SAINT AUGUSTINE’SCatholic High School & Sixth Form CentreOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Company

Principal Mr A F Quinn BA (Hons) NPQH Stonepits Lane, Hunt End, Redditch, Worcs, B97 5LX tel 01527 550400 www.st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk

Newsletter 18 Friday, 29th January 2016

LET US PRAYHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Wednesday, 27th January 2016This week we remember those who

lost their lives during the holocaust. Let us never forget that, as human beings, we have the capacity to do great harm

as well as ‘good’.

We pray for the opportunity, the determination and the strength to do ‘good’ – not just for those we love but for all humankind so that we help build

a world we can be proud of.Lord,

We thank you for all we have and all that we are. We thank you for sending your Son who has shown us what it is to love. We are sorry for the times we fail to live as we should and we ask for your help so that we live well for the

benefit of all people.

We pray for our Church, that we might lead by example, that we seek dialogue with all people, by listening, respecting

and learning from each other in a relationship of mutual love.

Dear Parents/Carers

HEADLINE NEWS THIS WEEKENGLISH LITERATURE SUCCESSAn atmosphere of celebration pervaded the school on Thursday as 90 Year 11 students who sat their iGCSE English Literature exam last November finally received their results. During a special celebration assembly the students were congratulated on the fantastic work ethic they had all exhibited, whilst the English staff were warmly thanked for the constant support they had offered each and every student With tension at a fever pitch the long wait was finally over and the final grades were issued for this well deserved qualification. Ms Paddock announced "The results are absolutely fantastic with 74% of the students entered making at least expected progress with so many exceeding our statistical predictions. This is the result of a massive team effort and we now turn our focus to the GCSE English Language exams."I would like to add my personal congratulations to students and staff for this joint team effort. Well done to you all.HOAX CALLSIn the unlikely event of a bomb threat call to school, a bell would sound to alert students and staff to evacuate the building. After registers have been checked, appropriate action would be taken after liaising with police and

emergency services.YEAR 11 MOCK EXAMINATIONSOn Wednesday the Year 11 students finished their mock examinations. I would like to commend students on their conduct and application to task throughout the whole process. I look forward to seeing the results, which will show students and their parents/carers their areas of strengths and weakness. It is planned to give students their results by Wednesday next week. Many thanks to teaching staff who are working hard to ensure that results are finalised for distribution. This is an exceptionally busy time for staff who are faced with marking many scripts. The results of the mock examinations will inform the Year 11 Short Report.YEAR 11 PARENTS’ EVENINGThe Year 11 Parents’ Evening takes place on Thursday, 11th February 2016 from 5.00pm - 8.00pm. On line booking is now open until Monday, 8th February 2016. Please see Mr Mill’s message to parents/carers later in the Newsletter regarding this highly impor-tant Parents’ Consultation Evening.YEAR 9 ASSESSMENTS & YEAR 13 MOCK EXAMINATIONSOur next phase of assessments involve our Year 9 students. Their assess-ments commence on Monday, 1st

THE SUNDAY TIMES: Top 500 Schools

COMING UPYEAR 9 ASSESSMENTSMonday, 1st February 2016 - Friday, 5th February 2016POP ICONSWednesday, 10th February 2016YEAR 11 PARENTS’ EVENINGThursday, 11th February 2016 - 5.00pm - 8.00pmMonday, 22nd - Friday, 26th February 2016 - Year 13 Mock Examinations

OF THE SCHOOL

A selection of our successful iGCSE English Literature students

February 2016. A help sheet can be found at the end of this Newsletter. Students should be devising with the help of their teachers, parents/carers a revision schedule. The Year 13 Mock Examinations commence on Monday, 22nd February until Friday, 26th February 2016. A timetable of examinations can be found towards the end of this Newsletter.HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAYOn Wednesday this week, the school took time to remember those who lost their life in the Holocaust. Assemblies took place centred around this theme and a classroom was opened at lunchtime to further inform students of the atrocities that sadly occured during the Second World War. Many thanks to the RE and History staff who worked collaboratively to ensure that we never forget the genocide that took place during the Second World War.PROGRESS 8Schools in England are being judged on the basis of raw GCSE results for the last time this year, heralding the end of school league tables in their present form.From next year, schools in England will be measured on what is known as Progress 8. Progress 8 will replace the five or more good GCSEs, including Maths and English, benchmark as the key measure for all secondary schools.Progress 8 assesses the progress pupils make in Year 6 between Key Stage 2 tests taken in middle school and their performance in a specified mixture of eight subjects at GCSE. Schools will be given a score based on how their pupils have progressed compared to the national average.You will recall Saint Augustine‘s Progress 8 measures in the 2015 results:• Saint Augustine’s ranked FIRST for Progress 8 when compared with all other schools in WORCESTERSHIRE• Saint Augustine’s achieved TOP for PROGRESS IN MATHEMATICS in the ARCHDIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE COUNTYIn addition:• Saint Augustine’s in the TOP 3% in the UK for value added per qualification at GCSE 2015We continue to work hard to ensure the best progress and achievement for every student.Mr G O’Connor, Head of School & Mr A F Quinn, Executive Principal

CATHOLICITY MATTERSWEEKLY MASS: 10 MR had their class mass on Thursday 28th January and chose the theme of Justice. Father Tony spoke about how we know God and asked us to reflect on the many different ways we can see God and also on the many different meanings God can have for people. A special well done to Monica Hira, George Butler-Welch, Jeff Regi, Haider Ali and Derry Mclaughlin for their individual contributions.THE POPE’S TWITTER FEED: Date: 28th January: “As Christians we cannot be self-centred, but must always be open to others and for others”How easy do we find it to put others first? It is natural to consider our own needs first. However to be better Christians we must think of others.The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (also called the Year of Mercy) is a major event in the Catholic Church, held from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), 2015 to the Feast of Christ the King (November 20), 2016. PRAYING EACH DAY: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

