Colchester Royal Grammar School

Lexden Road Colchester Essex CO3 3ND Headmaster: K L Jenkinson MA

Telephone: Colchester (01206) 509100 Email: info@crgs.co.uk

March 2010

Dear Parents

In this busy term, where Shakespeare is competing with Rugby 7s and football for the students’
attention and where the Spring Concert and Charter Hall Schools’ Prom have to play second fiddle to
external modules and internal mocks, I write to provide parents with some information on recent
developments at the school.

The New Website

We will launch a new school website (crgs.co.uk) this week and are looking to provide a more modern
and attractive site to visit as well as useful information about the school. The school internet site
(crgsonline) remains unchanged for the moment but is soon to become part of a new Learning
Platform. My thanks to ICT technician Max Weaver who has worked hard on designing the new
website. It is easy to assume that everyone has internet access at home, and it would be wrong to do
so. To this end, I would like to hear from parents who cannot access the internet from home so that we
can be sure that we make appropriate arrangements for them and their children.

Policies
This is the time of year we review and revise some school policies. You will be aware of the Code of
Conduct, our school behaviour policy, which underlines our commitment to high standards of behaviour
and appearance. It is worth emphasising that incidents outside the jurisdiction of the school, which
have an impact on life at the school, can be subject to school sanctions. I am thinking in particular of
‘cyber bullying’ or abusive text messages, which might have slipped through the net in the original
Code.

The school has a zero tolerance on bullying and we will act strongly to preserve an ethos of respect
and consideration for others at CRGS. The anti-bullying policy is effective, and we deal severely with
anyone guilty of intimidatory or bullying behaviour.

In considering the impact of other policies at the moment, I can thankfully report no racist incidents or
examples of discrimination. It is important to the ethos at CRGS that we remain a school where all
have equality of opportunity and all individuals, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or
disability are treated with respect and consideration. As a traditional school with a mix of cultures, an
international boarding section and a co-educational sixth form, CRGS is a vibrant learning community,
where the positive supportive atmosphere is crucial to the happiness and success of our students. Our
emphasis is on the individual, and it is pleasing to note that the examination results show that all groups
do well. We have recently produced a ‘community cohesion’ policy, which not only sums up our
unswerving commitment to our school community but also stresses our desire to be a positive influence
in the wider community. I know through the charity work, service and outreach work that our students
share this commitment to others.

Contd/
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Premises Development
We have submitted plans to create a new Food Technology facility in the Technology block, and to
extend the Restaurant and the Sixth Form Common Room. I will keep parents informed of
developments.

Staff News
Dr Davey retires this summer after 35 years’ dedicated service to the school. A proper tribute to him
will appear in this year’s School Magazine. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Mark
Walsh to the post of Head of Mathematics from September. Many of you will know Mr Walsh, who has
a proven track record of outstanding success in the school, and will wish him well in his new role.

Former stalwart of CRGS, 98 year old George Young sadly died last month. George taught English at
the school for many years and is perhaps the most fondly remembered of all staff at the school. An
archetypal schoolmaster, George had a profound influence on the students he taught and was still in
touch with many of them, over fifty years since they left CRGS. George remained a good friend and
strong supporter of the school until his death, and we will host an event in the school to commemorate
him on St George’s Day this year.

Satisfaction Surveys
Thank you to the parents who were chosen at random to complete a satisfaction survey and did so. It
is always interesting to receive feedback and parents’ views. We have acted on previous feedback, in
for example, our organisation of Parents’ Evenings, our presentation of UCAS information and our
communications in general. I am always pleased to hear from parents, if they have an idea, criticism or
tribute they would like to bring to my attention.

January Modules
The January module results were released last week, and there was, as always, some joy and
disappointment. I view the January modules as a marker for the summer. If students can get a good
mark ‘in the bank’ in a module or two, all well and good, but the module results should serve principally
as a benchmark and timely reminder of the work that needs to be done between now and the main
examination season. Mr Hadcock will be seeing all the Upper Sixth individually to check on their
progress, and the school will continue to provide support in a variety of ways. If parents feel the need
for extra help or support in a particular area, please let us know.

As we approach Easter, the time to take stock and focus with intent on the forthcoming examination
session is nigh. There is still time, however, to balance work with other worthwhile pursuits and I look
forward to the end of term activities which are usually a source of great enjoyment. I hope that students
make the most of the various trips, performances, games and competitions that are taking place
between now and the end of term.

Yours sincerely

K L Jenkinson
Headmaster
Ref: 290120