February 2014

Issue 90

The Christs Chronicles

Welcome to the latest issue of Christs Schools newsletter
Future events for your diary
14th Feb. Break up for half term 24th Feb. INSET Day-School closed 3rd March PTA meeting 7pm-Music Dept. 4th March Year 8 Girls HPV injections (3rd) 7th March PTA Quiz Night 7.30pm 12th March Year 10 Group-Trip to Oxford University 14th March PSHE Day 17th March Year 8 RE Trip to London mosque 27th/28th Mar. History Trip-battlefields 27th March Year 7 Spanish trip until 31st March 31st March Spanish Exchange students visit Christs 31st Mar.1st Apr. Jack Petchey Speakers Bank Challenge 2nd April P.E. Dept. year 10 GCSE Trip to 4th April 3rd April D of E Silver Expedition practice to 5th April 4th April Last day of Spring term 22nd April First day of Summer term 22nd April Year 10 Work experience until 2nd May Special points of interest:
Reviews Coming

Events
Sports News Messages Requests Advertising

Inside this issue:

Wicked Orange Tree Jack Petchey MFL letters Aimhigher PTA GCSE Citizenship Sports Notices 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 6 7/8 9

Please check the school sports board for up to date weekly fixtures You can also check the school events calendar, which is updated regularly for more diary dates on our website at www.christs.richmond.sch.uk

Adverts

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Wicked 22 January 2014

Thanks to a very generous gesture from the Apollo Theatre, Victoria which came to us via the theatre charity Mousetrap Theatre Projects, we were able to take a number of students to a matinee of Wicked. It was a breath-taking experience with wonderful lighting effects, fabulous flying, dazzling costumes plus a good story and great music. We had brilliant seats in the dress circle and every time I looked down the rows of pupils, I could see that they were completely engrossed in the show. It was a terrific afternoon and we were grateful to have help from senior staff school to enable us to take up the last minute offer as it was an inspiring experience for all.

Orange Tree Shakespeare Workshops

We are very lucky to have The Orange Tree on our doorstep who not only put on excellent productions (the recent Middlemarch trilogy being a prime example) but also offer us an extensive education programme. Last term, the year 7s watched a performance of Twelfth Night, and this term Year 9 and Year 10 had workshops on Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet respectively. Studying Shakespeare is a key focus for English and these special workshops explore the language, themes and characters in the play. Thanks to all parents for supporting these activities.

Jack Petchey
We are extremely grateful to the Jack Petchey organisation for all the support they give us with the Achievement Award scheme but also for giving us access to programmes such as the Speak Out Challenge. This term we have had two award winners, both of whom have shown an excellent and consistent attitude to work over their (nearly) five years in school: Frohar Siddiqi and Juma Akhter. Juma has already decided to spend her award on some batik pots for textiles and Frohar is hoping to use her money in either Science or Spanish. Sarah Brown

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Issue 90

Modern Foreign Languages Letters From a Friend!

Year 7 Spanish are having new Spanish friends! Our three Year 7 Spanish classes are starting a penfriend relationship with three different Spanish schools, located in the region of Santander in the North of Spain. Some of these students will also be meeting their penfriends next March when they will be visiting Comillas ( Santander), in the north of Spain. This is a very exciting project where we will be exchanging culture and language, through letters videos and skype. We will keep you informed ! Comillas ( Santander)

Fundraising
Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day at Christ's School raised over 600! A huge thank you to your efforts, jumpers and energy! Thank you to all the students and parents/carers for their generosity over the Christmas period. Combined with the Philippines Appeal, the school raised over 2000 in two weeks! Next fundraiser: Sports Relief at the end of March! Many thanks, Kate Moran

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University Visits year 9: Surrey University 9 January 2014, Kingston University 22 January 2014
We have had two very successful trips this term to University conferences for small groups of Year 9 pupils: one to Surrey University, organised by Aimhigher London South and the second to Kingston University. The aim of both days, although slightly different in content, was to inform year 9s about university, the expectations within Higher Education, costs involved and the benefits for a degree or further study for careers. At Surrey, there were sessions given by 3 different universities on student finance, routes into Higher Education what is life like as a student. The group also had a campus tour of the university which is set high on the same hill as the cathedral and so is quite spectacular. There was a lot to take in and the feedback from the group was that they had been given plenty to think about. The conference at Kingston was entitled Your Future and the day had focused sessions on qualifications and information on universities in general as well as a campus tour and a chance to develop thinking skills. Again, the group who went felt that they had learnt a lot during the day and could appreciate see how their present studies are linked to future possibilities. Sarah Brown