The Challenger disasterOn this day in 1986 the United States’ Space Shuttle “Challenger” roared into the sky from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The world’s TV cameras were focused on the rocket as it carried five men and two women. One of the women, Christa McAuliffe (a high school teacher), had won a contest to be the first “ordinary person” in space. Millions of people watched live on television as, suddenly, a minute after blast off, “Challenger” exploded. In a speech to the people of the United States, President Ronald Reagan quoted a few lines from a poem written by a 19- year old British Second World War pilot, John Magee, who was killed in an air-collision in 1941 just three months after writing the poem. John Magee captures something of the spirit and adventure of flying, and talks of having put out his hand and touched the face of God. We’ll use his poem to reflect and pray today: Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God.SPIRITUAL LIFE STUDENT COUNCIL (SLSC)Last Thursday the SLSC met in form time. We discussed a number of priorities concerning the Catholic Life of our school. I would like to make you aware of a number of key dates coming up in which the SLSC are involved. These are: 1. World Day of Prayer for the Sick: Thursday 11th February 20162. CAFOD Family Fast Day: Thursday 4th February 20163. Year 9 Chapel Visits: Beginning Friday 22nd January 20164. Ash Wednesday Service 5. Fairtrade fortnight6. Lenten Fundraising Week More details to follow in next week’s Newsletter. The SLSC will be meeting every Thursday, week A in the canteen during form time. In the next couple of weeks I will be meeting with senior teachers and other members of the SLSC and Chaplaincy team to discuss the Catholic Life of our school. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that it is a pleasure and a delight to be head of the SLSC and in particular leading and organising such a strong, dedicated and hardworking team. In addition to the forthcoming school events that we are involved in, the SLSC are in the process of opening the Multi-Faith Reflection Area (C9) as of Monday 1st February and designing new dynamic, innovate, relaxing and team building activities that will allow students to relax, make new friends and learn key aspects about different religions and faiths of the world. Details regarding this will follow in next week’s Newsletter. The SLSC are also working on the preparation of the Ash Wednesday service. If you would like to be involved, ie as a reader, please contact me as soon as possible by speaking to me in person or by the following email address - saunderst16@st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk

Thomas Saunders, Year 11, Head of the Spiritual Life Student Council HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2016 – DON’T STAND BYOnce a year we remember those who suffered, and continue to suffer, as a result of the Jewish holocaust. 27th January, marked the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and on this day we remembered the

February 2016. A help sheet can be found at the end of this Newsletter. Students should be devising with the help of their teachers, parents/carers a revision schedule. The Year 13 Mock Examinations commence on Monday, 22nd February until Friday, 26th February 2016. A timetable of examinations can be found towards the end of this Newsletter.HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAYOn Wednesday this week, the school took time to remember those who lost their life in the Holocaust. Assemblies took place centred around this theme and a classroom was opened at lunchtime to further inform students of the atrocities that sadly occured during the Second World War. Many thanks to the RE and History staff who worked collaboratively to ensure that we never forget the genocide that took place during the Second World War.PROGRESS 8Schools in England are being judged on the basis of raw GCSE results for the last time this year, heralding the end of school league tables in their present form.From next year, schools in England will be measured on what is known as Progress 8. Progress 8 will replace the five or more good GCSEs, including Maths and English, benchmark as the key measure for all secondary schools.Progress 8 assesses the progress pupils make in Year 6 between Key Stage 2 tests taken in middle school and their performance in a specified mixture of eight subjects at GCSE. Schools will be given a score based on how their pupils have progressed compared to the national average.You will recall Saint Augustine‘s Progress 8 measures in the 2015 results:• Saint Augustine’s ranked FIRST for Progress 8 when compared with all other schools in WORCESTERSHIRE• Saint Augustine’s achieved TOP for PROGRESS IN MATHEMATICS in the ARCHDIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE COUNTYIn addition:• Saint Augustine’s in the TOP 3% in the UK for value added per qualification at GCSE 2015We continue to work hard to ensure the best progress and achievement for every student.Mr G O’Connor, Head of School & Mr A F Quinn, Executive Principal

CATHOLICITY MATTERSWEEKLY MASS: 10 MR had their class mass on Thursday 28th January and chose the theme of Justice. Father Tony spoke about how we know God and asked us to reflect on the many different ways we can see God and also on the many different meanings God can have for people. A special well done to Monica Hira, George Butler-Welch, Jeff Regi, Haider Ali and Derry Mclaughlin for their individual contributions.THE POPE’S TWITTER FEED: Date: 28th January: “As Christians we cannot be self-centred, but must always be open to others and for others”How easy do we find it to put others first? It is natural to consider our own needs first. However to be better Christians we must think of others.The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (also called the Year of Mercy) is a major event in the Catholic Church, held from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), 2015 to the Feast of Christ the King (November 20), 2016. PRAYING EACH DAY: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

The Challenger disasterOn this day in 1986 the United States’ Space Shuttle “Challenger” roared into the sky from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The world’s TV cameras were focused on the rocket as it carried five men and two women. One of the women, Christa McAuliffe (a high school teacher), had won a contest to be the first “ordinary person” in space. Millions of people watched live on television as, suddenly, a minute after blast off, “Challenger” exploded. In a speech to the people of the United States, President Ronald Reagan quoted a few lines from a poem written by a 19- year old British Second World War pilot, John Magee, who was killed in an air-collision in 1941 just three months after writing the poem. John Magee captures something of the spirit and adventure of flying, and talks of having put out his hand and touched the face of God. We’ll use his poem to reflect and pray today: Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God.SPIRITUAL LIFE STUDENT COUNCIL (SLSC)Last Thursday the SLSC met in form time. We discussed a number of priorities concerning the Catholic Life of our school. I would like to make you aware of a number of key dates coming up in which the SLSC are involved. These are: 1. World Day of Prayer for the Sick: Thursday 11th February 20162. CAFOD Family Fast Day: Thursday 4th February 20163. Year 9 Chapel Visits: Beginning Friday 22nd January 20164. Ash Wednesday Service 5. Fairtrade fortnight6. Lenten Fundraising Week More details to follow in next week’s Newsletter. The SLSC will be meeting every Thursday, week A in the canteen during form time. In the next couple of weeks I will be meeting with senior teachers and other members of the SLSC and Chaplaincy team to discuss the Catholic Life of our school. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that it is a pleasure and a delight to be head of the SLSC and in particular leading and organising such a strong, dedicated and hardworking team. In addition to the forthcoming school events that we are involved in, the SLSC are in the process of opening the Multi-Faith Reflection Area (C9) as of Monday 1st February and designing new dynamic, innovate, relaxing and team building activities that will allow students to relax, make new friends and learn key aspects about different religions and faiths of the world. Details regarding this will follow in next week’s Newsletter. The SLSC are also working on the preparation of the Ash Wednesday service. If you would like to be involved, ie as a reader, please contact me as soon as possible by speaking to me in person or by the following email address - saunderst16@st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk

