Dear Parents 

I am writing to welcome you and your child back to school for the new academic year.  I hope that you have had an enjoyable summer break. 

More Good News 

We were delighted with our record GCSE exam results this Summer.  The provisional progress 8 figure of +0.4 puts us firmly in the top 25% of schools nationally and comfortably puts us in the top three of schools in borough.  We were also delighted with the performance of our Sixth Formers, all of whom have gone on to the university and colleges of their choice.   

These excellent results coupled with our recent ‘outstanding’ judgement by the Diocese in the Section 48 inspection, are a real cause for celebration and pride for everyone in our school community.  Please do share this good news with your friends and family – your child can be proud of their school and the contribution that they make to it!  

Sixth Form Enrolment 

On a similar note I would like to let you know that we still have places available in the Sixth Form on some courses and enrolment sessions are taking place at the following dates and times: 
3 September 2019 – 9.00 am - 12.30 pm & 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm 
4 September 2019 – 9.00 am - 12.30 pm & 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm 

The first day for Years 12 and 13 will be Monday 9 September 2019. 

Standards of Uniform and Personal Presentation 

As you are aware we set high expectations at St John Bosco College about school uniform and personal presentation.  We believe that this helps to maintain good discipline and a sense of pride in the school.  Details of our Uniform Policy can be found on the school website. Please do ensure that your child returns to school this week properly turned out and equipped for the new term. 

Can I take this opportunity to remind you that earrings and other piercings are not permitted and pupils will be expected to remove these before they come in to school even if they were recently done.  Please can you also ensure that your child has a formal haircut/style: extremes of hairstyle, whether in cut or colour, are not permitted and students will not be allowed in lessons if they are not following these school expectations.

As you will be aware we are introducing a house system this term and your child will have ‘house colours’ that will be displayed on the lapel of their blazer.  These ‘iron-on’ colours will be given to the students in the first week.  Please ensure that these are put on to your child’s blazer. 

As the Autumn approaches please do ensure that your child has a warm coat to wear to school.  This needs to be a plain, dark (blue or black) coat that can be worn over a blazer.  Hoodies and brightly coloured coats are not permitted and pupils will not be able to bring these in to school. 

Healthy Eating  

I am grateful for your continued support with our healthy eating policy.  Please note that our ban on fizzy drinks, sweets, crisps and chocolates will continue into the new academic year and if found these will be confiscated and not returned.  If your child does bring a packed lunch in to school please ensure that they only bring small, healthy snacks. 

Mobile Phones 

When we consulted parents last year it was clear that you support the school’s mobile phone policy which states that pupils should not have their phones out or use them during the day. This term if a pupil is seen with their phone out (or is using them with headphones which are visible) staff will confiscate them and the phone/headphones will only be returned after the pupil has sat a detention that afternoon.   Please remind your child of this and if they do bring a phone to school, please encourage them to keep it out of sight during the school day.  

Term dates 2019-2020 – A Reminder 

Autumn Term 2019 

Term starts: Monday  2 September 2019 (INSET Day – staff only) 
Year 12 enrolment: Tuesday 3 September and Wednesday 4 September 2019 
Years 7 & 11 start: Wednesday 4 September 2019 (1.00 pm finish) 
Years 8, 9 & 10 start: Friday 6 September 2019 
Year 12 & 13 start: Monday 9 September 2019 
Academic Review day: Friday 20 September 2019 
Half Term: Monday 21 October 2019 to Friday 25 October 2019 
INSET day: Friday 29 November 2019 (INSET - staff-only) 
Term ends: Thursday 19 December 2019 (12.45pm finish) 
 Spring Term 2020 

Term starts: Monday 6 January 2020 
Half Term: Monday 17 February to Friday 21 February 2020 
INSET Day: Monday 16 March 2020 (staff-only) 
Term ends: Friday 3 April 2020 (12.45 pm finish) 

Summer Term 2020 

Term starts: Monday 20 April 2020 
Half Term: Monday 25 May 220 - to Friday 29 May 2020 
Term ends: Friday 17 July 2020 (12.45pm finish) 

Finally 

We are looking forward to the academic year ahead with great teaching and excellent pastoral care at the heart of everything that we do as an outstanding Catholic school.  I look forward to working with your child and to meeting you during the year.  Please do get involved in the life of the school and in your child’s education in every way that you can.  We will be sending further details about how you can support the school through your Governors’ fund donations and by joining the PTFA. 

With very best wishes.

Yours sincerely 

Paul Dunne 
Headteacher