HEADTEACHER’S NEWSLETTER
3 December 2014
Dear Parent/Carer
Year 13 Charity Event
Theory and practice were combined to demonstrate not just the ability of our senior students
but also their sense of responsibility when our Year 13 Business Studies students organised
a 1920s themed black-tie dinner with live jazz and various fund-raising activities last
week. Subject to final confirmation the students have raised approximately £2,000 for
Teenage Cancer Trust. All the attendees, which included past and present parents, could not
have been more complimentary on the professionalism of the girls and how proud we must be
of them. Needless to say, we are very proud of each of them: Sophie Barnett, Sophie Khan,
Hannah Peel, Katie Harding, Sarah Byford, Elise Jones, Ruby Hart and Shannon Bradley.
Well done.
This success came on the heels of an equally successful evening of mystery and music for
over 110 guests held at Crewe Hall last month. The event was a roaring success, all in aid of
the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent. Members of the group Megan Allcock, Megan
Rolfe, Harry Cain, Gabby Fabrizio, Becky Hopley and Ellie Gunner spent months planning the
Masquerade Ball to the most professional standard possible - which was achieved. Guests
were greeted with a live band courtesy of our very own Jazz band whilst they socialised in the
foyer before entering the continental suite. The wonderful Out of the Blues band then
performed as the hot buffet meal was served. The raffle and auction raised a total of £1,380;
with top prizes being a 4 night holiday in Spain and an Audi hire for the weekend.
The team did exceptionally well and all feedback has been positive with many guests
requesting the event to be held sometime again in the future! Overall the group raised over
£2000 for CLIC Sargent to help the lives of children suffering with cancer by providing clinical,
practical, financial and emotional support to them and their families so they can get the most
out of life.
These were ambitious events and rather than being overwhelmed by the high expectations
they had set themselves, the students demonstrated resilience throughout and approached
challenges with energy and optimism. The success of the evenings are a testament to their
hard work and their striking desire to achieve the best they can. Congratulations.
Victoria Gower Year 11
As our local Member of the Young Parliament, Victoria recently spent a day in the debating
chambers at Westminster. Mr McGrath set her the task of demanding extra funds for school
buildings but we will have to wait to see if she had any success! Whatever, Victoria found the
day to be inspirational and perhaps we have a future MP or MEP in our sights? Well done.
School Jazz Band
Thanks and congratulations are due to Miss Lawrence and the Jazz Band who earned
rave reviews following their recent performance at the Lyceum Theatre, Crewe. The
band performed in the foyer before the Sing for Your Heart Concert setting the scene
for the concert itself led by the Crewe Male Voice Choir who wrote celebrating the
performance.
Life without levels
As you will be aware, as part of Government educational reforms, National Curriculum levels
will no longer be used from September 2015. This means that students in primary schools and
KS3 of secondary schools will not be given, for example, level 5H, or an end of key stage
target, or an end of key stage level. Schools will choose their own methods to track progress
and report to parents.
We are keen to be at the forefront of these changes and so have already started to adapt the
way we assess in our school in preparation for next year. In order to ensure that we have a
rigorous, robust and effective assessment structure that supports students to make good or
excellent progress at every step of their learning journey throughout KS3 and KS4, we are
running a pilot scheme with Year 8 in English, Maths, PE, MFL and History from January 2015.
This will be monitored and evaluated throughout, ready for full launch across all KS3 classes in
September 2015.
Life after levels means that we can plan progressive assessment criteria that students will be
assessed on throughout years 7-11, preparing them for their GCSE exams under the new
GCSE frameworks. Further to previous contact, an information evening is to be held at 5.00pm
on Wednesday 3 December for Year 8 parents
Uniform – with effect from September 2015
Our uniform has broadly gone unchanged since its introduction in 1960 when the school first
opened. We have made a few refinements over the years; namely, the demise of the school
tie and consequent introduction of the blouse.
In response to comments from parents, students and Governors a uniform working party was
set up with the various stakeholders being represented. Their findings have been accepted
by Governors who have asked that we now consult more widely. The proposals are, I have
to say, very exciting and will bring our uniform in to the twenty first century.
In essence, we are looking at having a blue checked wrap around skirt, navy blue tailored
blazer, and shirt. In response to popular demand the school (clip on) tie will return. For those
wanting to wear trousers there will be a single styled blue trouser available. I have done little
justice to what is being proposed so come along and have your say.
Uniform consultation and information evening Wednesday 21 January 2015 5pm – 7pm.
