Fortnightly News
January 13th 2017
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
Dear Parents and Carers
Firstly , a very Happy New Year to you all . Two weeks into the spring term , the holidays already seem a distant memory and we have definitely ‘ hit the ground running ’ with the Year 11 students as they enter the last full term of their education at Avon Valley .
Over the holidays , staff worked hard marking the pre public exams ( mocks ), and now that the data has been analysed I am pleased to say that many of the students are making really good progress . To help some of the students to raise their effort levels twelve students from each house have been put onto a progress points schemes . Within teams of 4 they have been challenged to gain effort points in all of their lessons with prizes available at fortnightly intervals for the teams that are showing the greatest commitment to their learning . Of course the real prize is reaching or exceeding target grades in the summer exams – but sometimes we all need a short term goal along the way to give us some inspiration ! At the end of the first week I am delighted with the increase in commitment that the students have shown to their learning and to each other .
As you are all aware , good literacy skills are very important and students who struggle to read fluently find it difficult to access the curriculum as they move through the school . In my last newsletter I mentioned the AVS 50 reading initiative and the impact that it is starting to have on some of our previously reluctant readers . Since we have returned for the new term , approximately one hundred Year 7 families have been invited into school on January 24 th for an information evening on ‘ Supporting your child with their reading ’. I do hope that those of you who received the letter will be able to join us for this event and look forward to seeing you then .
English Faculty Theatre Trip
On February 3rd 2017 , the English Faculty are taking fifty KS4 students to see ‘ The Woman in Black ’ at The Curve Theatre in Leicester .
This is a tale about mystery , hauntings and the sad misadventures of the ‘ woman in black ’. Through incredible staging and theatrical techniques , Arthur Kipps tells the tale of his experiences at Eel Marsh House , and life after it . We are hoping that this superb experience will be an enjoyable , but spooky evening .
The aim of the trip is to broaden students ’ exposure to the theatre , and performance of literary texts .
Tickets are still available - please see Mrs Walsh in the English Faculty Office . The cost is £ 18 per student . We will leave school at 6pm and arrive back at 10pm . Don ’ t miss out !
Alison Davies Head Teacher
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