Icknield Community College

10 February  - Non-uniform day (Elliott Baker’s Charity)

Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February - February Break 

20 February  - Term 4 – ‘A’ Week
21 February  - Parents’ Forum (Communication Evening)
22 February  - Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Wednesday Afternoons
On 1 September 2011, the Department for Education removed the requirement for schools to consult on changes to the school day.  Please see the link below:

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/toolsandinitiatives/cuttingburdens/  b0075738/reducing-bureaucracy/requirements/school-day

As a school, we are now in the position where we can make a “local” decision about what would be most beneficial for our students.

Early this year, the Leadership Team reviewed the current arrangements for Wednesday afternoons and it was felt that the time was right to return to having Wednesday Period 5 lessons and, therefore, a 50 period timetable per fortnight.  The following potential advantages were identified:

• Increased student learning time
• Increased curriculum time for some subject areas (e.g. English)
• Improvements to the school timetable (it is easier to timetable when dealing with 5 periods for 5 days) which would improve arrangements for setting and reduce split classes (amongst other benefits)

We are sure that this move will benefit our students and increase their chances of future success.

I hope that, by giving you the information at this stage, you have plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate a 3.00 pm finish for your child on Wednesdays.

Staffing Update
Mr Karley, Head of RE, will be leaving Icknield Community College today.  We wish him all the very best for the future.  We say goodbye, also, to Mrs Styles, Teaching Assistant.

Parents’ Forum
All parents and carers are invited to our Parents’ Forum evening on Tuesday 21 February (6pm to 7.30pm)   The programme of the evening will run as follows:
 
• Introductions from Caroline Williams, Parent Governor and Mat Hunter, Headteacher – (6.00pm -6.15pm)
• Round Table Sessions (All) (6.20pm - 7.20pm) (parents to spend 8-10 mins at each table writing/discussing comments)
• Individual Feedback (All) (7.20pm) (opportunity to provide individual feedback of any points not covered and complete evaluation form)

So that parents/carers planning to attend can, if they wish, give some thought to the forum in advance, the following topics will be discussed.
 
• Standards/Targets (Student progress)
• Homework (including School Planners)
• Information Calendar (what's coming up, what do parents need/want to know & how would they like this information communicated)
• Information Advice and Guidance (what information do parents want to know about controlled assessment, general assessments, revision and exams)
• How to help/support my Child (how to study nowadays, tips on methods & learning etc)
• Direct Communication  (phone/email/website/newsletter/ParentMail)
• Celebrating Achievement

Extension Numbers
To assist the communication between school and home, please find below a list of extension numbers for middle leaders’ (Heads of Faculty/Department and Year) and key departments in the school.    These extension numbers will take you directly to their personal voicemail so you will be able to leave a message for them to contact you.  Please remember that staff will normally need a suitable amount of time to respond to you as they do have a full teaching commitment. 

Mrs Birch-Machin, Head of History 408 

Mr Cody, Head of Yr 8  427
Mr Henwood, Head of Res Materials 420  

Mrs Keen, Head of English  435
Miss Livanis, Health & Sport  414  

Dr Masters, Head of Science/Yr 10 403
Dr Meaney, Head of ICT  404  

Mr Murphy, Head of Year 7  260
Mrs Neyland, Head of Art  451    

Mr Perry, Head of Year 9  421
Mr Rowe, Head of Year 11  262    

Mrs Tansley, Head of Music  440
Mr Thomas, Health & Sport  417   

Miss Udy, Head of Geography 413
Mr Williams, Head of MFL  419  

Luisa Howden, Business Manager 254 

Jean Lang, Bursar   256
Gill Ward, Headteacher’s PA  255  

Resource Centre    272

Telephone numbers for all Assistant Headteachers will be published after the February break.

I wish you a very restful half-term.

Mr M Hunter
Headteacher

Exams
Some Year 10 and 11 students are taking Maths modules on Wednesday 7 March at 9am.  Individual timetables will be posted out and if you have any queries please contact
Luisa Howden on 01491 612691, ext 254.

GCSE Entries
May/June GCSE entries are being made for Years 10 and 11 and individual timetables will be sent home for checking as soon as entries have been submitted by departments.

GCSE Timetable
Please find attached timetable for written GCSEs for Year 10 and 11 students.  Personalised timetables will be sent to each student in Term 4.

Please note that the timetable is for written examination papers only, where dates are set externally by each exam board, practical examination dates will follow as soon as they are all confirmed.
Mrs Howden

Work Experience
Year 10 Work Experience paperwork is due by 31 March 2012
Any placements that are Out of County need to be submitted as soon as possible.
Mrs Matthews

Year 11 Prom
The Year 11 Prom has been arranged for 29 June 2012 at a cost of £34. Students must bring a deposit of £14 to Resource Centre to secure a place.
Mrs Chilton/Mrs Gill/MrsPeris

Netball Review – Year 7
Wow! What a fantastic game!  On Wednesday 1 February Miss Livanis and Mr Thomas took two Year 7 netball teams to Langtree School for our first school netball match.  The stakes were high as we all knew that last year’s team did exceptionally well.  The A-team went first – they played amazingly well but a goal for Langtree in the last few minutes made it a draw.  Some powerful passes, incredible interceptions, stunning shots and superb spacing was continuous throughout the whole game.  Next was the B-team.  They tried their best and did as much as they could but unfortunately Langtree could throw further and kept throwing the ball high above their heads.  Despite all their efforts, they were beaten 3-0.  A great game was had by all.
Lauren Edwards and Amy Soanes

Netball Review – Year 8
On Thursday 2 February, the Year 8 netball team played their first  match against Langtree School. In our team we have Phoebe Haywood (team captain), Mieke Hill, Beth Tipping, Eliza Naismith, India Vincent, Lucy Banting, Isla Semple, Katie Brockis, Amy Rints, Alex Stile and Paige Collins. 
After a toss-up in Langtree’s favour, during the first 12 minute half,  the score was 7-0 to us.  We had a quick break and swapped some of our players before facing the second half.  In the end the score was 13-2 to us which was absolutely brilliant.  The best player of the match (chosen by Langtree) was Mieke Hill who played goal shooter.  It was a very good match and we found it really fun!.  Special thanks to Lucy Banting for being such a good goal defence and Phoebe Haywood for being a brilliant team captain.
Year 8 Netball Team

Netball Review – Year 9
The Year 9 team were next and although the score at first was close, by half-time we had a  5-1 lead.  After a quick drink we came back with 3 more goals from Liv Taylor and Keely Doyle.  There was a good defence from Jasmine Hall and Millie Carter.  The final score was 8 -3 to ICC.  Player of the match was Lucy Barry.  Well done to all the girls who played and thanks to Mr Spinner, Miss Livanis and Lola Comrie.
Sammy Munro and Keely Doyle

Friends of Icknield
Quiz Night on Saturday 24th March, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm at ICC. Tickets £5 per person. Teams up to 8 people. The night promises to be an evening of fun / laughter and prize for the winning team.  There will also be a licensed bar, nibbles & raffle.   Tickets will be available from The Granary, Watlington or on the door. You can reserve tickets at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Do you like Clues! Fun for all and you could win a “surprise prize” from TuTu Delicious. Clues cost £1 per person and will be available from  Resource Centre or The Granary, Watlington.  Entry open to all ages.

FOI will be supporting ICC over the next few weeks at Parents Evenings, Parents Forum Evening and Year11 Leavers Awards Evening where you will be able to purchase Quiz Tickets, Cryptic Clues Forms and 50:50 numbers.
Friends of Icknield