PORTADOWN COLLEGE

NEWSLETTER

TERM ONE 2010-2011 

A very warm welcome to our Year 11 students and parents; we are all looking forward to working with you over the next four years.

To all our students a very warm welcome too.  The beginning of a new, exciting and challenging academic year is imminent; the College Staff very much look forward to seeing you all again and hearing about your summer holiday activities.

Caring for our Students

This year will bring many challenges and reasons for celebration; our dedicated team of Pastoral Care teachers will ensure that the needs of each of our young people are met.  It is important, however, that you, as parents, play your role in communicating with us about any worries or concerns you may have also.

Pastoral Year Heads

Year 11            Boys    Mr Andrews

                       Girls     Mrs Glynn

Year 12            Boys    Mr McCourt

                       Girls     Miss Francis

Year 13            Boys    Mr Hunter

                       Girls     Mrs Montgomery

Year 14            Boys    Mr McCavery

                       Girls     Mrs Todd

Please contact your son or daughter’s Pastoral Year Head at any time.  If they are unavailable they will return your call.

Effective communication is key to the welfare and success of our young people.

College Fund

This fund is used to promote College activities from which all students can benefit.  It subsidises some of the resources in the classrooms and elements of our extra-curricular programme.

You are asked to contribute £40 per student and, when there are two or more students from the same family, £40 for the eldest and £20 per additional family member.  This money is collected on the first day of term.  Nearly all post-primary schools request this kind of contribution from parents.  Many schools charge a great deal more and your support in this area is appreciated.

College Locker Fund  

Students are asked to bring £5 on the first day of term.  Lockers are allocated at the start of term.  Students in Years 12, 13 and 14 are asked to bring strong locks with duplicate keys on the first day.  One key will be placed in an envelope provided by the Group Tutor and named and numbered.  For Year 11 students new locks are provided.

Car Parking: Upper Sixth Only

The demand for student parking is increasing each year.  Consequently, the service will be available to Upper Sixth only and places will be limited.  Students must register the details of the car in the office.

Student parking will be clearly marked and student spaces are at the front of the school only; additionally there are places near the school where students can park legally.  The College accepts no liability or responsibility for damage to vehicles parked on site, or outside.

Insurance (cars used by students in Upper Sixth)

Parents are strongly advised to check that Insurance Policies are valid for cars driven to/from school by students which remain on the school premises for most of the day.  All students must complete the indemnity form available from the College Office.  We expect our students to complete this on an annual basis, or for part of the year (e.g. after passing their driving test).

Permission to Leave School

No student is allowed to leave the school premises without specific permission.  Students wishing to leave school for necessary appointments must bring a note to the member of staff on duty at the end of Assembly each day and collect an appropriate ‘chit’ from the office.  Ideally, all such appointments should be arranged outside school hours.

Lunchtime Arrangements

Canteen lunches are available for all students.  It is important that students who take packed lunches eat them in the canteen and other areas designated for that purpose.  Sixth Form students only are allowed out of school at lunchtime.  Permission is granted to students in Years 11/12 who wish to go home for lunch and a special form, available from the office, must be completed at the beginning of term for this arrangement.  A pass will be issued and repeated misuse of such passes, e.g. to purchase food from local outlets or visit other addresses, will result in withdrawal of this privilege.  Please note that a new form needs to be completed for each new academic year.

Attendance

Good attendance at school is a key factor in success; all school statistics support this statement.  It is important that attendance is not affected by other activities, especially part-time employment, and that letters explaining absence are brought to school the day the student returns.  Students in receipt of EMAs (Educational Maintenance Allowances) do not receive payment when attendance is unsatisfactory.

All our students, unless there are special circumstances, should aim for a minimum attendance rate of 95%.  The College holidays are published in good time to allow family holidays to be booked out of term time.  This is especially important this year as controlled assessments at GCSE Level must be carried out during school hours.  These important assessments will be carried out throughout the year including June.

College Events

Our Parents’ Meetings last year were very well attended.  Details of this year’s evenings are enclosed.

There are four wonderful evenings of entertainment planned for this academic year:

T uesday 19 October Autumn Musical Concert - Assembly Hall 7:30 pm.

