DOWNLANDS NEWS
May 2015
Dear Parents, Carers & Supporters
Coming up to the end of another busy half term for all pupils and staff but particularly our hard working
Y11 whose GCSE’s are well under way, they deserve much praise for the way they have conducted
themselves and all the best luck for their results in August. As the next half term approaches there is
much to look forward to with all the usual annual events which are all mentioned in later pages. We are
particularly proud of the launch of our first ever Literary Festival being run and co-ordinated by Ms
Hunnisett and Mrs Hudson. I do hope that I will see many parents supporting these many and varied
events.
STAFF LEAVING
Downlands has the most outstanding team of dedicated support staff who work tirelessly to support
both staff and pupils and often get involved in many of the activities which make Downlands so special. I am therefore very
sad to have said goodbye to Mrs Rawcliffe (nee Davis) who retired in March after 18 very loyal and productive years as PA
both to Mr Clarke and myself and latterly the School Events and Publicity Co-ordinator. She had a very varied role and gave
up endless hours in ensuring Downlands was always in the news and our daily lives shared with the community through our
Talkabout column. She was always there for anyone who needed help and support and loved working with the pupils on so
many projects including the Y11 Leavers Book. I wish her all the best in her retirement as an ever growing number of
grandchildren are now keeping her very busy.
Mrs Westgarth is also leaving and has been a Cover Supervisor for the past 6 years. She will be fondly missed by a great
number of pupils she came into contact with, and has been a valued member of the Downlands staff team. I wish her well in
her new job.
BUDGET NEWS
With the election a fading memory I want to raise the much publicised issue of school budgets with parents so you are
aware of the very challenging times facing schools with regard to funding not just this year but for future years to come. All
schools in West Sussex are poorly funded in comparison to those in many other parts of England. On Page 2 you will find
an Open Letter written and signed by the 37 Secondary Headteachers in West Sussex that appeared in the West Sussex
County Times and may have appeared as an extract in the Mid Sussex Times. West Sussex is the fourth worst funded
authority in the country due to an outdated grant system from central government and, in addition, West Sussex County
Council contribute the lowest spend on education from the rates. With Downlands fifth worst in County it really tests our
ability to maintain the outstanding education and opportunities we provide for all our pupils. This is certainly going to get
worse over the next few years with wage and pension increases not being matched by any increase in school budgets. I find
it blatantly unfair that your child’s education in a state school is funded less than a child anywhere else in the country. Some
schools even in West Sussex of a similar size can have upwards of 1 million more than we receive.
I am hoping to meet with Nick Herbert MP in the near future following his election victory to take this unacceptable policy up
with him again. His response to my questions at the official launch of our solar panels recognised this injustice but the
government were not set to change it until there was an upturn in the country’s economy! He assured me that all of the West
Sussex Conservative MP’s have been lobbying their party for years with little success of putting this injustice right. We will
also be lobbying the West Sussex cabinet members to look at what West Sussex puts into education from its own coffers.
The government, Local Authority and Ofsted hold all schools to account for improving outcomes for all pupils and compare
all schools through League tables, but should we be compared with schools who have so much more money and
consequently resources to do the same work?
I do want to reassure you that the school and governing body are extremely resourceful and keep a tight control on our ever
diminishing funds to make sure we prioritise the teaching and additional support for pupils, ensuring our outcomes are as
good as possible for every child. It does, however, mean that other desirable resources, buildings, décor, and new
equipment may have to be put on a planned rolling programme over many years. It is a dispiriting situation especially
coupled with the amount of money that has been pledged into opening more Free Schools and Academies by this
government.
I would welcome all parents support in writing to their elected MP to raise this matter as I am sure you are as concerned as I
am that your child is being treated so unfairly despite contributing your equal share of the countries taxes!
Rose Hetherton, Headteacher
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
Secondary Headteachers in West Sussex have written an open letter to the West Sussex County
Times expressing their concern regarding educational funding in the county. This letter is printed
below in its entirety:
“Why are the children of West Sussex worth less than nearly all other children in England when it comes to
educational funding? This is the question that the 37 secondary Headteachers of West Sussex are asking.
Most readers will be staggered to read that if their child goes to school in some parts of England, they will
be funded at levels up to 60% more than those in West Sussex. We believe an outdated grant system is to
blame which has not been tackled by a succession of governments. The end result is that the children of
West Sussex are not being treated fairly. This means that most secondary schools in West Sussex must
struggle with resources which are simply not sufficient for the job they are expected to do.
