An extract from The Headteacher's report to Governors
Spring 2009
Intervention Strategies
The "Passport to Success" was launched last term at a special evening and a new cohort of pupils from Year 11 has begun the programme. This is supported by the mentoring programme which provides one-to-one contact with pupils from staff and focuses on the pupils' learning needs. The Exam Preparation Evening on 14th January was well attended and evaluation forms showed that it was seen as useful by parents and pupils. Business Mentors will start working with four pupils after half term. The Intervention Group led by Mr Wakelin has begun an intensive programme of support with pupils who are at risk of not gaining a C Grade at GCSE in Maths or English.
Extend Learning Opportunities
The Safe Place to Be (SP2B) group is close to submitting its bid for funds to support an after school club Mondays to Thursdays. This will provide varied activities and study support facilities as well as a "chill out" area for pupils who wish to stay until 5.30pm.
The new Stradbroke Pyramid Band run by Ruth Ryan will be meeting on Friday afternoons after school in the Music Room.
Aim Higher continues to run on Thursdays after school.
The Cheerleading competition held at Hartismere saw the Stradbroke Sharks take third place with a fantastic display. This is a great achievement for their first ever public demonstration.
Mr Hammond and the Drama Club performed their first one act play in December. Entitled "Liar" it was a comedy based around the settling in pains of a new pupil in school. The pupils' performances were excellent and the lead roles played by Tom Wright and Saskia Hadley (IIJT) won great acclaim from the audience. Everyone enjoyed themselves enormously and our thanks go to Mr Hammond for all his hard work in creating this opportunity.
The Christmas Concert just before the holiday was also a great success and was enjoyed by all who performed and attended. It included the usual eclectic mix of music from carols to rock music and we look forward to the Battle of the Bands later this year.
On the last day of term before the Christmas break there was a non-uniform day for pupils, but 'strict' uniform for staff. It was a very enjoyable, light hearted day with the vast majority of staff dressing accordingly, much to the enjoyment of our pupils. The money raised has gone to support our Kenyan link and other charities.
Red Nose Day - Friday 13th March
The Pupil Council have taken on the organisation of events for fund raising activities on Red Nose Day. They have appointed a working group led by Jordan Dilieto and Victoria Hammond to coordinate activities.
The Amplifier Project, led by Matt Shepherd and Brian Hall, began its sessions this term and pupils get a chance to compose and perform original music pieces every Thursday.
Stradbroke GCSE Musicians will be performing at the Suffolk Celebration of Schools Music at Snape on Monday 9th March. This is the first time SBEC has performed at this event for many years so pupils are very excited at the prospect. It also counts towards their coursework for GCSE.
Mr Hammond is preparing a new enterprise eco-project to run with the GCSE Business pupils based around measuring wind power and using the data collected to run various curriculum activities. The School has gained the rights to sell the equipment and lesson plans nationally to schools and will use the SSAT Business and Enterprise Network to market the project.
Kenyan Partnership
We are planning for three Kenyan pupils and a teacher from Senior Chief Mwangeka to visit us in March (23rd March to 2nd April), staying with host families. They will be accompanied by governors and staff from Mbauro Primary who will be visiting Wilby Primary. There will be a whole range of events set up whilst they are in schools and a leaflet will be sent home to give details.
Healthy Schools and Travel Plan
We are almost ready to present our bid for "Healthy Schools" status and the last piece of work to complete for us to gain this award is the School's Travel Plan. Questionnaires have been completed and analysed and the working group has met to help draw up the plan, which will be submitted by half term.
New drop in sessions for pupils have been set up at School with the School Nurse and Multi Agency workers offering sessions on alternate fortnights.
Abbie Dunn 'Youth Support Worker' has taken over from Martin Payne and started sessions with pupils on Friday 23rd January. Abbie will be working at School on Fridays alongside Mrs Millar and Mrs Phillips to support pupils who need one-to-one advice or a listening ear!
Year 8 girls have all now received two out of the three (HPV) Human Papilloma Virus vaccinations that they are recommended to have as part of the national childhood immunisation programme. This is an important public health measure which will prevent up to 70% of cervical cancers in women. Our girls took it very seriously, and asked lots of questions in an informative assembly given by the School Nurse Bernadette Smith. Bernadette and her team were extremely complementary about the girls - no tears, no hysterical scenes, just sensible and calm behaviour - we even received a letter of thanks from the School Nurse! Well done Year 8 girls!
Police Cycle Safety Unit
P C Tim Green gave a full School assembly on road safety on Wednesday 21st January followed by a visit from the Police Cycle Safety Team on Friday 23rd January who spent a lunchtime and afternoon talking with youngsters about safety on the roads and maintaining safe cycles. Henri Johnson in 9GM won the competition and scooped a new set of cycle lights.
Our 'E Safety Policy' has been updated. Mrs Phillips and Mrs Button put together a new policy with guidelines for staff and posters about our E Policy in every classroom. Professionally produced leaflets will go to all parents on how to protect their child at home - these will go out with the next edition of SBEC News.
