Welcome to the weekly Newsletter for parents and carers of students attending John Hanson Community School.
Inspire - Care - Succeed
‘HEAD’ Lines
Amazing, Brilliant, Outstanding!
Dear parents/carers
As we reach the end of another half term I feel the need to share with you just a fraction of the achievement that has been, and continues to be, produced by John Hanson students.
While the school and the staff within it cannot, and would not, claim all the credit for the exploits of our students past and present, we do recognise the significant part we play and have played. So here goes….
You will see from the article further down in this week’s eNews letter that Tom Hewson, who left us only last summer, continues to be recognised for hitting the heights, both academically and on the sporting front. To be one of the runners up in this year’s British Education Awards is a fitting honour for his hard work and dedication.
The 5 years that students spend with us culminates in the taking of GCSE examinations at the end of year 11. If, following all the hard work and revision, students open their envelopes in August and see grade 9’s (the highest possible) in English Language, Literature and Maths staring back at them then they know they have achieved to the very highest level. This was the case for George Copping last summer, as he became one of only 2000 students in the country (the top 0.25%) to achieve this feat – an amazing achievement!
Going a little further back Adam Large (who left us in the summer of 2015) is now studying at Oxford. And now for our current students…
Abi Woolaston (Y11) and Paddy Turner (Y9) competed in the South East Counties Cross Country competition on Saturday competing for Hampshire. Paddy came 31st in his age group, and Abi came 12th.They have now both qualified for the Nationals in Leeds in March. Cameron Stacey – a regular fixture of the County U16 rugby team.
I could go on as there are many more students doing amazing things in and outside of school. All at John Hanson are proud of our involvement in helping our students fulfil their potential and realise their dreams.
Have a restful and relaxing half term with your children
Regards
Russell Stevens
Headteacher
A report from Year 11 PSHE Day
Cost of baby: The students were asked to estimate initially a total sum of money that they thought it might cost to plan ahead for the arrival of a new baby. Students in small groups were then given the task of identifying key aspects of required for the first few months of a baby and to classify these into essential resources.
Students then begin to draft a costings using company catalogues in an attempt to build an accurate picture of the real cost. During this time several open and fascinating questions were asked and responded to about both the hidden costs and other more intimate aspects of having a baby. Finally the current advisory estimate cost for preparing for a baby was revealed (around 4 thousand pounds!) and students continued to debate the wider issues of this.
The revision skills session was thought provoking and delivered by a very energetic Mr Stevens. Students learnt multiple ways to revise and took away techniques that worked for them, with a clear idea of where to focus their attention.
Year 11 were challenged to identify what consent means with regards to relationships, and the legal issues surrounding the age of consent. They learned that it may ways it was like being offered a cup of tea. If you respond no, then in no way is it acceptable for a cup of tea to be forced upon you. If you said yes to a tea but then changed your mind, that is ok. Do not make the tea anyway!
Year 11 then watched an awarding winning drama-documentary ‘Silly Cow’ about the importance of driving with due care and attention. It was hard-hitting but stimulated many questions and thoughtful reflections.
Year 7 PSHE Day.
Year 7 had a very busy day; the morning’s theme was ‘How to be safe’ There were sessions on Cyber Safety where students learnt about sexting; about their digital footprint and to understand online harassment, stalking and trolling. This work built on the work done in tutor period with the cyber-ambassadors.
A second session focused on the guidance released by The National Counter Terrorism Security Office that sets out three key steps for keeping safe in the event of a gun or knife attack. While the chances are rare, it is important that young people are prepared and know how to protect themselves if the need arises. Year 7 learnt that if caught up in an incident they should RUN to safety, HIDE if you can’t, and TELL the police when it is safe to do so. Discussions included finding a safe place to hide, that students should not waste valuable time filming and what to do if they see suspicious behaviour or items.
The third session was our follow up visit by the Fire Service that had proved so popular on the earlier PSHE day; again important safety advice and a chance to operate the water hoses.
Our afternoon sessions were the opportunity for students with their tutors to begin their exciting first steps into ‘The Edge.’ After being inspired in assembly by Mrs Jones and the fantastic Year 8 Apprentices; Year 7 were keen to begin to think about activities that they could become involved in. They were encouraged to consider how they could step out of their comfort zones and begin to plan for their own Edge Apprenticeship.
British Education Awards - Tom Hewson
On Wednesday 31 January the annual British Education Awards dinner took place in Manchester. Schools, colleges and universities from across the UK had been invited to nominate students who had achieved exceptional academic results alongside notable extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, sport, music or entrepreneurship. Awards were made in GCSE, A level, degree and vocational training categories.