Thomas Saunders, Year 11, Head of the Spiritual Life Student Council HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2016 – DON’T STAND BYOnce a year we remember those who suffered, and continue to suffer, as a result of the Jewish holocaust. 27th January, marked the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and on this day we remembered the

millions of people killed in the Nazi persecution and in subse-quent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.At this time we also honour the survivors and challenge ourselves to learn lessons from the past so that we never allow this to happen again. Whilst we live in a country where we are not at risk of genocide, but persecution is a result of hatred, prejudice and discrimination, and there is much to do here, if we are to be a just and caring society.As a Catholic community we want to live in and promote a society where people are accepted and respected even though they are different from ourselves. We know that God has no favourites, we are all His children, one family and we should find a way of living together in positive relationship with others. This is not always easy so we have to reflect on what is going on around us and respond in love for one another. As people of God, this is what we are called to do.Holocaust Memorial Day is one such opportunity to stop and think about what is going on and consider the part we need to play. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has provided a variety of school resources, from assemblies to moments of reflection.This year’s theme is 'Don’t Stand By'. www.catholicnews.org.uk Mrs O’Connor, Head of Catholic Life

HISTORY MATTERSHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAYThe RE and History Departments joined together on Wednesday to remember those who perished in the Holocaust. Some of their harrowing stories were relayed in a moving film accompa-nied by displays in C9 at lunchtime on Wednesday for students to visit. Students visited the presentation and added their senti-ments about what they had learned and seen. Here are some of our students’ comments:How do you feel looking at the images in this room?• Shame on those who bought such torture to other humans.• Horrified.• Unfair.• Lucky and grateful for what I have.• Sorry for everyone who was in the holocaust and suffered.• I feel like humanity has to learn a lesson or else it might happen again.• How humans could hurt other humans.• Lucky for what I have.• Discrimination should have never happened – Why is it still occurring after these events.• Dreadful.• Angry.• Disgusted that people would do that.• People need to talk about it to avoid it happening again.• Makes me feel sick.• Learn.Don‘t stand by....what would you do?• Preach in the streets.• Become part of the resistance.• Try to help and talk to others.• Try to escape.• Stand by what I think is the right thing to do.• Make sure it doesn’t happen again.• Stick up for people. • Try fight back any way possible.• Learn from mistakes.• Create a protest.• Help protest about it happening again. Form a resistance/ fire corps.• Hide the Jews.• We need to keep the memory alive.• Hide in my cupboard.

• Educate people on similarities rather than our differences.• Do something to stop it from happening again.• Teach people to never be like Hitler.• Make everything fair.• Promote community – Government create new laws – Law. and discrimination act.Holocaust Memorial Day 2016• RIP• RIP – Praying for them.• Always remember.• Always in our prayers.• I pray for those who suffered and lost their lives in such a horrific time.• In our hearts always.• Never forget.• Forever remembering.In the chapel students were invited by members of the SLSC to light candles in memory of those who perished and add a prayer or reflection for the millions who lost their lives in a senseless act of genocide. Many thanks to all students who took part in this reverential lunchtime memorial. Mr Rose, Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Van Liempt, Mr Ahmad and Mr Huchison