Analysis by the Association of School and College Leaders suggests the poorest-funded schools such as
those in West Sussex will receive £1.9m less than the best-funded in the next year. The ASCL analysis
shows that schools in the 10 best-funded areas will on average receive grants of £6,297 per pupil in 201516, compared with an average of £4,208 per pupil in the 10 most poorly funded areas. West Sussex is the
4th worst funded authority out of the 154 authorities. These differences in funding levels mean that for a
typical secondary school of 920 students, this equates to a budget of £5.8m in the best-funded areas and
£3.9m in the most poorly funded, such as West Sussex - a difference of £1.9m. This is enough to pay the
total costs - salaries and pension contributions - of an additional 40 full-time teachers. The consequence for
students in West Sussex is clear. If there is less money per student to run a school they will be taught in
larger classes, with fewer options and a diminished wider provision than students in better funded counties.
This will impact both on the next stage of their education, as well as their employment prospects.
As Headteachers we are keen to engage with politicians of all parties to address this situation urgently. We
believe an outdated grant system is to blame and school funding has become a postcode lottery. In West
Sussex, schools receive inadequate funding because of a historic grant system that does not work. This
means that many schools in West Sussex must struggle with resources which are simply not sufficient for
the job they are expected to do.
The problem becomes potentially catastrophic over the next two years as additional costs are passed to
schools with no increases in budget. A school of 1000 students will be expected to reduce costs by around
£250,000 over the next two years. When our schools are funded so poorly this can only be done by
reducing staffing and so increasing class sizes.
As a group of Headteachers, we have written to our local MPs to ask to meet with them urgently. It is critical
they understand the inequity in the funding system so that they are able to support the cause of fair funding
for West Sussex students.”
Important Dates Next Half Term
End of Term Arrangements
Monday 1 June 2015 - return to school as normal
Friday 12 June 2015 - Year 10 Reports to Parents
Monday 15 June - Saturday 20 June 2015—Downlands Literary Festival
Friday 19 June 2015 - Year 11 Prom
Saturday 27 June 2015 - Hassocks Fayre at Downlands 11am-4pm including The Downlands
Creative Arts & Textiles Exhibition (part of the Hassocks Open Houses)
Tuesday 30 June 2015 - PE Awards Evening
Thursday 2 July 2015 - Year 6 Parents Evening
Thursday 9 July 2015 - Science Fayre (details to follow)
Friday 10 July 2015 - Year 7 Reports to Parents
Thursday 16 July 2015 - Awards Evening
Monday 20 July 2015 - Tuesday 21 July 2015 - Enrichment Days
Wednesday 22 July 2015—Last Day of the summer term
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The end of term arrangements for
Wednesday 22 July 2015 will be as follows:
8.50– 9am
9.00-9.45 am
9.45-10.30am
10.30-11.10am
11.10-11.25am
11.25-12 noon
12.00-12.40 pm
1.10-1.25pm
1.10-1.25pm
1.25pm
Registration
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
BREAK
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
LUNCH
Registration &
Tutor Time
School dismissed
by Heads of Year
DOWNLANDS NEWS
Art Department News
Downlands Community School – Year 7
Art project – Poly printing. Response to
the theme of Birds for Brighton Arts
Festival 2015
GCSE Art & Textiles Trip to Paris
20 pupils in Years 10 and 11 visited Paris
as part of their GCSE Art or Textiles. Pupils visited Montparnasse Tower,
the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Pompidou Centre and enjoyed a cruise
on the River Seine. Pupils spent time sketching and photographing the
beautiful architecture and art work of Paris as well as enjoying the local
culture and cuisine. Ms Moss, Ms Hambly-Walker and Mr Kingstone
would like to thank all pupils involved in the trip. Prizes were awarded to
Emmie Rose for Best Photograph and Emily Buckman for Best
Sketchbook.
Hassocks Artists’ Open Houses
This year the Year 11 Art and Textiles exhibition will be part of the Hassocks
Open House Trail on Saturday 27 June. Pupils will also be exhibiting as part of
the Open Houses in the Purple Carrot Café in Hassocks. Please show your
support for our young artists at these events!
The National Students’ Art Exhibition with the Royal British Artists
Last year Louis Eager’s art work was accepted to be exhibited at this prestigious event. This year the following
pupils are entering; Ella Raby, Rachel Dickinson, Joe Harris, Maria Gureeva, Justine Rykiel, Jade Birch, Meg
Miller, Hannah Forman, Connie Bass and Maisy Banks. We will know by the end of June who has been
accepted. Good luck!