The new uniform will be introduced for September 2015 when all students in Years 7 – 10 will
be required to wear the new uniform. (Students in Year 11, current Year 10, will be allowed
to continue to wear their existing uniform unless they decide to wear the new version.)
The new uniform will be very competitively priced and will not be any more expensive than our
current uniform and more than likely it should be cheaper.
School Admission arrangements 2016 - 17
Draft Admission arrangements for 2016-2017 were approved by Governors at their meeting
held on 2 December 2014. There are two key changes associated with clarification of our
admission arrangements for students into the Sixth Form and an increase to 100 for the
number of external students that may be admitted into Year 12. To ensure full
compliance with regulations relating to admissions we are embarking on an 8
week period of consultation which concludes Friday 6 February 2015. A full
version of the draft Admissions Policy for 2016 – 17 can be found on our website.
Any comments should be directed to me at [email protected] to
arrive no late than 12 noon on Friday, 6 February 2015.
Mrs P Thorley
Many parents who are former students of our school will remember with affection Mrs P
Thorley who was Deputy Headteacher for many years. It is with considerable regret that I
have to write that Mrs Thorley died recently after a period of illness. Our thoughts and prayers
are with her family and friends at this sad time.
Behaviour for Learning grades
A number of parents have sought clarification over the use of grades 3 and 4. Please note:

a 3 is awarded when; a student arrives late without good reason, speaks when others
are speaking, takes herself/others off task, is moved due to behaviour, slow to respond
to prompts/instructions or needs reminding, shows negative body language.

a 4 is awarded when; a student is confrontational or shows a lack of respect,
continues to ignore a specific instruction, is sent out of a class room, demonstrates
disruptive behaviour having a negative effect on learning, leaves a room without
permission, or it is necessary due to unacceptable behaviour to call a member of the
School’s Leadership Team.
Needless to say the expectation is that the awarding of threes and fours should be a rare
event.
Shoebox Appeal
A huge thank you is extended to everyone who donated in some way or another to our
Shoebox collection which resulted in us being able to send 135 boxes (just five less than our
record number) to young people in need across the world. Last year, Mrs Milnes’ shoe box,
for example, was received by a young person in Belarus from whom she received a rather
nice 'thank you' in the New Year.
Parent View
In addition to our own annual survey Ofsted are inviting parents to answer 12 key questions
about their children’s schools via their Parent View website. You can register to use this at
http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk using your own e-mail address.
School Growth Plan 2014 - 2017
Your thoughts on the School’s Growth Plan which can be accessed on the School’s website
are invited.
Any comments/suggestions should be sent through to Mrs Cook at
[email protected].
Scaffolding needed for our forthcoming production of Grease
We are in urgent need of some scaffolding for the forthcoming production of Grease. The
platform would need to stand approx. 5 feet high and span the length of the stage along the
back wall, and be around 8 feet wide. If you have any connections with a scaffolding company
and could help us out do please get in touch with Mrs Bennion at
[email protected]?
Our actors and actresses are continuing their rehearsals as we near the performance
dates of Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, 27/28/29 January 2015.
Spirit of Greenpower Lifetime Achievement Award- Greenpower writes:
As an organisation we are constantly amazed at how much people put in to Greenpower.
Teams that travel miles, camp out, book hotels catch up with studies, support other schools,
and give time in holidays to attend exhibitions to support us. Teachers that go more than that
extra mile, supporting their own teams or directly supporting us lending us cars, helping with
technical matters and advising on educational content of the challenge, often giving up days
to use on our behalf. Then there are our volunteers - we estimate over 600 help out every
year, marshals, judges, scrutineers, photographers, race admin, our amazing team of
ambassadors and our trustees. With the new higher profile of the International Final we
thought it was appropriate to thank some of these people properly, to show our real depth of
gratitude for everything not only they, but countless others like them do to help Greenpower
continue our work.
The Spirit of Greenpower has always been a coveted award, one that can reflect many
different aspects of a team's contribution to our events. Sometimes it is a team that has had
every bit of bad luck come their way, other times it is for teams that come to the aid of others.
Sometimes it is for teams that have triumphed in adversity, then again, it may be that the team
have just worked so well on the day and caught the judge’s eye. So when it came to creating
an award for those that have given so much it seemed appropriate that they received a version
of this trophy so the Spirit of Greenpower Lifetime Achievement award was born.