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAYPlease find below the experiences of two children who went through the HolocaustIVOR PERLIvor Perl was born in a town called Mako in the south of Hungary on 4 February 1932. He grew up in a family of 11, including his mother, father, four brothers and four sisters. Only Ivor and his eldest brother Alec would survive the Holocaust. Ivor’s childhood was riddled with instances of antisemitism and if he could go through a day without having stones thrown at him, abuse shouted or his hat knocked off his head, it was a small victory. Yet for most of the war he and his family were relatively safe from the clutches of the Nazis. Although Hungary was allied to Germany, and its population was very antisemitic, the Hungar-ians were not prepared to bow to the Nazi pressure and go as far as systematically murder them. This changed in March 1944. Hungary was making secret peace negotia-tions with the Allies in the face of a Soviet invasion and Hitler found out, sparking a Nazi occupation. The first of 147 trains deporting Jews to Auschwitz began soon after. Nine out of 10 were murdered upon arrival. Ivor was 12 years old when he was squeezed into a cattle truck with 75 other people. After days of cramped suffering and people dying around them, he arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau and joined Dr Josef Mengele’s selection line with his older brothers, a decision that saved his life. Had he followed his mother, sisters and younger brother he would have faced certain death. Upon reaching the front of the line, his fate rested in the white-gloved hands of Mengele. The 12-year-old Ivor recalled what prisoners had shouted at the cattle trucks as the train rolled in to Auschwitz-Birkenau about telling the guards they are 16 years old. He lied and Mengele’s finger pointed him away from the gas chambers. It was another decision that saved his life.Ivor survived selection and no longer had a name: he was now to be known as 112021. Ivor was put into a barrack in Auschwitz I, which at this point served as a holding camp for prisoners awaiting orders to begin forced labour. His days consisted of wandering around the camp between roll calls and the meagre meals. With the Russians descending upon Auschwitz from the east, the Nazis aimed to liquidate the camps to cover their tracks and head west before their arrival. Ivor was put on a train destined for the Allach concentration camp in the Bavarian region of Germany. The conditions in this smaller camp were somehow worse, with endless wheelbarrows to carry around the dead and dying. Ivor was soon confined to the sick block with a bout of typhus. No one stayed in the sick block long before the German doctor on hand would condemn those too ill to death. His brother Alec knew this, deciding to save his life by dragging him out under the pretence of taking him to the toilet. Ivor recovered away from the rest of the ill prisoners. It was one of a number of times when Alec saved his life. After a few months at Allach the Nazis moved the prisoners on again, marching them for seven days to Dachau in the spring of 1945. Ivor and his brother Alec would only spend two nights here before being liberated by the Allies in May. With only each other left from their family, they remained at Dachau for months as it became a displaced persons camp before emigrating together to England in November 1945. Ivor moved around a lot before settling in London where he found himself in the clothing trade in which he went on to run a number of businesses. He soon met his wife-to-be Rhoda and married her in 1953, going on to have four children.ANNA MARIA ‘SETTELA’ STEINBACHEurope’s Roma and Sinti were targeted by the Nazis for total destruction: upward of 220,000 were murdered or died as a result of starvation or disease. Many more were imprisoned, used as forced labour or subjected to forced sterilisation and medical experimentation. Many people interested in the Holocaust will have come across the image of a girl with a headscarf peering out of a half-open sliding door of a cattle waggon before the train departs for Auschwitz. It was taken in May 1944 in the Westerbork transit camp in the north-east of the Netherlands, where Dutch Jews were held before they were deported to the extermination camps in the east. In the Netherlands the image is as famous as the picture of Anne Frank. In fact, far beyond the Netherlands, this haunting image of a young, innocent, vulnerable girl transported to her death has become a symbol of Jewish victim hood. For decades she was just known as ‘the girl with the headscarf’, and it was taken for granted that she was Jewish. It took the painstaking detective work of Dutch journalist Aad Wagenaar in the early 1990s to establish who the girl really was. His research led to an astonishing result: the girl was not Jewish but in fact a nine-year-old Dutch Romani girl by the name of Anna Maria ‘Settela’ Steinbach.Settela was born on 23 December 1934 into a traditional Sinti family in Buchten in the south-east of the Netherlands, where the family had put up their caravan for the winter months in what was known as ‘the Gypsy encampment’. The local doctor’s wife, Anna Maria Druysens, invited the Sinti every year to her house for Christmas. When she heard of the birth, she agreed to be the godmother for the newborn child, which is how Settela got her official name, Anna Maria. Settela’s father worked as a trader and a violinist in a Sinti orchestra at village festivals and fairs. Her mother ran the household and raised the children, seven altogether, while moving from village to village. The family had originally come from Germany, and they would no doubt have heard about the worsening situation of the Sinti and Roma since the Nazis had come to power. In May 1940, the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, but initially did not target the Sinti and Roma. It was only in July 1943 that an order was issued prohibiting them from travelling by waggon, and all Sinti and Roma were forced into

one of 27 guarded assembly camps. The Steinbach family tried to evade the order, but eventually were deported to the central assembly camp in Eindhoven. Settela’s father Heinrich ‘Moeselman’ was picked up by the police from there. He survived the war and died in 1946. On 14 May 1944 the Dutch police received the order to move all ‘Gypsy families’ from the assembly camps to Westerbork transit camp. Two days later, Settela and her family were rounded up. At Westerbork, Settela, like all the other Roma girls and women, had her head shaven, and she wore the torn sheet to cover her bald head that is seen on the photo.Altogether 574 ‘gypsies’ ended up at Westerbork. However, on further inspection by the camp authorities more than half of them turned out to be either not Roma even though they lived in waggons, or they had foreign passports, and they were therefore released from the camp. The remaining 245 Sinti and Roma were put on a cattle train and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on 19 May 1944.Upon arrival, they were taken to

the Auschwitz Gypsy Family Camp. Those regarded as fit enough to work were later transported to labour camps. Settela and the rest of her remaining family were murdered in the gas chambers of Auschwitz, probably during the night of 2 August when the Auschwitz Gypsy Family Camp was liquidated.In contrast to Anne Frank, who left us her diary, Settela did not leave us anything apart from this one haunting image – a few fleeting seconds in a film about Westerbork transit camp. Millions of people have been moved by this image without realising who this girl was.In 2008, Janna Eliot, a Roma writer and musician from London, published a book about Settela, based on Aad Wagenaar’s research: Settela’s Last Road. Eliot tried to create a

diary-like narrative of Settela’s final months and put her imagined thoughts, her fears and her dreams of leading her people to freedom into words. Many reviewers agreed that this is an inspirational book that should be read in schools next to Anne Frank’s diary.Despite Eliot’s efforts, the book remains widely unknown – another indication that there is still a long way to go until the fate of the Roma and Sinti during the Nazi period is fully appreciated and recognised.

Both stories taken from www.hmd.org.uk

PASTORAL MATTERSYEAR 9 ASSESSMENT WEEKTop Tips For SuccessGetting organised Set out a timetable for your study – All Year 9 students have been given a blank timetable to help them get organised – Remember Maths & English are in the Sports Hall on Thursday 4th February.Organize your study spaceMake sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight?Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right.Use flow charts and diagramsVisual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic - and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.Explain your answers to othersParents and little brothers and sisters don't have to be annoying around exam time! Use them to your advantage. Explain an answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more work.Organize study groups with friendsGet together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As

long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.Take regular breaksWhile you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.Everyone's different, so develop a study routine that works for you. Snack on 'brain food'Keep away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but it won't help when your energy levels crash an hour or so later.Plan your exam dayMake sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam - don't leave it to the day before to suddenly realize what you're supposed to bring.Drink plenty of waterAs a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.Good luck! Ms Mason, Head of Year 9

LITERACY MATTERSWEEKLY SPELLING BEEEach week you will see 12 words that are commonly misspelt. See how many you can learn each week!

