Weekly Message 248 – 13 December 2024
13th December 2024
Christmas Concert
On Monday, Year 11 pupils received their mock results in envelopes, simulating the experience of Results Day in August 2025. The atmosphere was one of excitement and nervous anticipation as they opened the envelopes to discover their achievements. Many pupils were pleased to see that their hard work was paying off. They also gained valuable insights into areas where they can focus more effort and attention in the coming months.
This experience was followed by a Subject Parents’ Evening on Tuesday, providing an opportunity to discuss progress and strategies for continued improvement. We ask pupils not to underestimate the importance of hard work both in school and at home; with the support of their teachers, encouragement from parents and carers and with all the resources available to them, Year 11 are well-placed to work toward even better outcomes.
As we approach the end of term, we will be holding our Celebration Assemblies, led by each year team, to acknowledge the achievements and successes of our pupils over the past term. These assemblies are a chance to reflect on the many accomplishments of pupils, often highlighted in this weekly message, that demonstrate our values of courage, courtesy, and commitment. These qualities are at the heart of their successes and reflect the strength of our school community.
We remind parents and carers that the school will close to all pupils for the Christmas break at 1230 on 20 December 2024 (early finish) and is a non-school uniform day. The school will reopen for the Spring Term on Monday 6 January 2025 (Week B).
PE Clubs Next Week Have Been Cancelled
Please note we are not running any PE Clubs next week, other than Dance Live. Clubs will resume after the Christmas break.
Food Bank Donations – Last Drop Off Time 1100 on Wednesday 18 December 2024
Just a reminder that the closing date for donations to Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank need to be with us by 1100 on Wednesday 18 December 2024. The response has been phenomenal, and we cannot thank the members of our community enough for their kindness and generosity.
Mission Christmas – deadline for donations has now passed
A huge thank you for your generosity with the Mission Christmas appeal. The deadline for donations has now passed but if you still wish to make a donation these can be taken to Sainsbury’s Broadcut.
Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day
It was beginning to feel even more festive at Cams Hill School this week, with our Christmas Lunch and Jumper Day for staff and pupils.
It was wonderful to see over 750 pupils eating delicious food prepared and served by our in-house catering team! Our sincere thanks go to the team, and it is also important to acknowledge the pupil helpers who worked so hard serving, clearing and re-laying tables for all to enjoy the experience. This is always a very special moment in time.
Nurture Group Christmas
The Year 7 Nurture Group have been busy making decorations for the Nexus Christmas tree 🎄 while sporting some fab Christmas jumpers!
Key Stage 3 Christmas Cook Club
Christmas was launched in D&T this week with our annual Key Stage 3 Cook Club. A very festive couple of hours was spent with some of our Year 7 and 8 pupils who were busier than Santa’s elves!
The pupils created a batch of chocolate crinkle biscuits, that were flavoured with the scent of Christmas – orange zest, mixed spice, and cinnamon. They then got crafty, creating a handmade bag with a decorative ribbon to package up their delightful wares ready for gifting.
Well done team, it was a pleasure working with you, and if you enjoyed the session, keep an eye for details of our next seasonal cook club which will take place in the Spring term. You can also follow us on IG cams_dant.
Barcelona Trip
On Friday 06 December 2024, 45 Year 11 pupils who study either Art, Graphics, Photography or Spanish set off on our annual pilgrimage to Barcelona, a city rich in cultural heritage.
Despite our initial horror when we arrived in Barcelona airport to find 20 suitcases missing, we were soon reunited with most of our luggage and able to head off for our day’s excursion. The trip was filled with visits to museums and cathedrals, shopping and sightseeing, riding on some of the most thrill-seeking rollercoasters at one of Europe’s biggest theme parks and, of course, the chance to speak Spanish.
There were also plenty of opportunities to photograph the hustle and bustle of Barcelona’s famous shopping street, Las Ramblas, and take in the amazing architectural works of Antoni Gaudi and Salvador Dali when we visited Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Girona and Figueres.
Pupils were fantastic and for some this was their first time abroad, on a plane, away from families and riding a rollercoaster! Although, the weather was a little windy whilst we were in the theme park and Mrs Barnden spent 45 minutes sat on the Shambhala before abandoning the ride completely, we were blessed with sunshine and the food was enjoyed by many. Mr Rodriguez made the perfect tour guide as we cruised around the city…dun dun dun dun…DUN DUN DUN DUN
“I loved the trip. Barcelona is such a pretty city with so many scenic views and perfect opportunities to take photographs. I have made a lot of funny memories from hanging out in the hotel, sleeping on the coach and touring the city.” Maddy and Suzannah
Christmas Concert
On Thursday we held our annual Christmas Concert in the Events Hall. This was an opportunity for our ensembles to perform as well as solo pianists and singers, and a Christmas poem written and read by one of our pupils. All music was performed live with a house backing band of pupils and staff. The pupils have worked hard this term in practising their pieces in preparation for the concert. We are so lucky at Cams Hill to have so many talented musicians.
