At The Hamble School we provide High Quality Inclusive Teaching so that all students are able to achieve the very best outcomes. Teachers use a toolkit of strategies in the classroom that enable all students to have equitable access to the curriculum and ensure all students make progress. Your child’s teachers will:
- Share learning objectives so that students understand the intention of the lesson
- Check progress regularly (for example through the use of whiteboards) so that they can identify misconceptions and reshape the lesson if required
- Identify key words of the lesson so that students understand and can use subject specific terminology
- Use icons to identify the task being completed so that students have a visual prompt as to what they are expected to do
- Model the learning process or show what a good piece of work looks like (for example, through the use of a visualiser)
- Use writing frames or starter sentences to scaffold an extended piece of writing
- Use challenge tasks so that students are encouraged to think deeper or wider.
On Friday the Senior Leadership Team met with students across all year groups to look at their books and listen to what students have been learning in different lessons. Students also explained what they need to do to make further progress in lessons. It was great to hear about all the hard work going on in lessons.
We also provide interventions and Masterclasses outside of lessons to ensure that students achieve the very best academic outcomes. Last week we hosted an Achieving Excellence Evening for Year 11 focussed on English, Maths and Science – This was a brilliant event and a really good opportunity for students (and their Parents/ Carers) to concentrate on effective revision in these subjects.
Next week is WEEK 2
Question of the Week
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Each week we will ask parents/ carers a question in the Weekly Message – this will either be about a topic we are focussing on or an aspect of our school improvement plan. We would appreciate it if everyone answers it when reading the Weekly Message.
Events w/b 3 February
W/b Monday 3 February – Wednesday 5 January – Year 11 MFL Exams
Monday 3 February – Year 11 Practical Art Mock Exams
Monday 3 February – Year 11 College Application Workshop (selected students)
Monday 3 February – Year 8-10 Hitler on Trial Trip
Monday 3 February – Parent Forum – 5:30pm in the Conference Room off of Reception. Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/ujf7E4094d
Tuesday 4 February – Year 11 Art practical Mock Exams
Wednesday 5 February – Year 11 Practical Photography Mock Exams
Wednesday 5 February – Dance Live Event
Thursday 6 February – Year 11 Practical Photography Mock exams
Thursday 6 February – Year 11 Fawley Refinery Trip (selected students)
Friday 7 February – Year 11 Maths Test for Success
Friday 7 February – Year 11 Art/Photography/MFL catch up exams
Future Dates
Monday 10 February – Year 9 Media trip to Elstree studios
Thursday 13 February – Year 9 Parents’ evening
Letters
You can find all letters sent home over the week here – https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/letters-to-parents/
The canteen menus can be found here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/food-and-drink/
Please check your child’s Attendance regularly on Class Charts
Theme of the Week – Staying Safe Online
Next week our assemblies and tutor programme will focus on online safety, coinciding with Safer Internet Day. This year’s theme is particularly pertinent: ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online’. In our increasingly digital world, understanding how to navigate the online landscape safely and responsibly is crucial for all our students.
We are delighted to announce that our fantastic team of Cyber Ambassadors have taken the lead in planning and delivering next week’s assemblies. They’ve been working hard to create an engaging and informative session that will equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online. This links in with our shared understanding of the British Value of the ‘Rule of Law’.
The assemblies and tutor activities will explore several key areas related to online scams. Students will learn how easily people can be deceived by online content, even when it seems convincing. They will discuss the various types of scams that exist, from phishing emails and fake websites to misleading social media posts and fraudulent online marketplaces. The sessions will also cover the tactics scammers use to manipulate individuals, such as creating a sense of urgency or offering unrealistic deals.
Crucially, the Cyber Ambassadors will empower students to recognise the red flags that indicate a potential scam. They will explore strategies for verifying information, being wary of unsolicited messages and protecting personal data. The students will also learn about the importance of critical thinking when evaluating online content and how to question the authenticity of information they encounter.
Furthermore, the assemblies and tutor time will emphasise the importance of reporting any concerns. Students will be guided on how to report suspicious activity, whether it is a scam attempt or any other online safety issue. They will be encouraged to talk to a trusted adult, whether it’s a parent, teacher or another family member, if they are ever unsure or worried about something they have seen or experienced online.