Ex Downlands pupil accepted into Chelsea School of Fine Art!
Magda Bullivant has been offered a degree place at Chelsea School of Fine Art. There
were over 3,000 applicants. Magda has been accepted straight from A Level which is
very unusual as art students are expected to complete a foundation course before
applying for an art degree. There were only two places available for pupils who had not
completed a foundation art course. The Art department would like to offer Magda their
congratulations!
Year 9 Exhibition at the Towner Gallery
15 Downlands Year 9 pupils are currently exhibiting their work at the Towner Gallery of
Contemporary Art in Eastbourne. Pupils were asked to produce a 3D piece of work inspired
by the built environment of the South Downs. Pupils visited The Downlands & Weald Open
Air Museum and chose a building on which to base their work. The houses were then
exhibited on stilts with flickering candles inside to represent open fires. Pupils, parents and
Ms Moss attended the private view on 26 March at the gallery. Downlands pupils work even
got a mention in the opening speeches! Well done to everyone who took part and don’t
forget if you are doing GCSE Art, it forms part of your coursework! The exhibition runs until
31 May 2015.
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
News from Year 7
After two and a half terms of being at Downlands I am delighted to report that the year group are displaying a
great deal of talent and commitment. We have celebrated the sporting achievements of the girls netball, boys
football, basketball and rugby. Just have a look at the PE page and you will see what a great deal of sporting
talent there is within the year group.
The Year 7s have done a fabulous job in the Creative Arts department with
memorable performances in the Wizard of Oz, Battle of the Bands and the Spring
Concert. Their contribution to the Brighton Festival is also on the Arts page of this
newsletter. We also celebrated the year 7 bake sale for Comic Relief in which four
girls from 7AK gave their time and raised over £75 one Friday break. Additionally,
you will have read in the last newsletter about the year group success in the Year
7 Banger competition, run in association with Budgens. The sale of these
sausages designed by our clever students raised over £450, money which will go
back to the Food Technology department and purchase equipment.
As parents, you will have received your child’s target grades as well as their progress reports. I hope you
found the Parent Consultation evening informative as well. End of year exams and curriculum enrichments
are a prominent feature of next term too. Finally, as well as wishing all students and parents a restful half term
break, I would like to thank parents for their continued support in ensuring that students arrive for school each
day in correct uniform looking smart.
Mr P Norton (Head of Year 7)
French Exchange Trip - L’Echange Scolaire
Year 8 pupils arrived home yesterday from the first “leg” of the exchange with
Montmirail, in the Champagne region of France.
Pupils were even speaking French this morning in the canteen queue and parents
have joined them in their enthusiastic appreciation of how it’s all going so far.
It can, of course, be a highly daunting prospect arriving in a foreign country with
what feels like very limited language skills, yet after a relatively short time everyone
was realising that non-verbal sign language, lots of smiling and shrugging as well as
actual French sentences were proving successful.
Parents comments so far: “It’s a fantastic thing” that they’ve done this, it’s a
“magical experience”, I’ve never seen him so happy”, she “had a fantastic time away and has been telling us
loads of great stories all evening. She has made a great friend in France and the host family were very kind to
her”.
We are really looking forward to welcoming Mme Barthel and Mme Foulon with the French pupils from 2 June.
Ms Methol - Modern Foreign Languages
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
PE Department News
Football: Year 7 Boys Football Team has had a great season. After an
unbeaten run, they have been promoted from Division 2 to Division 1 and the
boys got to the Semi Final of the Mid Sussex Cup. They then went on to win
the Brighton & Hove District Cup beating Hove Park School in a 5:0 action
packed game. The year 7 squad is Charlie Jones, Angus Hill, Adam Lindo, Ed
Turns, Alfie Baldock, Matt Holmes, Josh Hickingbotham, Dexter Webb, Shay
Leahy, Oli Munt, Cameron West and Sam Wright.
Year 8 Boys also had a very successful season . They were unbeaten in Division 2 but lost the playoff final.
They were also runners up in the Mid Sussex District cup Final.
Year 11 boys Football Team also reached the semi final of the Brighton Cup.
Rugby: U15s Girls Rugby Team Well done to the U15 Girls Rugby Team who
came 11th out of the whole country at the National Rugby Finals last weekend!
They played 5 games in total. The team enjoyed a lot of possession and
defended really well. Aimee Porter and Ella Head both scored a try. The squad
then went on to watch the Army v Navy at Twickenham and had a great day!
