Welcome
Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Friends,
It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome back all students into college this week.
I am truly grateful of the support you have given regarding the testing of students in school ahead of March 8, the wearing of face coverings in class and ensuring that our students are wearing school uniform. Our students have returned with a positive, respectful attitude, they have behaved well and worked hard. They are a credit to you all.
On arrival our students revisited the college expectations and our RESPECT standards before continuing with their learning with their subject teachers. In my welcome back assemblies the focus was clear, “Welcome back, we have missed you all, let’s look forward and focus on what we have learned through lockdown – new IT skills for a start!”.
Across the college I have seen focused enthusiastic students, eager to learn and glad to be back in front of their teachers. The tremendous bonds that have been built between form tutors and students during the lockdown, have ensured a smooth return to college for all with extra pastoral care being available to those who were particularly anxious.
The students and in particular Year 7, have enjoyed our hot food choices and being able to sit and enjoy their meals in the main hall. Mrs Woodward, our catering manager will revise the lunch choices for after Easter. It has been lovely to see our students outside enjoying team building and orienteering activities with Miss Rhodes, Mr Ball and Mr Harper and we are looking forward to welcoming our peripatetic teachers next week as they recommence music lessons in person. Next week it will be full steam ahead as we relaunch our 20:20:20 (20 mins- MyMaths, 20 mins - reading for pleasure, 20 mins Knowledge Organisers) homework for all students. Please see the schedule on our website. Soon we will begin a range of extra-curricular activities, more details to follow.
As we continue to plan for our move to 11-16 in 2022, I would like to invite you to be part of the journey. Below you will find the link to the Ibstock Community College GCSE Curriculum parent survey. Please complete it no later than Friday 26 March 2021. You feedback is extremely important.
In addition I would like to create a Parent Focus Group who will look at various aspects of Project 24 – our move to age range change. If this is something of interest to you please get in touch: s.williams@ibstockcollege.co.uk.
Have a relaxing weekend.
Best wishes
Mrs Williams
Head of school
Mental Health and Wellbeing
We all have mental health in the same way that we all have physical health. Some days we feel robust, other days less so.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and uncertain time for all of us, so it is only natural that it will affect our mental health in different ways. However you are feeling right now is valid. With the right help and support, we can all get through this.
In school we aim to create a protective environment where students feel happy and safe and are able to talk about how they are feeling.
Over the course of their education, children spend over 7,800 hours at school. With such a huge amount of time spent in the classroom, schools provide an ideal environment for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behavior changes and signs of mental distress. The social and emotional skills, knowledge and behaviors that young people learn in the classroom can help them to build resilience and set the pattern for how they will manage their mental health throughout their lives.
Emotional wellbeing is a clear indicator of academic achievement and success in later life. There is clear evidence that emotional wellbeing is a key indicator of academic achievement and subsequently improved outcomes in later life.
The Department for Education has found that, on average, children with higher levels of emotional, behavioral, social and school wellbeing, had higher levels of academic achievement and were more engaged in schools.
We now have a new ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ page on our school website with subpages for parents and students signposting how and where to get help, if you feel that your child needs extra support with their mental health.
https://www.ibstockcollege.co.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing
The Hive
The Hive has been buzzing(!) with activity all year – both virtually and physically.
It has been lovely to see students able to use it as a space to feel calm and comfortable giving them that much needed space to complete their work at their pace.
Over lockdown Imogen lead Teams meetings which were really useful for some of our students. Some had been struggling with feeling de-motivated with schoolwork and parents had really struggled. This support enabled the students to go on to meet with their teachers and understand what was expected of them.
The Team made calls to some of our most challenging students and we helped them to work towards a face-to-face Teams meeting; for some this a huge and positive step.
Now we are all back in school normal business has resumed, with students coming and going all day, feeling secure in the knowledge that when they are in The Hive they still have the opportunity to learn, but also to talk and clear their heads. Long may this continue!
World Book Day
World Book Day book tokens have been distributed via tutors. They are extending the date as long as stocks last. The closest participating retailer is Tesco at Ashby so you may be able to use them there before other retailers re-open.
School Transport
Please ensure that your child only catches the bus they have been allocated a pass for. We have a number of busses that use similar routes and bus stops. Therefore, students must be aware of their bus number and only travel on this bus and not the first bus that arrives. If you are unsure of your child's bus number please contact the school.
Covid-19
Parent Lite
Please ensure you have activated your Parent Lite account and keep your child's information upto date. If you have not received an activation email please contact icc.admin@ibstockcollege.co.uk
Please take time to look through each tab and update information as required. It is especially important to ensure contact details are up to date, consent information is correct and any medical details or dietary needs are recorded accurately.
Contacting the college
Email: icc.admin@ibstockcollege.co.uk
Website: www.ibstockcollege.co.uk
Upcoming Dates
Easter Break - School closes Friday 26th March and re-opens Monday 12th April