Weekly Message – Issue 2

As we reach the end of our second week of the Autumn Term, the new school year is well underway! Most pupils will have met all of their teachers for the year ahead and will have familiarised themselves with their new classroom routines. Year 10 pupils have started their GCSE/Key Stage 4 courses; in some cases, in subjects that are new to the curriculum this year – Business Studies, Sociology, Economics, Creative iMedia and Dance. Curriculum development is an integral part of our work to ensure that there is breadth and balance and something of interest for everyone.

A couple of things to draw to your attention for the week ahead:

Open Evening 20 September 2018

The run up to our Open Evening is always a busy time and a very exciting time as we look forward to opening our doors to welcome anyone who has an interest in sending their children to our school. It will be an evening of fun and celebration, involving all staff and many of our pupils, and whilst we are keen to ensure that prospective Year 6 parents/carers/children have the information they need to complete their school place applications, we welcome all parents/carers/children who are considering Cams Hill in the future. Please spread the word!

Open Days

We invite prospective parents/carers/children to visit the school during a usual working day, in addition to the Open Evening or in the event that parents/carers/children are unable to join us at the Open Evening. Here, visitors will see at first-hand what it is like to be a pupil at Cams Hill School. A tour of the school and visits to classrooms to see teaching for learning in action will offer plenty of opportunity to ask questions and gather information.

Later start on Friday 21 September 2018 and Non-Uniform Day

Please remember that school starts at 0930 (tutor time 0930-0940) for all pupils on Friday 21 September, following the Open Evening and that this is a non-school uniform day raising funds for the Global Rock Challenge (see below).

Headteacher Parent Clinics

These take place every week on a Wednesday from 1600-1800. Parents/carers are invited to have a 10-minute catch up with the Headteacher. This could be to celebrate/share feedback on your experiences to date, raise a particular viewpoint, make a suggestion about how the school can continue to progress, etc. Please note that it should not be used to raise a specific and time sensitive issue concerning your child which should be raised with your child’s tutor. Please contact Mrs M Dugan (Headteacher’s PA) should you wish to make an appointment.

HPV vaccinations

These take place for Year 8 girls on 19 September 2018 – please refer to the communication sent to parents/carers of Year 8 girls dated 12 September 2018.

Co-curricular events

Great value is placed on fieldwork in Geography and you will see from the calendar that there are opportunities for all pupils in all year groups to take part in fieldwork activities this year. This week Year 11 have visited Gunwharf Quays to collect data in support of their GCSE assessment. On 24 and 25 September, Year 11 pupils will be visiting The Globe Theatre, London led by the English and History Department to contribute to their studies in these subjects. Sporting fixtures have ‘kicked-off’ with many pupils including a raft of Year 7 pupils, keen to participate and represent the school.

Global Rock Challenge

Cams Hill School are entering Rock Challenge again this year presented by the ‘Be Your Best Foundation’. Rock challenge is a global competition where schools prepare a dance performance for a professional venue and perform in front of other schools, parents and friends. The opportunity to take part is offered to everybody in the school, with the aim to ‘encourage young people to lead healthy lifestyles and to be their best without the need for tobacco, alcohol or other drugs’. There are many different roles available, such as a performer, stage crew, videographer or hair and make-up. The challenge promotes to all young people the value of teamwork, confidence, hard work, discipline and encourages young people to use their leisure time in a positive way. The sense of community that the Rock Challenge builds is amazing, bringing together pupils and schools from all over the south coast.

The Non-School uniform day is helping to raise money for Cams Hill to enter the Rock Challenge 2019 event. All money will contribute to the purchase of set and costume, which will enhance the performance.

A lot of hard work lies ahead with the performance taking place in February 2019 at the Guildhall in Portsmouth; please look out for the tickets that will be available to purchase nearer the time. In anticipation, your support with this is greatly appreciated as we embark on our journey with the Rock Challenge to promote healthy lifestyles.

Doing Rock Challenge2018 was a great experience because I made new friends and learnt new dance moves and gymnastics during rehearsals. Before Rock Challenge, apart from ballet classes when I was around 4 and a short period of street dance, I couldn’t dance- at all. Now I know different features of dance from contemporary to acro. In addition to this, I built on important life skills like commitment, teamwork and collaboration. Also, I had the chance to be a student rep and talk to the judges and the show host in front of the audience; this really boosted my confidence. In my opinion, Rock Challenge is a great scheme and everybody should do it!
By Catrin Gibbard (8C)

Rock challenge was a great experience for me. During the weekly rehearsals I got to spend time with my friends and meet people from other tutor groups and year groups. I learnt new dance moves and also about performance in general and other aspects like staging, music and lighting. We got to develop our own story and could be creative.

Performing in a real theatre was really exciting and fun. I met people from other schools and saw what it was like behind the scenes as well as getting to perform on stage to an audience. Everybody was really motivated and the teachers were friendly and helpful. It gave me more confidence and it’s an experience I will never forget. I would love to do it again!
Paul Cassaro (11M)

The Headteacher’s blog contains more informal reflections and is available here:
https://camsheadteacher.wordpress.com/

Key Dates

Puzzle Corner