All About Aldersley
Monday June 10th, 2024
Introduction by Mr Williams, Deputy Headteacher
Dear Parent/Carers of Aldersley High School,
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. It has been an extremely busy start to the half term with GCSE exams in full swing for our Year 11 students, and ongoing exams for our Amethyst Sixth Form students too. They have all worked incredibly hard throughout these exams to best prepare themselves with the support of their committed teachers and we wish them all the best for their remaining examinations.
Elsewhere in the school, it is business as usual and our students have been working diligently, behaving with respect and demonstrating our school values. We have so many students who get it right all the time and we are excited for our upcoming end of year rewards events to recognise this. We have made huge strides in recent months to address some of the challenges in school and it's pleasing to be able to report that the number of conduct issues has dropped by more than 50% since January - a reflection of our high standards and expectations put in place to support the best possible environment for success.
I hope you enjoy this latest version where we share all the exciting events going on in our school.
Thank you for your support,
Mr Williams
Recap of Summer Term so far...
Year 11 & Year 13 Exams
As we approach the final push of this academic year, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the unwavering support you have provided to your children during this crucial exam period. Your encouragement and dedication have been pivotal in helping our students navigate through their studies and the challenges of their exams.
We understand that the exam season can be a stressful time for both students and their families. Your patience, understanding, and commitment to your child's education have not gone unnoticed. It is through your support that our students are able to persevere and strive for excellence, even in the face of pressure.
At Aldersley High School, we are immensely proud of the hard work and determination our Year 11 and Year 13 students have shown. Their resilience and dedication are a testament to the strong foundation built at home and the guidance you provide. As we approach the culmination of their academic efforts, we remain confident that they are well-prepared to achieve their best possible outcomes.
In these final weeks, we encourage you to continue offering your invaluable support and motivation. Your positive reinforcement and encouragement can make a significant difference in your child's confidence and performance.
Once again, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are helping our students reach their full potential and prepare for the bright futures ahead of them.
New Library & Donations
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new library at Aldersley High School, a valuable resource that will enrich the learning experience of all our students. This exciting development would not have been possible without the generous contributions from our school community.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Spicer for her generous donation, which marks the first set of books for our new library. Her support is deeply appreciated and sets a wonderful example of community spirit.
As we continue to build our library's collection, we welcome donations of books from all members of our school community. If you have books that you believe would be beneficial for our students, we would be grateful for your contributions. Donations can be handed in at the school reception. Alternatively, you can arrange for collection by emailing Mrs. K. Williams at kwilliams@aatrust.co.uk.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping us create a vibrant and resourceful library for our students.
Year 6 Transition Week
Dear Parent/Carer,
As we approach the end of your child’s primary school journey, I would like to update you on some key information regarding their transition to Aldersley.
The whole year group transition week will be from Monday 1st July until Wednesday 3rd July 2024. On Monday 1st July your child will need to arrive at Aldersley at 9am via the main reception where they will be greeted by our Senior Leadership Team. Our transition days will finish at 2.45pm where they can be collected via our main reception or can make their own way home. The transition week will be a fantastic opportunity for your child to meet staff and students as well as familiarising themselves with their new environment. They will take part in a range of different subjects to prepare them for their start in September.
On the Monday your child will meet their form tutor, have a tour of the school, gain a better understanding of our school values and experience some teaching in the EBacc subjects and English. On Tuesday students will have a taster in technology and the arts as well as Maths and Science. On Wednesday, they will complete their transition with more of the core subjects, concluding with a sports afternoon in PE. During the 3 days they will be given lots of opportunities to work within their form groups and establish new friendships, as well as getting to know the school.
On Monday and Tuesday, your child should attend Aldersley in their full primary uniform. On Wednesday they will need to wear sports clothing or something they are comfortable in to allow them to participate in the afternoon activities. Each day please ensure your child is prepared by bringing the essential items:
- A writing pen/pencil
- Plenty of fluids to drink each day
- A hot meal will be available if they wish to eat from school. Please inform us of any food allergies before the 1st July. Students can bring a packed lunch from home if they wish, instead
- Please check the weather forecast and prepare for the warm weather if required.
This will be a great opportunity to put some of the worries of moving to secondary school behind students, and for them to get excited for September. We thank you in advance for your support and if you need any further information do not hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Mrs H. Barnshaw
Transition Co-ordinator
Attainment and Standards Lead – Year 7
Year 10 Mock Exams
Dear Parents and Carers,
As previously communicated, Year 10 mock exams will take place w/c 17th June and will run for two weeks.
Students will be assessed in the core subjects (English Language, English Literature, Maths, Science), EBacc subjects (Geography, History, French and Spanish) and their two option subjects. A copy of the timetable can be found below.
To support, students have been provided with a revision pack containing: revision cards, pens, highlighters, post-it-notes and a booklet containing effective revision techniques.
From Monday 17th June – Thursday 26th June pupils should aim to arrive at school at 8am, so they can either attend a masterclass or complete independent revision in Diner 1. This is the routine that will be followed when pupils sit their final GCSE examinations in Year 11. I am aware that for some students, personal circumstances may not allow for this. However, where possible, it is vital that our Year 10 students are prepared and familiar with the routine ahead of Year 11. In addition, pupils will be expected to attend compulsory after school masterclasses during the two-week exam period; these sessions will run from 3:30-4:15pm. If your child is unable to attend a session, due to unforeseen circumstances, then please get in contact with me.
On top of your child’s personalised revision, they should be over halfway through their 30-day core challenge. The Year 10 Core Challenge is a revision timetable that is bespoke for each student based upon what set they are in in each core subject. There are no more than 2 subjects per evening and there is one day off each week. If you child successfully completes this challenge, they will be put in a draw to win the following prizes: Air Pods, £50 JD voucher, £50 Nandos voucher and pizza party. In addition, they will automatically go on a trip to a theme park.
Furthermore, your child will be expected to adhere to the GCSE Examination rules. Failure to follow these expectations will result in serious consequences. Ultimately, if your child does not these expectations during their Summer Examinations, they will be disqualified from all their exams. In addition, if students do not arrive to school in the correct uniform, they will complete the exam in isolation.
Thanks for your continued support If you have any questions or concerns then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks,
Mr Archer
Attainment and Standards Leader – Year 10
Form Time Focus
We would like to inform you that the Form Time focus for the past two weeks has been on two important themes: Pride Month and Finance Week. During this time, our students have engaged in activities and discussions celebrating diversity and inclusion, as well as gaining essential financial literacy skills.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Safeguarding & Attendance
Rewards
Enrichment Summer Term
Y10 Tuition
Homework Update KS3
Important Dates for the Diary
- Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 Assessments
- 28th June- Additional Inset Day
- 1st July- Year 6 Transition Week
- 1st July- Amethyst 6th Transition Week (Year 11 Students going into Amethyst 6th)
- 4th July- Student General Election Event (More Information to Follow)
- 8th July- School Show Week
- 12th July- Sports Day
- 19th July- Culture Day