Further information can be found on their Facebook page HERE.

 

Safeguarding

Anti-Grooming Resources - Not in Our Community

Grooming is an issue which remains highly prevalent in the world of child protection. The objective could be sexual, gang-related or simply coercive in nature, but in all cases involves the gradual formation of intimate connections between typically older individuals and younger ones. With the goal of creating a relationship, to the extent that the subject no longer questions what is being asked of them. A process of psychological normalisation of behaviours is a key tool of grooming. Unfortunately it is a difficult area to counter, as actors utilise the relationship cravings of their targets to build trust. Once established it can be very hard to break that trust, making it hard to investigate and prevent. Nevertheless, it is vital that everyone involved in child protection understands its elements, and how to best approach it when it occurs. Not in Our Community is an organisation dedicated to looking at the phenomena and providing resources, designed to tackle it. To find out more information specifically aimed at parents please follow the link below:

https://notinourcommunity.org/the-parents/