Welcome to the weekly Newsletter for parents and carers of students attending John Hanson Community School.
Inspire - Care - Succeed
‘HEAD’ Lines
Unpredictability
Dear Parents/Carers
This is certainly a word we can use to describe our current weather patterns. Last year on Bank Holiday Monday we were basking in the sunshine. Fast forward a year and it was all about making sure nothing blew away during the storm.
Why am I talking about the weather, other than that it seems to be a British obsession?
This week I have had the pleasure to be part of our prefect interview process - the chance to sit down and talk with some articulate, motivated and impressive young people.
It reminded me of the important role our school and the educational environment it provides, plays in bringing predictability to the lives of young people. That is not to say that every day is the same. Working with 1000 young people every day means it is anything but!
However, the conversations I have had with prospective prefects this week have reminded me of how important the predictable nature (i.e. that it is there for all students) of the inspiration, care and opportunities for success provided at John Hanson are to the development of our young people.
It looks like we are in for another weekend of unpredictable weather. However, whatever the weather, enjoy the weekend with your children.
This week we are featuring some of our new ‘Minding your Mental Health’ fiction titles:
These are new stories dealing with such issues as homelessness, eating disorders, feeling anxious and/or depressed, feeling alone/different, coping with tragedy.
We also have an anagram competition running next week where students have to find letters around the school which make up the title of one of these new books. There will be a prize for everyone who enters and a draw for a book prize for the winner!
NO FIXED ADDRESS
Issue - Homelessness
Felix and his Mum, Astrid, have a secret: They are living in a van. Astrid promises it’s only until she finds a new job, she begs Felix not to breathe a word. So when Felix goes to school, he hides it from his friends, even though his home has some serious downsides, like no privacy, heating, space and, worst of all, no bathroom. He has to wash himself and clean his teeth in the toilets at school! However, Felix has a plan to turn his and Astrid’s lives around. He just needs a little luck and a lot of brain power……. A mixture of humour, heartbreak and hope are combined in this very moving story about the people who slip through the cracks in our society.
Please encourage your son/daughter to use their SCHOOL EMAIL for work rather than their own private email. This is important for safeguarding and also some of our messages for students are being sent to school email addresses.
The first issue of a new Careers magazine, Make the Future Yours! has just been published. It is aimed at helping young people find a direction and assisting them make those all important decisions about their future.
The link to the digital version is www.makethefutureyours.com/issue1 It automatically adjusts to the device: smartphone, tablet or PC, making it easy to view.
Word of the Week:
Please see below for the ‘Word of the Week’. These words have specifically been chosen as they are both useful and sophisticated whilst encouraging challenge and extended vocabulary use. Please challenge your child (and yourself!) to use this week’s word as much as possible at home, in conversations, and in their work!
Mrs Woodley and Miss Underwood
Poetry Competition
The poetry society have launched a poetry competition for students aged 11-17. There are some fantastic prizes, such as membership to the poetry society, and a sack of goodies, week-long writing course and lots more. If you would like to enter you can do this directly through their website
Latest newsletter from Think U Know - Online safety at Home
(click on image below)
Please see the other useful links.
Think you know – Activity Packs relating to online safety Who’s watching yours? – 17% increase in children livestreaming since lockdown (Advice to help parents/carers minimise risk to children online) Mental health – How to look after your family’s mental health when stuck indoors Houseparty – Everything you need to know.
John Hanson Computing Department
Want to know more about what’s going on in school? Why not follow us on:
The school are pleased to announce that we have been nominated by Hampshire Music Service to become a Music Mark school for the 2020/21 academic year.
For students who have instrumental lessons at school . . .
Monday lessons:
Mr Goodeve (Guitar) at 9am
Mrs Gooding (Brass and keyboard) at 11am
Mr Cooper (Piano/Keyboard) at 12 noon
Mrs Elmslie (Woodwind - for Mr Gooding) at 2pm
Tuesday Lessons:
Mr Long (Drums) at 1110 am
Details on the music notice board or see Mr Adams if unsure
All students Years 7, 8 and 9
HEADPHONES / EARPHONES
All students in Years 7-9 will need earphones or headphones for class music lessons. We are not permitted to lend out any headphones.
Thank you for your support
Vacancies for Guitar Lessons, Drum, and Woodwind lessons -
EMTAS – Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service
Written for learners of English as a foreign language
We have several amazing book sets graded at starter level of Penguin Readers which our EAL learners can read as they comply with Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each book contains activities that can support students develop their key skills. This week we are focusing in particular on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
