Parents Letters
From the Headmaster
February, 2010
Dear Parents,
With half term upon us I write to update you on College news.
Firstly could we thank you for your patience and co-operation during the difficult start of term due to the inclement weather and icy roads. We have been working hard to ensure that time lost has been recouped and academic progress has been sustained. Those events such as parents’ evenings that were postponed during this period have been rescheduled, dates for which are shown below.
As you will see from the enclosed grade card our reporting system has progressed even further so that you will now receive, each half term, a printed report about your child’s progress. If, as a consequence of reading these cards you feel you need some advice, the tutor will be happy to receive an email. In addition, the fifth form will receive details of predicted GCSE grades and mock grades. Tutors have been working hard with pupils to identify any shortfall and to address any significant weaknesses: I hope that the accompanying advice will help you to support your children as they begin the process of revision.
During the half term break preparatory work will commence for the provision of new toilet facilities in the main school.
Thank you for your questionnaire responses which have informed our planning for improvements to communications to and from the College. If you have an email address which you would like us to use for regular communications, may I ask that you email registrar@shebbearcollege.co.uk and we will update your details.
TEMPEST PHOTOGRAPHY
The whole school group photograph is being taken on 20th May 2010.
You will have the option to order the photograph online by
- Going to www.tempest-events.co.uk
- Select ‘Galleries’ and your school folder will be displayed alphabetically
- Click on your school folder and click on the description of your image
- Enter the following password - thorne
You will be able to view images and select products for free delivery to a UK address. There is an additional £5 charge for overseas delivery.
Initially, the photograph displayed will be a general image which will be replaced with your school image approximately one week after the photograph has been taken.
An alternative order option is by phone 0800 023 2576 or by returning an order form and payment direct to Tempest.
I hope that a brief reminder of the importance of trying to ensure that holidays are taken during specified holiday periods, will not be taken amiss. As you are probably aware, the Government is taking an increasingly critical view of school absenteeism and, as much as I am sympathetic to requests from some parents that their children leave school for unscheduled absences, I am also mindful that I cannot sanction regular absences from school.
Pupils at the College by and large wear their uniform with pride and in an appropriate manner but, as this term has progressed, we have noticed deterioration in pupils’ presentation of themselves. There has also been some concern about the suitability of some girls’ insubstantial footwear. Could I ask that you re-affirm to your son or daughter the need for pupils to adhere to the school’s dress policy; it is important that pupils learn that a smart appearance is essential in a professional working world.
The Friends of Shebbear College will be having a meeting on Tuesday 23rd February to discuss the way forward for this extremely important facet of school life. Over the years, the Friends have contributed much, not only to the social life of school, but also to the resources for which they have raised money through a number of ingenious fund raising methods. Unfortunately, recent meetings have lacked support and the future of this august body is somewhat in the balance. I would encourage you to attend this meeting and to get involved in helping directly and to develop the Friends in the future. It would be extremely sad for the College were the Friends body to disband; please do attend.
Reminder of Parent/Teacher Meetings and other events:-
Tuesday 23rd February Meeting of the Friends of Shebbear College in
the Drama Studio at 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday 23rd February Parent/Teacher Meeting Form 4
Wednesday 24th February Careers Evening Forms 4, 5 and 6
Tuesday 2nd March Parent/Teacher Meeting Form 5
Thursday 4th March Fairtrade Fashion Show from 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday 10th March Parent/Teacher Meeting Form 1
Thursday 18th March Parent/Teacher Meeting Form 3
Tuesday 23rd March VOCES8 Music Workshop and Evening Concert at
The Parkhouse Centre, Bude
Sunday 2nd May Confirmation St. Michael’s Church Shebbear
I would like to remind you that our February half term holiday will begin for pupils at 4.00 p.m. on Friday 12th February and classes will commence again on Tuesday 23rd February, 2010.
Please contact your child’s tutor with any queries. Enjoy the half term; I hope it brings brighter weather.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Barnes,
Headmaster.