John Hanson nominated former year 11 student, Tom Hewson, in the GCSE category on the basis of his academic success and his achievements in athletics, as the English Schools Champion and top UK javelin thrower in his age group last summer. Tom was one of seven GCSE nominees from England to make the final and so was invited to the awards dinner. He did not win overall, however it is a great achievement both for Tom and for John Hanson that he was selected as a finalist.
Tom is now studying for his A levels at Peter Symonds college. He has been invited by British Athletics onto their Athlete Academy for Sporting Excellence programme, which he is doing in parallel.
Year 9 Options Information Evening
The time has come for Year 9 students, along with their parents or carers, to make option choices for courses which will start in Year 10 in September 2018. Some areas of the curriculum such as English, Mathematics and Science remain mandatory, but there is now an opportunity to pursue some subjects with a heightened focus. The 2018 option process asks students to select 4 preferences (with 2 alternative choices) for what will become their GCSE option subjects.
On Thursday 22nd February there is a Year 9 Options Information Evening from 4:15pm until 6:45pm. There will be an opportunity to hear a presentation about the Options process, as well as meet staff representing each option subject. We will also be issuing the Options Form at the event.
We look forward to seeing you during the evening of 22nd February -
students, parents and carers all welcome.
On Thursday 8th February, John Hanson hosted a teaching- taster day in collaboration with the OFSTED ‘outstanding’ Learn alliance SCITT provider. We were delighted to welcome nine members of the community in to school to experience learning walks and seminars on topics such as the role of being a tutor ; future career paths and the training year itself.
Thank you to all of those staff and students involved as the feedback has been incredibly complimentary from both the director of the Learn alliance and the participants themselves. We were praised for our ‘ brilliant experience and warmth and passion for teaching’ .
If you are interested in any work experience in school please contact Charlotte Ferguson on
Extra Student Fundraising Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th February at 3:15pm in M1.
This is an extra opportunity for students to come along and talk about their fundraising ideas.
This meeting also marks the extended sign up and deposit deadline – students wishing to confirm their place on the team can sign up online via the Camps International link.
Are you a doctor, plumber, accountant, journalist, librarian, lab technician, dentist, police man, lawyer, midwife, small business owner, tv producer, architect... (the list is endless)
Are you available on Wednesday 7th March?
As part of our extensive careers program here at John Hanson we want to offer Year 8 students the opportunity to explore the world of work by finding out what you do, how you got there and what you love about your chosen career.
If you are passionate about your job and can give up either the morning or afternoon on 7th March, then please send Mrs Hall (Assistant Headteacher and Careers Leader) a short email stating what your job is and what path you took to get there.*
*If we’re inundated with offers we may have to make a selection of a range of jobs this time, and ask you to support us at a future event.
Music News
Our Spring Concert will take place on Thursday 8th March at 7pm. Featuring the school band, choir and solo items performed by students in KS3 and KS4. Tickets free - available after half-term via ParentMail.
Performing Arts in 2018 - Music and Drama Our next Concert will be Thursday 8th March 2018
Our rehearsals will continue next year as detailed below:
School Band Mondays 3-4pm
Music Tech Club - Tuesdays 3-4pm
School Choir Wednesdays 3-4pm
Drama Club Thursdays 3-4pm
9th February 2018
School closed for Staff Training
All Day
12th to 16th February 2018
Half Term
22nd February
8th March
30th March to 13th April 2018
Year 9 Options
Concert
Easter Break
7th May 2018
School closed – Public Holiday
All Day
28th May to 1st June 2018
Half Term
3rd July 2018
Yr 6 Induction Day
Yr 6 Transition Fair
All Day
1615-1845
Whole School
6th July 2018
School closed for Staff Training
All Day
10th and 11th July 2018
Yr 5 Taster Days
20th July 2018
End of Term
3rd September 2018
School closed for Staff Training
All Day
4th September 2018
1st Day of attendance for all students
Dates for forthcoming Parents' Evenings
Thursday 22nd February - Year 9 Options Evening
Thursday 19th April Parents' Evening 4 (Year 8 focus)
Thursday 17th May Parents' Evening 5 (Year 7 focus)
South East Counties Cross Country competition
Abi (Y11) and Paddy (Y9) competed in the South East Counties Cross Country competition on Saturday competing for Hampshire. Paddy came 31st in his age group, and Abi came 12th. She has now qualified for the Nationals in Leeds in March. Well done to both of you. - Mrs Vant
