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Change to the timing of the school day

Our consultation process has concluded and the School Governors have decided to implement the change from September 2008.

During the consultation there were only two negative comments. These were taken into account by governors as part of their deliberations. Some of the points that were raised warrant attention and will be addressed by the school.

The normal school day will follow the following pattern:

A.M.     REGISTRATION             FROM....8:50....A.M.     TO.....9:00......A.M.
            LESSON 1                     FROM....9:00….A.M.     TO....10:00.....A.M.
            LESSON 2                     FROM..10:00….A.M.     TO....11:00.....A.M.

            MORNING BREAK          FROM..11:00....A.M.      TO....11:15.....A.M.       
            LESSON 3                      FROM..11:15....A.M.      TO....12:15.....A.M.

LUNCHTIME                               FROM...12:15....A.M.     TO.....1:10......P.M.       

P.M.     REGISTRATION             FROM....1:10....P.M.     TO.....1:15......P.M.       
            LESSON 4                     FROM....1:15....P.M.     TO.....2:15......P.M.
            LESSON 5                     FROM....2:15….P.M.     TO.... 3:15......P.M.

The building work to extend our dining facilities is due to be completed by September 2008, which will mean that we are able to serve more pupils even faster. We are also expanding the range of lunchtime activities available for all our pupils to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience during the mid-day break.

Year 7 and Year 8 pupils will be expected to remain on site at lunchtime throughout the year. I would strongly encourage all pupils to stay on site at lunchtime to take advantage of the programme we offer and the supervision we provide.

Yours sincerely

Mr S. Haigh
Headteacher

SNAKES, SKINS AND DRAGONS

Staff from the Hancock Museum will be bringing live snakes and other small reptiles on 1st May to spend a day with Year 4 and 5 pupils from Hetton Primary School.  This will act as a stimulus for a Textiles project that will focus on patterns and texture of reptile skins.

Artists from Gateshead’s Baltic Arts Centre will be working with Gifted and Talented Year 5 pupils from our Primary Partner schools to start a Textiles project that will involve pupils designing and making fabric fashion garments or accessories that will be modelled in a fashion show to be held at Hetton School towards the end of the Summer Term.

Year 6 pupils who will be attending Hetton School from September 2008, will be taking par tin our Technology / Enterprise Days which will be held during National Technology Week 23rd – 27th June.  The dates for the event are Tuesday 24th June and Wednesday 25th June.  This challenge will be Technology focused and based on the theme of ‘Dragons Den’, offering a variety of exciting, demanding and fun activities.  Representatives from industry will be invited to set a challenge that will involve the pupils in working as a team, analysing, planning and problem solving to manufacture a product.  They will then present their solution to the challenge to the panel of judges from industry for assessment.  Winning teams will be rewarded with prizes.
LIFE SKILLS – PREPARING FOR LIFE!!!

Previously known as ASDAN – which is the name of the examination board(Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network) and before that the XL Club (chosen by the Princes Trust), the Life Skills Group (the new name for this course in the Year 9 options booklet) has continued to go from strength to strength.  Whatever name this group works under, the course ethos has always been the same – help under performing pupils to develop their motivation, confidence, leadership, determination, creativity and ability to learn by participating in activities outside the normal curriculum.  The awards that are completed are called the Wider Key Skills and the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness.  All have an equivalent point score to GCSE’s on the National Framework.
The present Yr11 have passed their Wider Key Skills Level 1 in Working with Others and Improving Own Learning.  They are presently working with an outside agency called Youth in Action.  Having enhanced their qualifications, they are now enriching their life experiences by participating in coastal steering at Marsden Rock, South Shields.
The Year 10 have, as part of their CoPE award, worked on team building activities with the British Army for one week; participated in the British School of Motoring (BSM) Ignition Course over 5 weeks; built balloon powered cars out of everyday household items and researched with Connexions the role of Connexions in school.  Future activities include a 2 day course at the Mines Rescue Centre, Houghton le Spring in May and an environmental project in June at Hetton Lyons Country Park.

PRAISE FOR STUDY SUPPORT PUPILS

Hetton school has had the fortunate opportunity of working with the Foundation Centre at the Stadium of Light for the fifth year running.  Eleven pupils were chosen to attend a ten week course that would address Mathematics and English using the Stadium of Light as a back drop.  The fortunate few were given challenges such as measuring the size of the changing rooms, counting stadium seats and ‘guesstimating’ the size of the pitch to stretch their brains.
Joe Puech, the centre manager for the foundation, stated that ‘Hetton School always produces top-quality groups of pupils, but this particular group have been a sheer delight to work with’.
The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work in the Stadium of Light and have been a credit to Hetton School.  The most memorable experience would surely have been bumping into Niall Quinn, who hasn’t been the same after meeting our loud lot!!.

SCIENCE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

1. Year 9 Enrichment classes – Rocks and Sports Science which included a visit to Sunderland University organised by J. Harland. 
2. New KS3 Club set up by Miss. O’Donnell – making short science films and podcasts to help pupils with key areas for revision.  The finished films are to be placed on school websites.  This club commences on Wednesday 2nd April. 
3. Science Booster Classes and Masterclasses arranged for Easter holidays to help pupils prepare for SATs.
4. Primary and Booster Classes also arranged for Saturday 26th April 2008.

HETTON SCHOOL PARENTS FORUM

The Parents’ Forum was begun in October to increase communication between home and school.  We want the opportunity to listen to parents and give them the chance to ask questions. Hetton School wants to move forward in a positive way and speaking to parents enables progress.

There is a meeting every term and new members are welcome to join us.  Many important issues have been raised and discussed including school uniform, contacting parents via text, changes to the school day and the new curriculum for Year 10 pupils.  The agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the school website in the Parents information section.  The meeting is also attended by members of the School Management Team to respond to any issues raised. 

The school extends its thanks to those parents who are already supporting the school by attending. The next meeting is Monday12th May at 5pm.  If you wish to attend leave a message for Mrs McKeown at the office and I will send you an agenda near the time for the next meeting. 

ZOOLAB VISITS YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHERS

All pupils in Year 8 were introduced to the animals of the rainforest this term.  Zoolab came to school with a selection of animals including tarantulas, snakes and giant millipedes.  Pupils had the opportunity to feel these creatures under close supervision of a zoo ranger.  This provides pupils with an interesting introduction to their new topic of work on the Amazon Rainforest.  The pupils loved it!!

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