The event was also supported by our senior prefects, some former Year 11 musicians, catering pupils, and Year 11 photographers. We thank all the pupils and staff that contributed to making the concert such a success.
Maths Countdown
Sports Results
Years 7/8 girls’ football lost to Mountbatten 1-2
Year 7 boys’ basketball won against Henry Cort 6-12
Years 8/9 boys’ basketball won against Portchester 44-25
Well done to everyone who took part.
Menu w/c 16 December 2024
NEW menu Week 1 no friday lunch
Whole School Letters Published This Half Term
Below is a list of letters emailed to all parents/carers this half term together with the date and time they were sent. If you are unable to find any of the communications, please email office@camshill.com and we can send you a further copy.
Non-School Uniform Day – 13/12/24 1205
Detection dogs visit – 3/12/24 0916
OFSTED Inspection – 2/12/24 1100
Attendance Matters – 26/11/24 1348
Christmas Concert – 19/11/24 1004
Christmas Lunch, 11 December – 8/11/24 1801
Odd Socks Day, 12 November – 8/11/24 1700
Non- School Uniform day, 15 November – 8/11/24 0905
Remembrance Day – 5/11/24 1405
Uniform Expectations – 31/10/24 1318
Homework for Learning – 28/10/24 1414
Safety over the Festive Season
Below is a link from The National College to 10 Top Tips for Parents and Educators – Safety over the Festive Season.
safety-over-the-festive-season
Statistics
House Points Averages per Pupil for This Week
Year 7 6.26 points
Year 8 6.29 points
Year 9 5.33 points
Year 10 8.27 points
Year 11 3.38 points
MathsWatch and Educake
These are two online resources that we expect pupils to be accessing routinely with homework set by teachers and independently to support their progress in Maths, Science, and other subjects. We ask parents/carers to check in with their child to see whether they are accessing these resources routinely and to encourage the best use of them.
If there are issues with access, please bring this to the school’s attention as soon as possible so that we can help.
MathsWatch
Average number of questions answered per pupil this week
Year 7 17.2 questions
Year 8 16.7 questions
Year 9 19.4 questions
Year 10 5.0 questions
Year 11 6.2 questions
Highest Number of questions answered by one pupil this week
Year 7 100 questions
Year 8 172 questions
Year 9 140 questions
Year 10 45 questions
Year 11 47 questions
Over 50% in Maths Homework
Year 7 46%
Year 8 47%
Year 9 55%
Year 10 36%
Year 11 25%
Over 75% in Maths Homework
Year 7 39%
Year 8 32%
Year 9 37%
Year 10 14%
Year 11 15%
100% in Maths Homework
Year 7 20%*
Year 8 17%
Year 9 17%
Year 10 2%
Year 11 1%
*For example, this figure means 20% of Year 7 got 100% in their homework tasks.
Figures in green indicate maintaining or an increase from last week.
Not all Maths homework is set on MathsWatch, which is likely to affect the averages.
Maths Homework Club is open to all Years on Wednesdays in ICT2 until 4pm.
Year 11 Maths Revision on Mondays – see schedule in Maths classrooms for details.
Maths Assessment dates for Autumn term
w/b 16 December Year 8 – calculator paper
w/b 16 December – Year 7 – calculator paper
A revision list will be published a week before the assessment to support with homework preparation for the test.
Assessments will be marked by the class teacher and then feedback will be given in class along with a pupil feedback sheet to support future learning.
Calculators and other equipment for sale
Casio fx-83GT scientific calculators can be bought via Scopay and collected from the Finance Office. Prices of these and other items for sale are shown below:
Casio fx-83GT scientific calculator- £9.00
Pre-packed pencil case – £2.50
Pair of compasses – 29p
Protractor – 9p
100 blank flashcards – £1.00
A range of GCSE Maths revision materials for KS4 use – See Scopay for details
Please note that pupils in Years 9 and 10, who are currently in middle sets for Maths are covering the Higher tier syllabus. This will be shown as Intermediate on the assessment feedback sheet that gets emailed home.
Educake – Science
Average number of questions answered per pupil this week
Year 7 29 questions
Year 8 30 questions
Year 9 48 questions
Year 10 65 questions
Year 11 77 questions
Highest number of questions answered by one pupil this week
Year 7 221 questions
Year 8 254 questions
Year 9 273 questions
Year 10 320 questions
Year 11 1116 questions