Bilton News November 2019

The start of the new academic year at Bilton has been as exciting and productive and as ever.

We have welcomed a new cohort of Year 7 students who have settled into secondary school

life really well and have made a great start here at Bilton. It was great to meet their parents

to our ‘settling in’ meeting with their son/daughters’ tutors on 25 September.

We have also welcomed almost 90 Year 12 students into our 6th form, a record number for us

and a wonderful reflection on the great results from our summer Year 11 cohort. Their

achievements were such that Bilton was one of the most improved schools in Warwickshire in

terms of the progress made by our students. Our Year 13 leavers also achieved impressive

outcomes with all of them securing their chosen pathway whether this be university, college,

apprenticeship or gap year. We also welcomed a record number of Year 11 into 12 students

for the Information Evening on 23 October with our main hall packed, and eventually standing

room only.

Our memorable experiences are a fundamental aspect of what we do at Bilton and during

term 1 we continued to widen the horizons of our students. Year 11s went on their residential

Geography field trip to Margam in Wales, a cohort of Year 10s conquered their fears at Go-

Ape, our annual rewards trip to Drayton Manor was enjoyed by those students in Macaulay

House whose combined House points throughout the 2019-2020 year meant that they won

the House competition and we raised over £150 at the Macmillan coffee morning with lots of

home baking.

I am always impressed with the hard work and dedication of all the staff, students and parents

within the Bilton school community. We are building such a strong ethos and I know that we

will continue to ensure that our students will be the best that they can be in all that they do

as we move into term 2 and beyond.

Mr Tim Chambers

Head Teacher

Bilton School, Lawford Lane, Bilton, Rugby, CV22 7JT

T: 01788 840600 E: office@biltonmail.com

English Department

Y7’s enjoy a Monday morning read, before technology class.

Miss Price’s Y7 English class enjoyed some quality reading time during their library lesson

this afternoon.

Miss Latka’s maths class and Mrs Ansell’s English class, enjoy reading before beginning their

lessons.

Year 10 getting stuck into their literacy focus for this tutor 3 period.

Year 7 and 8s enjoyed talking about their favourite authors at our first book club session in

the library. Thanks to all who came along.

Today we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of National Poetry Day with a Performance Poetry

Talent Show in the library. We are pleased to announce that Andrei (Y11) is our winner!

Andrei wrote and performed a very moving bi-lingual poem written in English and Russian

Art Department

Congratulations to Amelia in year 7 who has created some outstanding art homework. Here

she is with her amazing ‘Four Seasons’ tree sculpture and beautiful sketchbook. The art

department are thrilled with her efforts, she really has gone above and beyond our

expectations.

Please also take a look at the video of our fantastic Year 8 art homework on the school twitter

page.

Year 7 had a lovely time exploring and drawing different textures outdoors in their art

lesson this week. Great work year 7.

Sixth Form

Well done to the 6th form students who enjoyed their first yoga enrichment session

delivered by Ms Thomas. Really impressed at how well everyone did.

Year 12 Psychology students deepen their understanding of the endocrine glands and

hormones by becoming human endocrine models.

Special thanks to Ben, Milly, Ruby & Luke and a great team effort by all the class.

Language Department

Year 11 students were busy last week preparing for their Speaking Assessment. Madame

Day and Madame Mawee are pleased with their engagement and progress

Well done to Madame Mawee’s y7 class who were brilliant last Friday. They designed

booklets to help them speak and write spontaneously. They can already answer 7 questions

in French! Bravo!

Social Sciences Department

Year 9 Health and Social Care student’s homework research on the different types of

emotions for emotional development. Some highly creative pieces. Excellent work.

Science Department

Science Straw Competition

1st to Darla and Maria Year 12 and Katie Year 9, 2nd To Josh Year 12, 3rd To Alfie, Nathan

and Kieran Year 8, 4th to Quin and Atreyu Year 9

Community

Bilton School welcomed Yr.5 pupils from across Rugby to take part in the Primary School

Games Cricket Festival. The pupils braved the weather and had a fantastic morning and

afternoon playing cricket. Thank you to the 40 Yr.9 Bilton School pupils who supported the

event

12.4 are spreading kindness and joining the #postcardsofkindness movement by sending

cards to the elderly

Personal Achievements

Over the summer holidays Estere from Bilton School competed in the World Performing Arts

Championships in Hollywood California. She is a fantastic drummer & managed to win 1 x

Gold and 2 x Silver medals She is officially classed as the best classical junior drummer in

the world!

Charity Well done to

Nicole F in Year

8 who donated

her hair to the

'Little Princess

Trust', a charity

that provides

real hair wigs to

sick children

and young

people.

