Local news
Raynes Park High School - April 2014
Mornings are lighter, days longer and we have already passed the half year mark of academic year 2013/14.
Years 7 and 8 students continue to make positive contributions to the school and display a real focus on their learning and progress, which is illustrated in the levels they are achieving. A fantastic Year 7 subject evening took place with attendance of 90% and we look forward to equalising this with our Year 8 Subject Evening.
Saturday school has increased in numbers with more students asking to participate and Raynes Park High School is now ‘open’ six days a week. One student even came in on her birthday to do some work before she went off to celebrate with her friends and family.
Currently the school is preparing to welcome the lucky Year 6 students who have been offered a place to attend Raynes Park High School in September 2014. There is a buzz of excitement as ‘student ambassadors’ are trained to support our newcomers during this important time. Year 7s are enthusiastic as this is their first opportunity to represent their school in this lead role and are best placed to know the emotions Year 6 students are feeling leading up to their move to high school.
House leaders are now a prominent fixture in and around school working with younger tutor groups and helping out at all key events in the school calendar. By selling Christmas wrapping paper and decorations at these events £220 was raised for a local Children’s Heart Charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). House charity functions have also been started with the introduction of the House Charity Fund. This was instigated by Halliwells Z House which raised £78.15 for their chosen charity, WaterAid.
Students are looking forward to the Year 7 Kingswood residential trip in May when the majority of the year group will be setting off for a weekend of fun activities and challenges which will help them form new friendships with others in the year group. We are hoping for good weather which will allow us more time outdoors team building and developing skills.
Attendance has improved but still remains a focus for us as a school. Absent students find it difficult to make their potential progress. The school has three Senior Learning Mentors, Mrs Dillon, Ms Wilson David and Mrs Milton, who monitor and record attendance. They are the voices at the end of the phone offering support and encouragement for getting your child into school. All students’ attendance should be 100% and processes will be put into place if this falls to 95%.
We continue to strengthen our relationships with parents and families through the Parent Forum and our newly revamped PTSA. We have a wealth of ideas on ways to raise money which will be directed towards enhancing your child’s school experience. It is also an excellent way for you to meet up with other parents and carers from the school in an informal setting.
Ms Finan - Assistant Headteacher
Google at RPHS!
To celebrate National Careers Week students experienced some exciting activities taking place over the course of this week. Activities included workshops on Apprenticeships, Further Education, Higher Education, Work Experience and a ‘What staff did before working in an education setting’ quiz which was great fun for everyone involved.
One of the most exciting parts of this week was a fantastic talk from Phil Christer, Head of Google Product Development in Europe.
Mr.Christer delivered a talk to Year 11 and Sixth Form students. Students who were put through a mock interview by Mr Christer rose to the challenge and were creative in their responses. He shared interview tips with the group detailing what big organisations like Google look for in applicants including the best entry routes into Google.
Students were given valuable advice about how to stand out from others and informed about different career options such as internships. Students are aware how extremely privileged they were to witness the new ‘Google Glass’ in action. Google Glass is still currently in testing and the students who were able to try it out realise how lucky they are to have had this experience. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage and ask questions to prepare themselves for their future pathways. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Phil Christer for such an inspirational visit.
Ms Honor - Careers Support and Work Related Learning LeadS
Swimming Trophy
Athena Lewis Gkogka (SMX) won the Senior Girls Trophy for Raynes Park High School at the Surrey Schools Individual Swimming Championships at Guildford last Saturday. To win the trophy Athena won the 100m Breaststroke event. Her brother, Spiros Gkogkas,(9MX) also took part and came 7th in the Junior Boys 100m Freestyle event. Athena’s trophy will have pride of place in the school’s trophy cabinet. All keen swimmers should make a note of 11th May 2014 in their diaries. Swimming trials for the London Youth Games are being held at Morden Pool on that date.To take part in the trials for swimming or any other sport it is necessary to pre-register using the council’s e-form at:
https://webforms.merton.gov.uk/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=nEwR32Kksfu&HideAll=1.
For further information about the London Youth Games visit their website at: http://www.londonyouthgames.org/
Mr Hayes - Head of PE
