What an amazing start back to school we have had! We haven't completed a full week and have already issued over 4,000 achievement points to our wonderful students – well done! I have been particularly impressed with our new year 7 cohort who have settled in really well (and earned the most achievement points!!) and our new year 11 cohort who are working hard in their lessons and focused on their GCSEs. Keep this up – there is no substitute for hard work. 

As we look ahead, we have a busy half term at Alder. I have detailed some key dates for your diaries and reminders below and hope to see as many families as possible attending the events we have planned. 

Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday. 

Mrs Critchlow

Headteacher

 

Reminder: Uniform 

Please ensure your child comes to school ready to learn and follows our uniform policy, which can be found here. There have been some distractions from learning this week by a minority of students who are not dressed correctly, are wearing jewellery, are using mobile phones or have not got their basic kit.  

 

Key Dates for Autumn Term 

  • Thursday 12th September - Year 10 and Year 11 Key to Success Evening, 5:30pm – 6:30pm 
  • Thursday 19th September – Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 Key to Success Evening, 5:30pm – 6:30pm 
  • Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th September – Year 8 HPV vaccinations 
  • Thursday 26th September – School closes at 1:20pm for Open Evening  
  • Thursday 26th September – Open Evening, 4:30pm – 6:30pm 
  • Thursday 17th October - Welcome to Alder - Year 7 meet the form tutor evening  
  • Friday 25th October – School closes at 2:50pm for the October half term break. 

Term dates for 2024/25 and 2025/26 can be found on our website: Term Dates | Alder Community High School 

 

Brunch and lunch 

Students have adapted well to the new brunch and lunch breaks, which are both of equal length (30 minutes). It is great to see that some students are taking advantage of being able to eat their main meal of the day at brunch, so that they can enjoy playing football, basketball or just generally socialise at lunch time. The full food offer in the canteen is available at both brunch and lunch time.

 

Year 10 and Year 11 Key to Success Evening 

I am delighted to invite you to our Year 10 and Year 11 Key to Success Evening on Thursday 12th September 2024 at 5.30pm in the main hall. The evening will consist of a range of informative presentations which will include: the formal process of examinations; practical tips on how to revise and advice and guidance for parents on how to support your child during the GCSE period. There will also be specific information relating to the core subjects of English, mathematics and science.  

In addition to the presentations, there will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions relating to your child’s final year at Alder.  It would be useful for your child to accompany you to the Key to Success Evening and if they do, they should attend in full school uniform.  

I look forward to seeing you at this important event.  If you require further information regarding the evening, please do not hesitate in contacting me. 

 

Food technology cooking ingredients 

In response to feedback from parents, we are changing the way in which ingredients are sourced for food technology lessons. In order to avoid each family purchasing large quantities of an ingredient that is required in the recipe in a small amount, for example flour, raisins, eggs etc. we will align with other local schools and ask that parents pay a set cost once each year that will cover the costs and school will purchase the ingredients centrally.  

This has not been done previously due to challenges with storing large quantities of ingredients, however, changes have now been made to the storage in our Technology department to accommodate for this.  

The charge will be will be allocated as a payment item on ParentPay.   We ask that this is paid at the start of the year, even if your child is in KS3 and on the technology rotation meaning they are starting in textiles or resistant materials and not moving to food until the spring or summer terms. 

 

Class Charts Communication   

If you haven't done so already, you will need to activate Class Charts to keep track of all things Alder! You can access Class Charts from your phone, tablet or computer.    

Activation codes have been sent by email to those who haven't yet set up their accounts.  Year 7 will be provided with their activation details next week.

Class Charts allows parents and carers to:    

  • See your child's Alder achievement points so that you can share and celebrate their success     

  • See your child's behaviour incidents so that you can discuss their behaviour choices.    

  • See any detentions your child has been set including whether these have been attended.     

  • See your child's timetable to help them plan their equipment and ensure they are ready to learn.    

  • See any homework that your child has been set to help them manage their workload and work to deadlines.    

  • See your child's attendance to support them with working towards attendance targets.    

  • Receive announcements with important communications from your child's teachers and other school staff.     

  • Report any reasons why your child is absent from school and provide supporting evidence.   

It is important that you allow notifications from Class Charts and check it regularly so that you don’t miss any communications from us.