27th March 2013

Dear Parent/Carer

You are cordially invited to attend the Year 10 Parents Consultation Evening on Thursday 25th April between 3.45 and 6.30pm in the Main Hall and would ask that you make appointments to see the teachers that teach your young person.

We are introducing a new intuitive and easy to use on-line appointment booking system. This will allow you to choose your own appointment times with teachers and you will receive an email confirming your appointments. We are confident that this will be a significant improvement over our previous system and welcome any feedback.

Appointments can be made from Tuesday 2nd April and will close on Wednesday 24th April at 12 noon. Should you wish to make any changes after this date please contact Mrs Hudson in the Key Stage 4 office.

We will continue to offer 5 minute ‘slots’ but would ask that you keep to these times in order to streamline the appointments and prevent a backlog.

Attached to this letter is a simple guide to making your appointments – we have made a link to the booking system from the college website and the guide is also available on the website.

Please visit  https://bournecc.parentseveningsystem.co.uk to book your appointments (or click on the link from our website) and login with the information requested:

The booking system is available on any internet enabled device (PC, laptop, tablet, smart phone), but if you don’t have access to the internet,  please contact Mrs Hudson who will be happy to add appointments on your behalf.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 25th April

Yours sincerely

Ranjit Verghese
Assistant Headteacher

27 February 2013

Dear Parents


UNICEF “School in a Box” Project

Our school is taking part in the UNICEF World Education Games on Tuesday 5 March this year.  More than 5.5. million students from 200 countries and territories register for the games each year.  The games are an exciting online challenge for our school’s students, with our top students going up against the best in the world.

As part of our participation, I am writing to invite each student to contribute £1 to come to school in smart business dress on Tuesday 5 March. Students who wish to participate must wear smart business dress which would be suitable for an interview for an office based job. Casual ‘non-uniform’ clothes are not permitted. Students who do not wish to participate should attend school in normal uniform and do not therefore have to pay the £1 contribution to UNICEF.

All money brought in by students will be given to UNICEF as our school’s donation to the UNICEF “School in a Box” Project.  The “School in a Box” Project provides a ready-made kit of classroom supplies and materials to schools where children’s access has been limited by poverty and/or crisis.

We are uniting with schools around the world by combining our resources to give children living in poverty their right to an education.

The World Education Games is the Olympics of education and we are organising for our school to participate.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of what should be a fun and rewarding event.

Yours sincerely

S Liley
Headteacher

February 2013

Dear Parents and Carers,

You will no doubt be aware of the present government’s initiative encouraging schools to consider converting to ‘Academy’ status. As this is such a hot topic we felt that it might be helpful to explain where the governors and leadership team of Bourne Community College stand on this issue.

Like all good schools we have been closely monitoring the Academies debate in order to ascertain whether there may be any benefits to your children in our converting to Academy status. Having considered all of the evidence it is our firm belief that, as a Trust school, we already enjoy many of the benefits that Academies have.

Since we formed our Trust in 2009 we have owned our land and buildings and have had the freedom to source our services from whichever provider offers greatest value. This has brought clear benefits for staff, students and the local community whilst allowing us to maintain a strong working relationship with West Sussex Local Authority.

We are confident that our present governing body and leadership team have the vision and ability to take the school onto ever greater successes as a Trust school. Of course we recognise that the Academies program may change direction in the future and you can be assured that we will always keep an open mind. If, in the future, a clear advantage to our students can be brought about via conversion then we will certainly consider it. For the time being however we remain confident that our Trust status provides the perfect platform for continued success.

We would of course welcome your views at any time on this or any other issue relating to the college. 

Yours faithfully,
 
Simon Liley, Headteacher
John Southgate, Chair of Governors

23rd January 2013 

Dear Parents/Carers,

As you know I have been talking to all of your children about ‘Rights’ and ‘Responsibilities’ in their assemblies over the past two weeks. My key message has been that I will do my best to ensure that they continue to enjoy the right to great lessons, a lovely school environment, respect from others, fairness and a school of which they can be proud. In exchange, I explained, I expect each member of the school community to take individual responsibility for such things as positive behaviour, looking after the school buildings and grounds, showing respect for others, being fair and kind and demonstrating their pride in the school.

Alongside the assemblies I have been sending out a clear message to staff and students regarding school uniform, and I am pleased to say that the students have responded extremely positively and are looking really smart and ready to learn. May I take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support, particularly if you have bought new items of uniform in order to support the school in this drive.

I am aware that school uniform rules are a very thorny subject but I am determined to be fair to all of the students and ensure that nobody is treated any differently. My aim is that, as soon as is practicable, every student will be within the school uniform rules so that I can direct all of my energies into ensuring the teaching and learning in every classroom is of the highest standard.

As far as I am concerned, sticking to a firm uniform policy has two major benefits; it ensures that students are all treated equally and it means that (once every student is in correct uniform) we can focus all of our energies on more interesting things!

Thankyou once again for your continued support and I look forward to meeting you all in person soon,


Simon Liley
Headteacher

10th January 2013

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is with great pleasure that I write to you as the new Headteacher of Bourne Community College, following Mrs Eva’s very well earned retirement at the end of last term.

Although I have only been in post a very short time it is already clear to me that the college is a vibrant and happy place to work and learn. I have been made very welcome by the staff and am looking forward to meeting all of the students in assemblies over the coming week.

I intend spending as much time as I can in classrooms this term so that I can get a really clear idea about where the very best practise happens and how it can become the norm in every classroom.

