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CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2009

8th December 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As a very wet Autumn Term draws to a close I would like to advise you of the following information:

Children Ill/Dropping Off Children By Car in the Morning

I would like to ask parents for your support in ensuring that any child who feels ill at school should report to the school office. The office staff will speak to the child concerned and telephone home to make arrangements for the child to be collected from school.

I am mentioning this because we have had some children who use mobile phones to inform parents they are ill and arrange for parents to pick them up, without our knowledge. While the children are in our care it is important for us to make these arrangements and to know who is in, or out, of school.

The Bus Company has asked if parents could be mindful of the need not to block buses from turning around after children have alighted when parents are dropping off children in the morning. The buses need to fulfil other contracts immediately after the ‘school run’. Thank you for your assistance with these matters.

Note for Parents of Year 11 Students

A reminder to parents of Year 11 students that MOCK examinations take place week commencing January 11th, 2010. Students will be on ‘study leave’ during the fortnight of MOCKS, returning to school full time on January 25th, 2010. MOCKS are a rehearsal for the May/June examinations as well as giving an indication of expected grades. Students have been issued with a timetable detailing when they need to come into school for examinations. A revision room will be made available for students in school. Students have had guidance in good exam revision practice from Mr Lambert.

Events

A separate letter has gone out inviting parents to our annual Carol Service at Deslisles Church at 7.00p.m on Wednesday, December 9th. (This was a changed date from our published calendar sent to you in September). On Monday December 14th at 7.00p.m all parents of Year 7 students are invited to see what their children have been doing as part of our new ‘Learning at Beaucamps’ (L@B) project. Refreshments will be served after the presentation.

On Tuesday December 15th, senior students will be hosting a party for one hundred senior citizens, following a successful event last year. If any parents/guardians wish to donate raffle prizes suitable for our visitors, please drop these off at the school office.

Our recent Children in Need fundraising day raised a grand total of £1278.13. Thank you to all parents who contributed. Mrs Horton’s class put on a ‘Bushtucker Trial’ challenge, several students in Year 10 took part in a 24 hour sponsored static bike ride, Jordan Gallienne had his legs waxed (ouch!) by several attentive Year 11 girls and, of course, yours truly discovered what it was like to be beardless, (courtesy of Mrs Black’s barbering skills), having had a beard since I was 18!

Mrs Black

Mrs Black leaves us at the end of this term to take up a promoted position as Deputy Manager of the new Link Centre for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Mrs Black has made a major contribution to the school both in her former role as a Year Head and, latterly, as the lead teacher in charge of behaviour support. Mrs Black’s care and support for some of our more vulnerable youngsters has made a significant difference to their education here and we wish her well in her new role. A new co-ordinator for behavioural issues is due to be appointed.

New School Planning

With further funding released by the Treasury, work has gone on apace this term on the design of the new school. All being well, work will begin on the new building next Autumn and the first main phase of the building is scheduled to open at the end of 2012, or, early 2013, with the completion of the sports hall and swimming pool later that year.

Most of the key planning for the new school is happening now and, within a few months, the detailed design will be ready. (The PTA recently invited all parents to a presentation on the new school, through letters home via students, but this was poorly attended!).

I am sorry that I have not been available quite as much as hitherto, but the new school planning is taking up two to three days of my time each week at the moment. My thanks to my two new deputies, Mr Lambert, Ms Young, and colleagues in the Senior Leadership Team, Mrs Banks, Mr Smith and Mr Dupré, for shouldering more than their fair share of the everyday work. I am sure the extra work will bring rewards as the new building is already looking like an inspirational 21st century school.

Wet Breaks – Lunchtimes

I want all parents to know how impressed I am with the general behaviour of our students within the cramped confines of the present building during an unprecedented run of wet breaks and lunchtimes when it has been important for students to ‘burn off’ energy outside. Thank you to all colleagues who assist by putting on lunch time activities.

Successes

Many parents may well have seen the Guernsey Press stories on the success of our students in two recent high profile competitions. In the Young Chef Competition, Jacob Travers, in Year 9, took the overall title. This is third occasion in the four years of the competition that we have provided the winning student – a testament to the high standards in our Food Departments. Jacob’s winning menu was:

Layered Smoked Salmon Mousse with Melba Toast

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken with Spring Onion Mash and seasonal vegetables

Caribbean Pineapple Pudding with Creme Anglaise

The Guernsey Crime Prevention Panel is keen to have young people thinking about the Respect Campaign (anti vandalism, litter etc) and, this year, a competition was held to design suitable pictures/posters for a 2010 Respect Calendar. Nine local schools entered thecompetition with over three hundred entries. The competition was judged by George Le Page, Chief of Police, Paul Litten, Chair of the Crime Prevention Panel and Suzanne Heneghan, Deputy Editor of The Guernsey Press. Seven of the pictures selected were Les Beaucamps students. Well done to:

Nicole De La Mare Jack Cooper
George De La Mare Delia Lee
Clare Henry Lisa Grey
Megan Barnett-Marshall

The calendar will be distributed locally across schools and businesses.

Arrangements for the Last Day of Term

Term ends at 1.25 p.m. on Friday, 18th December. Lunch will be from 12.15 until 1.00 p.m. Once again, no buses are available to take students home at 1.25 and, therefore, the following arrangements will apply. Students are asked to make their own arrangements to make their way home. We will use the lower playground (through the Staff Car Park) for anticipated additional parking. Car sharing would be helpful. A ‘one-way’ traffic system going around the back of the school with entrance through the Staff Car Park will be operated again. If everyone is patient the system usually works well!

Students need not wear school uniform on the last day. Students can wear Christmas outfits, tinsel, etc., however students must not bring aerosol cans into school with colour hairsprays,“silly string” etc. We are asking for a 50p donation from each student. The money collected will support a family in Sri Lanka which we sponsor through ARC.

School re-starts on Tuesday, 5th January, 2009!

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours sincerely,

P.D. Le Cheminant
Headteacher