January 2019 Dear Parent

Happy New Year and a warm welcome back!

I hope 2019 is a successful and memorable year for all and in particular our current Year 11 who will now begin preparing for their summer exams in earnest.

It gives me great pleasure to have been confirmed as Headteacher of Priestlands. It is a privilege to have been appointed by the school Governors and entrusted with the job of leading such a fantastic school.

Many parents will already know me; I have worked alongside Chris Willsher for over 5 years. I thoroughly enjoy working at Priestlands and I have a desire to see the very best in all our students. I am determined that the school builds on the superb legacy Chris has left and continues to flourish and maintain its position at the heart of our community.

I have already met many of you through parents’ evenings and information evenings and I am looking forward to getting to know many more of you; please feel free to come and have a chat if you have a free moment at a parents’ evening. I truly value the support you give this school. Having worked in several schools previously, I believe you are unique in how good you are! As partners, we can ensure that all students enjoy their time at school, make excellent progress and leave us with the necessary skills and attitudes to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

It is important to me to maintain the current ethos that makes Priestlands a special place to learn and work but I also have some ideas that I believe will enhance what we do. Along with teaching and learning, promoting character development and interests is something I am passionate about, so the relaunched house system will evolve and have a high profile as we encourage extra-curricular participation. We will also be focusing on defining the “Habits of Successful Priestlands Students” and have already started looking at Habit #1: Be Proactive.

There has been much media coverage of the reformed GCSEs and their associated challenges for students and teachers. As a school we are engaging with educational research to ensure we are making the learning process as effective as possible. As we refine what we do there will be opportunities for you to hear more and how you can best help your children with their studies.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and the following information.

Staffing News We are pleased to be joined in the Maths department by Mr Harrison and Mr Dean, and in English we have Mrs Chalmers and Mr Stewart re-joining us. We also welcome Mrs Hadkinson who joins the Learning Support team, Mr Barnes who joins us as a cover supervisor and Ms Zhang who joins our Kitchen team. I know parents will join me in welcoming them all to the school.

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Items with deadlines are highlighted in red

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Vacancies Parents may be interested to know that we are currently or will shortly be advertising for the following roles.

Head of English

Deputy Head of Maths

Temporary full time teacher of Science

Temporary full time teacher of Geography

Curriculum Assistant (English) – 6 hours per week

Temporary Kitchen Assistant to cover long term absence – 12.5 hours per week

Information on these will appear on the Vacancies page of our website by the end of the week. Please note that applications must be submitted on a completed Priestlands Application Form.

Car Park Thank you again for your understanding and co-operation in helping us to ease congestion with pick-up arrangements at the end of the day. When collecting your child, please continue to ensure you wait in a marked parking space.

Uniform Skirts – 34 weeks to deadline Further to the letter to parents last term, I remind parents that all students wishing to wear a skirt to school must wear the uniform one provided by our retail partner PMG in New Milton from September 2019.

Friends of Priestlands School Forthcoming events:

27 January – 2:30pm – Sing-along Greatest Showman – See attached poster for information. Tickets must be booked in advance at https://www.trybooking.co.uk/HNP

15 March – 7:00pm Quiz Night, Main Hall at School This is the last chance to help them with future planning by taking a couple of minutes to complete this quick survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GVK5N5B. We are very grateful for all the effort of the Friends this year in supporting the school.

Friends of Priestlands 1000 Club

RESULTS FOR THE JANUARY DRAW: 91 MEMBERS First prize £21.84 40 Second prize £14.56 75 Third prize £8.19 5

Fourth prize £5.46 98 Five runners up £0.91 23, 33, 77, 80, 12

Please do consider joining the 1000 Club – a membership application form is enclosed with this letter.

Connect To Support Hampshire - online Information and Advice Connect to Support Hampshire is an online information and advice website for Hampshire residents ( over 18's ) It contains a wealth of information on how Hampshire residents can manage their care and wellbeing, stay independent and connect to their local community. Practical Information includes:

Eating, Smoking and Weight Management Alcohol and Drug Support Charities Physical disabilities and conditions Mental Health advice Employment, training and learning Information for carers

The Connect to Support website is available to download as an app on Google Play and the iTunes Store searching ‘Connect to Support Hampshire’

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Courses for parents Please note that the companies providing the courses below have no connection to the school so we are unable to endorse the courses they are running. Anyone wanting to find out more must liaise directly with them.

