From the Head Teacher...
Thursday, 8th July 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
A reminder to all parents that school is closed for students tomorrow and Monday due to Staff Training; and next Friday. Staff will be working on two particular areas: preparation for the new Year 7 curriculum next year and a particular area that we are keen to develop further – how Form Tutors can help support students during their time at QK.
An additional reminder about the dates for September – all new Year 7, 10, 12 and 13 students return to school on Monday 6th September.
Appointment Cards for Progress Review and Target Setting meetings on Tuesday 7th September will be posted home next week. Attendance to this meeting is compulsory for all students and parents.
Lessons then begin at 8.50am on Wednesday 9th September for all students except Y12 and Y13 who will have one double lesson for each course they are studying and several sessions which focus on how best to succeed at KS5.
Can I draw your attention to the suggestions about reading later in the QK News and emphasise the point that all parents should be encouraging their child to read each day during the holiday. I am certainly looking forward to having some time over the holiday where I can read some great books!
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 2nd July 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
Good luck to all Year 10 students who start their two week Work Experience at lots of different locations across London next week. We are sure that they will be excellent representatives of the school and will gain a great deal from their insight into the world of work. When they return they will be completing two important assessments about their time, gaining an additional GCSE equivalent qualification and 8% of their English GCSE grade.
Year 9 have an exciting week ahead next week spending time on a range of activities designed to get their GCSE courses off to a flying start in September; whilst Year 7 and 8 will be developing their exam skills.
For all year groups, please make sure that you have the letter that was sent out last week which gives full details of the end of term schedule. (Available on the School Website also).
Congratulations to all students who performed in the Variety Show last night – a lovely example of the huge range of talents that our students possess! Thank you to the Expressive Arts Faculty for organising this.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 25th June 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we were very pleased to have the work of our Student Support Faculty recognised at the Teaching Awards. We were runners up in the regional Outstanding Team category which is a tribute to the incredible work that the Faculty does to support students at QK.
All Year 7, 8 and 9 students have received a very important letter to give to you today which outlines all the dates and times until the summer holiday for the different year groups. PLEASE ask your child for this letter so that you are aware when students are in school and what time they finish each day.
If you did not receive the letter you can download it here: Year 7, Year 8, Year 9.
Good luck to all Year 10 students for their Pre-Mock exams next week.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 18th June 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
I know that some parents will already be aware that I was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last week. This is a tremendous honour and I will be delighted to accept the award from the Queen. However, as I said to all staff on Monday, it is an award that recognises service to education and in particular the successes we have enjoyed at QK; but let's not forget that at QK it is a real team effort – staff, students and parents. Thank you to everyone for the amazing support that I have received during my 8 years at QK. Students continue to inspire, motivate, challenge and reward us!
A reminder that Year 8 Parents' Evening is taking place on Tuesday. All parents are expected to attend this very important evening to discuss their child's progress and achievement over the year; and to discuss how best to help their child next year. Remember that in many subjects, students will start their GCSE courses so it is very important that you and your child knows what to expect.
Y9 students will be leaving school early today following their Science exam.
A letter went out to all students yesterday about a documentary that is being filmed in school next week.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 28th May 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
This year's Prom last Friday was the best ever! Year 11 students looked fantastic as did the Marriott Hotel. The evening went marvelously with lovely food, lots of laughter over the Award Ceremony and a great party. Well done to all Year 11 students and the Year 11 team for putting together such a fabulous occasion!
Can I remind all parents that we do expect parents to check their child is coming to school in the correct school uniform and that they are bringing to school a proper school bag, containing all their equipment that they need EVERY day; pencil case, School Diary, exercise books for all subjects and PE kit (see below). Students who arrive to school incorrectly dressed or without a bag will be sent home.
If you read the Ham & High this week, you will be able to read a letter sent from a long standing local resident praising and supporting QK School. The letter was sent to the Headteacher's P.A. and forwarded onto the paper. Unfortunately, the paper has printed the name of the Headteacher's P.A. in error. It is always welcome when we receive positive feedback from local residents, mostly this is by the way of telephone calls to the Headteacher, it was a real pleasure to read the feelings and comments of one of our nearest neighbours.
Advance Warning
Students return to school on Tuesday 8th June at 8.50am.
I wish everyone a good break and, as ever at this time of time, revise well!
