Thought for the Week:  To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue.
Word of the Week: Experience – (The process of getting) knowledge or skill which is obtained from doing, seeing or feeling things.

Dates for Your Diary
9th May  – Year 7 Parents Evening  3.15pm- 6.15pm
14th May – GCSE Exams start until 29th June
30th May – Year 10 Parents Evening 3.15pm-6.15pm
1st June – School finishes end of day for summer half term holiday
11th June – School reopens after summer half term holiday
13th June – Year 8 Parents evening 3.15pm-6.15pm
25th June – 29th June – Year 7 Exams
3rd July – Year 6 Parents evening
2nd July – 13th July – Year 10 Work Experience
5th July – Big Learning Day
9th July – KS3 Presentation evening
16th July & 17th July – School Show at Ferryhill Business & Enterprise College
18th July – School Show at Ferryhill Methodist Chapel
19th July – School finishes end of day for summer holidays
GCSE Results day – Thursday 23rd August

Broadband Survey- Parents
Durham County Council are conducting a broadband survey. If you are interested in increasing internet speeds in our area please complete the survey.   Copies of the survey forms can be found on the school website following the attached link http://www.fbec.co.uk/fbec/index.php/news/community-news/256-digital-durham-survey. 

P Bowden

Thefts from the Servery
Whilst the vast majority of our students are honest and law abiding, we have recently had an incident where a student stole food from the servery area.  I need to inform parents that it is school policy always to involve the police where such thefts occur.  The police will then deal with the matter as they feel appropriate.  The student is also likely to receive a fixed term exclusion from the school.  Stealing is dishonest, adversely and indirectly affects the whole community and will not be tolerated with school.  Again thank you to the vast majority of parents who support this strategy. 

P Bowden

Year 8 Students
Can I congratulate Y8 students on your excellent behaviour and attitude during the Y8 examinations.  Papers are currently being marked by staff and students should have results soon.  I am aware that the Y8 examination timetable was issued much later than it should have been and this may have disrupted revision for a number of our students.  On behalf of the Examinations team in the school I apologise for that. 

P Bowden

Students travelling on school buses
Will parents please note that students are only entitled to travel on the school buses if they have been issued with a bus pass from Durham County Council for a specific bus.  Entry onto a different bus other than the one the student has a bus pass for is not allowed for insurance liability purposes.

Should a student attempt to get on a bus that they don’t have a pass for, then drivers will have no choice but to refuse them travel.  Should particular students ignore this advice then the local Authority will be informed as to who these individuals are and they then may risk having their bus pass removed from them for a period of time.

Please note that the late bus that runs at 3.30 is free to all students and passes are not required.  However students with bus passes are given priority.

L Edgar

Cycle safety training
For those students doing the cycle safety training on 16th May please return your consent forms to the main office F.A.O. Mrs Edgar by 30th April.  Thanks. 

Mrs Edgar

Show dates
Advance notice for this year’s summer production.  The show will be held in School on Monday and Tuesday the 16th and 17th July.  There will be a further performance on Weds 18th July at Ferryhill Methodist chapel.  Tickets will go on sale after the half term holiday for the school event, and the chapel will be selling tickets for the Wednesday performance.  Times will be released in due course.  Please come along and support the cast and crew.

Miss McCavanagh and Mr Brown

Show Rehearsals
Show Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 2.40pm to 4pm.  Thanks Miss MCavanagh & Mr Brown

Northumbria Water competition
Northumbria Water are running a competition for students to create a video highlighting the problems faced with wasting water. The competition involves creating a piece to be filmed and uploaded to youtube.  The piece can be anything from animation, to singing, acting to rapping; any kind of creative talent.  The prize will be £1000 AWARDED TO THE SCHOOL.  If you would like any more information on this please see Miss McCavanagh ASAP. 

Miss McCavanagh

Durham's got Talent competition
This talent competition is now open to all students in the Durham LEA (that means us.)  If you would like more info on how to enter the contest and what it involves visit www.getoutthere.info    You have until the 31st of May to enter your videos online.

Miss McCavanagh

Community Noticeboard
National Citizen Service – Young Volunteers

NCS is a flagship government initiative which aims to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people from different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities.  It is a voluntary programme for 16-year-olds which focuses on their personal and social development which includes challenging activities, from away-from-home residential experiences to a self-designed social action project.
NCS is a unique and fun programme, which helps young people to build their confidence, make new friends and make a difference. The voluntary programme takes place over the summer, with three weeks of structured activities and a further 30 hours delivered on a part-time basis over a number of weeks.
Participants can expect to make lifelong friends, overcome new challenges and develop qualities and skills highly valued by employers and educational institutions. ‘I would tell anyone thinking of doing it to just do it. You learn new skills, it’s good for your CV and you make friends you’ll stay in touch with forever’ said a young person taking part last year.

The UFA is working in partnership with schools, colleges, youth groups and community organisations across the areas to enable young people to take part in a fantastic summer. 
To find out more or to register for a place go to the NCS page on the UFA website www.ufa.org.uk  and apply or find the application also on the NCS website. Anyone wanting any further information can contact Jade on 0121 212 9838 or visit the central website www.direct.gov.uk/ncs  or the facebook.com/ncs

Miners Welfare Recreation Ground – Chilton
Please be advised of the new summer opening times effective from 1st May 2012 until 30th September 2012.These are as follows:
Weekdays         9.00am – 8.45pm
Weekends         10.00am – 8.00pm
Activities at the Miners Welfare recreation ground include a play are suitable for children aged 5 years and under, pitch and putt course* and 2 floodlit tennis courts*.  *Note there is a small charge for using these facilities
For any further information please contact the Town Council on 01388 721788