Athletics success: congratulations to Sam Chard, Josh Hawkins, Toby Hawkins
and Zara Ball who have all qualified to represent Sussex in their individual
disciplines.
The summer months mean a new season for stool ball, rounders, athletics and cricket - both girls and boys
teams are looking forward to a busy schedule and we wish them luck in all their games.
We are proud of the success the PE department is having and would like to build on this for the next season.
We would like to buy new kits and equipment. If you or perhaps someone you know would like to sponsor a kit
or make a contribution to the PE department, please email [email protected]. Thanks for your
continued support.
Downlands Association News
The big event of the year is fast approaching and preparations are in their final stages for the
Hassocks Fayre at Downlands
The Downlands Creative Arts & Textiles Exhibition 2015
The Downlands Dash (with the Burgess Hill Runners)
Keep the day free for fun in the sunshine!
Saturday 27 June 2015
11am - 4pm
Main Attraction: The Xtreme Stunt Show
Sideshows include: Dog Agility Show, Energy Assault Course, Go Karts, Skittles Alley, Beat the Goalie with
Chelsea FC, Harris Fair, Morris Dancing, Last Man Standing, Burgess Hill Bonfire Society Rumblers.
Other Stalls: Knights Ice Cream, Hells Grill, Loaded Loaves, Johns Jams, Maid 4 Mum Toys, Forever Living,
Candy Floss & Sweets, Jacket Potatoes, Beer Tent, Guinness & Pimms Tent and lots more!
Please contact the Burgess Hill Runners for more information about the Downlands Dash.
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
Downlands Literary Festival 2015
During the week of 15 - 20 June, Downlands Community School is
holding its inaugural Literary Festival. Partly funded by The National
Lottery, the week-long celebration of reading, writing and performing
literary works has been designed to appeal to the whole community!
From the FREE Park Read event (with a fantastical Storytelling Journey performed by local actors) held in
Adastra Park; to the READING CHAMPIONS evening designed to get reluctant and non-readers back into books
- led by renowned author Dan Friedman and Brighton and Hove Albion FC; to the Big Book Swap (with
donations to the Disaster Emergency Committee), there’s something for everyone. For further details on each of
these events, look out for details in emails from school, visit our website and/or Facebook page and look out for
adverts in the local press.
During school time, we will be holding an internal Whole School Book Swap, a Readathon, a Spelling Challenge
and various writing workshops. We have organized visits from a poet, several authors and a journalist who will
help The Buzz team (our school magazine) report on the Festival events professionally.
The Festival will culminate in our celebratory Gala Dinner on Friday 3 July (Gala is from the Old French gale,
meaning “rejoicing”, which is exactly what we’ll be doing), with invitations extended to all students who have
performed exceptionally throughout the period.
We’re looking forward to a scintillating Summer celebrating all things literary – please join us by supporting as
many of the events and activities as possible!
“Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s educational success
than their family’s socio-economic status”
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Expedition season began with two local practice expeditions which resulted in several groups
learning a lot more about areas they thought they “knew” whilst performing “extended navigation”
and discovering there is more than one phone box in Mid-Sussex. Others discovered that putting a tent up in a strong wind
can be quite a lengthy business requiring help from team mates! The Assessed Expedition season started in May with all
groups planning visits to The New Forest to test their skills in less familiar surroundings. Two strong teams of Year 10 girls
demonstrated some excellent navigation, camp craft, timekeeping and teamwork and kept the staff busy check-pointing all
over the New Forest. The weather was perfect for walking and camping and the teams set a high standard for others to
follow. For the assessed expeditions this year all groups camped at New Park near Brockenhurst which has basic facilities
and is situated well for access to the forest routes and seeing the amazing Bluebell woods. The final groups of Bronze
participants are due to complete their ventures in the next few weeks. Well done everybody!
Good camp craft and teamwork are the secret of success. Many important lessons were learned
during these trips…. Top tips this year include:-“Never assume that someone else in the group is
navigating while you are singing!” “Don't forget your insect repellent!” “Make sure you have your
pegs!!”“Climbing hills can be hard work!!” “Damp ground doesn’t dry things too well!!” All
participants now need to get their diary of their expeditions handed in as soon as possible in
order to get this section signed off. All other aspects of the Award continue apace with many of
the current Year 10 participants having almost completed their Community Service, Skills and
Physical Recreation sections. Again these need signing off and logbooks brought into school so that they can be signed off
for uploading as evidence on the website. Any Year 9 students who are interested in taking part next year should attend the
information meeting after half term and follow the guidelines in order to secure a place. Numbers participating next year will
be limited due to reduced numbers of qualified staff and changes to County policy which means that casual one – off
volunteer supervision is no longer permitted. Prospective Year 9 participants should think carefully about whether the Award
is really something that THEY wish to do and not just sign up for the wrong reasons. Honest commitment and effort will be
required to do well and succeed. Listen out for details in assembly and in tutor time via the bulletin. Finally I would like to
thank Mrs Cochrane , Mr Berrick, Mr Gorbell, Mrs Cutress and Mrs Moller for all their continued support and hard work
helping train and supervise the Bronze groups.
