3 April 2014 Dear Parents/Carers As always, Spring Term has been really eventful and I hope that Christs

Chronicles, our website, Parent Mail and texts allow you to keep up to date with everything that is happening and about to happen. Sixth Form I am delighted that Mr. Morris has been appointed as Head of Sixth Form after being in the role in an acting capacity. I am sure you will join me in congratulating him on his success. The new Sixth Form building is progressing well. Last month saw an informative and well attended Sixth Form consultation evening about sixth form life which included a tour of the construction site. The excitement is increasing and we look forward to welcoming our new Sixth formers in September. Expectations Thank you to those of you who continue to support consistently your daughters and sons with their learning. The minimum expectation that we ask is that your child attends school on time, every day, ready to learn, in full school uniform. The schools target for attendance is 96%. Thank you for doing what you can to ensure this. Please be reminded that all absences need to be followed up with a note in the diary or a letter when your child returns to school even if a phone message has been left. There is a space in the diary for this, otherwise unexplained absences are recorded as unauthorised. Absences on the last day of term are always unauthorised unless there is an obvious medical reason - we do not give permission for early holidays and we again need confirmation of your childs absence upon their return. Uniform From 6 May students can wear the summer uniform, the school summer polo shirt, available from the school website. If students do not have a summer polo shirt they will be expected to wear shirts with ties. Blazers must also be worn with both the winter and summer uniform. Girls skirts should be no shorter than 4cm above the knee. Skirts should also not be rolled up to make them shorter. If your daughter needs a replacement skirt, because they have out grown their current one or it is too short before September please purchase from the school website. Black leather school shoes are the appropriate footwear. Please be aware that students who are not dressed correctly (including footwear) will be sent home to change no more warnings will be given. Also may I remind you that students are not allowed to wear nail varnish or make-up and will be expected to remove when instructed to by staff and a punishment will be given. Earrings are restricted to one stud in each ear and any other piercings are not allowed, including tongue, nose and lip piercings. If your child attends school with any piercings, other than earrings as stated above, they will be instructed to remove them even if they have recently had these done. If they fail to remove the above they will be sent home until they do so and their absence recorded as unauthorised. I appreciate your support in these matters Contact Details Thank you to those parents who are able to receive our communication electronically. It is a far more effective method than pupil post, and helps to keep you fully informed and briefed. Therefore, please ensure that we have accurate contact information particularly when you change mobile or internet/email providers.

Tracking The Spring Tracking will be sent out to parents at the end of the week. Year 11 will receive their tracking after the Easter Break so it can be more accurate to include the results from the mock exams in English and Mathematics which take place this week. Please take the opportunity to discuss your son/daughters academic progress. We set challenging targets for our students and provide strategies for how they can be attained. If your daughter/son is below target in any subject please establish the reasons why and seek help and support from their tutor in the first instance. Such a situation should cause you to take even more notice of your son/daughters diary which should be signed every week to acknowledge homework given and any communication from individual teachers. . Health With warmer weather approaching please be reminded that we encourage pupils to drink water to hydrate themselves and not sugary, soft and fizzy drinks that can be high in added sugars, high in calories and bad for your teeth. There is also research that suggests that such drinks can negatively influence behavior of young people. As a result, fizzy drinks and other high energy type drinks such as Red Bull are not allowed in school and if seen will be confiscated. We also do not allow chewing gum as this causes unnecessary mess and expense to remove discarded gum. Any chewing gum will be confiscated and destroyed so please encourage your child not to bring in such items. Year 6 We have recently started to interview current Year 6 students who have accepted a place at Christs for Year 7 in September and it has been a pleasure to welcome them. We look forward to their arrival after the summer break. Year 11 As the season for public examinations approaches, can I remind parents of year 11 that they should have received a package of information together with a personal exam timetable for their daughter/son. If you have not seen either of these, please check in the first instance with your child. In addition, if you have any concerns about the forthcoming examinations and the potential impact on your family, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter/s ons form tutor for support and guidance. Year 11 have been supported by their teachers with after school revision sessions. Staff have also organised some revision sessions during the Easter Break and those students involved will have received information outlining when they are expected to attend. Please check with your child when these sessions are.

Thank you for your continued support. It is very much appreciated. I hope that your break will be both happy and holy, and a time for your families to enjoy. Yours faithfully

Mrs Helen Dixon Headteacher