End of term letter - Christmas 2019
(Posted on 13/12/19)
13th December 2019
Dear Parent/Carer
Since joining in September, I can report that the school has been a hive of activity! I hope that you have enjoyed reading the Headteacher’s Blogs, posted on the school website every week. The Blogs keep us up to date with current events and activities and we hope that you will enjoy reading the bumper Christmas edition of The Swan, which will shortly be distributed to your children.
Last year, Mrs Harding, Designated Safeguarding Lead, prepared and sourced a number of articles to help you keep your child safe over the Christmas holiday. Links to these are once again given overleaf and we hope you will find them useful. We would recommend you read through this important information.
The Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team would like to commend Year 11 students for the way in which they approached their mock examinations, results of which will be available on 15th January.
Sixth Form students will begin their mock exam fortnight on the first day of the new term (Monday 6th January). We believe a balance of revision and festive fun is the key to success!
On Wednesday 8th January, from 14:30-16:00, Year 9 students will have the opportunity to learn about the subjects on offer at GCSE, at our Options Fair. Information on subjects and the options process will be given out next Wednesday, 18th December, for consideration and discussion with parents/carers.
On Thursday 16th January we will host our Sixth Form Open Evening from 17:45 until 20:00, when we welcome not only Year 11 students and their parents/carers, but all students, in helping to plan for their future.
And finally…..we hope to see many of you at our Christmas Concert on Monday 16th December, which begins at 19:00. Please don’t forget to return your CHSA raffle ticket stubs for a chance to win one of the great prizes on the night!
School closes for the Christmas break at 12:40 on Thursday 19th December and reopens on Monday 6th January 2020. On behalf of everyone at Christleton High School, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Yours sincerely
Mr K Smith
Deputy Headteacher
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Christmas time offers us all an opportunity to get together with friends and family. Many of our young people, like us, enjoy gathering together to celebrate the festive season. You may find the links below helpful, when talking to your child about staying safe, particularly whilst celebrating with other teenagers.
This guide from Drinkaware provides straight-forward advice in having discussions about alcohol and parties with your teenager. This is especially important if your child is invited to a party with friends.
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/underage-drinking/teenagers-parties-andalcohol/
‘Child Development Info’ provides you with seven key questions to ask about parties.
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-activities/7-questions-to-ask-to-keep-your-teensafe-at-parties/#.XA5yIWjxKM8
Some of our children may spend time away from home over the Christmas holiday. The NSPCC provides a parent guide on keeping children safe when they are out with friends away from home.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/staying-safe-awayfrom-home/
We are certain that a large number of digital devices will be unwrapped on Christmas morning. ‘Gov UK’ focuses on keeping children safe online when using their new devices.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keep-children-safe-online-this-christmas-top-tips
The Information Commissioner’s Office has written a helpful blog about the twelve ways that Christmas shoppers can keep children and data safe when buying smart toys and devices. This makes interesting reading.
https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/blog-the-12-ways-that-christmasshoppers-can-keep-children-and-data-safe-when-buying-smart-toys-and-devices/
Finally, ‘Parents Protect’ provide a very informative guide, with advice for parents should their child or children find themselves in difficulty or in trouble, online. It contains guidance regarding three different scenarios and how they are dealt with, as well as giving advice on talking about sex, internet safety and creating a family safety plan.
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/files/LFF_eResource_Pack_for_Parents_JUNE17.pdf
We hope you find this information useful as we continue to work together, to keep our community safe, and especially at this time of the year.
Mrs R Harding
Assistant Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead
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