Mr S Triggs Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme Coordinator
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
Fire Break!
Congratulations to Sian Ackers, Callie Allison and Charlotte Hodge for a
fantastic Firebreak week and pass-out. The girls were lucky to be
chosen to spend the week with West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service in
Haywards Heath learning a number of useful life skills, including gaining
a Heart Start First Aid certificate and learning a number of fire fighting
teamwork drills. The pass-out ceremony was brilliant! Well done girls,
you did yourselves proud!
Science News
Year 9 students competed in the “Slot Car Challenge” hosted by Brighton
University and organised by STEM Sussex. The students came a
respectable 3rd. Tom Wright, Tom Bulled, Tor Nielsen, Rory Blamire, Wilf
Wilson, Chris Hill, Rory Rayland, Will Stafford, Joe Holland-Villa, Sam
Barker then went on to compete at Ricardo’s Shoreham Technical Centre
in a schools Institution of Mechanical Engineering Antweight Robotics
Challenge, also organised by STEM Sussex, which they won! Well done
to all!
Eco School News
As the final half term of the year approaches we have the opportunity to celebrate several
achievements. Following a visit from the eco assessor at the end of March, once again we
were successful in our Green Flag renewal. Only a handful of senior schools in West Sussex
have been awarded Green flag status and the whole school including the Eco Committee
and Eco Club are to be congratulated on this achievement. At Downlands we are fortunate
that Mrs Hetherton and the senior management team are very much behind some of the new
initiatives such as the reduction in energy use, purchase of improved recycling bins and other
welcome additions to our school environment – extra picnic benches, table tennis tables and
a quiet garden area next to the library to name but a few. The date for Downlands to renew
Eco Status is now a little way off in 2017.
of our teachers showing off the
We were very excited to play a small part in the project to install solar panels at Oneeco
status flag – Can you guess
Downlands. Our short film 'the Solar Revolution' (title cleverly coined by Owen
who it is?
Charlton) was played at 'HKD's launch of the Solar Panel Project and several of
the eco club members were present – notably, Michael Rose, Andrew Budgen, Sian
Ackers and Lauren Gallacher
Eco club continues to meet on week 1, Wednesday lunchtimes and we have been up to a
variety of things. This spring we have replaced some of the trees in Half Century Wood
that had not survived the difficult first few years. We have recently been joined by Ms
Gaymer and a small but enthusiastic bunch of year 7 students who plan to detail some of
the eco achievements at Downlands and then exchange their findings with students at
Ellen Sharma School in Chennai. India.
Once again we took part in ‘Switch off Fortnight’. Over the space of two weeks we turned
lights and Smart boards off across the school during break and lunch. This spring we
introduced the 'Free your Feet' campaign which encouraged students to walk to school a
little more than normal. Congratulations to George Fenton from 8RRo who
Michael Rose and Owen Charlton
planting trees in Half Century Wood,
won the £50 voucher in the free draw and to Ms MacDonald the tutor who won
the £20 voucher for encouraging and logging her students extra walking activities.
'Healthy eating week' takes place after the half term break and students our school canteen hope to introduce
even more healthy options. Thanks as always to Val and the canteen staff for their hard work and support.
For any more information about what we have been up to or intend to do in the future, you could read copies of
the eco committee minutes, available on the school website and we also hope to make more use of our own
Downlands eco school twitter feed! – for more details see @ecodownlands.
Mr P Cole
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DOWNLANDS NEWS
Other News About Our Fantastic Students
Year 9 student, Tom Brennan was crowned 'Sussex Speedway Champion' at Arlington
Stadium on Sunday 12 April. An experienced speedway competitor, Tom has won the 125cc
and 150cc British championship finals in 2012, 2014 and is a 4 times British Champion on
grass track and speedway combined. Tom has now been nominated to ride in the World
250cc Championships in France this August, representing Great Britain. Congratulations
Tom, what a fantastic achievement
Congratulations to Georgia Langston in Year 7, a member of the English team,
who won the World Baton Twirling Championships in Lignano Sabbiadoro,
Italy! Despite being the youngest English contestant in her age division, she
followed up on her 2014 European success by once again achieving the highest
solo placing in the English camp. The team won the world title beating the USA
and Italy, claiming the title for England for the first time in 19 years! Well done
Georgia!
