Halifax High Gibbet Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 0BA Telephone: 01422 301080 Fax: 01422 301081

E-mail: admin@halifaxhigh.com Website: www.halifaxhigh.com

July 2012 Dear Parent/Carer As we move towards the end of the Summer term I would like to take this opportunity to update you regarding developments at Halifax High and also give you some important information and dates for your diary (see reverse of this letter). Halifax High has been a hive of activity over the past few months with many activities taking place! There have been some superb events held in school involving students, parents and our local community. The East meets West fashion show was a fantastic event that was coordinated by Amina Kauser. The evening included a fashion show, a performance by singer Hussnain Muhammed and market stalls with local businesses selling a range of goods including scarves, jewellery and delicious food! The event was very well attended and was an excellent way of raising funds for the Commanders House project. The Commanders House project is being led and managed by the Halifax High Parents Council and Community Association to develop a resource centre on our site for our community. This week also saw the very first Brass Band night at Halifax High featuring students from the newly established Halifax High Community Band which includes students from both Halifax High and Mount Pellon Primary. They were joined by the Wardle High School Band, Friendly Band and the Hebden Bridge Brass Band. It was an excellent evening and we hope this will be the first of many brass band events at Halifax High. Our new students who will be joining us in September visited Halifax High last Friday for Transition Day. They had a very enjoyable day and it was lovely to see them all together with their parents. We look forward to welcoming them in September. When we return to school in September, Halifax High will have a new logo ( see above). If you are purchasing new items of uniform for your child, please do not buy items with the old Halifax High logo. We are currently negotiating with our preferred supplier, Shaw Hardcastle, to incorporate the new logo onto our uniform. A plain black school blazer will be acceptable if you are unable to obtain a blazer with the new logo. Almost all of our students are very smartly dressed for school and I thank you for your support in trying to maintain our high standards at Halifax High. We were delighted to receive a further accolade this term from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Halifax High has gained national recognition for being one of the top 10% of schools at adding value to their students achievements at GCSE. The Chief Executive of the SSAT, Sue Williamson said, Halifax High should be congratulated for their stunning performance in adding value to their students achievements. Halifax High is one of the best schools in the country at outperforming expectations for their pupils and improving their future prospects. There is plenty that other schools could learn from Halifax High at Wellesley Parks success. Students, staff and
Headteacher: Jackie Nellis Deputy Headteacher: Mick Kay Chair of Governors: Janet Sherrard Smith

parents should be very proud of this fantastic achievement, we are all working together to achieve the very best for all of our students and I thank you for your continued support. Finally, have a very enjoyable summer. School closes at 11.15 on Friday July 20th following our final whole school assembly. Students may stay for lunch if they wish. If your son/daughter has a school locker please ensure it is emptied before Thursday 19th July as we will be deep cleaning the indoor streets during the summer break. We look forward to seeing all students on Wednesday September 5th, new Year 7 students at 8.15am and Years 8-11 at 11.30am. We expect all students to be in full school uniform and fully equipped please see below. Yours sincerely Eid Mubarak

Jackie Nellis Headteacher Dates for your diary: Thursday 23rd August GCSE exam results available in school between 10am and 12 noon. Wednesday 5th September School reopens to Year 7 students at 8.15am and to Years 8,9,10 and 11 at 11.30 am. Uniform requirements: Black footwear (not patterned trainers) A black blazer A school house tie correctly fastened to the collar with at least 5 stripes showing Black jumper (or cardigan- girls) with the school logo (optional) The Halifax High School hijab (optional) White school shirt/blouse Black trousers (not jeans or casual trousers) Black skirt or tunic (girls- optional)

Equipment Pen, Pencil, Ruler, Pencil Case, Rubber and bag

Headteacher: Jackie Nellis Deputy Headteacher: Mick Kay Chair of Governors: Janet Sherrard Smith