Regents Review - Spring Edition 2025

REGENTS PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2025

World Book Day See page 18

Life Lab Visit

Trip to Tenerife

Comic Relief

Alice’s Swimming Achievements Page 3

Page 37

Page 22

Page 16

The Regents Review Spring 2025

WELCOME

Headteacher’s Welcome

Welcome to our bumper edition of The Regents Review, with some new additions including updates on attendance, home learning and our fantastic curriculum. Our Spring 2025 edition has a fantastic capture from every department in the school. Make sure you read about all the amazing things that have been going on in our library and our section on exams is helpful for every year group to capture some top tips. Our page on the summer extracurricular activities that form part of our enrichment programme lists a huge selection of clubs and classes, something for everyone. If you have visited the school recently, you will have seen our brand new entrance. Thank you for your patience whilst we upgraded the front of the school, which now includes a full security entrance to the reception and the school car park. We are delighted with our newly decorated reception and I am sure you will agree, it has brought a modern twist to our school. Next term we will open our new state of the art Fitness Suite, as we continue to improve our school. This wonderful new addition to the school will support the Physical Education curriculum and will offer staff a health and wellbeing offer after school each day. As I write this today, the sun is shining and the temperature is rising. Today I have been invited to celebrate many wonderful events taking place across the school community. Our cultural week is underway with henna tattoos and Bollywood dancing, taking centre stage, student leaders offering the community a taste of something different. Our BTEC students are completing their assessments leading the learning within PE. Our swimming pool is full of students from our local primary schools. Saints are on site running interventions and our Green Gym crew are planting seeds in our greenhouse.

Regents Park embraces all aspects of learning as you will see. We had one of our most creative World Book Days, with a wonderful array of characters represented across the departments in the school. Our first Duke of Edinburgh trip have just arrived in the New Forest and last week, students enjoyed our first cross curricular language and geography trip to Tenerife. With so many opportunities, why not set yourself a challenge and start something new. As we enter the last term of the year, I would like to say a couple of farewells. Mrs West is leaving us at the end of the week to return to London. During her time at Regents Park, she has introduced the Duke of Edinburgh Award and has inspired many students with her love of Sociology and RE, we wish her well. Mrs Whetter will be leaving us to go on maternity leave and has decided to spend an extended time with her family, she has kept Science alive in her science lab and I am sure you will join me in sending her our best wishes when her new bundle arrives. Some of you will be aware that Miss Fison is also expecting a new addition to her family, we look forward to hearing her news and we wish her well during her maternity leave. I am delighted to inform you that both posts have been filled and we enter the summer term with a full teaching team. Thank you for your ongoing support as part of our Regents community. Wishing all staff and students a restful holiday and I look forward to welcoming you all back for another busy and vibrant summer term. Mrs Barnes Headteacher

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

GENERAL NEWS

Alice’s Swimming Achievements

Calling all ex students! We would love to hear from our ex students to see what you have all been up to! Please contact us if you would like to be part of our growing alumni community at info@regentspark.southampton.sch.uk

We are very proud of Alice in Year 10, for her recent swimming achievements out of school. Here is her account of her success: “Recently, I participated in a two-day swimming competition in Aldershot. I competed in six races of different swimming strokes. I achieved 4th place in 100m breaststroke and 200m backstroke. I made the 50m backstroke final, by placing 5th and managed to get down to 4th place, once I swam the event again. I also orginally got into the 50m breaststroke final in 3rd, but I swam the final and made 2nd, resulting in getting a silver medal. These races require a lot of resilience and can get very tiring, but the best thing to do is persevere. I have trained extremely hard and have got a great result out of it and will hopefully progress further.” Well done Alice, keep up the great work. #greenandproud

SIMS Parent App SIMS Parent App enables you to access real time information. • Achievement points

• Behaviour points • Student timetable • Attendance • Calendar

• Update student data information • School reports (when available)

If you wish to register for SIMS Parent App, please contact us via telephone or email.

Celebrating Ethos Badges We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our students, who have earned ethos badges this term. These badges are awarded to those who consistently demonstrate our school values - R espect, Pride, Creativity, and a commitment to Challenging themselves in everything they do. A huge congratulations to all our winners! Your hard work, positive

attitude and dedication to our school community have not gone unnoticed. You set a fantastic example for others, and we are thrilled to see so many of you striving to be the best version of yourselves. As we enter the final term of the school year, we encourage all students to keep aiming high. Whether it’s showing kindness to others, taking pride in your work, thinking outside the box, or pushing yourself to overcome challenges, every effort counts

towards earning an ethos badge. Let’s make this last term the best one yet! Keep up the amazing work, who will be our next badge winners?

