Year 11 Newsletter
FOCUS
Tong
High
School
www.tongschool.co.uk
Hello
Culture and Ethos
At Tong our core purpose is to maximise
the potential of every learner and provide
them with the skills, qualities, qualifications
and opportunities needed to succeed in an
ever-changing world.
At Tong High School, we actively encourage
good behaviour and a positive work ethic.
It is our aim that all students should strive
to do their best and take PRIDE in their
achievements.
As you are aware, this year is a crucial time
in your son/daughter’s academic life.
PRIDE achievement points reward students
who demonstrate positive values of PRIDE
(Positivity, Respect, Innovation, Determination
and Excellence.) Students can gain PRIDE
rewards in lessons, in social time, at after
school clubs or at other activities. The
rewards are logged, accumulated and the
reward is decided and agreed by the students
themselves through the Student Voice
process. Year 11 students have decided this
year they would like their achievement points
to go towards a discount for the Year 11 Prom.
We understand that this final year and the
run up to exams can be scary and stressful
and we want to help prepare students and
ensure they are confident and that nothing
will be able to stop them maximising their
potential and achieving the best possible
grades across all subjects.
Parents and carers play a very important
role in supporting their son/daughter’s
attendance, revision and performance in
exams. Their involvement can make an
enormous difference to their son/
daughter’s overall success.
This specific Year 11 newsletter is designed
to help parents be fully informed, to whole
heartedly support the school and continue
to work alongside us so that your son/
daughter can get the best possible exam
grades this summer.
If you have any questions or further queries
please call 01274 681455 and ask to speak
to the Year 11 team.
Yours sincerely
Mr A.Hirst,
Assistant
Head teacher
We have seen a significant improvement in
culture and ethos, students now have a
determination to achieve and are not
embarrassed to succeed or be rewarded.
So far, 272 Year 11 students have collected
over 13,000 achievement points which is a
massive improvement on last year.
You can find out how many achievement
points your child has achieved by checking in
your child’s learning journal.
All of us value being recognised for hard work
and effort. Therefore, we never underestimate
the power of a simple well done. To support
this staff regularly send postcards home, and
make positive phone calls.
Attendance
Mock Exams
Regular attendance is so important and there is
a clear link between high attendance and high
achievement in terms of student progress and
future exam results.
Mock exams are really important in the
preparation and lead up to the final
exams. The mock exams will start on
3rd/4th December until the 11th
December. Each student will receive a
mock timetable which outlines what the
exams is, where it is and how long for.
It’s not too late! Encourage your son/daughter to
attend school every day from now, until the last
exam. Encourage them to be on time to every
lesson, concentrate in class and make sure they
use the time left in school effectively!
We then suggest that students use
feedback from the mocks to take
confidence that they are on track to achieve,
pinpoint revision areas and motivate
them to make further improvements.
Revision Timetable
We all understand the importance of revision.
Most work hard at it, but we don’t always work
well at it.
It is important that students organise their time
and plan their revision in advance.
In September, we launched our Year 11 revision
classes, these take place every week. The revision
timetable can be found on our website www.tongschool.co.uk/year11
Top Tips for
Students
The Final Countdown – Preparation
It is the final countdown to the final exams. From
January 2016, Year 11 students will only have 17
weeks before the first exam.
We understand that this final year and the run up to
the exams can sometimes be scary and stressful and
we want to help prepare you and ensure that you are
confident and nothing will be able to stop you
maximising your potential and achieving the best
possible grades.
Top Tips
• Do not prevent others from learning and reaching
their potential.
• Follow the advice given by staff and ask questions.
• Use every opportunity to give yourself the best
chance! Lessons, mock exams, revision classes, home
learning, online revision tools, holiday sessions…
Year 11 Super Stars!
The current top three Year 11 students with the most recorded achievement
points are;
1st – Chloe O’Connor - 134
2nd – Connor Devlin – 113
3rd – Luke Neylon - 107
After a fantastic audition, Year 11 student Georgia Cox secured the lead role in
the school’s Christmas production of The Wizard of Oz. Georgia is currently
rehearsing hard for the prestigious role of Dorothy… she even has a pair of
sparkly red shoes! For tickets please speak to the performing arts department.
Year 11 Student Voice Director, Reece Reidy showed his leadership skills to raise
money for Children in Need which included pies in the face for Year 11 Student
Progress Leader, Mrs Haveron. In total Tong raised £674.97. Well done to
everyone involved.
• Use your time at home effectively by creating a
revision timetable - allocate topics to days, and make
sure you have enough time for everything you want
to revise. Balance the time you have available
between your various courses. Do not neglect
courses you find particularly easy or difficult.
• Use alternative ways to revise… Mind Maps, pictures,
test cards, teach your parents the topics, making a
story out of things to remember, making up
acronyms, songs/raps…
• During the week before the examinations (mocks
included) make sure that you get plenty of exercise
and sleep.
• The night before the exam (mock included) make
sure that you have all your examination equipment
ready, make sure you know where to be, which room
and what time and try to do something you really
enjoy doing, try to relax and get an early night.
• Do your best! Be positive – go in to the exam
thinking about passing with good grades.
Look After Yourself
Stock up on brain- boosting foods!
In the run up to the exam period it’s important that you
resist that trip to the fast-food store, it will only make
you feel sluggish. Missed meals and quick food fixes
will all play havoc with your ability to concentrate
and take in information - avoid hunger pangs and
eat regularly!
Oats, eggs, oily fish, tomatoes, sage, melon,
blueberries, blackcurrants, dried fruit, pumpkin seeds
and nuts. It is also important to ensure you stay
hydrated. The NHS recommends we aim to drink
around 1.2 litres of water a day.
It is also important to ensure you get enough sleep to
ensure your body and mind can rest – warm milk and
herbal teas before bed can help you sleep better.