Colton Hills School Bulletin

Website: https://www.coltonhills.co.uk/highperformancelearning

A warm welcome back to the second half of the Autumn half-term, and a welcome to this week’s school bulletin. All staff at Colton Hills hope that everyone had a restful and mindful break to recharge the batteries. This is the first school bulletin, since returning from the half-term break, and we have had some wonderful events that have taken place since then! Some of the experiences that our young people have participated in are new experiences for them, which is always a pleasure to witness and hear about. Some of the experiences are building on previous events that pupils have taken part in, which is equally important. It is fantastic to see the eagerness and excitement on the faces of the pupils.

We have seen our pupils engage in a variety of opportunities. We have had Year 8s taking part in a Bikeability course; Year 9 CCF pupils in the wilderness; PE pupils cheering on the Lionesses at Wembley stadium. Read on for more!

Keeping to the message of opportunity, inclusion features high on the priorities of all the staff and leaders at Colton Hills Community School. We recognise inclusion starts at parental communication, so please ensure that you have access to Class Charts. At Colton Hills Community School, we use the online software Class Charts in order to support our communication of pupil’s behaviour, at school. This platform, which can be downloaded via the app, can be used to keep updated on various things. Be updated on the positives your child is experiencing and be updated on the areas for development for your child. This software also communicates announcements to parents and details homework expectations. All you need is a personalised code for your child in order to gain access to their dashboard. Please contact school if you require help with this.

Furthermore, to support inclusion in school, we have a range of services available to pupils and parents who feel they need support – however big or small. Please look at the parent section of our website to see the information we have on hand to support families. This can be from the Wolverhampton Council’s Local Offer for pupils with additional needs right to support with uniform.

The final message is this: please continue to support our schools drive for excellent inclusion for our pupils by familiarising yourself with what offer our school, and Local Authority, can offer.

On 11th November, at 11am, as part of our Remembrance Day tradition, our whole school came together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served and remembering those who never returned. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our freedoms will never be forgotten. Our cadets wore their uniforms with pride and did a great job at the parade. Big thank you also to Mr Gittins for his recital and Ms Loxton for playing The Last Post.

Congratulations to Milana in Year 11 for her winning poem in our Black History Month poem competition. It was a tough decision as we had some good entries but Milana's composition pip them to the post and she won herself an Amazon shopping voucher. Well done to everyone who took part! The entries will be on display on our school's diversity board. See below for the winning poem by Milana.

The final weekend of last term, our Year 9 army cadets embarked on an exciting and educational overnight field trip to Swynnerton training area, marking their first experience in the field. The cadets learned essential survival skills, teamwork, and the fundamentals of military operations.

The cadets set up their own sleeping arrangements under shelter sheets, fostering independence and resourcefulness. They learned how to maintain personal hygiene and care for themselves in a field environment, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency.

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, the cadets participated in hands-on cooking sessions. They prepared simple yet nutritious meals using portable cooking equipment. A key part of the training involved learning how to effectively camouflage themselves in various environments. Cadets practiced techniques using natural materials to blend into their surroundings, enhancing their understanding of stealth and observation.

Cadets were taught how to establish a harbour area—an essential skill for any field operation. They learned about the strategic placement of equipment and personnel to ensure safety and efficiency during rest periods. The importance of movement in a tactical environment was emphasized through practical exercises. Cadets practiced navigating through different terrains while maintaining situational awareness and discipline. Communication is vital in the field. The cadets engaged in lessons on hand signals, learning how to convey messages silently and effectively.

The overnight trip was a resounding success, providing our Year Nine Army Cadets with invaluable experiences that will enhance their confidence and capabilities as future leaders. Their enthusiasm and commitment to learning were commendable, setting a positive tone for future training sessions. We look forward to seeing how they apply these skills in upcoming activities! A big thanks to the adult volunteers in the CCF for giving up their time to make this weekend a resounding success.

If you suspect or believe a child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm, including any form of mistreatment or abuse, you should report your concerns on the following numbers:

Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm,

Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm on 01902 555392

Outside of the above hours for emergencies on 01902 552999

If the child or young person is at immediate risk of serious harm dial 999