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

GENERAL NEWS

Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

school environment, where everyone feels included. Their role is an important one and we encourage all students to seek them out if they ever need support. Whether you need a friendly face to talk to, or advice on how to deal with a situation, our ambassadors are here to help. If you are interested in becoming an Anti Bullying Ambassador and making a real difference in our school, speak to one of our current ambassadors, Mr Sinclair, or Mr Ramshaw to find out more. Together, we can continue to build a culture of kindness, respect and support for everyone. Keep up the fantastic work ambassadors—you are making a difference!

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors this year. These students have taken on a vital role in our school community, working to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued and respected. As part of their role, our ambassadors have taken part in specialist training, equipping them with the skills to support their peers, promote kindness and challenge bullying in all its forms. Through workshops and discussions, they have developed their confidence in offering advice, being approachable and creating a positive

Saints Foundation We are delighted to officially welcome Miss Hobby, our Saints Foundation Champion, to RPCC! Since joining us, Miss Hobby has already made a fantastic impact, working with over 50 pupils through one-to-one mentoring and specialised group sessions, aimed at developing confidence, resilience and important life skills. Through her work with the Saints Foundation, Miss Hobby has been leading sessions on: • Premier League Inspires

– helping students build motivation, aspirations, and leadership skills. encouraging positive habits for physical and mental well being. • Changemakers – empowering young people to make a difference in both their communities and at school. Her support is already making a huge difference and we are excited to see even more students benefit from these incredible opportunities. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these programmes, or • Healthy Lifestyles –

think you would benefit from extra support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your head of year! A big thank you to Miss Hobby for all of her hard work so far. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact continue to grow.

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Raffle Competition for our Students Your amazing book work hasn’t gone unnoticed! Students have been earning raffle tickets for their outstanding efforts and attention to detail in their work. Students could drop their tickets into one of the three raffle boxes in the library for a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes: A pair of hair straighteners A £50 Amazon voucher A portable speaker Well done to those students, who were the winners! Keep up the fantastic work.

Class Charts is Coming to RPCC We are excited to announce that Class Charts will soon be introduced at RPCC! This new system, will help us track behaviour, rewards, and homework more efficiently, making it easier for pupils, parents and teachers to stay connected and informed. With Class Charts, you will be able to: - Earn points for positive behaviour and achievements - Receive clear updates on rewards and sanctions - Keep track of homework and deadlines - Take responsibility for their own progress and success Parents will also have access to real-time updates, allowing them to support their child’s learning and celebrate their achievements. We look forward to launching Class Charts and seeing the positive impact it will have on our school community. Stay tuned for more information on how to sign up and get started! Teaching & Learning at RPCC Teaching and Learning at RPCC is strong and we continue to develop pedagogical practice to ensure that we deliver lessons that are engaging, creative and centred on making progress. So far this year, the Senior Leadership Team have visited 276 lessons - and counting, to understand the daily-diet of our students’ learning experience. We have seen high levels of engagement, plenty of challenge and a real focus on individualised targets for improvement. Teachers across all curriculum areas come together for pedagogy briefings every week and a developing pedagogy meeting every half term, to ensure consistency and rigour.

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Home Learning We continue to celebrate the achievements of so many students, who have consistently completed their home learning every week! They have received rewards and praise from their teachers and we have also thanked those parents who support RPCC by overseeing successful completion of home learning each week. So far this term, teachers have set a staggering 991 Carousel quizzes! This is a strategy to support every child’s progress and academic success and the Carousel home learning directly links to in-class low-stakes quizzing to support our understanding of every child’s ability.

What Makes Great Presentation @ RPCC? At RPCC, we have had a big focus on the quality of presentation in our work in lessons across the school. To support this the equipment shop has been very busy each morning, with students coming to collect pens, rulers and pencils to stock up their pencil cases! As a result, we have seen some truly beautiful work in many curriculum areas and students have been rewarded for exemplary presentation.

Magic Moments Every Friday, Miss Reed meets with students to discuss teaching and learning and the highlights of their lessons that week. This is such a wonderful meeting, in which we discuss the pedagogy and practice of the teachers at RPCC. We learn about the strategies that teachers use, that students enjoy the most, the assessment opportunities and the rewards they have received, linked to progress in class. The students are always keen to share their magic moments from the week, and all the teachers are very pleased to see when they get a mention!

