Key Notes: 15 October 2021
15th October 2021
Cross-phase working
We are always looking to improve what happens at MVC and are conscious of where our pupils come from and go to. That’s why it is so pleasing for our Mandarin staff to be delivering Mandarin A-level at Comberton Sixth Form. As well as providing an excellent way for our pupils to continue their studies, it allows a number of our staff to learn about how the Trust sixth form provision operates and so helps inform our guidance to Yr11 pupils. In the same way, I have enjoyed meeting a number of our local partner primary headteachers over the past couple of weeks, learning more about their contexts and discussing how we can work together for the benefit of pupils and staff in all our school.
Face Coverings etc
Pupils have adapted extremely well this week to the reintroduction of face coverings. Please continue to remind them to wear their masks in the communal areas at school and continue twice-weekly LFTs at home. We are keeping rooms well-ventilated, so please ensure they wear their school jumpers too. Keeping cases low in number is key to us being able to keep things as normal as possible.
Science Department
There has been a change to the staffing arrangements in the Science department. Mr Simon Callow has decided to step back from his Head of Department role and Dr David Wilson will be Acting Head for the rest of this year. Many thanks to Mr Callow for his work as Head of Science over the past few years.
Lunch accounts
If your child has school dinners, please could you check your child’s dinner money account balance on ParentPay and ensure that it is in credit.
Pupil Photographs
The proofs of the school photos have been handed out. Orders can be place with DSP Photography and the deadline for free delivery of photo orders back to school has been extended until midnight on Wednesday 20th October. Any orders received after this date will be delivered to the home address and subject to P&P charge.
Enrichment activities - Hockey
There was a great turn out at hockey club this week! Elsie and Benji in Year 7 are looking awesome in the GK kit for the first time. They all enjoyed a game in the autumn sunshine.
Spanish
Class 7XE have been using Blooket to practise all the Spanish vocabulary they have learnt so far this year. Mrs Stanley said it was great fun, very exciting, competitive and extremely loud!
Globals Make Some Noise
Well done to Keeley T (Y11) who sang with Freya Ridings and the Soundabout Inclusive Choir in London for Globals Make Some Noise at Heart Radio on Friday last week! She had a wonderful time and it was an amazing experience.
Physical Education
The Year 10 boys football B team bowed out of the ESFA cup on Thursday. They couldn’t replicate the A teams good run in the competition as they were convincingly beaten by Samuel Whitbread from Bedfordshire. Mr Barlow was empathetic, “it was a tough draw against a school with well over a 1000 pupils, Let’s hope our Year 11s can keep the MVC flag flying as they host Stephen Perse next Tuesday at home”.
This week, Year 10 GCSE PE pupils have been learning about the cardiovascular system and the function of blood. They were asked to create a diagram of the heart using PE equipment. Here are some of the pupils efforts. A special mention to Emma and Jake for guiding fellow pupils through the chambers of the heart. Super learning!!
COVID Quality Assurance Programme
We have been invited to take part in a Quality Assurance exercise to support NHS Test & Trace, and next week we will be inviting pupils who already perform LFD tests at home to pick up a single use PCR kit so they can perform a PCR test alongside their usual LFD test. Dual Testing Quality Assurance is due to start on 18th October and finish on 31st October, after which we will revert to the current testing protocols. Participation is voluntary. This is so NHS Test &Trace can compare results from these testing technologies or methods. Ongoing quality assurance is a key aspect of clinical oversight for the NHS Test and Trace testing programme and enables DHSC to verify that test kits are safe and effective, tests are conducted in a safe and correct manner and that the results are correctly reported and acted upon. As with current LFD testing processes, the PCR will be carried out at home and not on our premises. A formal letter, inviting your child to take part, will be sent early next week.
Trainee Sports Officer
Calling all wannabe sports officers - Melbourn Sports Centre has the opportunity for enthusiastic, reliable individuals to become part of the UK leisure industry, helping keep people fit and healthy. This is an apprenticeship/trainee role, so full comprehensive training will be provided, giving the successful candidate a great skill level and opportunities within this popular industry. The role will be available from November. For full details, please contact Melbourn Sports Centre or email graham@mc-sport.co.uk
Have a good weekend,
Simon Holmes
.jpg)