Mrs StockwellQUOTES OF THE WEEK'We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.' Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, J.K Rowling'Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.' Ronald Reagan'Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.' William Shakespeare Miss Beaumont-Dyer

Description To Studying Truly Friend Does College Stopped Quiet Recommend

Occasion Embarrass

YEAR 10Year 10 have another busy half term ahead. The importance of which is highlighted when you consider that, 12 months from now, Year 10 will have completed their mock exams. Good habits in terms of homework completion and completing classwork to the highest standard will lay the foundation for success. The latest progress reports are soon to be published. Please discuss with your child and address any areas of concern. Do not hesitate to contact me directly for any support or queries you may have. Can I please stress the importance of having the correct uniform. Our high standards need to run throughout all aspects of school life. Trainers are not allowed and please ensure school skirts and trousers are regulation. A reminder that the school target is 96% attendance. This level of attendance has significant impact on results. Mr Ross: sross@st-augustines.worcs.sch.ukYEAR 11Key date coming up: Parents‘ Evening Thursday, 11th February 2016 (17:00-20:00). Booking is now open. Students will be bringing home a letter giving instructions on how to book appointments. If you are struggling to access the school portal, please contact school on 01527 550400 and ask to speak to Mrs Thomas in the Pastoral Office. On Wednesday, 3rd February 2016 students will receive their Mock Examination results. Students will be given a short report which they can share with you at home that evening. This will provide the basis for discussion at Parents’ Evening.

Due to a clash with Mock Examinations ,Year 11 were unable to hear the Holocaust Assembly presented by Mrs O'Connor to other year groups. Year 11 will receive this important message on Monday 1st February 2016.Well done to the students receving their English Literature results today. If any parents have any concerns regarding their son‘s/daughter’s results please do not hesitate to contact me and I will feed this back to the English department.Behaviour and attendance during the mock exams was superb - well done to all students. However, there are concerns with the number of students needing to borrow equipment eg it is not acceptable to forget to bring a calculator to a Maths Calculator examination. Students should expect an equipment and uniform check next week. Please can parents/carers ensure that students are not wearing jeans to school. Students found wearing jeans, or trainers will be subject to a uniform detention.If students have expressed anxiety about their mock examinations can you please let me know. We can arrange exam anxiety workshops to prepare students for the 'real thing' in May. Thank you for all your parental support with Year 11 over the last three years and I look forward to seeing you at Parents‘ Evening on Thursday, 11th February 2016. Mr Mill

SPORTS MATTERSYEAR 9 BOYS FOOTBALLOn Tuesday Year 9 faced South Bromsgrove on a rain swept pitch at an away game in the district cup semi-final. Both teams are currently experiencing successful league campaigns - both unbeaten. Saints started the game well and despite the wet and windy conditions linked many good periods of passing play together, gaining success particularly down the left wing through Braden Wigginton. South themselves had periods of play where they threatened the Saints goal line, particularly from set pieces. However, Callum Norris marshalled the back 4 excellently and the scores remained at 0-0. Following great play again down the left through Harry Keen, Saints won a corner. This was headed in by Bailey Appleton only to be ruled out by the linesman for offside; so at half time both teams went in goalless. South started the second half the brighter side, but again their attacks were constantly repelled by the Saints defence. With 10 minutes remaining Harry Keen struck a fine free-kick from 35 yards out, which found its way through a crowd of players and in to the back of the net. The hard work and commitment by all the team was rewarded as they still kept wave after wave of South attack out and were one nil victors at the final whistle. Saints will now face North Bromsgrove in the district cup final in April. Well done lads, you should be very proud of yourselves. WEST BROMWICH ALBION FOOTBALL TRIP On Tuesday, 2nd February 2016 29 Year 9 students will be visiting The Hawthorns to watch WBA take on Swansea City in a Premier League match. The students have been selected for this trip as a reward to their commitment to the extra-curricular programme at the school. Please refer to the letter for timings, suitable clothing and pick up arrangements at school at the end of the activity. Mr MurphyCOUNTY CROSS COUNTRYThe County Cross Country is taking place on Saturday, 6th February 2016 at Hereford Racecourse. Students have confirmed their particpation. However they should still bring their consent form with them on the day. Mrs Humphries will be there on the day if there are any problems. Students are to make there own way there and should ensure that they arrive in good time for their race. Good luck! Mrs Humphries

WEEK COMMENCING 1.2.16CLUBSMonday LunchtimeDance Club - Small Hall - Mrs HumphriesIndoor Football - Boys and Girls - Sports Hall - Mr Murphy/Mr WaltonMonday After SchoolBasketball Training - Girls - Year 9/10 - Sports Hall - Mrs HumphriesYear 9 Boys Training Night - see Mr Murphy for detailsTuesday LunchtimeYear 9 Basketball - Boys/Girls - Sports Hall - Mr Murphy/Mr WatsonFitness Club - Boys/Girls - all years welcome - Mr OwenTuesday After SchoolRowing Club - Boys/Girls - all years welcome - Small Hall - Mr OwenBasketball/Football/Rugby fixturesWednesday LunchtimeGCSE PE Table Tennis Officiating - Small Hall - Mrs Chinn/Mr RossBasketball Club - Year 11 and Sixth Form Boys - Mr MurphyWednesday After SchoolBasketball/Football/Rugby fixturesThursday Before SchoolBasketball Club - Year 11 and Sixth Form Girls - Mr OwenThursday LunchtimeBasketball Club - Year10 Boys - Sports Hall - Mr Murphy/Mr WatsonThursday After SchoolTrampolining Club - External Coach - Small HallBasketball/Football/Rugby fixturesFriday Before SchoolBadminton Club - all years welcome - Sports Hall - Mr Murphy/Mr ManzurFriday LunchtimeSmash Up for Badminton Club - all years welcome - Sports hall - Mr WaltonStudents must wear trainers when attending clubs.