I know that Mrs Eva has cultivated a very open and welcoming community around the college and fully intend to continue in that vein.

I very much look forward to working with you in the future,

Kind regards,

Simon Liley
Headteacher

5th December 2012


Dear Parent/Carer,

As you are well aware the GCSE exams are fast approaching and the pressure of revision is building. Your son/daughter will be taking one or more of the following on these dates:

We are delighted to support this by offering the opportunity to attend a 2 day Christmas Science revision course on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 January. This is aimed at helping each individual in their particular needs and will make a significant difference in their preparation for their Science exams.

Each day will start at 9am until 3pm in the Science Department. Students will need to bring lunch, as there will be no canteen access, along with any revision materials they are currently using and uniform will not be required.

We will also be holding a KS4 Science Exam Information evening on Wednesday January 30 6pm-7pm. This evening will go over all that is expected of the students for their Coursework/ISA which will be conducted in February and also how best to prepare themselves for the upcoming exams and assessments.

Please sign and return the attached slip to the Science department as soon as possible. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 01243 375691 Ext. 237.

Yours sincerely,

Download a copy of this letter

19 November 2012

Dear Parents/Carers

I would like to clarify an issue to parents and carers.

Students are only allowed to wear one set of ear studs to school.  We have made this clear in our Prospectus.

Some students are abusing this rule and having other parts of their faces and bodies pierced.  This is not allowed for Health and Safety reasons and has been made clear through Assemblies, in our Prospectus and on our website.

Would parents kindly support the school and ensure that your child does not have any piercings on their face and body.  We will not allow retainers to be worn and will send students home who refuse to co-operate.

We want all our students in lessons at all times and do not wish to send students home because they have ignored our instructions.

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely

Margaret M Eva (Mrs)
Headteacher

17 September 2012

Dear Parents/Carers

I trust you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer holiday.

Students have returned to school at the Bourne looking very smart in their uniform and have settled quickly into their daily routines and timetables.

I am writing to let you know the names of the new members of staff who have started with us this term:

Mr Martyn Ashmead (Geography)
Mr Greg Burrett (Drama)
Ms Tracy Knight (SSCo)
Ms Diane McGarry (History)
Mr David Pastor (Spanish, part-time)
Ms Emily Ralls (Science)
Ms Emma Barber (SENCo)
Mr Chris North (Art)

Ms Lin Ferron (AVA)
Mr Paul Wade (BSSC)
Ms Lorna Turner (INCa)
Ms Marilyn Perry (INCa)

On another note, Tuesday 9 October is our College Open Day and Evening when we welcome parents and children from our local Primary Partner schools and across the region. As we will have in excess of 400 Primary School children here during the day, the College will be closed to our own students for that day only and work will be set accordingly for students to complete Independent Study at home.
  
May I also take this opportunity to remind you of our half-termly Newsletter Bourne2Succeed which is issued to all students a day or two before the half term/end of term breaks. The Newsletter is an opportunity for us to share with you some of highlights and the achievements of our students. It also has reminders of forthcoming important dates and events.  Do please ensure you retrieve your Newsletter from your child’s schoolbag!

A copy of our College Calendar indicating key dates for the academic year will shortly be posted on our website.  Please make a note of Parents Consultation Evenings in order for us to meet and discuss the progress of your son/daughter and other key events in the College Year.  Important external and internal Exam dates will also be identified on this calendar.

Your support for us all at the Bourne is greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Margaret M Eva (Mrs)
Headteacher

28 September 2012

Dear Parents/Carers

It is now 4 weeks since students started the new Autumn Term.   The majority of our students are looking extremely smart in the Bourne Community College uniform and we appreciate parents’/carers’ support in ensuring that all students adhere to our Uniform Policy.

I am taking this opportunity to enclose our Bourne Community College Uniform Policy 2012/2013 which has been agreed by Governors at the Bourne and is also written clearly in our prospectus and Student Planners.

There are two official stockists of our uniform:

• Ricara, 1 Old Market Avenue, Chichester (01243.778850)
• Skoolkit, 41-43 Market Parade, Havant (02392.455795)

Uniform may not be purchased from other outlets.

Would you please ensure that your child comes to school in the correct uniform each day.  We have had a few students who try to bend our rules and appear in inappropriate uniform (i.e. girls skirts that are far too short, “skinny leg” trousers – boys and girls), and students wearing black canvas shoes instead of leather/leather type shoes.  For Health and Safety reasons we need to ensure that students are wearing appropriate footwear.

We have only a few rules at Bourne Community College and we will not allow extremes of hair colour or body-piercing except for one small pair of gold/silver ear studs. Students may not wear “Hoodies” or fashion cardigans/jumpers to or from school.  Parents will be contacted and students may be sent home if they persist in flouting college expectations.

Would you please sign the slip below to indicate that you have received this letter, and return this to your child’s Form Tutor by Monday 1 October 2012.

Our school is very popular and now over-subscribed.  All our staff are determined that every student will achieve in their learning and work exceptionally hard.  We expect all our students to look smart and business-like when they come to school and in all lessons, and to continue to be a credit to you and the Bourne.

We really appreciate your support.

Yours sincerely

Margaret M Eva (Mrs)
Headteacher

13 September 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians

Re: TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2012

Just a brief reminder to you all that Tuesday 9h October is our official College Open Day for primary school pupils and their families. We are expecting over 400 nine and ten year olds during the day and their families in the evening. As a result the College will be closed to our own students that day but will re-open at the normal time on Wednesday 10th October. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Yours faithfully

J Murray Brown
Assistant Headteacher