We believe that open communication between school and home is essential in addressing online safety. We encourage you to discuss these topics with your children and reinforce the messages shared in school. By working together, we can help our students navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
This Week at the Dinner Table…
- What are the things you shouldn’t share online?
- What is the difference between ‘public’ and ‘private’ posts or groups?
- What do you know about privacy settings and why are they important?
- What would you do if you were asked for information online that you didn’t think was safe to share?
- What would you do if someone contacted you online and you didn’t know who they were?
Children’s Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week is takes place between 3 and 9 February 2025. Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 is organised in association with Here4You supported by Disney. They launched their very first week in 2015 to empower and equip children across the UK to share their voice.
This year’s theme is Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. It is so important we understand what makes us tick, our likes and dislikes, strengths, fears, hopes and dreams. Our emotions play a key role in telling us just that, and being aware of how to listen to and express ourselves is a major part of building self-awareness. It is through knowing ourselves and speaking with others, that we can build resilience, grow and develop.
One of the biggest challenges young people face is understanding that emotions can co-exist. Our memories, life experiences and beliefs all contribute to our overall sense of self. Our sense of self can be made up of both positive and negative parts. It’s important to remember all these parts of ourselves coexist together and make us who we are.
All of our emotions have a purpose and we can’t ignore them. It is important to let yourself feel and accept the range of emotions you experience. Sometimes feeling all these emotions can be overwhelming and this is a really normal experience for everyone, especially when we are growing and developing as a young person.
At home, strike up a conversation with your child and ask them to finish these sentences.
I am strong at________
I struggle with _________
Ask them to take a moment to think about what this tells you about your child? How does reflecting on their strengths and struggles help them to grow/ develop their self-awareness?
As a reminder, there is an overview of wellbeing support available to students in school here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/student-wellbeing-support/ We also have a comprehensive overview of resources that can be used at home to support families: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/student-wellbeing-resources/
Student Rewards
This week, we’re excited to share that all positive points on Class Charts will be doubled. This will start on Monday and run until half term. Double Points will be for all year groups and provide an opportunity for students to end the half term on a real positive. This is also in response to Student Voice; our students said ‘Double Points Weeks would be a good idea’.
Please also remind your son/ daughter to come to Proud Friday on Friday lunchtime with some work (or an achievement) that they are particularly proud of. Students will receive Double Points and a certificate.
Student Council
This term our Student Council Reps met once again to discuss and share their views on the school. They always highlight positives and suggest areas of development. This information is then shared with the Senior Leadership Team and Reps report back in tutor time.
One of the major discussion points was the involvement of students in the upcoming Arts Week with Mrs Bowman (Head of Creative Arts). The Reps had a great time sharing ideas and coming up with plans for their involvement during the event. More details will follow on this soon so keep an eye out for the next update.
Other discussion items included:
- Whether students could wear coats in PE during the cold weather. Students were reminded that a base-layer and gloves (for certain sports) are both allowed, if the weather is cold.
- Students were excited to know what House Events are coming up. We are delighted that our PE department will be running a Tennis Tournament and Swimming Gala very soon. Details will be share by Mrs Emmett-Callaghan (House Co-ordinator) in due course.
- We discussed students taking books home every day. As a school we want students to show Parents/ Carers the work they are producing in school. It is therefore important that students use their Hamble Wallet to bring in the books needed each day. This means that they have to check their timetable and pack their bag the night before. There are some lockers available and these can be requested by emailing general@thehambleschool.co.uk
- Finally, students were keen to get an update on the proposed Quarry. Mrs Valleley (Deputy Headteacher) is in the process of arranging for the Hamble Peninsular Residents Group to meet with the Student Leadership Team and we already have a meeting booked with Paul Holmes MP in the next two weeks. We will then provide students with an assembly on all the latest information after half term.
Overall, Student Council is a great way for everyone to get involved and have a say. Please do ensure that your son/ daughter talks to their Reps.
Dance Live
On Wednesday 5 February students from all year groups will be competing in Dance Live at The Portsmouth Guildhall at 7pm. Our 7-minute performance piece this year follows the whimsical tale of Tim Burton’s, Corpse Bride, a story of unrequited love and grave misunderstandings. All students involved have worked incredibly hard since October and we wish them the very best of luck! Tickets are available to purchase at https://dancelive.co.uk/tickets/
Football
The Year 9 Boys Football Team celebrated a 3-2 victory in a closely contested fixture against Oasis Academy Brislington (from Bristol) in the 6th round of the National Cup. Goals from Louis P and a Samuele F penalty gave The Hamble School a 2-1 lead going into the half time after Oasis had struck back to level.
