Hello!
The school website, when you log on, has a new bit. It is the staff intranet used by all staff in school. Click on these pictures to enlarge them if needed.
Do take a moment to have a look at some point. The intranet has details of teaching and learning, social, blogs about using technology and more. It is the place to find out what is going on in the wider school.
If you cannot remember how to log into your school account, use one of the help videos from the tab above. It is going to be increasingly important that everyone uses their school email and knows how to log in.
House sports are this week. Students and parents have been told that they have to attend music lessons as normal, and miss part of the house sport if necessary. The PE department have agreed this, so still fetch from there if they forget. I will also put this in the text sent each morning to remind students of lessons.
A reminder that lists of trips and participants is being put on the kitchen board. New practice books are in the cupboard in the kitchen and more can be printed if required. Final planning for the Broxbourne concert on 22nd November takes place this week. Please provide all specific requests before Wednesday. Theory with Cynthia starts this week on Thursday 4.30pm. She is also overseeing the blog. simonballemusictheory.blogspot.com
The new Theory Blog is for those wishing to take their Grade 5 ABRSM Theory
exam as well as for anyone who wants to learn more about music theory. It is based
on the idea of a ‘flipped classroom’ where the lessons are based on what the students
need help with. The Blog consists of videos explaining concepts of theory and
accompanying exercises that are either completed online or are printed off by the
student and completed by hand. There will be sessions every week that the students
attend to consolidate what they have been working on that week. The students are
not required to attend every session, but it is advised that they do. The Blog is still in
the process of being set up, and all suggestions and ideas are welcome. As the year
progresses the system will hopefully settle down as students and staff get used to the
new way of learning and teaching theory.
Lesson absences seem to have greatly reduced this year. Do please continue to fill in the form on the blog to the right of this, even if no email needs to be sent.
Have a great half term. In November, the whole department will be looking at the Ofsted music subject criteria, and what more we need to do to be outstanding. We also have the Faure Concert, Les Mis, Concert Band Soundbites and the main autumn concert.
Enjoy the week
Mark
