Crisis at Christmas We are hoping that each tutor group will be able to raise at least £28:18. This will support Crisis’ campaign to help people out of homelessness by offering  A warm welcome and good company  Three nutritious, hot meals daily, including a delicious Christmas dinner  A bed for the night, if needed  A chance to shower, freshen up and get clean clothes  A health check and treatment from a doctor, optician and dentist  Expert help with mental health and addiction problems  Advice on housing, employment and benefits  A way out of homelessness for good through Crisis’ year-round training, education and support.

Mind – a charity who provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote our understanding of mental health issues.

The South London Refugee Association – who have a range of services for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who are at risk including support for families and young people. Our Sixth Form have been very proud to have worked with the SLRA this term and recently performed a piece of moving verbatim theatre from the perspective of refugees.

West Norwood and Brixton Food Bank Collection boxes will be in the atrium for donations until Wednesday 19th December. Urgently needed items that we would like pupils to donate include:  Tinned Meat pies/corned beef/curry  Biscuits  Tinned tomatoes  Tinned custard  Tinned rice pudding  Christmas themed sponge puddings – e.g. chocolate/caramel/etc  Christmas themed cakes  Treats  Washing power, nappies, toiletries

End of term reminders: Uniform When students arrived in September, their uniform and appearance was excellent. More recently we have noticed a number of students attempt to challenge our expectations. As well as the details of uniform as referenced on the website, please note the following:  Hoodies are not permitted and should not be worn as an outdoor coat, this includes to and from school.  Coats should be dark (black, blue or grey), with a small logo, and fit over a blazer. Outdoor coats, scarves and hats must not be worn inside the school building. The large ‘blanket’ style scarves should not be worn.  Trousers should be black. They must not be skin tight, or tailored in the style of jeans.  ‘Traditional’ black leather school shoes, either laced, strapped or slip on are acceptable, as are ‘Kickers’ shoes. Trainers or canvas shoes are not acceptable.  Students are allowed one small stud in the lower part of each/either ear. Nose piercings or other facial piercings are not allowed. If a student has more than one small stud in each/either ear, or any other facial piercing, they will be told to remove them immediately.  Students’ hair should be a natural colour, and if a student has different coloured hair they will be sent home to rectify this.

Punctuality Students should be in school by 8.25am in order to register at 8.40am. Breakfast Club is open from 8am. If your child arrives at school after 8.40am, they are late. If your child is late to school, they must attend a 50 minute Late Detention on that day. If a student fails to attend this Late Detention, they must attend an extended detention on the Thursday of that week led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. If a student fails to attend this detention, they will face further sanctions. If your child persistently fails to arrive at school on time, we will ask you to meet with us, and you may also receive a Fixed Penalty Fine. We have also been monitoring students’ lateness to lessons, and would ask you to remind your child about the importance of their punctuality to lessons as well as to school. When students are late, it not only affects their learning, but significantly disturbs the learning of others.

After school Students should promptly make their way home at the end of the school day. Unless your child is attending an after school club, using the Library or attending a detention, you should expect them to leave the school site by 3pm and be on their way home. We have increasing concern about students’ safety outside school, and would ask you to discuss this with your child. We have advised students not to go to Norwood Park, or to wait and congregate at Crown Point or in Crystal Palace. Students should take direct routes home, and not divert through local housing estates or parks.

Inclement weather As we are approaching the season for inclement weather, I wish to draw your attention to our methods of notifying parents. On any day that the school will be closed, an email or text message will be sent out that morning, before 7.30am to alert parents of the school closure and a message will be placed on our website.

We would all like to take this opportunity to wish all families a restful and enjoyable Christmas break.