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Ibstock Community College Newsletter - October 2019

Welcome

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Friends,

It has been an extremely busy October as you will read below.

Our students continue to work hard in their lessons and it is a joy to visit the classrooms and see the fabulous work that is being created. It makes me incredibly proud.

Following our successful open evening in September we have been showcasing the college with a number of Year 6 parent tours, feedback has been really positive and we look forward to welcoming students later this academic year. Other students who have joined us mid term are also settling in well.

It was lovely to hear to hear all about the adventures of Year 9 on the Wales trip. Thank you again to Mr Pilcher, Mrs Higginson and Mr Mayhew for their efforts, I still remember fondly the residential visits I took part in throughout my school years. The memories I made and the friendships that developed are still very clear. I am sure that our students will remember in the same way.

Uniform

We continue to remind students of the school uniform requirements. Now the weather has changed, becoming colder and wet, please ensure your child has an appropriate coat to wear over their blazer.

The new uniform policy requires a plain coat that is black, navy or dark grey, with no contrasting details or logo. Having said that we do not want families to have the expense of buying second coat if your child currently has a suitable coat that is another dark colour.

Should you need to replace your child's coat in the future we ask that it is back, navy or dark grey as required in our uniform policy.

For more information please visit; http://www.ibstockcollege.co.uk/uniform-information

Year 9 Wales trip

30 students embarked upon on a five day trip out to the coast and countryside. Students stayed a Pensarn Harbour 5 miles from Harlech in North Wales Snowdonia region. The College have been attending the centre 5 out of the last 6 years. Students enjoyed the following activities:

Gorge walking involving walking up steam in the river and standing under water falls and jumping off rocks into water!

Rock climbing at Barmouth - once reaching the summit of the cliff edge the sea views were breath taking!

Kayaking up the estuary towards the mouth and near to the sea.

Archery - including trying to aim at every colour of the target and piping pinned up balloons.

Mountain walk up Cnicht the 689m high long ridge starting in the village of Croesor getting its name from the word Knight. The shape of the mountain and direction of the circular walk beared a similarity to a knights helmet.

Students also built a bonfire and walked to the beach in the day and at night. Thank you as well to Mrs Higginson and Mr Mayhew for giving up their week to lead students on the trip. Mr Pilcher

Book Buzz Update

Thank you to all parents and carers who helped our students choose their Book Buzz books. With thousands of young people across hundreds of school participating in this scheme, the arrival date of our books is not specified. Hardly a day goes by without an excited students popping into the RRC to see if they’ve arrived yet – we’re definitely still buzzing about books! Book Trust guarantee they will arrive before Christmas but Mrs Barber has already said she WON’T be gift-wrapping all 223 of them!

Fire Safety

This week Leicestershire Fire Service have taken our schools assemblies to speak with students about fire safety, both in the home and celebrating bonfire night safely.

At home;

  • Have a smoke alarm on each level and test them regularly.
  • Shut internal when you go to bed, this could stop a fire spreading.
  • Know where your keys are so you can exit the home.
  • Have a means of communication.

Public Firework displays are safer and you and your family will get to see more fireworks. If you choose to hold a display at home, ensure you follow the the Firework Code – Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults safety guidelines. Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

  1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
  2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
  3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
  4. Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
  5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
  6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
  7. Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
  8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
  9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
  10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Sports Leaders

In January we will be starting the nationally recognised sports leaders qualification for our year 9s which will run until the end of March for 10 weeks. Prospective students have already had to write an application of why they would be suitable for the role. Successful candidates have already been called upon to do training and lead a multi-sports event last week for a primary school. Next week 16 students will lead an indoor athletics event hosted by Ibstock on three days for more than 2 hours each time. Other leadership roles throughout the year will include competitions such as: kurling, orienteering, badminton, swimming gala, dodgeball, boccia and basketball.

Halloween Disco

Last night we hosted the Year 7 Halloween Disco in our community centre, the students looked great in their costumes and everyone had a great time!

Remembrance

Mr Norman will be taking next weeks assemblies to focus on Remembrance Day. On Friday 8 November we will be holding a commemoration and laying a wreath at the cenotaph. Mrs Williams will be joining the village parade on Sunday 10 November.

Children in Need

This year to support Children in Need the college will be joining the Countryfile Ramble.

in the afternoon of Friday 15 November the whole college will walk from College to Sence Valley, we will enjoy a walk around Sence Valley before returning to school in time for the end of the day. Students will walk in their tutor groups.

Students are asked for a £1 donation for Children in Need. Should be a great afternoon!

Christmas Food Bank

We will shortly we launching this years Christmas Food Bank appeal. Last year's appeal was a great success, thanks to your generosity, the College was able to donate a number of food parcels to the Coalville Food Bank in time for Christmas.

Staff and students are asked to donate Christmas themed food and add it to the sleigh, to help those less fortunate than ourselves. All donations welcome. Thank you.

Christmas Dinner

Student Christmas dinner will he held on Wednesday 18 December, students sit and eat together with their tutor group.

Students are required to pre-order a Christmas dinner by paying for it at the till during break or lunchtime. Students who currently receive free school meals will automatically receive a Christmas dinner

This will be available to order until Monday 9 December. You can ensure students have sufficient funds by topping up their account on Parent pay.

Wednesday 18 December will also be non-uniform Christmas Jumper day with donations for Save the Children.

ParentPay

Please ensure your child has sufficient balance on their ParentPay account in order for them to purchase food and drink during morning break and lunchtime. We are not able to loan students money for food. If you have not received a ParentPay password please contact icc.admin@ibstockcollege.co.uk

If you feel you may be entitled to free school meals please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

A free school meal allowance is £2.45 a day which can be spent during morning break or lunchtime.

Insight

Insight will give you easy access to personalised information for your child's life at Ibstock Community College. This includes attendance, achievement points, behaviour, parents’ evening information and much more. You will be able to find student assessment information here as well as their annual report.

Parent Lite

Update information such as medical details, dietary needs and contact information with SIMS Parent Lite. In a move to improve home-school communication, we are adopting a more paperless approach to contacting parents and carers.

Please ensure you have activated your account and update your child's information as required. If you have not received an activation email please contact icc.admin@ibstockcollege.co.uk

Contact with College

There may be times when you need to speak to a member of staff. In order that we may facilitate this please ensure you make an appointment with the appropriate person, all contacts details can be found on our website http://www.ibstockcollege.co.uk/staff-list-

Due to the commitments of a school day, should you arrive without an appointment we cannot guarantee that a member of staff will be available to speak with you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Upcoming dates

Year 9 Parents' evening - Thursday 7 November and Tuesday 12 November

Remembrance service - Friday 8 November

Children in Need Ramble - Friday 15 November

Christmas Concert - Thursday 5 December

Christmas Dinner day - Wednesday 18 December

Year 7 Carol service - Thursday 19 December

For further dates and information please visit http://www.ibstockcollege.co.uk/content/calendar.php

Contacting the college

Tel: 01530 260705

Email: icc.admin@ibstockcollege.co.uk

Website: www.ibstockcollege.co.uk

Medical Conditions

Individual Health Care Plans - if you child has an IHCP please notify us of any changes so we remain up-to-date with your child's medical needs. Likewise, if your child has been diagnosed with a new medical condition, they may need an IHCP putting in place.

Credits:

Created with an image by Javier Molina - "untitled image"