Dear Parents and Carers
I could not be prouder of how well our pupils have started the new academic year. In every classroom pupils are working with fierce concentration and determination, the vast majority of pupils are staying on top of their homework and the majority are choosing to stay on for at least one club at the end of every day. We could not do that without your support. We are hugely grateful. Thank you.
The Y11s in particular are stepping up to the challenge of a big exam year. Over 25 pupils are staying behind for 90 minutes each day for additional support with their homework and revision. We are very proud of them as they push themselves for the last 24 days before their penultimate Mock Exams.
The past week has been hugely busy with Y6 families visiting the school before making their final high school choices. Due to insatiable demand we are hosting an additional two Open Mornings this coming Tuesday and next Tuesday. If you have a Y6 child who would like to visit the school then please book through the website.
On Friday at 9am we are hosting a parents' coffee morning for all current parents. This will be an opportunity to meet with the headteacher and to visit some lessons. Spaces are limited so please email j.kong1@arksoane.org by the end of Wednesday if you would like to attend. The event will finish before 10.20 but please note that latecomers will not be admitted.
Medical appointments: We ask that you avoid medical appointments during the school day unless entirely unavoidable. This is to avoid your child having gaps in their understanding which can have a significant impact on their progress and achievement. If unavoidable, your child must come to school until they need to leave for the appointment and must return to school afterwards so they can be marked present for both morning and afternoon sessions, ensuring they maintain a good attendance record.
Thank you for your support in dropping and collecting children from school. Please continue to avoid entering Woodlands Avenue (the small road at the side of Chaiwala) as this endangers our pupils and there is no space to turn around.
Further dates for your diaries:
1/10: Y11 Guidance Evening
8/10: Y9 Meet the Tutor Evening
16/10: School closed for INSET
22/10: Sixth Form Information Evening
23/10: Last Day of Half Term
This Week's Highlights
It has been a wonderful first full week for everyone at Ark Soane! Everything is in full swing, with clubs, homework and Year 6 parent tours keeping the school site busy and buzzing.
From board games, to STEM, to basketball (our first morning club) and everything in between our student's are loving life making the most of all the school has to offer.
And when they are not keeping busy with clubs at lunchtime or afterschool they are squirrelled away in the library working hard to do their best in all their subjects. We love to see it!
An incredible first week of sport clubs! Well over 300 students have been throwing themselves into everything from football, netball, basketball, rugby, kung fu with dance being added next Friday!
Notices
Clubs this week
A reminder of the clubs' timetable is below. Clubs your child is registered for can be found on MCAS, where you can also add your child to the waiting list. A reminder that pupils who miss their club two weeks consecutively will be removed from that club. Please check which clubs your child is registered for and remind them to attend each week.
After-School Clubs (3:40PM-4:30PM)
Clubs in italics are invite-only.
Mondays: Y8 Boys' Football, Illustration, Y10 GCSE Art, School Production, Guitar Ensemble, German Club, Charity Committee, Y9-10 Axiom Maths
Tuesdays: Kung Fu, Senior Jazz
Wednesdays: Netball, Strength & Conditioning, Y11 GCSE Art, GCSE Music, Y9-12 Debating, Eco Club, Y10 Triple Science, Chess Club
Thursdays: Y7 Boys' Football, Y10 Sports Leaders, Architecture, Y9-12 Music Tech, String Ensemble, Junior Jazz, STEM Club, Japanese & Manga, Y9 Boys' Rugby
Fridays: School Production, Y7-8 Axiom Maths, Y11 Triple Science, Y9 Boys' Football, Y7-9 Girls' Football
Before-School Clubs (7:30AM-8:10AM)
Tuesdays: Y8-9 Boys' Basketball
Wednesdays: Y10-11 Boys' Basketball
Thursdays: Y7-10 Girls' Basketball
Fridays: Y7 Boys' Basketball
School Production
We are excited to be announce that this year's school production which will be Little Shop of Horrors! This will be our largest musical yet - with many opportunities for pupils in cast, crew, and band.
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Interested pupils for onstage roles must attend two workshops ahead of their audition date. Please check in with your child if they are interested in taking part:
Year 7-8
Fri 2nd Oct, 15:40-16:30 - Singing Workshop
Mon 12th Oct, 15:40-16:30 - Acting Workshop
Mon 19th Oct, 15:40-17:00 - Auditions
Years 9, 10, & 12
Mon 5th Oct, 15:40-16:30 - Acting Workshop
Fri 9th Oct, 15:40-16:30 - Singing Workshop
Thur 15th Oct, 15:40-17:00 - Auditions
Weds 21st Oct, 15:40-17:00 - Audition overspill
As the production will continue in to peak exam season we are unable to accommodate Year 11s. As with all after school activities - pupils are unable to attend if they earn a reflection that day.
Please note that we cannot guarantee audition slots, so pupils intending to audition are committing to attending until 17:00 that day.
Backstage opportunities will be shared later on. Do please discuss this wonderful opportunity with your child.
Reading habits
Our library is open! Year 7 students all had an induction session with the opportunity to check out their first Soane book! Students at Soane are encouraged to use the library often as a place to complete independent work, check out a new book, read a magazine and just read! Studies have shown that reading outside of class is a major contributor to students' overall academic growth as well as happiness! See the attached document for some strategies to keep reading a habit at home.
Helmets
A properly fitted bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85% and brain injury by up to 88%. If your child rides a bike or scooter to school, please ensure they are wearing a helmet to keep them safe on London's busy roads.
The Big Future survey - Children’s Commissioner for England
For the first time, hundreds of thousands of children will be eligible to vote in the next general election at age 16, the biggest change to the franchise in half a century – yet just one in five children say politicians listen to them.
That’s why the Children's Commissioner for England is doing a survey, The Big Future, to talk to a million children, to listen to them. And to find out about what it’s like to be a child today.
"I am asking children about the changes they want to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes for the future. More than anything, I want to know what they think a good childhood should look like, now and in the future." - Dame Rachel de Souza
If you would like your child to complete the survey, and share their experiences, views and aspirations, the link is below.
Soane Parents Association – AGM
Dear Parents and Carers,
The Soane Parents Association (SPA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place online on Wednesday 7 October at 7:00pm.
This is a great opportunity to hear about what the SPA has achieved over the past year, our fundraising and plans for the year ahead, and to find out how you can get involved.
New members are very welcome! 💙
The online meeting link and further details will be shared next week.
Soane Parents Association (SPA)
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