News for 10th September

Hello!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us for one of the meetings last week. Very productive. To summarise, we agreed that:

• We should enable lessons to start on time by being ready for the student in the room on time
• That an email would be sent by me if a student has to be collected for a second week. I will also speak to the student.

Controlled assessments and lesson disruption was talked about. I have suggested that with timetables planned in advance, point out to each student at the end of a lesson "your lesson is in period x next week, can you see a problem with this?". Prompt them to think to next week. A small, but potentially vital idea?

Suggested dates were given for concerts/recitals this year. I spoke about the aims of the whole school, focusing on what goes on in the department. Some of the 'rock' team got together to plan for an assembly. Chamber concerts were planned.

I will be aiming to remind students as much as possible the evening before that they have a lesson the next day. Do please monitor things with Year 10 if they have to miss class lessons - perhaps swap days each half term if you have the option. The worry is that it will prove too disruptive for them!

At the top is the disruption document. It has full term and inset dates on it. Other dates will be added as they come in - do check regularly!

At the end of last term we had our Associated Board exams. Results that came in during the summer were great. Well done to all who prepared or supported the musicians.

In curriculum music, Year 7 are looking at the musical elements (keywords) this term - dynamics this week. Year 8 experience Jazz (Maj 7th chord last week, New Orleans Jazz this week). Year 9 have started Musical Futures and start in groups this week. Year 10 are learning Garageband and composition skills, and Year 11 start their Unit 2 composition.

Do refer to the 'word of the week' in your lessons. We need to use the common vocabulary in our teaching!

So, back into the full swing this week. Start with a bang. Never accept second best. Insist on practice. Let me know when practice is not being completed. Our musicians love to learn.

Most importantly - inspire your students!

Have a great, musical and fun week!!

Mark

News for September 3rd.

Well, term is here. Summer is behind us!!

We welcome Al Nunn (brass) and Jo Harris (singing) this week to our team. Jo will be with us on a Tuesday, Al on a Thursday. Dagmara Jones is also teaching some horn on a Monday.

GCSE and A level results were good, with some stunning As and an A* at GCSE. Thanks to everyone who worked on them with the students. What is even more apparent is that the performance element is crucial to students achieving the grades. We will be doing much work on this element for both exams this term and I will be chatting to teachers individually. It can make all the difference and, sadly, loose the difference as well, as with a couple of students last year at GCSE.

The meetings this week (Weds and Thurs as sent in email on Friday) will focus on our priorities and GCSE performance. Clare and Debbie are off to the HMS conference on Monday and there may be feedback from this as well.

It is Child-protection training time again, as part of the 3 year cycle.
Friday 5th October at 9.15am for a couple of hours. This is compulsory for all staff. However, if you have a recent Hertfordshire certificate, please let me know and bring it in this week. I know some staff have training elsewhere and gain the Hertfordshire certificate. There can be no excuses or exclusions I am afraid. Ofsted expect it and can fail the whole school if not up to date.

Open Evenings are on Weds 3rd (6.30pm) and Thurs 4th (5pm) October. We will have music round the school and much going on in the department. Please put this date in your diary. I would like as many staff to be involved as possible.

Start of term: Our music database is being updated on Wednesday morning this week. Sue will then put on the new Year 7 students and lists can be completed. If there are any decisions that need to be made regarding student notice or the like, please see me about it. We will ring round or email new Year 7 students to inform them of the day and time of their first lesson. Also to remember with Year 7 or new students:

• Show them where the timetables are
• Explain the rotation and how to find lesson times
• Write the new time of their lesson in the practice book
• Show them where to leave instruments

You will find in your tray a new copy of the instrumental handbook. Do have a read (even if you have seen it before) as it has been updated. It reminds us of the procedures that we have for student absence, lesson changes and so on. At hectic times we often forget the rules that we have for this! The lesson observation section has also been updated. This newsletter blog also has the help videos and dates to look at. Again, take a moment to browse. It could save time later on!

Have a great week getting back into the swing of things!

Mark