Welcome to the weekly Newsletter for parents and carers of students attending John Hanson Community School.
Inspire - Care - Succeed
‘HEAD’ Lines
‘Being Safe’
As our school increases in popularity and thus size (we are 11% bigger than at the end of the last academic year) more students are travelling from further afield to enjoy the wealth of experiences John Hanson has to offer.
While this is a really positive, it has brought with it an increased number of students who cycle to school. While the vast majority do this day in, day out, in a safe and sensible manner, I have received 2 concerns from members of the public within the last week detailing a small number of students riding recklessly on their way home from school.
I do not want to be in the position of having to make ‘that phone call’ to any parent following an incident which could be avoided.
Please can I ask that if your child cycles to school they wear a helmet at all times and you have the conversation with them (I am sure you will have already done so) regarding their safety when travelling to and from school.
Enjoy the weekend with your children.
Regards
Russell Stevens
Headteacher
Year 7 PSHE day report:
Year 7 enthusiastically engaged with their first ever JH PSHE day tackling the concept of being an ‘Up-Stander’ rather than a ‘By-stander’. Groups worked on social inclusion ideas and strategies inspired by our chosen text ‘Wonder’.
The pledges about positive behaviour created on the day are inspiring, and will be adorning a space soon on site! We also ran the ‘Blast Off’ Study Skills session with Steve James to continue their effective transition and ensure they are ‘settling in’ but not ‘settling’ in terms of pushing their progress forwards.
Year 11 Careers Fair 2018
John Hanson host third annual careers fair
for the Andover Secondary Schools.
We opened our doors this week to Year 11 students from Grateley House, Harrow Way, Mark Way, Winton Academy, Rookwood and Test Valley. With over fifty exhibitors packed into the Sports Hall and a STEM focused marquee (provided by Maidman’s Marquee’s) students talked about their post 16 options throughout the course of the day with colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and both local and national employers. They were all also treated to a special, motivational talk in the school hall by Alan Bullock, Independent Careers Guru, and Peter Mulligan from SACU.
The day was organised by Lynn Richards, our independent careers advisor, and it really was amazing how many employers and colleges were willing to give up their time. Test Valley Borough Council were in attendance at the event as exhibitors, but also sponsored it too, as well as representatives from many local companies such as Hays Travel, Aster, Bewiser, Stannah and more.
We are proud that all our hard work over the last few years has paid off. We’ve created a unique event for the town, which benefits so many young people.
Our students also had a CV writing session with Ocado, an interview skills session with AIM Apprenticeships and they got to explore Cyber Security with South East ROCU too.
We are continuing our bid to gain the Investors in Careers Award, and this day was just one of the many careers opportunities we have planned for the year.
The 215 Project
The 215 project is continuing to develop as the GCSE art groups paint their figures ready for the event at Vigo Road Recreation Ground for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
John Hanson, alongside many other schools and community groups in and around Andover are preparing 215 figures. Information will come out next week about how you can attend. We are really excited now as they are nearing completion with a wealth of different approaches.
The figure themselves will return to John Hanson and form a permanent display in the courtyard.
If you would like more information about the project and the 215 who fell during the Great War please visit https://www.the-215.co.uk/
Paul Brown
Medical Seminar at Basingstoke Hospital - reported on my Amy Thorne, year 11.
On Tuesday, 15 students had the opportunity to attend a medical seminar at Basingstoke hospital. Why did we go? Because all 15 of us want a career in this area: midwife, doctor, nurse, physiotherapy, psychiatrist etc. We learnt about so much more than just those roles within the NHS though! A particularly interested speaker described what she does for the NHS and also explored the vast array of jobs available. We heard about many of these roles from people currently doing them. And what grades we'd need to them. The whole day was really interesting and valuable. We learnt a lot!
Cyber Safety - Week 4 - Sexting
What is sexting?
Sexting is when someone shares sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexually explicit messages. They can be sent using mobiles, tablets, smartphones, laptops - any device that allows you to share media and messages.
Why do children sext?
Joining in as they think ”everyone else is doing it”
Boost their self confidence
Flirting with others
To get attention
They feel under pressure
What the Law says?
Sexting can be seen as harmless, but creating or sharing explicit images of a child is illegal, even if the person doing it is a child. A young person is breaking the law if they:
take an explicit photo or video of themselves or a friend
share an explicit image or video of a child, even if it’s shared between children of the same age
possess, download or store an explicit image or video of a child, even if the child gave their permission for it to be created.
How to talk to your child about sexting?
Have a conversation – Obviously every child is different, therefore each parent/career approach will be different.
Explain the risks of sexting
Make it clear you’ll be supportive
For more information on sexting please following the below links:
We’re excited to announce that this year, all Year 10s will participate in a Work Experience placement from 1st – 5th July 2019.
If you work for a company that would happily host one of our keen students, then please do get in touch: Julia.pitt@jhanson.hants.sch.uk
Many thanks for your support
Julia Pitt – Work Experience co-ordinator
Anna Hall – Assistant Headteacher
Young Carers
A Young Carer is a child under 18 who regularly helps to look after a family member or friend who is disabled, ill, has a mental health condition or addiction problem.
Children may engage in:
Practical tasks (cooking, housework and shopping)
Physical care (lifting or helping someone use the stairs)
Personal care (dressing, washing, helping with toilet needs)
Managing the family budget (collecting benefits and prescriptions)
Managing medication
Looking after younger siblings
Helping someone communicate
John Hanson Community School can support young carers. If you, or a family member, needs support please contact Mrs Rowlandson-Waite, Young Carers School Operational Lead at jayne.rowlandson@jhanson.hants.sch.uk. All contact will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Music Tuition at John Hanson CommunitySchool
Calling all musicians who play an instrument
School band continues on Monday 15th October 3-4pm in PA1 Bring your instrument and join in.
Students are requested to visit the music department at the start of the day to check their lesson times. Singing lessons - we are still waiting to hear from Hampshire Music Service when these will take place.
Rehearsals have now started for our production of the musical 'Matilda' based on the story by Roald Dahl. Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin.
Wednesdays - Choir for Matilda - soloists and chorus from 3 - 4 pm PA1
Thursdays - Drama reahearsals - cast from 3 to 4.30 pm
All students are invited to attend if they wish to sing in the show - we are especially keen to involve our new Year 7 students - so please encourage your son/daughter to come along.
No audition - just come along and join in!
The show will be on stage for two nights
May 15th and 16th 2019