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 21st May 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
A reminder to all Year 9 parents that the Progression interviews where Year 9 students and parents confirm their GCSE Option Choices takes place on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th May; parents will also receive End of Year reports.
We also have the last two Parents’ Evenings of the year coming up. All parents must attend these evenings where they will meet the subject teachers of their child.
- Year 10: Tuesday 15th June
- Year 8: Tuesday 22nd June
Our first annual Welcome Evening for the parents and students who will be joining the QK Community in September was on Wednesday with the second next Wednesday. As ever, it was lovely to meet so many parents who are keen to support their students in secondary school.
Good luck to all students taking exams next week – work hard over the weekend!
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 14th May 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
We shall be saying our final goodbyes to Year 13 students today in their NRA Ceremony. As ever, it is hard to believe that the little Year 7s who started at QK so excitedly seven years ago are now about to take their place in the adult world! They have grown up into such talented young men and women, ready to head off to universities around the country. They will be revising hard over the next few weeks in order to achieve the highest grades possible in their exams and all at QK wish them the very best of luck for their exams and for their future.
We will also be saying goodbye to Year 11 students next week. They have a busy week with their own NRA ceremony and, of course, their Prom at the Marriott Hotel. Many students will also be completing exams in various subjects so please help them to balance their time sensibly.
Due to the Year 11 NRA, there will be an early closure on Wednesday 19th, with students dismissed from registration after lunch.
On Wednesday night QK hosted their second First Story event where the students presented the writing that they had been completing with an author over the year. The quality of the writing was absolutely amazing – well done to all those who took part. (Full report next week).
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 7th May 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week has been a short but very busy week at school. As parents will know, students in Year 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are in the very final stages of their exam preparation in lessons and I am sure that you are making sure that they are revising sensibly at home each night. Good luck to you and revise hard over the weekend!
Year 11 students have only two weeks of school left before they start their study leave. We are all looking forward to saying good-bye to them at the Record of Achievement event in school and I hope to see as many parents there as possible. This is a lovely chance to recognise the achievements of all students during their time at QK. This is followed by the annual Prom at the Marriot Hotel on Friday 21st May where Year 11 students get to celebrate, looking amazing in their suits and glamorous dresses!
May I remind all parents and students that there is a late start on Thursday 13th May with students arriving at 10.45am. This is due to staff training which will focus on how best to support individual students in the classroom.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Friday, 30th April 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
A huge thank you to all parents for their understanding last week during the very strange start to term caused by the flight problems. As many of you know from your own experiences of trying to get back to Britain, it was very difficult! Staff in school worked fantastically as a team to ensure that exam classes did not suffer and that school ran as smoothly as possible, so I would like to thank them again for their hard work and professionalism.
We have been completely back to normal this week with all students making a good start to their studies. For Year 11 and Sixth Form classes, this is obviously a massively important term as they complete their final preparations for their GCSE and A Level exams. All students should be working extremely hard at home each night to make sure that they are revising all areas of their subjects.
Year 9 students received their Pathway Test results today in an exciting results event in the Drama Centre. English, Maths and Science overall result percentages were again excellent but we were particularly pleased with the number of students gaining the very top Average Point Scores – well done to Year 9 and all their teachers.
One point for the weekend – please remind your child that Tuesday will follow Monday's timetable so students need to bring their books and equipment for Monday's lessons.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher
Tuesday, 30th March 2010
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you to all parents reading this as you attend your Progress Review meeting in school. As you know, I really value the support that we get from parents and I know what a huge difference it makes to students to know that their parents are fully involved in their education.
Many of you will be supporting your child as they revise and prepare over the Easter holiday for GCSE and A level exams which start very soon after we return to school. Please encourage them to use their time sensibly in order to gain the best results possible.
For Year 11 students, it is also the time when they learn whether their applications for QK 6f have been successful or not. Decisions are made based on whether we feel that they show the qualities necessary to succeed in the Sixth Form; obviously a commitment to hard work and positive behaviour are important, but excellent attendance and punctuality are vital.
Well done to all Year 9 students for taking their exams so seriously - this is hopefully a sign of excellent results. SLT interviews with all students demonstrated how hard students in Year 9 were working and how well they understood the importance of making the right choices over the next few months.
Finally, I wish all students and parents a very happy and safe holiday.
Jo Shuter
Headteacher