Bilton School PTA Welcome to our new parents! For those who don’t know, the PTA is a group of parents and

staff who work together to create memorable events for the whole school community and

raise money for the school in the process. Anyone can join the PTA, you don’t have to commit

to all meetings but help and support at any of our events would be greatly appreciated.

Last academic year was a busy year organising and running lots of fun events including discos,

cakes and tuck stalls, raffles, pre-loved uniform sales, a Fashion evening and a Quiz night. In

total we raised £2223.92 for the School. With this money we have just purchased new high-

quality digital cameras and lenses for our Photography department, equipment for the Food

Technology department and we plan to purchase microphones and stage equipment very

soon.

We have kicked started this year with a great Year 7 disco and we are looking forward to our

Big Quiz Night on November 15th, 7pm -10pm, Kay Hall (see poster on website and twitter).

This event is open to all parents, staff and members of the community (over 18s only). It has

always been great fun in the past….so please come along! There will be cash prizes, a raffle

and a licensed bar. Register your teams via pta@biltonmail.com. Maximum of 8 per team,

£2.50 per person, payable on the door. If you are not in a team, come along anyway and we

can make teams up on the night.

Thank you to those of you who have signed up for “Easyfundraising” this term. This enables

us to raise funds for the school each time you shop online. So far 15 people have signed up

and we have already raised nearly £50! Imagine how much we could raise if everyone signed

up! See below on how to sign up for this.

How you can help the PTA:

1. If you would like to be involved in the PTA, even if you can’t make meetings but would be willing to help for an hour or so at the occasional event or would like to keep updated on PTA events then please email us at PTA@biltonmail.com

2. Start using easyfundraising today! Raise money for the school whilst you shop online! Over 3600 online retailers including Amazon, eBay, Next, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Argos, Travelodge etc will donate money each time you shop with them online via the ‘easyfundraising’ website. It’s very quick and easy to sign up to this, just follow the instructions here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/biltonschoolrugbypta/

3. Many families are unable to help at meetings and events but prefer to make a donation. We welcome any donations no matter how big or small …every penny makes a difference! If you would like to, you can make a donation via: Bilton School PTA, Lloyds Bank,

Account number: 31406168 and sort code: 30-96-26

Please add the reference “donation” and then your name.

Upcoming events:

UNIFORM SHOP: We are holding our next pre-loved uniform shop on Saturday November 9th, 10am -12pm in the main School reception (see poster on website and twitter) All uniform is in good condition and freshly laundered. Prices range from £2 - £5. We always welcome donations of any out-grown, wearable uniform to the school reception.

BIG QUIZ NIGHT: Friday 15th November, 7pm -10pm, Kay Hall. See above for details and poster on the website and twitter.

Year 7 & 8 DISCO: December, date tbc…look out on twitter and Website for more details nearer the time.

Bingo Night: Friday 3rd April – Cawston Community Centre. More details to follow nearer the time.

EASYFUNDRAISING…ongoing…see above and sign up today! An easy way to raise money for the school whilst you do your online Christmas Shopping!!

NEXT PTA MEETING: Thursday November 21st, 7.30pm The Bear Pub. Everyone is welcome to attend Please visit the School website and twitter page for regular updates on our events.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped in any way at

events or by coming along and supporting our events. We can’t do it without you!

Sign Language

Today was the first meeting of the Stowe Valley Sign Language society. The students

practiced signing the alphabet, spelling their names and signing "my name is". Southam

students and Bilton students were then able to introduce themselves to each other in sign

language.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

The Supreme Court recently reached a decision in the case of Platt v Isle of Wight Council

which has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time. The

parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they attend school

on a regular basis. The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means

that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such,

the parents of any child who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of

time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act

1996.

Head Teachers retain the ability to authorise leave in accordance with the Education (Pupil

Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. When considering such requests for a leave of

absence, the school are obliged to act within the law. Head Teachers may not grant any leave

of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the

application. If the leave is granted, head teachers are able to determine the number of school

days a child can be absent for.

It is for the Head Teacher to decide what is ‘exceptional’ and it is at their discretion if the

circumstances warrant the leave to be granted. The school can only consider Leave of Absence

requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent.

Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and on its

own merits.

Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child will be

required to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during

that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, which may result in legal action

being taken against the parent(s), by way of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Failure to make an application for leave in advance can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice

being issued to the parent(s).

All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the

Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council

It is important to note, Fixed Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent

child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices in the

amount of £120 each, totalling £240 for both children, this is reduced to £60 per child if paid

within 21 days).

Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid within the required timeframe as set out on the

notice, the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider

instigating criminal proceedings under S444 Education Act 1996.

Fixed Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of

Conduct for Penalty Notices.

Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority

Warwickshire Secondary School pupils recorded 8,895 half day sessions of

absence due to holiday in the Autumn/Spring term during academic year

2017/18. This is an increase of 1,816 on the previous year.