Having looked at our current PE kit, we have made the decision that it needs updating and modernising to suit the students’ needs.  Through discussions with both staff and students, a new PE kit has been chosen, with the kit adopting the colour ‘red’ as a Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form identity.

The new Year 7 students will be wearing the new PE kit from September 2013.  Existing students will not be expected to be wearing the new PE kit until September 2015.  It is expected that, during this two year window, if an item of the current PE needs to be replaced, then the ‘new’ PE kit item is purchased instead.  

Click here to see full details

The Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form Newsletter #334 is now available to download. Features include:

• French Exchange
• Music Department - Vocal Workshop
• Jack Petchey Awards
• Tango
• Year 10 Macbeth Workshop

Click here to download your copy

Dear Parent /Carer

In recent months we have noticed an increase in the amount of inappropriate use of mobile phones and social media. We have had several cases of students sending indecent images of themselves or others around. Whilst we have addressed these issues with individual students, through curriculum time and in assemblies we continue to deal with matters of this nature. 

In addition the rapid development of, and widespread access to, technology has provided a new medium for ‘virtual’ bullying, which can occur in or outside school. Cyber-bullying is a different form of bullying and can happen at all times of the day, with a potentially bigger audience, and more accessories as people forward on content at a click.  Some students have become adept at ‘tagging’ others in conversations and inviting them to comment on issues that do not involve them and whilst most of this takes place outside school and is out of our control, it is often school that are left to deal with it.

The students have been informed through assemblies and we state in our anti-bullying policy that under the Malicious Communication Act 1988, it is an offence for a person to send an electronic communication to another person with the intent to cause distress or anxiety or to send an electronic communication which conveys a message which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat, or information which is false and known or believed to be false by the “sender.”  We have and will seek assistance from the police if school staff feel that an offence may have been committed.

It is neither possible nor desirable to stop students using Facebook and Twitter, or from having mobile phones with internet access, but we ask for your continued support as parents to set boundaries and monitor usage of the internet.  Recent news coverage about the 17 year old Youth Police and Crime Commissioner being forced to resign her position over inappropriate comments made on social networking sites provides a timely reminder of how these things can affect job prospects if brought to light by future employers. 

Follow this E-Safety link for further information to be found on our website about online safety advice which has been compiled mainly from using information from the 'Thinkuknow' website.  It is an excellent site and we would recommend that you visit the site (www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents) and view the videoclips that are referred to in the booklet.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to secure the best possible outcomes for your son or daughter.

Yours Faithfully

Mrs R Kelly, Deputy Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 11 GCSE Revision Sessions

There will be a series of GCSE revision sessions led by teaching staff during this term. The planned programme is overleaf, for your information. 

More detailed information will come from different departments/faculties about the sessions that they are planning in advance, and once you have received such letters we would ask that you return the reply slip to confirm attendance for your son or daughter at particular sessions.

If you have any particular queries please contact the relevant Faculty Leader or Mrs Park, Year Leader – Year 11 by telephone or email.  Email contact details for all staff can be found on the school website and the parent portal.

We would like to wish all students every success with their forthcoming examinations.

Yours faithfully                                       

Mr R Newman                                                                        

Senior Deputy Headteacher

Mrs H Park

Year Leader – Year 11

Please click here to download planned programme

Dear Parent/Carer

As you will be aware, your son/daughter will be one of the eldest students within the school as Year 11 are going on their study leave.  As the eldest students they are role models for other year groups and should set the high standards that we expect from students within our school.  You may remember that a letter was sent regarding expectations & standards of uniform back in February of this year.  As a school, we are proud of the high standards our students set in all aspects of school life, including their appearance and uniform.  The wearing of full school uniform is an integral part of the school ethos, which promotes positive attitudes, high standards and a sense of personal pride.  Many visitors to the school comment on the appearance of our students when they visit.

In recent years, we have moved away from uniform having to be bought only from specific suppliers with the NHS logo, as we felt that this constituted an unnecessary expense for parents and carers.  We need and value your support as there is quite a variety of black skirts, trousers and shoes available that do not meet our criteria which your son or daughter may much prefer to wear and pressurise you to buy. 

A copy of the school’s uniform policy is available from http://www.notleyhigh.com/school-policies/uniform-policy

However to avoid any confusion I have highlighted areas of concern below: 

• Plain black shoes (not open-toe design, trainers, pump or canvas shoes, no stilettos, mules or sling backs, a proper heel not greater than 4cm - no coloured laces or stitching).  Trainers are only allowed if accompanied by a doctor’s note.
• Plain black tailored trousers, trousers must cover the ankle, over footwear.  They therefore cannot be narrow-bottomed.  The trousers should not be denim, cord, lycra material or hipster style.  Black jeans or leggings are not permitted.
• Plain black straight or A line skirt, knee length without splits.  Skirts should not be tight fitting lycra material, pleated or swing skater style.
• Extreme hairstyles will not be tolerated (no hair shorter than number 2, no shapes cut into hair, no unnatural colours or unnatural combinations).The school reserves the right to make the final decision on what constitutes an extreme hairstyle.
• Discreet make-up is permitted in Years 10 and 11.  Nail varnish or false nails are not allowed.
• Students with pierced ears will be allowed to wear two plain gold/silver small studs or small sleepers, one in the lobe of each ear.Diamanté, crystals, gemstones or other decorative styles are not acceptable.No other piercings are allowed’.

Failure to conform to these expectations may result in students being isolated from the rest of the year group to work in the inclusion room until a parent or carer brings in the correct uniform for them to change.  If this is not possible then they will be isolated until they return the next day, appropriately dressed.

Thank you for your continued support and co-operation with enforcing these expectations.

Yours faithfully

 Mr K Ferguson

Associate member of SLT

Mrs A Lillywhite

Year Leader of Year 10

Please click here to download letter.