FOR TRANSLATION - 06 October 2023 - Letter to Parents

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you have had a great week. It was wonderful to see so many people attend our Year 8 Parents’ Information Evening this week; thank you, as always, for your support.

Key Dates

There are still some important dates to be aware of this term. Please make sure you put these remaining dates in your diary.

• Year 9 Parents’ Information Evening – Thursday 12 October 6.15 – 7.45pm

• Year 11 Exam Information Evening – Tuesday 26 March 6.15 – 7.45pm

These special information evenings are a welcome to the year from school staff, and a presentation to give you an overview of the year, an understanding of the learning and academic assessments that are happening, the reports you will receive, opportunities for trips and visits, clubs and advice with managing the wellbeing and mental health of young people in this age group. Staff are on hand to answer questions afterwards, and ensure you feel confident with aspects such as home learning, access to laptops/resources, any support with free school meals or hardship fund applications. We look forward to seeing you. Please note that teachers are not present at these Information Evenings. The opportunity to find out about your child’s progress in each subject is at Parent Subject Consultation Evenings.

Parent Subject Consultation Evenings

The dates for these through the year are as follows:

• Year 7 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 14 March 3.30 – 7pm

• Year 8 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 30 November 3.30 – 7pm

• Year 9 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 29 February 3.30 – 7pm

• Year 10 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 7 December 3.30 – 7pm

• Year 11 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 1 February 3.30 – 7pm

Please also note the following date:

• Year 9 Options Evening – Thursday 29 February 5 – 7pm

The purpose of this evening is to help parents and children decide together which options subjects/GCSEs they might choose to take over the next two years in school. This is on the same date as the Subject Consultation, as we found this worked very well for parents this year.

Reading at Orchard School

Next week, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will come home with a letter about Accelerated Reader – the letter will say ‘Renaissance’ at the top, which is the company who produce Accelerated Reader. This letter includes a personal log-in for parents, so please do look out for it. Accelerated Reader is a programme which allows students to track their reading progress, as well as take quizzes about each book they read. With the log in, you’ll be able to look at what your young person has read and also see which quizzes have been taken and passed. We give individuals house points for passing quizzes, as well as awards for tutor groups for the most quizzes passed and most words read.

We would also like to remind you that a reading book is a piece of essential equipment for all students in Years 7, 8 and 9. They are expected to have a book in their bags at all times. Students have all been given the opportunity to take a book out of the library, so if your child has not yet done this then please do remind them. Your support is appreciated.

Attendance

Thank you for supporting us in ensuring that all children are in school every day of the week. It really does make a difference. I wanted to give 7W2 a special shout out as they had the highest attendance (98.5%!) last week, but closely behind them were 8D1, 7W1 and 7A2.

House Champions

We have a fantastic House system and our House Champions this year are Ms Stockley (Avalon), Ms Carrier (Butterfield), Ms Gunn (Dorchester) and Ms Jones (Wisley). Together, they lead some of the extra-curricular opportunities for students including competitions, events, clubs and groups. At the moment, we are celebrating Black History Month, and we also have a poetry and art competition for students; these are all being shared and advertised during tutor time.

Year 10 mock interviews

As part of their preparation for work experience, Year 10 students had the opportunity to have a 1:1 mock interview with a volunteer from business to practise answering common interview questions and have a professional conversation about their future plans. Volunteers came from a range of companies including Airbus, Synoptix, Savills, Bristol City Community Trust and Hoare Lea.

It was fantastic to see how the students conducted themselves with maturity and professionalism; they had clearly taken time to prepare their answers and had thought about how to best present themselves.

Afterwards, the interviewers all said how much they had enjoyed meeting the students and how impressed they were with how seriously they had taken the experience.

Students received feedback and advice about body language, attitude and quality of answers which will help them to prepare for future post-16 and job interviews.

 Trinity 6th Form

Eiron Bailey, Headteacher at Trinity Academy, was delighted to meet with Y11 this week to share Trinity Academy's plans for opening a 6th Form from September 2024.   Please do ask your Year 11 children about it.   If your child is thinking about studying A levels from September 2024, please take a look at their plans.   They have a prospectus and introduction to our 6th Form video on their website.  They are also running two open evenings on Wednesday 11th October and Tuesday 7th November.  You can book your place at their open evening here. 

Young Carers at Orchard

Mrs Morris is our Young Carers Lead – she works with students who have been identified as a Young Carer, she provides opportunities for enrichment-based activities and she can also offer 1:1 emotional support.

If you think that your child may be living in an environment of care, or if they are supporting to deliver care, please get in touch with Mrs Morris at hmorris@orchard.tila.school. More information can be found on the Carers Support Centre website: Help for young carers | Carers Support Centre.

Bristol Education Partnership (BEP)

The Bristol Education Partnership is a collaborative arrangement between four state schools, five independent schools, a sixth form college, two universities and Bristol City Council to improve the outcomes of children and young people in the city. Inspiring activities are taking place across the partnership to broaden young people’s experience of education, open up new opportunities and overcome disadvantage. There are also many teacher networks across the partnership schools. The partnership priorities are, overcoming disadvantage, raising aspirations, broadening education, and inspiring staff.  This year, Orchard students are, or will be, taking part in: The BEP Student Leadership Programme; The BEP Student Council; the Climate Change Meet-up; BEP Youth Talks public speaking competition; BEP Year 7 Spelling Bee 2024 (last year Orchard hosted the Grand Final), BEP Sustainable Lunch, plus many more events and opportunities as the year goes on!

Breakfast Club

A reminder that Breakfast Club is free to all students. There’s hot porridge Monday-Thursday and beans on toast or bacon rolls on a Friday, which were very popular last week! It was great to see some new faces at Breakfast Club, too. Students wishing to take part should arrive at the Student Reception for 7.50am.

Community Information

Booking is live for October half term Bikeability holiday courses at The Ardagh Community Trust, Horfield Common. Please visit their website for more information: Bristol Holiday Courses | Life Cycle UK

The Ardagh Community Trust is also advertising a new after school play/youth session for local children and young people on a Thursday afternoon on Horfield Common happening every week (including holidays), starting Thursday November 2nd. 

They are working with Bristol City Council and Young Bristol to support the delivery of open, free play sessions for local children and young people. The sessions are aimed at children aged 8 - 11, and under 8s are welcome to come along with a parent/carer. Young Bristol will be delivering activities for young people aged 11+. 

They are running 2 'get to know us' sessions on Thursday 12 October and Thursday 19 October for children, young people and parents to find our more information. We'll be based on the common opposite Horfield Leisure Centre from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Kind regards,

Mel Sweet, Interim Headteacher