Examination Results
The school has performed well in external examinations again this year according to our provisional figures. Our A level pass rate equalled our best ever and was above the local and national averages..
At GCSE our results were again above the national averages and we are again above the other schools of similar size and linguistic background that we are benchmarked against locally (2% and 9% respectively) and our results are comparable with schools with a similar proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals.
I would like to thank all parents for their support and the pupils for their hard work.
One aspect which does need continued vigilance is attendance in year 11. Several pupils underachieved because their attendance fell badly during the year and there were a number of subjects for which they were not entered, which is something of a waste of five years secondary education. We would be grateful for your support in ensuring maximum attendance this year.
I would also like to remind parents that the school has a policy of charging parents the cost of examination entries where their children do not turn up for an external examination without good reason. I will send you more information about this in due course.
Pupil Photographs
The school does occasionally use photographs of pupils in local newspapers and in school publications and displays. If you do not wish your child’s photograph to be used for these purposes, please confirm this in writing by Monday 13th November. Please address these letters to me.
Eco Group
A group of pupils have set up an environmental group in school known as an eco group. They are currently trying to establish an ‘eco code’ which can be small but catchy phrase by which we can publicise the group. We are launching a competition to find an eco code and wish as many children to get involved as possible.
Sports Matches
Thanks to all who have assisted the PE Department in raising sponsorship money. So far we have raised over £3,000.
We actively encourage parents to become involved in sports matches between Ysgol Friars and other schools. However, we would ask parents to refrain from coaching pupils or barracking the match officials. This only serves to confuse the players, intimidate referees and sets a bad example to the pupils.
While we recognise that it is currently fashionable to wear training shoes with the laces undone, this can increase the risk of tripping in PE lessons. Parents are asked to remind their children to tie all laces during sports and PE.
Healthy Schools
We have successfully completed phase 4 of the Gwynedd Healthy Schools Project, only the second secondary school in the county to do this. We joined the scheme in 2000 and it involves all pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff.
Our focus in phase 5 will be to extend the pupil mentoring scheme.
Wonderwall
A new scheme is being launched to celebrate achievements both within and outside of school. It is designed to recognise a wide and diverse range of achievements e.g. voluntary activities, sporting achievements, community work, fund raising, etc. Pupils, parents and teachers will be able to nominate pupils. Parents may nominate pupils by contacting the school and providing details to Mrs Dawn Grimble. Those deemed to have made a significant contribution will be featured on a ‘Wonderwall’ which will be at a prominent location within school.
Belts
I wrote to parents in September 2005 concerning the trend for belts to be worn as fashion accessories rather than to hold up trousers. Girls in particular are wearing huge belts in a range of colours with large metal and plastic adornments, some of which have quite sharp edges. Pupils are not permitted to wear belts unless they are black and slotted through belt loops. Offenders may have belts confiscated.
Help With Maths
A highly successful session was held on 25th October for parents of pupils in year 7 to show them how maths is taught at Friars and how they can best help their children.
Neil Foden
Headteacher