Prom Season Summer 2010 : Health & Safety Advice

Staffordshire County Council would like to remind parents that with the summer Prom season soon upon us, that they should make proper checks before books any limousine or transport to the Prom. There have been problems with some unscrupulous operators who failed to licence the vehicle and driver for the purpose of the work, and also that they have not fulfilled all of the legal obligations of being a private hire vehicle. Please ensure when booking any transportation that you check that the company is complying with the law! If you have any questions please called David Pattison on (01902) 896132 or e-mail d.pattison@sstaffs.gov.uk.

Careers Convention 2010

We are holding a Careers Fair on Wednesday 24th March 2010 to enable Ounsdale’s students to have direct access to a wide range of career opportunities in school. At this school we have a very successful Work Related Learning programme which works in partnership with many businesses during the day.

All students from Years 13 - 7 will be given the opportunity to browse information stands from all sectors of industry and after school when parents can accompany their children.

Do you have a business or company that would be interested in manning an information stand at what promises to be an amazing event?  If so or if you would like further information or would like to be more involved with Work Related Learning in our school/business partnership we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Anne Berry (PSHEE Coordinator) on 01902 892178 or Helen Needham (Work Experience Administrator) on 01902 891708.

New Late Bus Every Wednesday

From this Wednesday, January 20 th, the new late bus service will run allowing students to attend after school activities. The bus will pick students up at 5.15pm and follow the route identified on the letters that we sent out before Christmas. If you wish to use this late bus you MUST sign up for it at school reception before 3.45pm on each Wednesday that you wish to use it. If you do not sign up the driver will not allow you to use the free bus.

The School Nurse

The school nurse operates a drop-in session every Tuesday lunchtime from 1pm until 1.25pm in the Connexions office.

This drop-in is available to all students who might want to talk about medical issues, private concerns or any issues of worry with the school nurse Diane Brindley. The school nurse also offers Help2Quit sessions for anyone interested in giving up smoking.

Attendance Update

We have been encouraged by the reduction in the number of parents taking their children out of school for holidays this term. As you will see from the website we have reviewed our Attendance Policy for 2010 and this will be presented to Governors during the Spring Term. In line with recommendations from the Education Welfare Service, we have added further information about the action we might take if children are persistently absent from school (attendance less than 80%) and further details of this are included in the policy. We appreciate parents contacting us before 9.00am if they know that their child will be absent from school and would be grateful if you would continue to call us on 01902 891717. (24 hour voicemail available)

Kitchen Improvement Works Update

Normal school meal service resumed on Wednesday 2nd December 2009, with kitchen improvement work now complete. Hot meals were once again be available, whilst Breakfast Club will resumed from 8:15am on Wednesday morning.