Parent Bulletin Friday 17 June 2022

We have had a great start to this final half term of the academic year. Our Year 11 students have been a credit to themselves, modelling to the younger years how to successfully navigate an actual GCSE exam season. They have been exemplary and have their final full week next week ending with our school prom at St Mary's Stadium.

This half term is jam packed with events for all Year Groups and next week is no exception with our Year 10's being able to have their experience of a workplace. This is a government initiative that was expected to start in 2020 but has had to be postponed until now. We hope that they have a great time seeing what 'real life' is really like.

Mrs Oakley
Headteacher

Healthy Eating Week

This week the British Nutrition Foundation celebrated its 10th annual Healthy Eating Week.

The big message this year is to, Eat well for you and the planet!

Did you know that households are responsible for 70% of UK food waste?

The three most commonly wasted foods are fresh potatoes, bread and milk.

So much goes into producing our food - water, energy, land, and transport. Reducing the amount of food we waste is therefore important to make diets more sustainable, helping you save money but also helping to save wasting the planet’s resources.

Our top tips:

If you buy more food than is needed, freeze for another time. Did you know that butter, cheese, milk, coconut milk, chilli and herbs can all be frozen?
Know the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates. Find out more here!
Write a shopping list of ingredients to get the right amount of food for meals and snacks during the week.
Plan to eat leftovers, or use them as part of other dishes, the next day.

Looking for recipe ideas to support the big message, Eat well for you and the planet!

Click here to explore the delicious range of suggestions.

To find out more about Healthy Eating Week 2022, check out each of the themes below.

Focus on fibre - for meals and snacks
Get at least 5 A DAY - put plenty on your plate
Vary your protein - be more creative
Stay hydrated - fill up from the tap
Reduce food waste - know your portions

In Moral and Social Studies this half term

As part of Pride month and to link in with People's Pride Southampton which took place last weekend (11-12th June), all students are completing 4 tutor sessions and an MSS lesson linked to Pride. These sessions are an opportunity for students to understand key terminology linked to LGBTQIA+ as well as understanding the importance of the right to an identity and the Equality Act

For the remainder of the summer term, students will be studying the following topics:

Year 7 - Healthy Choices - exploring the effect lifestyle choices have on daily life, such as the impact of sleep, energy drinks and food. Students will look at how to make healthier choices to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

Year 8 - Citizenship - exploring different types of government, focussing on the difference between a democracy and a dictatorship. Students will also study how Parliament works in Britain including how MPs are elected, how we as citizens can get our voices heard as well as explore the difference between violent and non-violent protests. Students will be encouraged to think of how they can have a say in their local community by creating their own campaign.

Year 9 - Drugs and Alcohol - exploring various issues such as the law surrounding these, different types of drugs and the concept of addiction. Lessons will also include how peer pressure can have a big impact on someone's choices to consume drugs and alcohol and students will be provided with strategies to deal with this. Students will also study the socially accepted use of alcohol and tobacco with an emphasis on their effects, the effects of drugs on individuals and others, where to access help and support for addiction and with regards to alcohol, how to stay safe.

Year 10 - Global Concerns - exploring issues relating to the impact of humans on the environment including climate change, the use of plastics and the use and abuse of animals. Students will also cover our responsibility to live sustainably to minimise our impact on the planet, religious attitudes (stewardship and dominion) and issues relating to wealth and poverty. This will included the responsibility of those with wealth to help others, social justice and religious teachings on charitable giving with a focus on Zakah in Islam.

Importance of Routine Immunisations in teens

The national routine childhood immunisation programme has a direct positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children and communities and is vital to reduce the spread of infection and prevent outbreaks.

In addition to the flu and COVID-19 vaccines that have been offered to school-aged children this academic year, teenagers are routinely offered 3 vaccines in secondary schools:

human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Years 8 and 9
menACWY vaccine in Year 9
Td/IPV (3-in-1 booster) in Year 9

The delivery of these routine adolescent immunisation programmes has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine coverage is still not at pre-pandemic levels. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) are reminding parents and carers about the important protection these immunisations provide. They are also encouraging take up and catch up of vaccinations for anybody who has missed out.

Further information can be found in the UKHSA immunisation guidance.

All Years
Paultons Park trip
Connect 4 communities - financial support for families
Race for life event

Year 7
There are no letters for Year 7

Year 8
There are no letters for Year 8

Year 9
There are no letters for Year 9

Year 10
Practice interview information letter
ESP schedule for this half term

Year 11
There are no letters for Year 11

All Years
Our Hampshire Hare Leveret 'Lulu' can be seen as part of the Hampshire Hare Trail that opens this weekend across Southampton and Winchester. For more information available here.

Summer Celebration concert takes place on Wednesday. Tickets available here.

Year 7
There are no reminders for Year 7

Year 8
There are no reminders for Year 8

Year 9
There are no reminders for Year 9

Year 10
ESPs next week are:
Monday - 10MN Maths /10PQ Science
Tuesday - ICT
Wednesday - Design Technology or Food and Nutrition
Friday - VCERT Pe

English: Could all students please ensure that they have a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ ready for our pre-reading this half term. Copies will be provided for Pupil Premium students.

Geography: Reminder to complete Parent Pay for the Hengistbury Head field trips for GCSE Geography.

Year 11
Prom: St Marys - Friday 24th June
Arrival is from 6pm. Parking is available in the North car park for parents. All bar purchases will need to be paid by card. No cash. Tickets will be available on Thursday next week after the Physics exam - more info to follow next week about collection of these as well as hoodies and yearbooks. The event finishes at 11pm

It's Pizza week! All served with fries, sweet potato fries or wedges

* correct at time of sending, but may be subject to change

Follow the PE department on twitter for up to date sporting fixture results

* all fixtures correct at time of sending, but may be subject to change

Art and Photography competition - Open to all

Summer 2022 Extra Curricular Timetable

What Parents Need to Know about Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR for short) has existed for decades, but it’s only in the last 10 years that the technology has really become publicly available. With VR’s rapid rise as a gaming and educational medium, there are plenty of unknowns regarding its use – for adults and children alike. Is it safe? How long should someone use VR for? How expensive is it? What’s clear is that VR is becoming ever more ubiquitous in everyday life: from companies using it for training to at-home fitness. Knowing what the technology is capable of is more useful than ever.

In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as physical accidents, premature exposure and eye strain.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

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