Rossett News Update - 14 October 2022
Year 11 Supporting Your Child Evening, Thursday 20 October - 6.00pm-7.30pm
As part of our continued commitment to helping students achieve their best possible grades at GCSE, and with the exam period fast approaching, I am pleased to invite you to our ‘Supporting Your Child’ event which will be held in the Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 20 October 2022 between 6.00-8.00pm.
September Surprise Concert
Last night saw the welcome return of our annual September Surprise Concert. It was a fantastic evening of musical performances enjoyed by a packed house. The new Year 7 singers gave enthusiastic renditions of 'The Rossett Singing Team' song and '500 Miles' by the Proclaimers by way of a tribute to their experiences on the recent Sponsored Walk!
It was also the first outing of the year for our extra-curricular music ensembles. Concert Band opened the show with a medley from Les Misérables, followed by a mixed programme from Choir, String Group, Minijacks and Funk Band. The breadth of musical styles ranging from classical to pop to rock and musical theatre was amazing to see along with the talent that was on display from students in Year 7 all the way up to Year 13. Our next concert will be our seasonal Winter Warmer concert on Thursday 8th December.
Attendance
This academic year the Department for Education have updated the guidance for schools in relation to the attendance of all students. Following the disruption to education of the COVID pandemic, the attendance of students at school is a national priority.
It is because of the national attendance focus and our local programme of high aspiration for all, that Rossett School have contacted all families where a child’s attendance has been below 97%. Attendance below this rate is considered by the DfE to be of concern. If patterns of absence below 97% were to continue for an individual student, there is research evidence that this could have a profound impact on academic progress.
Our school policy clearly states that we will communicate in an 'advisory and supportive' manner when a student’s attendance falls below 97%. I am sure that you will be able to see that we have only the best interests of our students at the centre of what we are doing in support of this hugely important aspect of school life. We will continue to inform parents/carers throughout the academic year when their child's attendance falls below 97%.
Mr Royles (Deputy Headteacher: Behaviour & Attitudes)
American Exchange Departs
Our group of students taking part in the American Exchange had an early start this morning as they set-off for Falmouth, Maine. The students will enjoy two weeks of fantastic experiences with both their host families and as a group.
From educational visits taking in the areas history to fun activities enjoying American culture and sporting events, the students will have a packed itinerary, finishing their trip with two days in Boston. The students and supporting staff arrived safely in America this afternoon and will spend the first few days settling in before visits which includes a pumpkin farm, Portland Head Lighthouse, Fore River Sanctury and Jewell Falls to name but a few!
Privacy Notice for Parents and Pupils
Please click the link to read the school’s updated Privacy Notice for Parents and Pupils which states how Rossett processes the Personal Data of Pupils and Parents. A copy of this notice is available on the school’s website.
Bromcom
Thank you for your patience while we transition to our new management information system, Bromcom. We are aware of some teething problems around parent access. We are grateful to you for getting in touch and letting us know when you have encountered technical problems and we are working our way through any queries to resolve them as quickly as possible.
Arrival of Book Buzz Books
Our Year 7 students were delighted to hear that their books had arrived from the Booktrust scheme ‘BookBuzz’ . The lovely new books were handed out this week. Students had made their choice from the Bookbuzz list earlier in the term and the books are for the students to keep and enjoy; an early Christmas present from Rossett to encourage and promote reading.
We are extremely happy to have been able to participate in such a brilliant scheme once more at Rossett. Bookbuzz inspires young people to read, and offers a range of genre to appeal to every reader. Judging by the excited gasps and smiling faces, our Year 7 students cannot wait to get stuck into their new books!
Fantastic Success for Mrs Normand
We are very proud to let you know that Mrs Normand (MFL Department) and her fellow teammates returned home from South Africa this week with a well-earned silver medal. The team were delighted to progress to the semi-final where they had a fantastic win against the Netherlands to seal a place in the final against their old rivals, England.
Following an incredibly tight game, England won 1-0. However, coming home with a silver medal is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to Mrs Normand and all of her teammates who played in the World Cup Final!
