Newsletters

GHS Connect #7 Monday 21st October

Mia's notes

Just a few days to go now until half term and I hope in advance that everyone has a well deserved break. Perhaps you are going away or like me, just taking an opportunity to catch your breath. Whatever you are doing, do take the opportunity to rest, and I look forward to hearing what everyone has been up to when we return.

One little job which must be done before the end of this week, if not already, is our appraisal write ups. Often people don’t realise that I do have to present this information to Governors, and they ultimately make the decision on appraisals. Therefore, it is important that the information is there and also fully reflects the successes of those we are appraising.

Thank you for continuing to focus on the basics.  I know it can feel relentless. Unfortunately, teenagers do need reminders and pushing the boundaries comes with the territory of working with young people. However, if we all have a consistent voice and consistent approach - polite, calm but assertive reminders with a smile - we will continue to make great progress in modelling the correct behaviours for our young people.

Again, do have a wonderful break when we get to it and have a great week,

Mia

The week ahead

Monday
Normal Day

Tuesday
No meeting - subject evening

Wednesday
Briefing 8.15am in the library.

Thursday
Normal Day
Year 13 Subject Evening. 

Friday
Normal Day

Notes
Yr 10 A2L Interim
Yr 11 Interim 1

Learning and Teaching - Pride in our Classrooms

At GHS we value action research as it helps develop new knowledge that directly relates to the classroom. Below is a round up of focused strategies being used in lessons.

Developing rich, connected schemas in the minds of our children is a sure-fire way to be able to create, develop and embed knowledge. It acts as an arm which reaches out as a hook to welcome new knowledge. Education Endowment Foundation

Interested in schemas and why it matters to teachers? Here a link to a 4 minute blog read by the EEF.

Year 11 Key Messages

Thank you all for your positivity with our Year 11 cohort thus far. The year group have stepped up to the Year 11 challenge and are embracing everything we throw at them. There have been nearly 300 Effort counts twice tickets given out, 15 different interventions running, 5 achievement newsletters and 7 revision tips of the week. Thank you to everyone.
From Monday 21st October, we have our first ‘Boost your grade fortnight.’ Please see below for ideas:

Some suggestions for In class activities- from 5 minutes to the whole lesson:

• Specific starters on key areas
• Paper learner responses. (Analysing the test resource)
• Resitting/drafting specific questions.
• Action planning how to revise (Revision TT GCSE PE AQA 24 > make a subject specific copy).
• Be the examiner tasks.
• Write the question tasks (students are exposed to the mark scheme.)
• Feedback from SEN Y11 Student voice: HUD has some great points from some of our SEN Cohort in regard to revision.

Half-term activities-Tightening the WOCT (working outside the classroom.)

• Use of online platforms: KS4 online platforms/ websites/ apps
• In class competitions: who can complete the most online videos (GCSE Pod, Seneca etc.)
• Year group competitions for online platforms.
• Power hours.
• Effective use of the half-term holiday before Mocks start 11/11 and 9/12.

Phoebe

SEN Update- Pathway Centre

I Just wanted to share that the SEN Pathway Centre is having a huge impact on students and continues to support our SEN students with a reduction in truancy and enabling them the space to regulate.  Please ensure if students are placed on a reduced timetable and or in the Pathway Centre as part of an IE day that work is supplied via Google Classroom

Inclusion Heroes

I wanted to thank all staff for your continued work on safeguarding our students and logging all information on CPOMS.  Please can I ask that we continue to log information focussing on non-emotive language.

• Dates, times, frequency
• What happened, writing student names as initials
• Details of others involved- wider connections
• Any interventions tried and tested and impacts of this.
• Be appropriate, Be sufficient, Be clear and understandable

Gurvinder

Wellbeing Tips

Caring for yourself as the night draw in

When summer has come to an end and the winter months begin to settle in, it's important to be mindful of how these changes affect us. The drop in light and temperature can sometimes bring a dip in energy, but there are ways we can look after ourselves to stay grounded and positive.

A fresh approach to rest

With the long nights and short days, it’s easy to get into the habit of feeling sluggish. Rather than forcing yourself into the same routine, try and listen to what your body actually needs. Don’t feel guilty if you are drawn to more rest-just lean into it! But make sure that your downtime is truly restful. Avoid endless screen time before bed, and instead try something that relaxes your mind, like listening to a podcast or practising mindfulness.

Niloo

Bright Spots

The first of this week's Bright Spot nominations comes from Benjamin Dupres, who has nominated Tracey Cleave, saying:

"She drove us all the way to Norfolk and back and really put in an amazing effort with support for the Y13 Geography residential. A huge thanks to her."

Ben Dyason has nominated Malakh Ellington and Sonia Yamoah, saying:

"A huge shoutout to Malakh for going above and beyond with our most vulnerable. It's champions like you that make what we do count. Thank you! Sonia Yamoah deals with high-level incidents with great ease. I am so very grateful for all your work with Year 10."

If there are any concerns about Equality and Diversity (staff)  at GHS please contact A Johal (DHT)