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Latest News

Jack Petchey Awards

Congratulations to the St John’s students and staff who received their Jack Petchey Awards from Eleanor Laing M.P. and Anne Briggs, Chair of Epping Forest District Council. This was a wonderful and inspirational evening that took place on Thursday 17th June at Waltham Abbey Town Hall. Students and staff from all the Epping Forest schools received awards for the exceptional contributions they made to their schools. St John’s students were Tim Mortimer, James Russell, Adam Berwick, Sam Preston, Connor Lodge, Judith Smith, Edmond Chukwarah, Austin Sceats, Sonya Mead and Edwina Earle accepted the Staff Leader award.

Is your child entitled to free transport?

If your child is aged 11-15 and has been offered a place at a non denominational secondary school you will be entitled to transport provided you reside three miles or more from the school, measured by the shortest walking route and one of the following applies: The chosen school is your designated school, or a school that is closer than your designated school. You have been refused a place at your designated school and the place you have been offered is the nearest place available for your child. Contact Essex on 0895 603 2200 or apply on line www.essex.gov.uk/schooltransport

Overview of the Spring Term

As in the past I would like to reflect on some of the achievements and activities, which have made this another successful term Data from Year 11 Assessment Week in February is indicating a prediction of 45% A*-C GCSE grades including English and Maths for the school (2% above target) Attendance at the end of term is at 93% (0.5% above target), the highest in the school’s recent history, with Persistent Absence currently at 3.68% (1.8% above target) A reduction in referrals to the Inclusion Room in the Autumn from 83 students in 2008 to 60 in 2009 SLT Review in March indicating 60% of lessons judged as good or better using the new OFSTED Framework, with behaviour judged good or better in 80% of lessons A successful Academic Review Day Year 9 and Year 11 Parents Evenings – both well attended Beyond 14 Evening – also well-attended Extensive Key Stage 4 Curriculum offer and all Year 9 students submitting their option choices. National Science and Engineering Week supported by all Departments Easter Tea Party 39 registered Year 9 students on the One-to One Tuition programme 2 successful Twilight Training sessions on Assessment for Learning Numerous lunchtime, after school, half-term and Easter Holiday Revision sessions 2 Learning Mentors appointed to support Year 11 students in exam preparation and coursework completion Very successful Fair Trade Game with all Year 9 students during Citizenship – run by the Chaplaincy Team A huge thank you to all St John’s staff, who have given of their time and who have committed fully to all the above achievements and events. Our students and parents and carers really do appreciate it.

Virtual Learning Environment

During the next few weeks, all students will undergo training in how the School’s VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). The VLE, which has recently become live, allows students, staff and parents to access learning materials, reports, news, information and data. It offers an almost limitless range of possibilities allowing students to work electronically with each other, to access and share information from home and to submit work for assessment. Commenting on the VLE, Deputy Head Boy, Tim Mortimer said, ‘The new VLE offers the opportunity and potential to greatly enhance the way students learn within St John’s. It is a user-friendly interface and an innovation with a wide range of uses for everyone.' Year 8 student, Emily Thomasz commented, ‘the VLE is easy to use and really fun. You can access it from home.’ It is anticipated that as the VLE expands it will include sections for Parents and Carers and Governors. A pilot parent group is being set to prepare for on-line reporting. Before students have complete access to the VLE’s full range of facilities, they must have returned the signed Acceptable Use Agreement. It is vital that this agreement is read carefully and adhered to. Students are receiving training, including guidance on working safely on the internet. Further information can be obtained from the Essex Learning Link website, www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Young Firefighters Course Billy Smith 11WS Tom Hockley 11RD Rhys Furlong 10FD James Connor 10AH Cameron Ellison 9JN Congratulations to the above students for completing the 17 week Young Firefighters Course. Mrs Norton, Mrs McGuinness, Mrs Higginbottom and Miss Perry were all very proud of the students, as were all the family members who watched the boys 'pass out' on Tuesday 9 February 2010. The Chief Fire Officer presented their well earned certificates.
Each student took part in the organised drill demonstration and shared skills they have acquired during the 17 week course including breathing apparatus, first aid, fire safety, working with ladders, ascent, descent leg lock, elements of combustion and fire prevention. All the students demonstrated exemplary participation, attendance and punctuality.

