April 2015
Dear Parent
New York and Ski Trips
February half-term 2015 saw some KS4 students at Hasland Hall spoilt for choice about where to go! The now legendary Ski Trip, organised for Y11 by their Learning Co-ordinator Mr Hatton, this year saw 24 students and 3 staff head off for the slopes of Andorra. Meanwhile, a group of Y10s and Y11s went on what was unanimously voted the “trip of a lifetime” to the Big Apple, led by Mr Sutcliffe and other members of the Design Department. Visits included: Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Centre, the Hard Rock Café, a trip to a basketball game in Newark, a boat trip round Manhattan via the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island, Ground Zero Memorial Museum, Fifth Avenue and the New York Metropolitan Museum.
Both parties reported a very enjoyable week!
School Closure –February ‘Snow Days’
I would like to convey my appreciation for your support when the decision was made recently to close the school due to adverse weather conditions. I’m sure you will appreciate that this decision was not taken lightly. However, as the weather deteriorated rapidly and the road conditions worsened, it was important that we acted swiftly to ensure the students’ safety.
As always on these occasions, we review practice. Once the decision had been taken to close the school, our main task was to ensure that all parents were contacted individually, in addition to the text and web-site messages. If your son or daughter does not have easy access to your contact details, for example in their phones, please would you ensure that they write a number in their planner. Whilst we have all contact details electronically, it speeds things up if students have quicker access to a phone contact.
Mr Nutting (Assistant Curriculum Area Leader Languages)
After 22½ years working at Hasland Hall, Mr Nutting has moved on, leaving at the end of the Spring Term. We wish him well in his new post.
Student Email Addresses
All students have now been issued with a school email address and they have been reminded of the need to adhere to the ‘ICT Acceptable Use Agreement’. They are aware that the address is for curriculum/learning related activities only.
Parent Governor Vacancy
We currently have a vacancy for a Parent Governor. Should there be any parent interested in joining the Governing Body, please let us know by contacting the Headteacher’s Secretary, Wendy Whitfield. If we have expressions of interest from more than one parent, an election will be held.
Department for Education (DfE) School Performance Tables
The DfE School Performance Tables were published in January 2015 and are available to view on the DfE’s website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education).
School Uniform from September 2015 (Update)
In my last newsletter, I made reference to changes in the school uniform requirements. The details are yet to be finalised but it has been agreed that the recommended trousers and skirts will be those available through the supplier of other uniform items, Schoolwear for Less. However, following further discussion, it has been agreed that purchases may be made elsewhere but only if the style of trouser and skirts are strictly in line with those recommended.
Dogs on Site
We have been asked by Derbyshire County Council to remind parents that dogs are not allowed on the school site. This includes being carried in arms. They are also not to be tied up to the school gates.
British Heart Foundation
As part of ‘Healthy Heart’ month, throughout March a number of assemblies focussed on the importance of having a healthy, active lifestyle and tutor times were dedicated to reinforcing these points. A staff ‘v’ student team multistage fitness test was arranged and £180 was raised for the British Heart Foundation.
Visit to the Houses of Parliament and the Science Museum
On Tuesday 17 March, Mr Pooley (Assistant Headteacher) led a School Council trip to the Houses of Parliament and the Science Museum.
Dates for the Summer Term 2015
Wednesday 29 April Y8 Parents’ Evening
Thursday 30 April Y8 Maths Challenge
Monday 4 May May Day Holiday
Monday 11 May Y11 GCSE Exams Begin
Friday 22 May Last Day of Term
Monday 1 June Students Return to School – Term 6
Monday 8 June Year 10 Exams Begin
Wednesday 17 June Y11 GCSE Exams Finish
Y7 & Y8 Sports Events
Thursday 18 June Y9 & Y10 Sports Events
Y7 Parents’ Evening
Friday 19 June School ‘Prom’
Friday 26 June Teacher Training Day
Mon 29 & Tues 30 June Y7, Y8 & Y9 Extended Learning Days
Monday 29 June Y10 Extended Learning Week
Tuesday 30 June Y6 Induction Day/Evening
Tuesday 14 July PE Awards Evening
Wed 15 – Fri 17 July School Play
Friday 17 July Y10 Reports to Students
Friday 24 July Last Day of Term
Thursday 20 August GCSE Results Day for Students
Yours sincerely
Heather A Boulton
Headteacher