Next Week’s fixturesBoys Fixtures:Year 9 boys- There are no fixtures for the Year 9 boys next week and there is also no training Monday after school due to Year 11 fixtures. Breakfast and lunchtime clubs will run as normal. Monday 1st February 2016 - Year 11 Basketball Saints vs Tudor Grange Academy away at Tudor Grange Academy (B98 7UH). Leave school at 3.45pmReturn to school/pick up at approximately 5.20pm.Wednesday, 3rd February 2016 Saints vs Arrow Vale at Saint Augustine's.Tip off at 4.00pm, leave school/pick at approximately 5.00pm.Both team sheets are outside of the PE office displayed on the fixtures board.Sixth Form boys basketball vs Trinity (away). To be confirmed. Pick up Saints 5.30pm. Thursday, 4th Feb:ruary 2016Year 10 boys basketball vs Trinity (away). Pick up at Saints 5.30pm. Mr Murphy and Mr RossGirls F:ixtures:Wednesday 3rd February 2016 - Sixth Form Girls Basketball vs South (Home) - Finish Approx 5.15pmYear 9 Girls Basketball Tournament @ HOW - Finish Approx 6.00pmSaturday 6th February 2016 - County Cross Country at Hereford Race Course - selected students Mrs Humphries

CALENDAR 2016SPRING TERM 2016Monday, 1st - Friday, 5th February 2016 - Assessment Week Year 9Wednesday, 10th February 2016 - Years 9, 10 and 11 Lenten Reconciliation Services; Pop IconsThursday, 11th February 2016 - YEAR 11 PARENTS’ EVENING 5.00pm - 8.00pmHalf term spring term 2016 - Monday, 15th - Friday, 19th February 2016 inclusiveMonday, 22nd - Friday, 26th February 2016 - Year 13 Mock ExaminationsMonday, 22nd February - Friday, 4th March 2016 - Fair Trade FortnightThursday, 3rd March 2016 - MAC Music Evening at the Palace TheatreMonday, 7th - Friday, 11th March 2016 - Year 12 Mock ExaminationsTuesday, 8th March 2016 - International Womens’ DayThursday, 10th March 2016 - YEAR 9 PARENTS‘ EVENINGMonday, 14th - Friday, 18th March 2016 - Lent Fundraising WeekWednesday, 16th March 2016 - Would I Lie To You? - lunch-time in the theatre - 12.30pmThursday, 17th March 2016 - YEAR 13 PARENTS’ EVENINGThursday, 24th March 2016 - INSET DAY - school closed to studentsEaster Holiday 2016 - Thursday, 24th March - Friday, 8th April 2016 inclusiveSUMMER TERM 2016Monday, 11th April 2016 - school open to all studentsMay Day - Monday, 2nd May 2016Thursday, 19th May 2016 - YEAR 10 PARENTS’ EVENINGFriday, 27th May 2016 - Saint Augustine’s Feast DayHalf term summer term 2016 - Monday, 30th May - 3rd June 2016 inclusiveMonday, 13th - Friday, 17th June 2016 - Year 9 Assess-ment WeekMonday, 20th - Friday, 24th June 2016 - Year 10 Assessment WeekThursday, 23rd June 2016 - Saint Augustine’s Day/Year 13 Leavers MassWednesday, 29th June 2016 - Year 11 PromWednesday, 13th and Thursday, 14th July 2016: Transition DaysEnd of term Thursday, 21st July 2016 (12.30pm closure)Friday, 22nd July 2016 - INSET DAY - school closed to students

CAREER SPOTLIGHT ON........Name: Linda HillOccupation: Social WorkerQualifications: GCSEs A Levels, First Degree and a Masters Degree (you don't need the Masters).What were you thinking of doing when at school? I wanted to change the world!Extra-Curricular experience: Worked for CAB as a volunteer, worked at a Women's refuge.What does your job involve? I assess people to see what support they need to enable them to live as independently as possible. I work with vulnerable adults and try to ensure that they are safe. I try to keep people out of residential care/hospital.What personal qualities are needed? Emotional resilience, intelligence, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude.What do you like about the job the most? I believe I am helping people and I am changing the world if only at a micro level.Anything exciting/didn’t anticipate? I didn't anticipate having to battle every day for limited resources, nor did I anticipate how badly my job would be affected by political forces.Salary range: Starting Salary is about 25kHow to find out more/advice: Worcestershire County CouncilAnything else? I still love my job after 25 years but my children say I moan about it all the time!!

WEEK TWO MENU FROM 1ST FEBRUARY 2016

ATTENDANCE25th - 29th January 2016ATTENDANCE WEEKLY TARGET 2015-2016 - 96%

YEAR 9 - 96.8%YEAR 10 - 96.4%YEAR 11 - 97.3%

TOTAL - 96.9%Excellent attendance for all years this week - well done!Miss Bird, Attendance Officer

STARS OF THE WEEKYEAR 9

Star of the Week for Year 9 is Will Turner for amazing WWI poetry. Well done Will. Mr HuchisonAdditional Star of the Week for Year 9 is Emiliya Kott, who achieved an amazing 33 out of 33 in her recent 'Fractions' topic test!! A fantastic achievement and you should be extremely proud - I am!! Well done Emiliya, keep up the hard

work!! Mr RankinSports Stars of the Week are the Year 9 Football team, who have got through to the final of the District Cup. Well done

lads. I am very proud of you. Mr MurphyYEAR 10

Year 10 Stars of the Week are Year 10 BTEC Sport students for the focus and determination they have shown in their exam preparation. Well done. Mr Ross

YEAR 11Year 11 Stars of the Week are Reed Goodman and Jordyn Robinson for the most class charts points for last 14 days.

Mr Mill, Head of Year 11SIXTH FORM

Star of the Week for the Sixth Form is Joseph Barnes for an excellent essay on womens’ civil rights and the economy in the USA. Also, well done to all students in Y13D and Y13B for some great presentations on Trade Union legislation.

