Key Notes: 17 September 2021

17th September 2021

Open Evening Thursday 23^rd September

We are delighted that next week’s Open Evening for Yr6 pupils will be able to go ahead in person. We will be asking for some pupil helpers next week – if your child is asked then they will bring home a permission letter. We are hoping to use Yr7 as guides as they will know the Yr6s from their local school and use mainly Key Stage 4 pupils in subject areas.

School Photographer

Our school photographers will be coming in on Tuesday next week to take individual pupil photos. Please ensure that your child is in full school uniform. Pupils will be given a slip with instructions on how to order photos online via the photographer’s website/phone.

Y11s begin applying for their future!

Y11 pupils are formally starting their post 16 process – they will be exploring, deciding and applying for what they want to do after Y11! We have a number of events in school for parents to be aware of. All local colleges and sixth forms have open events parents have been emailed details by MVC post but information can also be found on providers’ websites.

• Thursday 23rd Sept - Apprenticeships talk for all Y11
• Friday 24th Sept – Collapsed time for personal statement and college/course/job research.
• Wednesday 29th Sept – Post 16 information evening for parents and pupils in Y11: 18:00 – 19:30. A chance to meet staff from local colleges and sixth forms. Parents will be emailed further information.

Enrichment activities

Enrichment activities will begin on Monday 20^th September (except Miss Boniface's KS3 multi-sport enrichment which will start on Tuesday 28th September).  The Autumn Enrichment signup link is available here and also on the website. If you are unable to complete this form online, please ask your child to collect a paper copy from Reception. Sessions will take place between 2.50-3.50pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  There are limits to the number of students we can have in each activity, so it is important that your child signs up for the ones they wish to attend.  We also run a free bus service home after the activities.  This will visit all local catchment areas and Royston, so arrival home times will vary daily.  We aim to get all students home by 5pm.

Flu Vaccinations in school reminder

The School Immunisations Team will be offering Flu Vaccinations to all pupils in October/November. The Flu Nasal Consent form has been sent home to all parents/carers to fill in and return to school. Forms are also available to collect from reception. Find out more about school immunisations here.

Absences

A reminder to all parents that pupils are expected to have excellent attendance to school (96% attendance is the expectation set out by the government). The school has set procedures it must follow regarding attendance so we ask parents to please work with us if we are in touch. We want to help and support pupils to have excellent attendance. If your child needs to be absent as they are not fit or well enough to attend school please email absence@melbournvc.org.

Reasons to have excellent attendance:

• Progress/results – higher attendance = higher grades at GCSE (this is the case across the country)
• Routine – attending school gives pupils a routine which is positive for mental health and wellbeing
• Social contact – pupils interact with friends and adults at school. This helps develop their personal and social skills
• Preparation for future – embeds good habits for working hard, punctuality and reliability, which is what any employer would want!

English, Media and Drama

Pupils in Year 10 are embarking on their study of Macbeth for their GCSE English Literature examinations and we encourage them to watch as many different versions of the play as they can and investigate Shakespeare’s theatre as widely as possible. You’ll find helpful resources on this link: https://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/

Pupils in Key Stage 3 are encouraged to read as widely as possible for pleasure and might like to know that 13^th September was Roald Dhal Story Day – a day to enjoy his vivid and entertaining fiction. Find out more https://www.roalddahl.com/home

In Drama, the new GCSE group have been working on developing trust and teamwork.
Here are some pictures.

Physical Education

Congratulations to Yr11 Matt L who made his debut in adult cricket last Sunday for Reed CC. They travelled to a scenic Stansted Hall CC ground and he contributed well with a fluent 26 not out with the bat and a very economical 1-8 off 5 overs, well done Matt what a great start and good luck in the future.

Our Year 10 boys were due to compete in the English Schools Football Association National Cup on Tuesday. You can’t help but feel sorry for them as the absolute deluge of rain meant their first fixture since before lockdown had to be cancelled with the pitch unplayable! This match has now been rearranged for this Monday (20^th September).

Mr Barlow is hopeful the weather won’t impact on the upcoming boys football matches. “Despite building works for the all-weather pitch at MVC we are still hoping to host some football, rugby and hockey fixtures this term. We are grateful to the Parish Council for allowing us access to the pitches on the back field, but this Tuesday saw a bizarre amount of rain and our Year 10 boys were very unfortunate.”

Waterlogged pitches could well be a thing of the past for some of our sports teams in the future when the new artificial sports pitch is finished. Look out for some photos of the project in upcoming newsletters!

All-age Autism Strategy Consultation

A new strategy is being launched across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help children, young people and adults with autism. The five-year (2021-2026) All-Age Autism Strategy supports Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s aim to be an autism friendly place where children and adults with autism can live full and rewarding lives, within a society that accepts and understands them. 

The strategy was developed by Peterborough City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group in partnership with local organisations, service user groups and parent carer forums, drawing on the knowledge and understanding of those with experience of autism. A six-week consultation period began this week and you can fill in your response online here.

Safer Schools Newsletter – September 2021

The latest edition of the Safer Schools Newsletter from Cambridgeshire Police is being sent out with this edition of Key Notes.  It includes information and advice about the law relating to E-Scooters, carrying offensive weapons and TikToc safety guidance for parents.

Cancer Research

MVC teacher Mrs Rogers and her family have raised more than £3000 for Cancer Research. She teamed up with son, who left the college last summer, and husband for the 10km race as part of the Kew Gardens Running Festival.

Mrs Rogers said: “It was a bit too far for me to enjoy but I’m glad I did it. The atmosphere was incredible; lots of encouragement and musical entertainment all the way round.” Congratulations on this fantastic achievement.

Have a good weekend,

Simon Holmes

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