An Overview of the Autumn Term 2009

I would like to thank everyone within the St John’s community, staff, parents/carers and Governors and all those who have supported us to provide the wide range of positive learning experiences and opportunities for our students this term. It has been a long, productive and successful term. Like many other schools, we have been hampered by higher than normal rates of illness amongst our students and staff. Nevertheless, I was pleased to note the school’s overall attendance figure has climbed to 92.3% and we are on course to achieve our target of 92.5%. Our Persistent Absence figure has dropped from 10.3% in November to 7.1% now, and we are again on course to achieve our target of 5.5% by the end of the year (in real terms, nine more students needing to improve their attendance to over 80%). Other achievements and events to celebrate include: A “Good” judgement in our Section 48 Inspection as a Church school A successful application for re-designation of St John’s as a Specialist Engineering School for three more years The launch of a brand new School Website and VLE The launch of 1:1 Tuition for Year 9 students The launch of Achievement for All for students on the SEN register in Year 7 and Year 10 The launch of our Creative Partnerships Change School programme The launch of a formal partnership with The Box to provide a well-structured Alternative Education programme for some of our most vulnerable students in Key Stage 4 4 successful Standards and Expectation Evenings and a Year 7 Achievement Evening A highly successful Careers Convention A Christmas Tea Party A successful GCSE Certificate Presentation Evening with our VIP guest, Les Ferdinand £1188 raised for Children in Need and over £3600 raised for various charities since March 2009 A positive Academic Review Day well-attended by parents and students in all year groups Four Year 11 Focus Days, which enabled students to progress their learning in their GCSE/BTEC Option subjects The Year 11 Academic Mentoring programme well underway Numerous after school, lunchtime revision sessions and homework clubs Additional School Buses at 4.15pm on Thursdays after Christmas A wide range of Engineering Focus events and other trips and visits After school, lunchtime and evening clubs for our students and parents Primary Master classes and extended schools activities Participation as a school in the Epping Remembrance Service A St John’s stall at Epping Christmas market and our band playing in the High Street The Christmas Concert, Carols on the Green and carol concerts at St Margaret’s Hospital and Treetops I am sure I have not been able to capture all the achievements and events which have taken place, but these demonstrate the level of commitment and dedication of our staff and the community ethos of our school. I still meet numerous professionals and members of the local community who comment positively about the transformation evident at the school and it makes me proud to be associated with the school and all the wonderful people who work within it.

St John’s School raises £3,700.0 for charity.

A huge thank you to all the students, parents and staff of St John’s School for raising funds for the following charities throughout 2009: Red Nose Day : Great Ormond Street Haven House British Heart Foundation WaterAid Children in Need The Box, Epping Wings of Hope Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Royal National Lifeboat Institution Epping Forest Youth for Christ The monies have been raised through a variety of events including Tea Parties Non-uniform day Discos Cake sales A Stall at the Epping Christmas Market All these charities have been very grateful for the way in which we have been able to support their vital work. Well done! Keep up the good work!

St John’s by royal appointment – July 2009

St John’s students were introduced to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, as part of the British Council’s 75th Anniversary celebrations in London. The students were representing all the schools that are participating in the ‘International Aspirations’ project, organised by the British Council and Youth Sport Trust. St John’s is fortunate to be linked with JNV Faridabad School, near Delhi in India. One particular aspect of this exciting project involves creating and establishing the London 2012 Olympic Legacy that Sebastian Coe aspired to.

Year 7 Achievement Evening – Thursday 22nd October 3.30 pm

Year 7 Parents are warmly invited to attend the Year 7 Achievement Evening. This evening provides the opportunity for parents to view students work and meet with tutors.

Outstanding GCSE results at St John’s

Congratulations go out to the following students at St John’s for achieving outstanding GCSE results. We wish them all the best with their future studies.

Jamie Forest – 8 A* and 2 A Anna Pitts – 8 A* and 1 A Kyra Davis – 4 A* and 4 A Martin Fisher – 4 A* and 1 A Jay Marshall – 4 A* and 2 B Lauren Romain – 3 A* and 6 A Chloe Etherington – 2 A* and 8 A Georgia Halstead – 2 A* and 7 A Jack Hazelton – 2 A* and 6 A Lucy Barrett – 1 A* and 7 A James Cowley – 1 A* and 6 A Daniel Merrifield – 1 A* and 5 A Anna Green – 1 A* and 5 A Mary Berwick 1 A* and 5 A



















	“St John's is a great school for everyone from age 11 to 16”