PTA News
Thank you to all parents, teachers and students who gave us ideas of how to spend the funds raised at the 2013 PTA events. Having taken them all into consideration, the school should soon be getting two new table tennis tables for the pupils to use during break times, resources for the Learning Support Departments lunch time club and equipment for the pupils to use when participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which is hugely popular at Christs. A big thank you to everyone who contributed in any way at all to the PTA events to make this possible. This year the PTA would like to embark on a project to raise money for more outdoor equipment for the students to use during break times, and an outdoor canopy so they can use the equipment come rain or shine. In order to make it successful we need as many of you as possible to be involved. Please contact janeefitch1@gmail.com if you are able to help with this project, especially if you have fund raising experience. The next event is the Quiz Evening which will be held in the school hall from 7.30pm on Friday 7th March. Tickets cost 15 (including food) and will go on sale from the school office on Monday 24th February. There will be fabulous raffle prizes, an auction and a bar selling wine and beer. The

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Issue 90

Christs quiz is always a fun and very informal evening, and a great chance to meet up with other parents, teachers and staff. Teams consist of 8 people but its very easy to make up a team if you come on your own or with a smaller group of friends.
The next PTA meeting is at 7.00pm in the school music room on Monday 3 rd March. We love to have new ideas at every meeting.

Year 11 GCSE Citizenship Campaign Launch

Year 11 pupils have launched their GCSE Citizenship campaigns this month. 6 groups will be campaigning in and around school, in the community, and online with the objective of raising awareness about issues that concern them. They will be conducting events(like debates and Humanities Societies meetings) in school and campaigning on social media so please follow, like, turn up and listen! Here are messages from two of the groups Western world and our response to child soldiers We are Kyle, Tyler and James in year 11. Are you aware that the UK government gives military training to countries to countries that use child soldiers such as Uganda and Rwanda? Some of the children that are recruited are not even in secondary school yet, being as young as 10 years old. Please help us change this and like our page on Facebook western world and child soldiers and follow us on twitter @ NO_KIDS_IN_WAR, thank you.

We are a Sophie, Daisy, Clio, Ruby, Milly, and Issy, a group of six girls in Year 11 who are starting our Citizenship campaign Make Politics Matter. Our aims are to educate and encourage young people to be more actively engaged in Politics. We believe that schools are not doing enough to teach children about the Political system. Please help support our issue by liking our Facebook page or following our Twitter page to keep up to date with the news of our campaign. Watch out for our Humsoc meeting on the 26th March.

We are Gabby, Patty and India and we are campaigning for better information on the cuts being made, and the effects of government spending, and to inform the school community of where we identify wasteful government spending. It is all about fairness, people! Keep an eye out for our display on the Humanities corridor and our HumSoc debate and meeting. Please follow us on twitter @government_CAS where you will find lots of links and opinion.

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The Christs Chronicles

Sports Clubs and Reviews Extra Curricular Sports

Monday
Lunchtime

Tuesday
Yr7&8 Rugby Skills DSE

Wednesday
KS4 indoor football MMO

Thursday
Yr 7&8 Mixed Basketball
-James

Friday
Yr 7 Dodgeball
MGR

12.2512.55
in the Sports

KS4 Basketball - MMO

Hall

Yr 7&8 Netball Skills SBR

Yr11 GCSE revision CNE- room 81(select students) Yr11 GCSE Revision CNE room 81 (select students)

3.154.15
Inside

All years Cheerleading

Jess

Yr 7,8,9 Mixed Basketball

James

Trampolining
CNE

All years mixed Badminton Yr9 boys Basketball DSE and table tennis ATU & MGR

All years mixed Rowing CNE (Chiswick boat houses)

3.154.15
Outside

Year 7 Rugby RFU/DSE Yr7&8 girls netball SBR

Year 7 &8 Rugby DSE

Yr 10 GCSE P.E.P catch up session (Sports Hall) DSE

Yr7&8 boys football

TRU & MGR

Year 7 Rugby
The year 7 rugby team have continued their winning ways with victories against St Richard Reynolds School and Cardinal Wiseman School. Both matches were hard fought and the Christ boys had to dig deep on several occasion as they came under some serious pressure. The team is starting to show some real potential, however, there is still much work to be done if they are to reach that potential. Christs enters the Richmond borough league after the half term break and as we are currently undefeated, every other school will be looking to turn us over. Watch this space. Djamal Sedour