PTA Update
Rossett School PTA are pleased to announce that the Year 7 Christmas disco returns this year on Thursday 15 December. A letter has been sent to Year 7 parents/carers today with full details of this popular event. Planning is also underway for their fun Quiz Night with a fish and chip supper, which is being held on Friday 3 February.
A reminder also that the PTA run a uniform recycling scheme which aims to support the school's recycling and waste reduction policies, in addition to helping parents recycle uniform with the aim of providing all parents with a cost-effective way of purchasing uniform for their children. Details of their current stock can be found on the PTA Website – www.rossettpta.co.uk under the section “Uniform Recycling”, just click on this heading to see the list of items currently available, you can then click on individual items and request for them to be reserved.
Please contact the PTA on uniform@rossettpta.co.uk with your name and contact details and they can advise the best location available for parents/carers to drop off items they are able to donate.
The PTA would like to thank everyone who has participated in the national schools' lottery. Each week there is a guaranteed winner from Rossett School; if you would like to purchase a ticket and at the same time help raise funds for the school, please visit https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/rossett-school. Sign up now and you might Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre voucher or a Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio family tour ticket!
Join us...
If you would like to get involved with the PTA we invite you along to our next meeting on Monday 14th November in school, at 6.00pm. We welcome anyone who would like to be involved and your support can be entirely dependent on the amount of time you can spare. If you cannot attend the next meeting but would like to discuss ways you can get involved, please email aphelps@rossettschool.co.uk.
Extra-Curricular Timetable
Rossett School is very proud of its extra-curricular programme for students, which enhances the curriculum and provides extra learning opportunities for all. There are a number of opportunities for your child to take part in extra-curricular activities at lunchtime and after school, here at Rossett. We will endeavour to update you via this newsletter and form tutors when there are changes or additions to this timetable.
Current Vacancies
Lunch Menu
Follow us on Twitter
A reminder for our existing and new Year 7 parents/carers that we post news and updates on our Twitter account @Rossett and @RossettPE. Follow us!
Community Notice:
We have been asked to share the information below from local road safety campaigners:-
"We are asking the council for a 20 mph Zone, with infrastructure to support it, around the four schools in the Pannal Ash area – Rossett Acre, Rossett School, Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College. The zone would include safe crossing points, improved cycling provision, signage and, where necessary, chicanes or speed bumps to bring speeds down. More than 4500 school children use the network of roads around the schools on a daily basis during term time. 3300 people of all ages use the further education facilities at Rossett School and thousands more use the sports centres at Ashville and Rossett.
Despite this, and despite the fact that 4000 new houses are to be built on the West of Harrogate, there is NO plan to protect our children and others from increased speed and volume of traffic, or to encourage active transport. 20 mph zones have been shown in many parts of the country to be a highly successful way of reducing accidents – providing a safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. Chance of mortality if hit by a car at 20mph is 2.5% (Roadwise UK). At 30mph this rises to 20% and at 40mph to 90%. The figures speak for themselves.
We have worked with the schools and many local people to develop a plan for our area designed to make our streets safe and useable for everyone. By enabling more people to make journeys without their cars, this would also increase people's health, improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and decrease carbon emissions.
Please could you support us, and provide any additional ideas, by signing the petition https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pannal-ash-safe-streets-zone and
adding a comment? If you would like more detailed maps or discussion, please email us on SafePAZforall@gmail.com. Thank you."
What's happening this half term...
Friday 14 October - 28 October
- American Exchange 2022
Thursday 20 October
- Year 11 Supporting Your Child Evening
Monday 24 - Friday 28 October
- Half Term
Thursday 3 November
- Year 11 Parents' Evening
Thursday 10 November
- Sixth Form Parents' Evening
Thursday 17 November
- Year 10 Parents' Evening
Thursday 24 November
- Presentation Evening (last year's Year 11 students)
Monday 28 November
- Year 11 Mock Examinations commence
Friday 2 December
- Training Day - no students in school
Thursday 8 December
- Winter Warmer Concert
Thursday 15 December
- Year 7 Disco
Friday 16 December
- School closes for Christmas