Baby resuscitation and treatment of common injuries and accidents Please see the enclosed posters that we have been asked to share with parents, providing details of two courses which will be held at Careys Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RH.

STEM Returners programme with Fluor in Farnborough Have you taken a career break from an engineering or a technical sector and wish to return? Are you working below your experience in a different sector? Do you have an engineering or technical degree that you aren’t using? Do you just wish to transfer sectors but don’t have any experience? If so this could be the opportunity for you. They are currently sourcing candidates for the FLUOR ‘STEM Returners’ programme, a 13 week, fully paid and supported return to work programme starting in April 2019 in Farnborough. For more information please visit www.stemreturners.com or email hello@stemreturners.com. More information on the programme is also available here: https://www.stemreturners.com/2018/12/18/new-year-new-returner-opportunities-fluor-hampshire/.

Yours sincerely

P G Main

Headteacher

Spring Term: Monday 7th January – Friday 5th April 2019 Wednesday 16th January 4.30pm Year 11 Parents’ Evening

Sunday 27th January 2.30pm Sing-along The Greatest Showman, Sway Cinema

Wednesday 6th February 6.00pm Year 11 GCSE Exams Information Evening

Wednesday 13th February 4.30pm Year 9 Curriculum Choices Evening

Half-term: Monday 18th – Friday 22nd February 2019

Tuesday 26th February 4.30pm Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Wednesday 27th February 6.00pm Holocaust Evening for Parents

Wednesday 6th March 9.00am Year 11 GCSE Food & Nutrition Practical Exam

Wednesday 13th March 6.00pm Year 8 Curriculum Choices Evening

Wednesday 20th March 4.30pm Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 21st March 6.00pm Duke of Edinburgh Award Regional Presentation Evening

Wednesday 27th March 6.30pm Spring Music Concert

Tuesday 2nd April All day Year 11 Group Photograph

Summer Term: Tuesday 23rd April – Tuesday 23rd July 2019 Tuesday 23rd – Friday 26th April All day Year 11 GCSE Art Exam

Monday 29th April – Thursday 2nd May All day Year 11 GCSE Photography Exam

Friday 3rd May All day Inset Day 6

Wednesday 8th May 4.30pm Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Monday 13th May – Friday 21st June Year 11 GCSE Examinations

(These dates are provisional and will be confirmed as soon as we know. GCSE practical exams and oral exams usually take place throughout April and May therefore parents should avoid taking Year 11 students out of school throughout April, May and June. Full information will be provided at the Year 11 Information Evening.)

Half-term: Monday 27th May – Friday 31st May 2019

Wednesday 26th – Friday 28th June 6.00pm Whole School Drama Production

Monday 1st – Friday 5th July Activities Week for Years 7-9

Monday 1st – Friday 12th July Year 10 Work Experience Fortnight

Thursday 4th July 9.30am Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly

Thursday 4th July 7.00pm Year 11 Prom

Monday 8th – Friday 12th July Literary Festival Week

Tuesday 9th July Year 6 Intake Day & Evening

Wednesday 17th July 5.00pm Musical Proms at Priestlands

Friday 19th July 9.00am Sports Day

Priestlands School Remaining Key Dates for 2018-19

Win up to £240

every month in the

Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club

Help us to help Priestlands School by joining the Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club.

For just £1.00 a month you can have the opportunity to win up to £240 every month.

Just think, that’s one in 1000 chance of winning the Friends of Priestlands School’s lottery compared to one in a 14 million chance of winning the National Lottery!

Each month the Club will run a Lottery. From the proceeds,

60% will be given out in prize money and 40% will go to the Friends of 2.Priestlands School.

No money will be spent on administration.

Rules & Regulations

1. The Club shall be known as Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club.

2. A number will be allocated to each £12.00 contribution per year.

3. The 1000 club is a private lottery and is open to all parents, carers, staff and friends of

Priestlands School. Anyone age 16 and over can join.

4. Membership will be renewed on an annual basis.

5. Each number will be eligible for one prize only per month.

6. One month’s notice must be given to cancel membership.

7. Any member may be allocated more than one number provided that the member pays

£12.00 per number per annum.

8. A draw will take place each month on the last day of each month except for the month

of December when it will be drawn on the 15th.