During the second half, there were opportunities at both ends, with Jakub K making a number of vitally important saves in goal. After continued pressure on the Oasis goal, The Hamble School got the reward they deserved when Rico W struck to give the home side a two-goal lead from close range.
It was a nervy last couple of minutes though, as Oasis managed to pull a goal back with two minutes left to play. However, a resilient Hamble managed to hold on and now progress to the 7th round and the last 16 of the competition.
The next match is on Wednesday 5 February at Mallards Moor (opposite the school) at 1pm against a school from Newquay. All Parents/ Carers are welcome to come along and watch.
Can you help sponsor our Year 9 Boys Football Team?
Our Year 9 Boys Football Team has had an incredible season, working tirelessly to achieve fantastic results. Their hard work and dedication has paid off, as they have made it to the last 16 of the National Cup – An amazing achievement! We are incredibly proud of them.
To support their success, we are looking for a sponsor or someone willing to purchase a new football kit for the team. This would be a wonderful way to help celebrate their achievements and continue their journey in style.
If you or someone you know might be able to help, please get in touch. Your support would mean so much to the team. Please email general@thehambleschool.co.uk
Quarry Update
We are working with the Hamble Peninsular Residents Group. They are asking all members of the community to complete a questionnaire on how you use the Hamble Airfield. The Residents Group would like to understand what it will mean to the village if the Airfield quarrying application is approved and access to this important green space is limited. All responses need to be received by 12 February 2025 and every member of the household can complete the survey: https://hambleparishcouncil.gov.uk/pdg-airfield-survey/
Head Lice
We have had a few reported cases of Head lice in school. Please see the guidance below for treatment and encourage your child to wear hair tied back if they have longer hairstyles to limit chances for lice to spread.
How to get rid of Head lice
Treat Head lice as soon as you spot them. You can treat Head lice without seeing a GP.
Check everyone you live with, or have close contact with, and start treating anyone who has Head lice on the same day.
There’s no need to keep your child off school if they have Head lice.
Wet combing
Lice and nits can be removed by wet combing.
You can buy a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb) online or from pharmacies to remove head lice and nits.
There may be instructions on the pack, but usually you:
- Wash hair with ordinary shampoo
- Apply lots of conditioner (any conditioner will do)
- Comb the whole head of hair, using the detection comb, from the roots to the ends
It usually takes about 10 minutes to comb short hair, and 20 to 30 minutes for long, frizzy or curly hair. When you’ve finished combing the hair, comb through all the hair again for a second time.
Do wet combing on days 1, 5, 9 and 13 to catch any newly hatched head lice. Check again that everyone’s hair is free of lice on day 17.
Medicated Lotions and Sprays
If wet combing has not worked or is not suitable, you could try a medicated lotion or spray. These kill Head lice in all types of hair, and you can buy them from pharmacies, supermarkets or online.
Head lice should die within a day. Some lotions and sprays come with a comb to remove dead lice and eggs.
Some treatments need to be repeated after a week to kill any newly hatched lice. Check the pack to see if they’re OK for you or your child to use, and how to use them.
If lotions or sprays do not work, speak to a pharmacist about other treatments.
Eco Ambassadors seeking Bulb Donations for Green Flag Award
Our Eco Ambassadors are working hard to encourage more wildlife around the school site as part of our journey towards achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. To help with this they would love to plant more bulbs to create a welcoming environment for pollinators and other wildlife.
If you have any spare bulbs you could donate, we would be extremely grateful! Every contribution will help make our school a greener, more eco-friendly place. Please email general@thehambleschool.co.uk and we will arrange a convenient drop off time.
Rewards
The students listed below achieved the most reward points this week – Well done to you!
Year 7 Pollyanna F 7-1
Year 8 Myla K 8-4
Year 9 Paige F 9-5
Year 10 Troy P 10-7
Year 11 Lilou KE 11-2
Support
If you or your child would like support with wellbeing, please check out the links of our website: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/student-wellbeing-support/