Congratulations to you all. Mrs Van Liempt History Star of the week is Joseph McAuliffe, who put spider diagrams for revision on the New Deal and the Second

World War online ensuring their accessibility to the rest of the class. Great effort and great initiative! Well done.Mrs Van Liempt

Scientist of the Week!

Scientist of the week goes to Oliver Sabin. Oliver is always highly motivated in science and has worked extremely hard on the coursework and in preparation for the mock exams. In spite of the demands of the exams Oliver has remained positive, friendly and helpful to other students and is a pleasure to teach. Well done Oliver!

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Year 9 Assessment Fortnight

1st – 12th February

Dear Parents/Carers

Over this fortnight all students in Year 9 will be having assessment tasks in their subjects. These will inform their

next reports and ensure that they are in the correct sets to maximise their learning. English and Maths will have

tests in the sports hall. Please ensure that students have the appropriate equipment: 2 black pens, pencil, rubber,

ruler, protractor, a pair of compasses and a calculator. These tests are on:

Thursday, 4th February 2016

Period 1, English exam – 1hour

Period 3, Maths exam – 1 hour 30 minutes

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Year, Ms Mason (masona@st-

augustines.worcs.sch.uk)

Yours sincerely

Mr G O’Connor

Head of School

Subject Assessment topics: How your son/daughter can revise: Art & Design BTEC Controlled assessment within class N/A

GCSE Business

Studies

Unit 1 – Setting Up a Business

Make use of:

Classroom notes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpsvr

82

www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk

OCR Cambridge

National in

Business and

Enterprise

R061 – Introduction to Business

(External Examination)

Make use of:

Classroom notes and PowerPoint slides

Key Term Glossary

Revision guide (O drive)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpsvr

82

www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk

BTEC Children's

Play, Learning and

Development

Coursework - unit

preparation/completion

N/A

Computing GCSE Outside the BOX:Storage, CPU,

Binary, Binary Addition, Binary Hex,

processor, Logic Gates.

Make use of:

Class Notes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z26rcd

m/revision.

Drama Mask performance work Make use of:

All notes in Portfolio, homework tasks and

feedback.

Engineering BTEC Examination Paper Unit 1

based upon Sections A 1,2,3

Safe learner: Signs & Signage: Health

& Safety

Make use of:

Work in folders.

Homework sheets

www.technologystudent.com

English

Writing Assessment based on travel

writing. Revise the features of a range of travel writing.

Revise / review writing skills.

Use BBC Bitesize to practise writing skills

Food Nutrition

Healthy Eating

The eat well plate

Know your practical skills

Make use of:

Lesson notes.

Use 11- 16 years.

on www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/

Use BBC bitesize revision food technology.

French GCSE Foundation Listening test Revise vocabulary on list issued by Mrs

Mushen

http://www.flashcards by chegg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/fren

ch/

http://www.atantot.com/menu.htm

http://www.memrise.com

Geography Nature of assessment:

Duration - 1 hour

A range of questions. The paper will

consist of 70% skills and 30% based

on rivers & water that we have

covered since Christmas.

The exam will be marked out of 53,

including three marks for spelling,

punctuation and grammar.

Make use of:

Geography Skills book from before

Christmas.

Water and rivers booklet from this term.

German Speaking Assessment on the topic of

school.

Make use of:

Questions and answers prepared in class on

the topic of school.

Revise work covered in class.

Practise the answers to the questions given

out by the teacher at home.

Use support material and guidance given by

the teacher to prepare for the assessment.

H&SC BTEC

Coursework - unit

preparation/completion

N/A

History Medicine through time

Focus your revision on Medieval

medicine and the Black Death

Black Death: Causes, symptoms,

cures and consequences

Use work covered in exercise books

BBC Bitesize

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/hist

ory/shp/

Study History

http://www.studyhistory.co.uk/GCSE/Resourc

es,%20GCSE,%20index.htm

School History

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/revision/medic

ine.shtml

ICT GCSE Controlled Coursework.

(Unit 2)

N/A

ICT Cambridge

Nationals

R002, Unit1: Search, store and share

information

Make use of:

Class Notes.

Maths Assessment will be as follows:

Sets B1, B2, B3 and Y4 : Calculator

Paper

Sets Y5, Y6, Y7, YI and BN : Non

Calculator Paper.

Each paper will have a main section

worth 80 marks and Extension

section for those students who want

to extend their possible grade to the

next level.

Focus on all topics covered in Years

7, 8 and 9 so far. The papers are

intended to be general baseline tests

and therefore any common maths

topic may appear.

Make use of:

Exercise books

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/

www.mymaths.co.uk

User Name; august

Password; shape

You will be given a revision list and guidance on the

topics to focus on next week.

You will need pen, pencil, ruler and geometry

set (compasses and protractor) for this exam.

Media

Assessment will be on a TV extract.

Focus on written codes, technical

codes, symbolic codes and

conventions.

Make use of:

Class Notes

Music Test on theory work completed to

date

Assessment of current practical

project

Make use of:

Lesson notes in folders

P.E Mr Murphy's group:

Should revise for the exam:

Components of fitness

Training methods

Principles of training

Mrs Humphries Group:

Will only be tested if they are

resitting.

Make use of:

Exercise books.

Class notes.

Performing Arts

BTEC

Assessment of practical work:

“Hard to Swallow”

Musical chorus work

Practise practical work

Learn lines

Learn lyrics

Keep portfolio up to date

Sport BTEC Ongoing coursework N/A

Product Design AQA Examination paper.

Section A ‘Designing’

Make use of:

Work in folders – Design Movements

Electronic text book on Kerboodle

RE Students will be tested in class on

their knowledge, understanding plus

theirs and other’s opinions on:

Topic 2: Matters of Life and

Death:

- Life After Death.

- Abortion and Euthanasia.

- Poverty.

Make use of:

The materials in your exercise book: notes

made in class, group work sheets and hand-

outs.

The exam technique advice sheet in your

book to give guidance on structuring opinion

questions.