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Issue 90

Notices
More families are now eligible for 15 hours of free childcare for two year olds To be eligible you must be receiving one of the following: Income support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit Child Tax Credit, provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than 16,190, as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs Working Tax Credit and earn less than 16,190 Children that have left care through special guardianship, residence order Further information and online form: www.richmond.gov.uk/two_year_old_funding London Wetland Centre - National Science Week promotion - 14 to 21 March excluding Monday 17 March National Science Week promotion: Enjoy our Water Science Week. A chance for your learners to explore our new water trail, work scientifically outdoors with water and launch their own enquiry into the water -cycle in our new guided learning session. Spaces are limited. Please book in advance: education.london@wwt.org.uk Message from the local police on mobile phone safety Steps young people can take to reduce their risk of being targeted by thieves: Be aware when leaving school and in crowded places. Keep your phone and other valuables out of sight. When you leave a bus or train station, don't use your phone immediately. Download a free app that can help you find your phone and tell the police about it if your phone is stolen. If you are targeted, don't fight back; it's much safer to give them what they want than get hurt. New childrens reading group in Richmond Library A new monthly Chatterbooks Reading Group for children in Years 4 and 5 will start in Richmond Lending Library on Wednesday 29 January 4.30-5.45pm. Places are limited, so to register or for more information visit Richmond Library or phone 020 8734 3330. Don't go to A&E... Get the right help fast Don't go to A&E if it's not a serious emergency. Call NHS 111 for 24 hour, urgent medical advice and help. There are quicker and easier alternative local health services. Go to www.notalwaysAandE.co.uk to find the nearest service to get the treatment you need. Why fork out for a school lunch? If your household income is less than 16,190 per year, and you are not receiving Working Tax Credit, then your children may be entitled to a free school meal. If you live in the borough of Richmond, find out more today by phoning 020 8891 7587; or contact your own local authority Are you having trouble keeping your home warm this winter? If you are on benefits or have a low income, then you may be eligible for some help from the Council with your heating bills. Grants of up to 100 per household are available from the Council. Find out more at www.richmond.gov.uk/fuel_grants

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The Christs Chronicles

Southwark Diocesan Board of Education

Primary Adviser (Full time) Secondary Adviser (3 days per week term time only)
Soulbury Scale Salary in the region of 73,000 (Full time equivalent incl. London Weighting and Car allowance) Come and join our highly successful team supporting Church of England Schools across the Diocese which spans 12 Local Authorities in South London. Our offices are based in vibrant London Bridge close to the beautiful and iconic Southwark Cathedral. We are seeking to make these appointments for September 2014. Further information about us can be found at www.southwark.anglican.org/education The Advisers will work in partnership with schools to provide high quality advice, guidance, support and challenge to raise school improvement. The right candidate will have the following qualities and understanding of: Being a practising Christian Proven experience of school leadership and/or LA/National Strategy work Commitment to excellence and the distinctiveness of Church Schools Ability to add to the dynamics of our superb team

In return we can promise you a warm and friendly working environment with support and fellowship. The roles will involve: Working face to face with our schools Delivering training Supporting senior leadership appointments Shaping policy Liaising with Local Authorities Developing strategy Brokering support across our schools

Prospective candidates are invited to contact Colin Powell, Diocesan Director on 020 7234 9200, for an informal discussion about the jobs. Application packs are available from Anne White (Tel: 020 7234 9207 or e-mail anne.white@southwark.anglican.org) Closing date for applications: 12 noon Thursday 6 March 2014 Interviews scheduled for 26 & 28 March 2014 The SDBE is committed to the safeguarding of children. This appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. The Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Supporting Christian Education

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Issue 90

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The Christs Chronicles

Additional information:
To contact Staff by e-mail please use their first initial and then surname written as one word followed by generic ending: @christs.richmond.sch.uk

There is also a quick link via school website.

Term Dates 2014

Spring Term Monday 6th January 2014Friday 4th April 2014 Half Term Monday 17th February 2014Friday 21st February 2014 Summer Term Tuesday 22nd April 2014Friday 18th July 2014 Half Term Monday 26th May 2013Friday 30th May 2014 INSET Days Monday 24th February 2014 Monday 23rd June 2014 INSET days are subject to change. Please check website.

Christ's School Queen's Road Richmond Surrey TW10 6HW

Phone: 020 8940 6982 Fax: 020 8332 6085 E-mail: info@christs.richmond.sch.uk

Timetable for school day All students to arrive at school and be ready for registration at 08.30 Morning break 10.20-10.40 Lunch break 12.20-13.00 End of school 15.00

Winter uniform required: blazer, white shirt and school tie. To order uniform go to our website: http:// christs.richmond.sch.uk/ home

www.christs.richmond.sch.uk