9. Prizes will be awarded worth £600 per month, subject to 1000 members, otherwise

60% of the total until a 1000 membership is achieved as follows:

First prize: 24% of the prize money to a maximum of £240

Second prize: 16% of the prize money to a maximum of £160

Third prize: 9% of the prize money to a maximum of £90

Fourth prize: 6% of the prize money to a maximum of £60

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

9. Prize numbers will be posted in the school office each month and in the school’s termly newsletters. Winners will receive their prize through the post within five days of the draw.

10. Any queries or disputes may be referred to the Friends of Priestlands School Committee whose decision shall be final and binding.

Priestlands 1000 Club

Standing Order Instruction

Please print out this form, complete the boxes and send to: Priestlands 1000 Club, Priestlands School, North Street, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8FZ

We will send you a confirmation acceptance letter along with your membership number

If you want to pay by annual cheque (£12.00 per share), all we need is your contact details.

STANDING ORDER DETAILS

Recipient: Priestlands Association Bank CAF

Name: Priestlands Association 1000 Club

Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account Number 00030827

How often: Monthly Date 1st of each month

First payment date: Monthly Amount £

YOUR DETAILS

Your name:

Your Bank & Branch:

Sort Code: Account Number:

Reference: (To be completed by Priestlands Association)

Your telephone number:

Your email address:

Your address:

I authorise you to debit my/our account, in accordance with the above details. I am over 16 years of age.

Signed:

Date:

Priestlands Diamond Club Set up by the Friends of Priestlands as part of our 60th birthday celebrations in 2017, to provide a vehicle for those who have expressed an interest in helping the school. A mosaic mural of a tree has been installed in the Main Hall and anyone can sponsor a leaf which will be engraved with the name(s) of the sponsor(s) and then attached to the tree.

The tree will serve as a permanent reminder of the school’s 60th birthday and will also enable us to say thank you to the individuals, families and organisations that contribute – and, of course, the tree can continue to grow more leaves over the years!

There are five kinds of leaf on the tree:

A platinum leaf: £1000 A gold leaf: £500 A silver leaf: £250 A bronze leaf: £100 A smaller green leaf: £25

The money raised will go towards the cost of capital projects that would otherwise be unaffordable such as:

1. New Minibus: £25,000 ACHIEVED 2. Creating a suite of iMacs in Music: £40,000 ACHIEVED 3. Creating an amphitheatre: £80,000 4. Re-furbishing the Library: £40,000 5. Sports Pavilion: £12,000

Priestlands Diamond Club Platinum

£1000 Gold £500

Silver £250

Bronze £100

Green £25

1. Decide what level you can afford

2. Fill in your details

3. Write a cheque for that amount made payable to “Priestlands Association”

4. Fill in the Giftaid form (if you are a UK taxpayer)

5. Either: Send the cheque and these forms into the school

Or: Send the forms into school and transfer money electronically into our account, quoting “DIAMOND” and your surname or company name as your reference.

Account name: Priestlands Association Sort code: 40-52-40 Account number: 00081114 IBAN: GB54CAFB40524000081114

DONATIONS ARE WELCOME FROM BUSINESSES AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

My Details Title ____________________ First name or initial(s) ________________________________ Surname _______________________________________________________________________ Full Home address _______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Postcode _________________________ Date __________________________________ Inscription you would like on your leaf:

e.g. “The Jones Family” “Emma, Peter and George Jones”

Membership level: _____________________ Cheque enclosed for ____________________

Charity Gift Aid Declaration – if making multiple donations

Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate

Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick the box below:

I want to Gift Aid my donation of £______________ and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to The Priestlands Association.

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

My Details Title ____________________ First name or initial(s) ________________________________

Surname _____________________________________________________________________

Full Home address _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Postcode _________________________ Date ___________________________________ Please notify the charity if you:

want to cancel this declaration

change your name or home address

no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

Charity Gift Aid Declaration – if making a single donation

Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate

Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick the box below:

I want to Gift Aid my donation of £______________ to: The Priestlands Association

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

My Details Title ____________________ First name or initial(s) ________________________________

Surname _____________________________________________________________________

Full Home address _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Postcode _________________________ Date ___________________________________ Please notify the charity if you:

want to cancel this declaration change your name or home address

no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.