YouTube revision clips – they have good

information and visuals to help you

understand the different parts of this topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbRX43mr

Tdw (5 clips for this topic)

Science Students will be tested on;

Sets 1,2, & 3

Cells

Set 4

Atomic structure

Sets 5,6,7 & 8

Cells

9N

Atomic structure

Make use of:

Classroom notes.

Kerboodle.

BBC bitesize.

Students will need a calculator for the science

assessment.

s p o n s o r e d byThese books have been picked by SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS, who have hundreds more children’s books to keep the reading habit going long after World Book Day. Give your child the choice at clubs.scholastic.co.uk.

THE RECRUIT ROBERT MUCHAMORE Hodder CHERUB is the secret training ground for young MI5 spies. CHERUB agents slip under adult radar to get intelligence which sends criminals and terrorists to jail. When tough kid James is recruited by CHERUB, he’s grateful. Now he’s away from the Children’s Home, and from trouble with the police. He thinks CHERUB has saved his life. But for how long? The first book in a pulse–racing series.

DROPZONE: TERMINAL VELOCITY ANDY MCNAB Random House Skydiver and undercover spy Ethan is being dropped into the darkest heart of evil – a cage–fighting gang which is killing homeless kids.

THE MEDUSA PROJECT: THE SET UP SOPHIE MCKENZIE Simon and Schuster Fourteen years ago, a scientist implanted four babies with a psychic gene. Now their telekinetic powers are finally kicking in.

THEODORE BOONE JOHN GRISHAM Hodder Aspiring lawyer Theo knows every judge and policeman in the city of Strattenburg. But he knows too much – and now he’s facing a cold–blooded killer.

BULLET BOYS ALLY KENNAN Scholastic

Three kids. A group of young soldiers – and a cache of deadly weapons. It’s ready to explode.

SHELTER HARLAN COBEN Orion Mickey Bolitar’s year can’t get much worse. He’s seen his father die, sent his mum to rehab and now he’s living with his estranged uncle Myron. And then his new girlfriend vanishes . . . A gripping tale of crime and conspiracy from the maestro, Harlen Coben.

STORM RUNNERS ROLAND SMITH Scholastic If lightning strikes, Chase and his dad are there – racing across America in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. But will Chase survive being caught in the storm?

TORN DAVID MASSEY Chicken House

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And where? The answer will shake her whole world.

If you love chris ryan, try . . .

SAINT AUGUSTINE’SCatholic High School & Sixth Form CentreOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Company

THE SUNDAY TIMES: Top 500 Schools

Parents’/Carers’ Guide to

THE ATTENDANCE POLICY

Head of School: Mr G O‘ConnorExecutive Principal: Mr A F Quinn

Saint Augustine’s Catholic High SchoolStonepits Lane

Hunt End, RedditchWorcs B97 5LX

Tel 01527 550400www.st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk

BEING FREQUENTLY LATE FOR SCHOOL ADDS UP TO LOST LEARNING:

• Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year!

• Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year.

• Arriving 30 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 19 days a year.

If your child attends school, they are more likely to succeed.

WHAT IS GOOD ATTENDANCE?

Room for Improvement Cause for ConcernVery Good

175 non school dayseach year

175 days to spend on family time,visits and holidays

180 days education

10 daysabsence

190 school days each

year

171 dayseducation

19 daysabsence

161 days education

29 daysabsence

152 dayseducation

38 daysabsence

143 dayseducation

47 daysabsence

Very Good!Best chance of success.Gets your child off to a

flying start.

Room for improvement.Less chance of success.

Makes it harder for yourchild to make progress.

Cause for Concern.Your child will find it verydifficult to make progress.

100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75%

REMEMBER!90% attendance is equal to 1 day off each fortnight

PUNCTUALITYSchool starts at 9.15am School ends at 3.50pm

It is important that children arrive on time for school so that they can learn more effectively and not disrupt others.

Class teachers take the register at 9.15am. If your child arrives late, then you will need to sign them in at the office. Any late arrival after 9.40am is recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Please note that a referral to the Education Investigation Service may be made if a student has 10 sessions (5 days) or more of unauthorised absence on their registration certificate.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTSWhere possible, please provide a letter confirming your medical appointment. Should your child’s pattern and/or level of attendance become a concern, then you as a parent may be required to provide medical evidence avoid the absences being categorised as unauthorised.

Attendance Policy Summary As a Catholic School our mission is to be:

“A Christ centred learning community committed to the development of the whole person.”

A copy of the Attendance policy can be found on the school website at www.st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk

ATTENDANCE• Attendance at school is a legal requirement• Children are expected to attend regularly• The attendance target is above 96% • Children are expected to be on time• Attendance is monitored regularly• Rewards are given for good attendance

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES• Teachers mark the register twice a day and all absences are recorded.• If your child is ill or other circumstances prevent them from attending school, you must contact school on the first day and every subsequent day with reason for absence. • If you do not let school know the reason for absence, then the office staff may contact you for an explanation.• If you do not inform school as to the reason for absence, then the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and the ESW (Education Support Worker) informed.• Any absence or lateness which is causing concern will be discussed with parents/carers and/or reported to the Education Welfare Support Worker (EWSW) for Attendance.

REWARDS FOR GOOD ATTENDANCEAs in other areas of school, we promote a positive attitude to behaviour and recognise and reward good attendance.• Certificate for 100% attendance each term. • Raffle for an iPad Mini each term.• Behaviour point for a full week of attendance.

LEAVE OF ABSENCESaint Augustine’s does not condone the taking of holidays during term time. This stance is recommended by Ofsted and the DfE.

Requests for holidays in term time should be submitted to the Principal with at least one term’s notice, except for emergencies which will be discussed on an individual basis.

In exceptional circumstances, requests for holidays may be considered but will be subject to the Principal’s discretion and this decision is final.

If unauthorised absence is taken by parents/carers, the school is required to pass on the details to the LA and parents/carers may incur a Penalty Fine of at least £60 per adult.