NEWSLETTER
April 2017
Dear Parents/Carers
We are always trying to improve communication from school to parents and as a result are looking at a
new system this month which will enable us to send out group emails more effectively. It is therefore
imperative that we have the correct email address for you. If you have not already provided the
school with an email address please email [email protected]
Please see below for a list of forthcoming events. These may be subject to change and further events
may be added:
Event
Date
School Contact
Ski Trip Easter holidays
Junior Maths Challenge
Bank Holiday – school closed
Bag2School Collection
Car Boot Sale
FOPS meeting at Bentleys 7pm
Bingo night – in school
GCSEs Start
Sports Tour
7th April – 15th April 2017
27th April 2017
1st May 2017
3rd May 2017
7th May 2017
10th May 2017
12th May 2017
15th May 2017
18th May 2017
Mr Nicholls
Mrs Stevens
FOPS
FOPS
FOPS
FOPS
Mrs Pitt
Mrs Crowe
We return to school on Monday 24th April 2017.
Raising the Bar with Behaviour
Many parents who I talk to are very supportive of our initiatives with behaviour. Behaviour at Pittville
is excellent and will remain so. We have raised the bar with our students and have drawn some very
clear lines in the sand. Further details can be found in the policy section of our website and also on
the parents’ page.
Easter Revision
There are a number of revision sessions taking place for Y11 during the school holidays. I know these
will be well attended by students. Y11 students need to keep up the hard work as we move closer to
their final examinations in the summer.
KS3/4 Consultation Events
These again proved very popular and feedback from surveys was overwhelmingly positive. We are
currently reviewing the event, particularly the use of the format for KS4. If you would like to pass on
any comments please email these to the school’s email address [email protected]
Attendance
We continue to work hard as a school to raise the profile of attendance and the link between good
attendance and excellent performance at GCSE. It is vitally important that we continue to work in
partnership with parents to ensure that our attendance remains high so that students continue to make
excellent progress at Pittville.
School Uniform
We have a new school uniform provider. Universal Uniform Limited who are based in Kingsditch. This
is in addition to the current suppliers School Togs. They have agreed to sponsor the school with some
athletics vests which students are currently designing in conjunction with our DT department.
Summer Uniform
Summer polo shirts can be worn after Easter. They can be purchased from School Togs and from our
new supplier Universal Uniform Limited.
SPOZ
On Friday 27th January we played host to ‘Giovanni Spoz Esposito’, the poet laureate. Year 8 had an
amazing day of group work, slam poetry and fun with words!
Capellas
The Capellas performed at the Gloucestershire Citizenship Ceremony on the 7th March. They
performed in front of representatives of HM Queen Elizabeth and people who gained citizenship from
13 countries and their families. The girls who performed were:
Reanna Baikie, Phoebe Bowen, Sofia Culliford, Jessica Dunn, Lucy Griffin, Holly Powell, Rebecca
Thomas and Leah Wright.
Maths Challenge Success
2 students are going through to the next round of the Maths Challenge – Luke Smith and Penny
Cleevely both from year 9. The next round is later this month. We wish them all the best of luck.
Well done to both students.
Parking
Please may we request that parents do not park on the pavement of Albert Road at dropping off or
pick up time. We have received a number of complaints from motorists that this obscures their view.
If you are dropping off or collecting please use our top car park.
Art Boards
A group of students have been working on some art boards at Gloucester Royal Hospital. They are
now in place. Hopefully, we will continue to work with the hospital to produce more artwork.
Reitaku School Visit
On the 28th February we played host to a group of 40 students and their teachers from Reitaku School
in Tokyo. They were on a visit to England organised by Inlingua of Cheltenham. The Japanese
students met their Year 9 and 10 student 'hosts' and were given a tour of the school. They then took
part in a question and answer session where both sets of students found out about each other's school
and culture. The visiting students spent two lessons in various faculties to get a taste of what an
English school is like. At the end of the day the visitors performed songs and gave a presentation to
Year 8 students and their hosts. Students were then able to try various cultural games such as Shuji
(Japanese Calligraphy), Origami (paper craft) and Hanetsuki (badminton with wooden paddles and a
shuttlecock).
Eden Project
As part of the KS3 curriculum, we took a group of students to the Eden Project in Cornwall. This trip
linked in with our unit on ecosystems which students are studying this term. The Eden Project can
offer an educational experience that will bring this unit to life. Students remarked on how different the
plants and wildlife were. Students got to experience the Eden Project both during the day and at night.
Readathon
Our annual sponsored reading event! Readathon motivates reluctant readers to give reading a go,
and keen readers to read more widely. It works because children choose what they want to read –
they are not being assessed, it’s all about reading for fun. Students in years 7, 8 and 9 were set a
reading target and could do extra reading during tutor time or at the end of lessons. Last year we
raised £650! Will update with the final figure for this year when known.
Bugsy Malone
Bugsy rehearsals are in full swing and the show is coming together nicely. The students remain excited
and enthusiastic and this really does promise to be a great show! We are now collecting props and
costumes in preparation for the performance and are nearly there but are lacking 1920s style dresses if you have anything you would like to donate that may be suitable, please hand it in to reception for
the attention of Miss Dring. Thank you.
PE Updates
The PE department has been busy as usual with netball, football, rugby and hockey fixtures. The
annual house football competition took part this term for KS3 with Abbott and Aston joint first in terms
of results. After Easter, Y10 will play their matches, which may make a difference to the overall final
results.
Y11 had their practical moderation last week and hugely impressed the moderator. She was extremely
complimentary of our school and the students’ behaviour, conduct and talent.
Friends Of Pittville School
In addition to the events already mentioned you can support FOPs with Easy Fundraising and My
School Lottery. Both are really easy and quick to set up and participate in. Full details can be found
on the FOPs section of the school website.
Chess Tournament
The 2017 Pittville Chess tournament is in full flow after four weeks of hotly contested matches. Esha
Patel (Y8) has been crowned the Year 7/8 champion and is eagerly awaiting for the Year 9/10/11
section to finish so that she can see who she will face in the grand final! The tournament has grown in
popularity and some of the games have been witnessed by big crowds of excited fans.
Staff Leavers and Appointments
This term we say goodbye to Rachel Lewis, assistant headteacher and Sendco who has gained
promotion to deputy headship. The impact Rachel has had on SEND provision has been well
documented. All that remains is for me to thank Rachel for all she has contributed to the development
of Pittville over the last 4 years and to wish her all the very best in her new position.
Emily Bottell will be joining as Sendco from 24th April, 3 days each week until half term when she will
be joining us full time.
Have a good Easter.
Very best wishes.
Mr Gilpin
Headteacher