Thursday 25 November & Friday 26 November College Play - Assembly Hall 8 pm.

Monday 20 December – Carol Concert - Assembly Hall 7 pm.

It was wonderful to have the support of so many parents at sporting fixtures on a Saturday morning.  Once again, this is an important reflection of how we value the hard work and energy so many of our young people and my colleagues invest in sport.

First Days of the New Term

New Year 11 students have an Induction Day commencing at 8:50 am on Tuesday 31 August (morning only).

The start of the new term for Year 11, 12 and 14 is Wednesday 1 September with a full Assembly at 8:50 am – Year 13 begin on Thursday 2 September at 8:50 am.

A full College holiday list is printed below and an overview of internal examination dates is included for your information.

Staff Changes

We welcome back Mr N Quaile, Head of Careers, after his one year career break.  Miss Gowing will fulfil the role of Deputy Head of Careers until January when Mrs Coen returns from maternity leave.

I would also put on record our gratitude to Mr F McMullan, Miss R-A Bleakney and Mr P Breen for their valuable contributions this year and wish them every success for the future.

Internal Examinations 2010 – 2011

Year 11 June Examinations

Tuesday 7 June – Monday 13 June 2011.

Reports to parents early July.

Term ends on Thursday 30 June 2011.  All students in Year 11 are to attend until this date as teachers will be spending time going over examination papers.  This is crucial preparation for GCSE examinations and controlled assessments may also take place.

Year 11 Term Exams

Monday 17 January – Friday 28 January 2011.

Reports to parents Thursday 24 February 2011.

Year 11 Parents’ Meeting Monday 28 February 2011.

Year 12 Trials

Monday 17 January – Friday 28 January 2011 (Coursework deadlines will follow).

Reports to parents Friday 18 February 2011. 

Year 12 Parents’ Meeting Wednesday 23 February 2011. 

Year 13 Trials

Monday 17 January – Wednesday 26 January 2011

Reports to parents Monday 7 March 2011.

Year 14 Trials

Wednesday 26 January – Friday 28 January 2011 (Students may be sitting a small number of AS resits and/or A2 modules in January also.  Details of this will follow).

Reports to parents Monday 7 March 2011.

Year 13/14 Parents’ Meeting Thursday 10 March 2011.

All Parents’ Meetings are held in the College from 4:30 pm – 6 pm unless otherwise stated.  Please also note the College Calendar for the dates of Parents’ Evenings in September/October 2010.

PTSA 2010 – 2011

The Parent Teacher Student Association organises different fundraising schemes throughout the year.  This includes an annual Quiz Night at Portadown Rugby Club.  This organisation aims to raise important funds for areas of College life which are outside the normal remit of the school budget.  Facilities provided recently include the outdoor seating for students.  Volunteers to assist this hard-working group are eagerly sought and should contact the Principal in the first instance.  Please support all of the efforts of our PTSA to secure even more benefits for all of our students.

School Holidays 2010 – 2011

Wednesday 25 August 2010      Staff Training

Thursday 26 August 2010          Staff Training

Friday 27 August 2010              Staff Training

Friday 8 October 2010               Staff Training

Thursday 10 February 2011        Staff Training

Tuesday 19 April 2011               Staff Training

Two additional Staff Training days to be confirmed as College needs arise.  Parents will be informed well in advance.

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Tuesday 31 August 2010

Year 11 Induction 8:50 am – 12:40 pm

Wednesday 1 September 2010 (All Day)

New Term for Students in Years 11, 12, 14

Thursday 2 September 2010

Year 13 Induction – all day

Friday 29 October 2010         
(normal school day until break-time)

Speech Day

Monday 1 November – Friday 5 November 2010 (incl.)

Half Term

Wednesday 22 December 2010 – Monday 3 January 2011 (incl.)

Christmas Holidays

Friday 11 February – Tuesday 15 February 2011 (incl.)

Half Term

Thursday 17 March 2011

St. Patrick’s Day 

Wednesday 20 April – Monday 2 May 2011 (incl.)

Easter Holidays

Monday 30 May 2011

Bank Holiday

Thursday 30 June 2011

End of Term