CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER

Term Dates

Monday 1st January 2018—Bank Holiday

Tuesday 2nd January —INSET Day

Wednesday 3rd January—Students Return

Wednesday 31st January—Year 10 Immunisations

Wednesday 7th February — Parents’ Evening from 4.15pm—6pm

Monday 12th February—Friday 16th February—Half Term Holiday

Monday 19th February —INSET Day

Tuesday 20th February —Students Return

Wednesday 14th March—Exam Preparation Evening

Friday 30th March—Bank Holiday

Monday 2nd April—Friday 13th April—Easter Holiday

Children In Need 2017

This year staff and students wore onesies and dressing gowns to school to raise money for

Children In Need. Students also made cakes, ably assisted by Nathan, to add to the money

raised. Much fun was had by everyone, especially when staff greeted visitors dressed in

their onesies! DLC raised £ 64.41! Thank you to everyone for your generous donations!

Enrichment

On a Friday afternoon this academic year we have introduced a new initiative of some

enrichment activities for our KS4 students. There are a wide range of options including

gardening club, craft club, snooker and cooking. All the activities are designed to support

students with their social, teamwork, leadership and wellbeing skills. The sessions

have been very successful so far and will continue throughout this academic year.

On 14th November a group of DLC students travelled to Wem-

bley to see England play Brazil.

In conversation with a member of staff one of our students, Blake, tells us in his own words, how

the trip went:-

We parked (the minibus) at a school and walked it.

People were already stacking up.

We had the lids taken off our bottles! - because you can’t take a bottle in with the lid on.

We went on elevators from the bottom of the stadium to the top - up one, then round another corner,

and there’s another one, and another one. Then we went through a little gap. [What was that like?]

Like first light.

I seen the pitch and a few of the players already out on it.

I was shocked. I could see Neymar! He got so close to scoring. It feels so shocking because it was like

he’s just a person I probably wouldn’t see on TV either, just seeing him on the pitch, playing.

[So after you saw the pitch and the players warming up, then what?]

Then you see all the kids walking out. [The mascots?] Yeah.

There were 84,000 people there! There were seven kids and fours adults in our

group. We sat in a block of four.

[A match takes quite a long time…] Like it takes long, but when you’re there it goes really fast.

[What did you do at half time?] Got popcorn - I spent a f---ing fiver on popcorn! Then I dropped it. I’d

only had a bit when I did that. You could have bought a big bowl for £8. [ Had you had anything to eat

before that ?] Yeah, MacDonald’s on the way up .

[ I heard the commentators on TV after the game saying Southgate the manager had done well and the

young players.. and the 3 centre defenders’ position was good… ] Brazil was playing great - getting

close to scoring. England’s form was s--t! They were going nowhere. The formation - yeah - the posi-

tioning was good - they just couldn’t do it.

Brazil’s form was good and their passing was getting somewhere. They [England] were all stacked up

and stuck in one place. They need some younger kids.

[Who played best?] The man of the match - Gomez

Update on behaviour from Phil Midworth, Deputy Headteacher

The focus for the forthcoming term will be behaviour and engagement within lessons. For our Year 11 students we are approaching their vital

examinations and it is imperative that students focus within lessons. To help support us with this, please would you encourage your child to ensure they

concentrate fully whilst being supported by teachers and not allow distractions such as mobile phones to detract from lessons.

On Thursday 30th November students travelled to Wessex Raceway for a practice session for the British Schools Karting Championships. They did incredibly well and things are looking good for the Championship qualifiers!

Online safety

Concerned about online safety? Do not worry as there is a lot of support and advice for parents, carers and young people. Enclosed with this newsletter is the safer schools

"Online safety newsletter - Autumn 2017". Please do have a read of this and remember that you are always welcome to ring DLC to chat through any online concerns.

PASTORAL TEAM

Arna, Jayne and Emily make up the Pastoral Team at DLC. Arna has the role of Pupil

Programme Officer and Jayne and Emily are Family Workers. Arna, Jayne and

Emily are all Designated Safeguarding Leads and liaise with outside agencies

as and when appropriate. Alongside teachers and teaching assistants, the

pastoral office door is always open for both students and parents but we are

also more than happy to arrange a home visit or signpost families to useful

support services. Please also feel free to phone or email the pastoral

team with regards to any questions, concerns or comments.

(Next Parent Drop in is Friday 26th January—2.30pm until 3.30pm

Come and have a chat and a coffee!)

DLC are really excited to have started working closely with The Horse Course.

The Horse course teaches young people how to use non-verbal

communication in order to deal with difficult situations that may challenge

them and make them feel anxious. They learn how to control the horses using

body language—some of the results are incredible with horses playing

football, going through hoops and completing an obstacle course! Students

who have completed the course have said it makes them feel calm, less anx-

ious and more confident.

First aid course

On Wednesday 6th December a number of DLC students undertook a First Aid

Course run by St John Ambulance. The students gained a much valued

qualification and were a credit to themselves, their parents and

DLC whilst participating. Well done to all of them!

And finally, all the staff at DLC wish students and their families a

happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year and look forward to

Welcoming students back on 3rd January 2018.