Complete & Utter Chaos - Sandbach High School have long been one of the leading teams in
both IET Formula 24 and 24+. On and off track they have had a huge amount of success,
winning countless heats, raced over 100 races in one car, former champions, incredibly
knowledgeable about their car and its workings (as judged at this year's final) and the team
has had 18 girls go on to study STEM degrees, with ten of these being Mechanical
Engineering. The team have also been amazing ambassadors for us, attending countless
exhibitions (anything north of Watford, they'll be there), supportive of other teams new and
old. They also continue to support the team and us after they leave the school, with Nikki
Jones and Lauren Davies being two recent notable examples. We would like to thank all the
team for everything they bring to Greenpower.
Congratulations are due to CAUC!
CAUC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bjdZjuVbbzc
If you haven’t already seen this video recorded at the recent Rockingham meeting, I
recommend a viewing as it really sums up a race day and with their hugely impressive portfolio,
photos and video interviews with team members will make for very eye catching presentations
to potential sponsors of our electric car team.
The spirit of Christmas
Our Christmas Candlelight Journey takes place next week on Wednesday 10 December at
7pm. Tickets, priced £5, are on sale until Thursday 4 December so if you are planning to
attend, please get them sooner rather than later! Tickets can be reserved by calling the school
on 01270 765031 and picked up and paid for on the night. Please be aware the journey of
music and reading goes outside and as such, warm clothing will be required, concluding with
congregational carols and mince pies in the Main Hall – come along and enjoy what will be a
really emotional and enjoyable evening
Do you know where your daughter is, with whom and what she is doing?
As we approach the holiday period especially please can I remind parents to reinforce to all
their children the importance of being vigilant over personal safety both in terms of their
physical security as well as their virtual safety when accessing the internet/social media
sites?
There are some very unpleasant characters in the world and as many parents already do we
need to ensure that the safety of our children remains a priority both when in sight as well as
out of sight. A useful link for further information on helping to sustain safety in the virtual
world is:
http://www.theparentzone.co.uk/parent/information/digital_parenting
Thank you and best wishes
With everything that remains to be completed between now and the end of term it is hard to
believe that Christmas is barely three weeks off. Without tempting fate, I should like to take
this opportunity in what is expected to be my last Newsletter of 2014 to thank you for the
support you have given to our school over the last 12 months.
Similarly I should like to extend a very public thank you to all of my colleagues; teachers and
support staff alike as well as the School’s Governors who give so generously of their own time
for their respective contributions to the life of our school and for what they do on behalf of all
the students of this school. Without their commitment and dedication this school would be a
very different place and one lacking the outstanding reputation that they and our students have
collectively earned.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our forthcoming events not least at what is traditionally
an inspiring Christmas Carol Service that takes place on Tuesday, 16 December at St Mary’s
Church in Sandbach, starting at 7.00pm. However if you are unable to join us for a celebration
of music, drama and readings, please, do not hesitate to contact me if you have concerns or
issues you would like to share with me – [email protected]
I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and happiness and health for the New Year.
Yours sincerely
J M Leigh
Headteacher
A selection of forthcoming events
Thursday, 4 December 12.15 to 1.00pm Year 9 Christmas Fair (parents welcome from
11.15am)
Thursday, 4 December 7.00pm Restaurant open – Christmas Menu below!
Friday, 5 December Staff Training Day – school closed for students
Tuesday, 9 December Chamber Choir busking at the Manchester Christmas Market (5.30 –
7.00pm)
Wednesday, 10 December 7.00pm (change of date) Christmas by Candle Light – see above.
Thursday, 11 December Afterschool visit to the German Market at Birmingham – parents most
welcome to come along
Thursday, 11 December Year 7 attending Alice in Wonderland
Thursday, 11 December 7.00pm Restaurant FULLY BOOKED
Friday, 12 December 12 noon – 2.30pm Senior Citizens lunch and Concert (all tickets
allocated)
Sunday, 14 December Chamber Choir busking at the Manchester Christmas Market (5.30 –
7.00pm)
Tuesday, 16 December 7.00 pm Annual Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, SANDBACH
Friday, 19 December End of Term
Monday, 5 January 2015 Start of Term
4 December
£16.00
7pm sitting - 9pm
BOOKINGS FOR RESTAURANT
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
07876 872880 OR
01270 756897
Christmas Menu
Baked Camembert
with fougasse
***
Cranberry Sorbet
***
Roast Turkey
with all the trimmings
***
Christmas pudding
with homemade brandy sauce
***
Tea & Coffee with Mince Pie Parcels
BOOKINGS NOW BEING
TAKEN TEL:
07876 872881 or
01270 756873