20 September 2024 - Letter to parents

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you have had a great week.  We were really happy to see parents and carers come along to our Parents’ Information Evening this week.  They are important opportunities to hear about the support we provide throughout the year for your child, and to learn more about key aspects of school life, from the clubs on offer to the structure of lessons and how you can support your child at home. 

Key Dates 

There are some important dates to be aware of this term.  From September we have Parent & Carer Information Evenings arranged for each year group. Please make sure you put these dates in your diary.  

Year 8 Parents’ Information Evening – Thursday 3 October 6.15 – 7.45pm  

Year 9 Parents’ Information Evening – Thursday 10 October 6.15 – 7.45pm  

Year 10 Parents’ Information Evening – Thursday 26 September 6.15 – 7.45pm

Year 11 Planning for Success Evening – Tuesday 1 October 4pm – 6pm This is by invitation only

Year 11 Exams Prep Information Evening – Wednesday 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 3 April 3.30 – 7pm 

Year 8 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 5 December 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 9 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 6 March 3.30 – 7pm 

Year 10 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 14 November 3.30 – 7pm 

Year 11 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 13 February 3.30 – 7pm 

Please also note the following date: 

Year 9 Options Evening – Thursday 27 February 5 – 7pm 

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. 

Our Open Evening also runs on Wednesday 25 September 4pm-7pm.  Please do come along if you have a child in Year 6.  Staff will be on hand throughout the evening to update you with information on why Orchard really should be your school of choice.  You do not need to book for this; please just come along and sign in at reception.  You will be able to take a tour with some of our students, if you wish, or you may visit the faculties of your choice.  If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact reception in advance on 0117 377 2000 so that we can support you on arrival.   

Planners Update 

Every student in school will now have received their new planner. Please take this opportunity to ask your child to show you their planner as they are a fantastic source of school information and subject knowledge, and we are really proud of them! They are a part of the school equipment list and we expect them to be out on the desk in every lesson. 

Teaching and Learning/Curriculum 

It’s been a great week here at Orchard; the focus is on independent work and we have seen lots of students working independently during lessons.

Next month, Prep begins for Year 11, where we choose selected students for free tuition delivered by our staff after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Last year this was enormously popular and successful and we think it will be even more so next year.

In terms of the wider curriculum, outside of lessons, last Friday, a large group of Year 10 students went to visit UWE to get a taste of university life. This week, two students went to St Brendan’s college for a workshop where they rehearsed the speeches they will give as they represent Orchard at the Bristol Education Partnership Youth Talks final. We have also begun rehearsals for our Christmas show – Peter Pan.
 

Attendance 

A special well done for the best attendance this week in each year group goes to:

7A2, 8D1, 9A2 , 10D1, 11B2 

Each year has had an assembly this week about attendance and our value of ‘responsible’. Do talk to your child about what they have learned and any tips they now have for developing resilience and responsibility around their own attendance.

There is some useful advice for parents on the Parentkind website, about supporting your child with maintaining good attendance.

Free School Meals

Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, and we do not want them to miss out.  

There are some common myths about Free School Meals:

Your child does not have to queue or eat separately. Other students will not know that your child receives Free School Meals. You can still give your child a packed lunch if you prefer!   

You do not have to live in social housing to be eligible for Free School Meals.  

You do not need to have been claiming Free School Meals when your child was at primary school.  

It’s not just about food. If a child is registered at our school as in receipt of Free School Meals, then we as a school get additional funding, which means we can offer you discounts on school trips, educational resources, revision materials, extra mentoring and in some cases, uniform, or IT for home learning.  

The quickest way to apply for Free School Meals in via the council website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/free-school-meals   

We can help you to fill in the form if you need it – just email us or phone us:  info@orchard.tila.school or 01173772000.  We can print and send off forms for you too at school reception.

Alternatively, download the form attached to this email, print and send to:  

Free School Meals Service, Bristol City Council (City Hall)
PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE  

We know that lots of parents could claim Free School Meals for their child but have not yet done so. The process of applying using the link above is quick and easy and in most cases, you will get an instant decision.

More information can be found here: https://parent.bristol.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/parents/travel-and-free-school-meals

School Trips

At Orchard School, we believe that school trips are an invaluable part of our school offer. Every year group has an opportunity to attend a whole year group trip. Alongside this we aim to offer trips wherever possible through faculties.

This year we have the following whole year group trips/events:

Year 7 – Outdoor Activity Centre Day

Year 8 – Trip to London including a museum visit

Year 9 – Morfa Bay Outdoor Activity Centre Residential Trip

Year 10 – Cadbury World, Birmingham

Year 11 – End of Year Prom

Exciting News!

Orchard School has become one of the first schools in the country to receive the prestigious Research Mark Plus Award. This is recognition that we are an evidence-informed school. We use research before making decisions about all aspects of school life, from how we train our staff to deliver high quality lessons to how we carry out student voice activities to improve our work. We are proud of our award, and of the hard work from our staff in achieving this through their daily commitment to providing the best opportunities for our pupils.

New Facilities Update

We’re very excited that our new bike sheds are being used so well. Students have expressed how impressed they are with this new facility. Part of Orchard’s commitment to sustainability is to encourage as many students as possible to walk or cycle to school, and we hope it encourages more students to cycle to school knowing that there is a secure place for them to store their bikes/scooters.

 Extra-curricular Timetable

Please don’t forget to encourage your child to attend our brilliant extra-curricular clubs! A reminder of the timetable is below, and is also available on the website. After school clubs run from 3-4pm unless otherwise specified.

 Timetable can be found here: Clubs and Enrichment (Curriculum menu tab)

Safeguarding

The internet is a fantastic resource for young people on which they can learn, research and have fun. However, it is important that they understand how to use it safely and in a way that is positive for their mental health. Please have a look at the parents' mental health guide to social media on the Young Minds website where practical advice is given for you to support your child.

As a reminder – most social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat have a minimum age requirement of 13 and that parental controls can also be set up on these.

Lunchtime Menu

Don’t forget that our canteen, run by CleverChefs, sells a great range of hot and cold food. You can view the menus each term on the school website here: Orchard School - School Meals (orchardschoolbristol.co.uk)

A reminder also that Breakfast Club is free every morning for children, and toast and porridge, plus toppings, are served Monday-Thursday and on Friday, beans on toast or bacon rolls for free!

Community Events 

Bristol City Council is offering a free, 7-week ‘Parenting When Separated’ course. There is a taster session on 1 October and the course begins on 3 October. E-mail/call Katie: katie.cheyne@bristol.gov.uk or 07920112757.

Bristol Drugs Project is running various community events, including its 10-year anniversary alcohol-free gala on Friday 11 October. Click here for more details. 

As always, the Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust offers a range of wellbeing events. Take a look at what groups are running this Autumn.

Apply for a Secondary School place for the school year 2025-2026

If your child was born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 you will need to apply for a school place by 31 October 2024. 

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Wishing you a lovely weekend. 

 With best wishes, 

Mel Sweet, Headteacher