It’s been fantastic to see so much usage of the astroturf over the last few weeks and how well students have adhered to ensuring that the space is getting looked after and being maximised. Long may that continue! 

We have also had a series of fixtures recently. Our Year 11 netball team had a superb 17-11 win against Stags and all students were fantastic – some great passing and interceptions throughout. Jasmine D and Thea O were identified as players that excelled.

Great work by the U12, U14 and U16 girls futsal teams in a district tournament. The girls were superb! Stand out performers were Alice T, Sophie K, Poppy D and Mikalya C. Our u16 girls finished 3rd overall.

The year 11 boys football team had a fantastic 3-2 win in the county cup at home on our brand new astroturf. 

Our Year 7 basketball team had a 23-22 win against Aldwickbury yesterday. They also have another fixture against Nicholas Breakspeare later today. The Year 8 rugby team completed their final game of the rugby season with a highly competitive game against Verulam, being edged out by one try. Some fantastic defence throughout though. 

Finally, huge congratulations to the six students who competed at the Zonal trampoline competition in Solihull last Sunday. Matthew P, Josh P and Riley W were crowned Zonal Champions in the year 7-9 Elite category, qualifying for the National Finals in March in Telford and Matthew qualified in 5th place individually. Ollie T and Jude D competed fabulous routines to place 7th and 9th respectively in the year 9-10 Novice category, with Ollie only 0.1 away from qualifying individually for his first National Finals. To finish the day off, Will E competed in a tough category for the intermediate boys. Will completed great routines and placed 4th overall qualifying for the National Finals. Thank you to all the parents who supported their children on the day and to parents who volunteered as helpers for the competition.

Well done to all involved.

When we arrived at the University of Hertfordshire, we were greeted by University Ambassadors who study a range of subjects from Engineering, Computer Science to Fashion. We started off with a seminar on the different routes to apprenticeships. Some of these apprenticeships included working for the Metropolitan police (MET) at a level 7 apprenticeship which could earn you £30K/annum all the way to working as a chef with a level 2 apprenticeship which could earn you £12K/annum. Next we found ourselves in a careers workshop delivered by career coaches. We learnt that jobs need applicable skills, we put this to the test by getting into groups of 3/4 we were then given spaghetti and marshmallows to try and build the tallest tower without it falling over. We used many shapes to try and create the most stable structures, they were then measured and ranked in height order.

After this we had a talk about the many career opportunities that one could pursue whilst studying at University and how having a job could benefit you massively and improve the skills needed. We looked at how career services worked, they can help with CVs and cover letters exploring different career options available to students. You can also have mock interviews with them. There are lots of different part time job opportunities at the university, such as becoming a student career coach. For lunch we got to go to their canteen called The Forum. There was a restaurant, a premier, subway, a coffee place and much more. There was a vast seating area where you can have lunch whilst you study or just socialise with your friends. 

After lunch, we received a seminar on the benefits of going to University and what it would be like learning there. The lecturer explained to us how the University provides a wide range of opportunities across many courses provided by the university.  There are many clubs and social groups for students to join at the university, which allow students to further improve their employable skills.  Along with these clubs, many housing arrangements are available such as studio rooms, en-suite rooms and shared rooms. University life is vastly different to primary and secondary school life; no longer being jam packed with lessons and instead having many free periods for students to enjoy, socialise, study and work.

The final event of the day was the University of Hertfordshire- College Lane Campus tour.  We were shown the entire campus. We first visited a housing block and saw what the living spaces looked like.  Next we were shown around the various facilities the University had. We had the chance to see several flight simulators that the engineering department uses. We saw the University’s formula one car that students designed and created. We were told how students from all faculties are involved in this and have the chance to go abroad to race in various races. Following on we were given the chance to visit the student support areas such as the student union and the careers support team. The tour was definitely the best bit of the day, getting to see so many different facilities at the University and seeing students going about their normal day.

Jack F and Dean H- Year 10

As a school, we place great importance on attendance and expect that all our students will achieve an attendance level of at least 96% each academic year.

Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly and punctually.

Any student with an attendance figure below 90% is defined nationally as a persistent absentee. This equates to just over 3 days of absence per half term and applies if the absence is authorised or unauthorised.

If a student were to get a score of 90% on a maths test this would be very good. If, however, a student’s attendance is 90% over their five years of compulsory school age, from Year 7 to 11, this equates to missing half a year of school, which is detrimental to any individual, regardless of their academic ability.

There is a strong statistical link between attendance and attainment. Studies show that students with the highest attainment in their GCSE exams, at the end of Year 11, have higher rates of attendance over Years 10 and 11, compared to those with the lowest attainment.

We review attendance regularly and have an attendance procedure we follow based on each student’s attendance percentage. The attached attendance leaflet provides important information regarding our attendance procedures.

We strongly advise parents/carers to avoid booking holidays during term time. We appreciate there may be exceptional circumstances behind a request for leave. If this is the case, you should give a detailed explanation as to why it is necessary for you to take your child out of school by completing this form and sending it to absence@kwschool.co.uk where it will be forwarded to Mr Martin for his consideration.

 Rewarding Excellent Attendance

We also like to recognise students who have excellent attendance as well as those that have strived to increase their attendance by sending letters of congratulations to students and parents. Each week in assembly, we celebrate the form group with the best attendance.

Students who attain 100% attendance every half term have their name entered into a prize draw which takes place at the end of the year. The more half terms that a student attends without absence, the more entries they have in the draw which increases their chances in the draw. Previous prizes have included Apple Airpods and Love to Shop vouchers.

By working together, we can help students reach their full potential and make the most of the opportunities school has to offer.

If you feel you would like support with your child’s attendance or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Absence Reporting

 If your child is unable to attend school due to illness, urgent appointments or other reasons please telephone the 24hr school absence line on 01582 314800 or email absence@kwschool.co.uk
by 8.30am at the latest, on the first day of absence and every subsequent day thereafter. 

• Please provide your child’s name and tutor group

• Please give as much detail as possible for the reason of absence avoiding using terms such as ‘unwell’ or ‘under the weather’

• If you fail to contact the school to inform us of your child’s absence, this will be referred to our safeguarding team who may consider it is appropriate to   complete a safe and well check

This is a reminder to all parents/carers that informing the school is a key responsibility of yours. When staff from both the attendance and safeguarding team take time out of their day to chase families, it detracts from the support we can offer to students in school. Therefore, please ensure all reports are made by 8.30am.

Where possible, please give plenty of notice for any planned absence, for example hospital appointments, and provide a copy of any medical/dental appointment letters/cards to the school. We would appreciate all dental and non-urgent doctor appointments being made out of school hours.

The attached attendance leaflet provides further information.

Please Click here to view our attendance page on the school website.

Grace Aikman, Assistant Headteacher & Chrissy Dicks, Attendance Manager