Basketball: Great news! Jake Lee-Smith, Dom Pay and Josh
Hickingbotham have all made this years U13 Sussex Basketball team.
Archie Hill has made the U15 Sussex Basketball Team. Archie also
plays for Worthing Thunder who won the National Championships at
the English Institute of Sport on Sunday 3 May 2015.
Congratulations to Year 11 students JP Horn, Kieran Carter and George
Fisher who all graduated from the Sussex Country Cricket Youth Coaching
Academy at the weekend. It was long and tough day but well worth it in the
end!
Congratulations to Adam Davies in Year 8 who took part in the Sussex Rising Stars
Badminton tournament and won the U14 singles. He and Josh Dummer were also runners
up in the U14 doubles and Josh will compete in the U12 competition next weekend, so
fingers crossed for him in that too.
The Downlands Showjumping team had another successful competition and all girls came
away with rosettes at the Great Bookham Equestrian Centre, Dorking on Sunday 26
April. The 80cm team, Georgia Downs (clear), Grace Hill (8 faults) and Ella Head
( Eliminated) had a very difficult slippery course after the mornings rain and came 5th.
Georgia Downs did the 90cm class and just had an unfortunate pole down to finish 9th.
Abigail Johnson went later in the day to do the Grass Roots Qualifier and won both the
60cm and 70cm class.
Page 8
Caterlink encourages Healthy Eating at Downlands
Every time a student uses his/her finger print to purchase food in the school
canteen, their choices are logged away. Once a half term the staff at Caterlink have
a look and decide who has made the healthiest choices. Students are then
rewarded with a £10 voucher– congratulations to all these students Freddie Stuart,
Billy Twigge-Molecy, Sarah Chapman, Aisha Alfoldi, Oliver Tagarsi, Will Hamey,
Poppy Keywood-Whittle, Georgina Booker, Django Watkins, Anneka Kelly Noakes,
Kiera Knight and Jaz Palmer.
IMPORTANT Message from Pupil Services

Please make sure all your child's belongings are named. We only have limited
storage space, so after a term, anything unclaimed is recycled.

If you are late to school, for whatever reason, you must sign in at Pupil Services. It
doesn't necessarily mean that you will receive a detention.

Please look after your locker key - lost locker keys cost £4 to replace.
Thank you
Mrs Burt in Pupil Services
IMPORTANT Message from the Medical Room



Please remember to keep the medical room updated of any changes in your children's
medical conditions. Your children's welfare whilst in school depends on this
information being up-to-date.
Please ensure that your emergency contact details are current. If you have moved
home, have a new mobile number or your work number has changed please
remember to let us know, we need to be able to contact you in an emergency or if your
child is unwell.
Please remember not to send your children into school if they have sickness or diarrhoea. You should
keep your child at home for 48 hours after their last episode of sickness or diarrhoea.
Finally, with the grass pollen season in full swing, could we remind parents/carers that if your child suffers from
hay fever or a related summer allergy, to prevent any unnecessary discomfort in school, could all parents please
insure that their child be given any relevant medication at home before the school day commences.
Many thanks
Mrs Pryor in the Medical Room
Stop Press

Good luck to the 14 Year 7 students who are sitting their Mensa exam this week!

Downlands Community School has been shortlisted in two categories of the
Argus Youth In Action Education Awards 2015. We are delighted that
Peter Bullivant, who has represented Downlands in so many sports, has
been shortlisted for the Sportsperson of the Year Award. Not only active at
school, Peter is one of the best skiers in his age group in the country. We
have also been shortlisted in the Community School of the Year Award category. We are particularly proud of being
shortlisted in this category as the community is at the heart of everything we believe in. The awards ceremony is on
Sunday 14 June at the Sussex County Cricket Ground. Fingers crossed!

Congratulations to Freddy Coleman, Poppy Haward, Chris Hill, Josh Hickingbotham, Ed Hamey, Ben Tagarsi, Charlie
Clayton and Freddy Finch who represented the school in the Butler Cup Chess Competition. After a very hard fought
and tense afternoon, we won The Sussex Junior Chess Shield, beating Copthorne Prep in the final! Well done!
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DOWNLANDS NEWS - Community Page
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