Whole School Letter September 2009

Our Ref: DJH/MEE

23 September 2009

Dear Parent/Carer

We are pleased to welcome your children back at the start of the new College year and I am pleased to report that the Year 7 students are settling in well. Many new developments have taken place during the Summer break to enhance our excellent facilities. These developments include:

  • Re-configuration of the Sixth Form Library.
  • 3 new purpose-built English classrooms.
  • New social area for students with 12 picnic benches.
  • New digital language lab (this now gives us 5 of these facilities).
  • New IB Sixth Form centre comprising 10 teaching rooms and 3 offices.
  • New Science Laboratory for the main College.
  • New Environmental Systems laboratory for IB students.
  • New catering servery module in the area designated for Years 7 and 8.
  • Current refurbishment of students? toilets to exceptionally high standards.
  • Re-modelled IT classroom.
  • Development of a recreational area with seating in the quadrangle area.

GCSE Results
I am pleased to inform you that this year our GCSE results are as follows:

5 or more A*-C 99.7%
5 or more A*-C including English and Maths 86.2%
Maths 91%
English 89%
2 Science subjects 100%

I am sure that the new statistic for the future will be 5 or more A*-C including Maths, English, Science and a Foreign Language. Nationally this figure for schools has fallen from 30% in 2001 to 23.7% in 2008. At Tollbar BEC, you will be pleased to know, the figure stands at 44% in 2009.

Student Uniform
Once again we would like to thank all parents for their assistance in ensuring that our students are extremely well presented in their uniform. We often have positive comments from the business and local community regarding the high standards of our students' dress. This stands them in very good stead when they move on to employment or further education.

Uniform Sales
The College is now open every Tuesday from 3:15 pm to 4:00 pm for the purchase of College uniform during term time and during holidays. Students can also purchase items from the Main Foyer at break time every Tuesday. Blazers, ties and scarves can also be purchased from Uniform Direct.

Labelling of Uniform
Would parents ensure that all items of clothing and footwear are clearly labelled with your son's/daughter's name. This helps students find lost items and significantly reduces unclaimed clothing in lost property.

Procedure for taking medication at College
If a student has to take medication whilst at College, parents must complete a consent form and the medication should be left in the Medical Room. Students must then go to the Medical Room to receive their medication. Students must not carry medication around the College.

Events Calendar 2009-2010
For your information I enclose the Events Calendar for 2009-2010.

Tollbar College Year Patterns for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012
To assist you in planning future holidays, I enclose the Tollbar College Year Patterns for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. These year patterns can also be seen on the College website (www.tollbarbec.co.uk).

College Homework Timetable
I enclose a copy of the College Homework Timetable.

Sixth Form International Baccalaureate Open Evening
We shall be holding an IB Open Evening for Year 11 students and their parents on Thursday 8 October 2009 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Providing Information to Connexions
For students in Year 8 and above the College is required to pass on information to the Connexions Service. This information includes the name and address of the student and their parents, and any other further information relevant to Connexions. Connexions support young people by helping them to achieve their potential in education, learning and employment.

However, parents or the students themselves if aged 16 or over can ask that no information beyond name and address (for student and parent) be passed on to Connexions. If as a parent, or as a student aged 16 or over, you do not want Connexions to receive from us information beyond name and address, please ensure that you return the reply slip on page 4.

Since for students aged 16 or over, the right to ask for information beyond name and address not to be passed to Connexions rests with the student rather than the parent, it is particularly important that you share this note with your child if they are of this age.

The Local Authority and DCSF may provide Connexions with information which they have about your child, but will not pass on any information they have received from us if you (or your child if aged 16 or over) have notified the College that Connexions should not receive information beyond name and address.

Please complete the reply slip on page 4 indicating a positive or negative response regarding us sharing information about your child with the Connexions Agency. If you want to find out more about how the Connexions Agency can help your child, there is a National Helpline - Connexions Direct 080 800 13219.

We would also like to assure you that we do not pass on personal information held about your child to any commercial organisation.

Bringing Cycles to College
All students are reminded that if they come to College on a cycle they must lock it up. The most secure type of lock is a 'D' lock. Students should also take care at this time of year because the farmers are cutting hedges and there are hedge cuttings on the paths resulting in a number of slow punctures.

Heads of House
The following is a list of Heads of House, if you wish to contact them with any concerns you may have:

Cygnus Mrs M Toyne Orion Mr D Mitchell
Indus Mrs C Yates Perseus Mr M Birtwhistle
Lyra Mr R Colbert Vela Mrs T Webb

Half Term Holiday
Can I remind you that the College closes for students on Thursday 15 October 2009 and reopens on Monday 2 November 2009.

Vacancies
The College currently has vacancies for:

  • 2 Midday Supervisors

Please visit our website for details of these vacancies or contact our Personnel Section on 01472 502297.

Please sign your son/daughter's planner on the College/Home Communications, page 46, to indicate that you have received this letter.

Yours sincerely

Mr D J Hampson, OBE
Principal & Chief Executive

Enc:

Events Calendar 2009-2010

2010-2011 College Year Pattern

2011-2012 College Year Pattern

College Homework Timetable

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Please return to the House Tutor by Friday 2 October 2009 at the latest.

DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 - CONNEXIONS

Student's Name ..................................................... Form .....................................................

Please complete one option below with which you agree.

YES - I agree that information regarding (student's name) ..................................................... may be shared with Connexions.

NO - I do not want information regarding (student's name) ..................................................... shared with Connexions.

Signed ..................................................... Parent/Carer

Signed ..................................................... Student (if over 16 years of age)

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