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

GENERAL NEWS Attendance Matters

At RPCC, we expect students to attend every lesson, every day. Good attendance is important because: • Statistics show a significant, direct link between under-achievement and absence below 95% (absence of 10 school days or 20 sessions). • Regular attenders make better progress, both socially and academically. • Regularly attenders find school routines enable them to build relationships, succeed and enjoy school life. • Regular attenders find learning more satisfying. • Regular attenders have greater success transferring from primary to secondary school and into further education and higher education, employment or training. Please visit www.regentsparkcollege.org.uk/ attendance , for all your attendance needs or queries. How Attendance Impacts Grades Here is an example of how poor attendance impacts grades for the same student (based upon real GCSE analysis):

Government Report The government have just released a research report on: “The Impact of School Absence on Lifetime Earnings” - https://tinyurl. com/397w69x2. This report clearly shows that if students are absent from school, they will be less well-off as adults. The key findings are as follows: For every 13 days of absence in total at secondary school (less than 3 days a year), a student will achieve 1 grade less. One day of absence at secondary school is associated with an approximate £750 loss in future earnings (2024 prices). Persistently absent students (10%+ absence), are 2.7 times more likely to be in receipt of benefits as adults. Severely absent pupils (50%+ absence) are 4.2 times more likely to be in receipt of benefits as adults. The likelihood of being in sustained employment for 12 months decreases by approximately 60% for students who are classified as persistently absent and approximately 75% for those who are classified as severely absent. Absence Band Average Earnings at age 28 (2024 prices) 0 - 1% £32,200 0 – 9.9% £29,800 10 - 100% Persistently Absent £19,500 50 – 100% Severely Absent £10,100

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

GENERAL NEWS How Are We Doing With Attendance? Whilst we are doing better than the Southampton average, when compared to the national picture (or even our own targets), we are not doing as well as we could be for attendance. We need your help! Despite all the information we have been sharing, our attendance looks as follows:

Curriculum at RPCC At RPCC, students experience a rich and diverse curriculum, which helps to develop them in the widest sense. We have a 3 year KS3, which means all students study a broad curriculum up until the end of Year 9. As well as, the core subjects of English and maths, all students have access to all product design disciplines on a rotation and enjoy lessons in the arts, including weekly music lessons. We offer french and spanish, computing, religious education, history, geography and science – the list goes on! In KS3, additional lessons have been allocated to PE. In Year 7, this helps students adjust to the more formal, structured nature of secondary school learning and develops useful team building skills. In Year 9, all students have an additional PE lesson, where they enhance their leadership skills. Students follow an RPCC sports leadership certificate, which encourages essential leadership and interpersonal skills and also prepares them for the formal sports leadership qualification in KS4, should they wish to take this. KS4: Start to Streamline In KS4, students begin their route through to specialist studies, as they start to streamline their focus in preparation for KS5 – what ever that may be. We have a broad KS4 offer, which also includes tiered qualifications for similar subjects, such as: computer studies and iMedia or business studies and enterprise and marketing. This approach to our KS4 offer means that students can still opt for the same topic of interest, but choose a qualification that best matches their skills and abilities. The current full list of qualifications and courses can be found on our website.

When compared to other Southampton schools, we have fewer appointments during school time (thank you), but our students appear to be having more days off due to illness. Please ensure that wherever possible, your child comes into school. The Welfare Officer will help determine if they are not fit to stay in school and can monitor students as necessary. If you are unsure, please check out this NHS guidance - nhs. uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/ . Remember, if students aren’t in school – they’re missing out!

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Additional Qualifications, Certification & Awards In addition to the formal KS4 curriculum, we enrich students’ learning and opportunities to give them the best chances for their future aspirations. For some students, this means taking the additional further maths GCSE, as part of their maths lessons. Others will engage with the extended project qualification, which shows a college or future employer the ability to sustain independent study. More creative students may want to develop their artistic or performance skills and interests by partaking in the arts award. Other additional qualifications, which students can access include the sports leaders award, home language GCSE and Duke of Edinburgh awards. In addition to PSHE and RE, in Year 10 all RPCC students go on a week’s work experience placement. RPCC Students as Future Leaders We encourage students across the year groups, to get involved in our student leadership programmes. This has been praised by many external visitors to the school and described as a strength by our partners. Opportunities are wide and encourage young people to develop interpersonal and leadership skills for the future. Examples include: student panels for staff interviews, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, ‘This Girl Can’, PE

Alternative Curriculum

Champions, Digital Leaders and Transition Ambassadors. The list really does go on, so for more information please check out the website.

To make sure all students are developed by their curriculum at RPCC, some students are offered some alternatives. Some examples include construction, a range of ASDAN qualifications, including hair and beauty, entry level certificates in English and maths, a formal work experience programme, green gym and boxing. This offer is constantly adapted to meet the needs of different students, with some access a mostly alternative curriculum and others dipping into elements. This ensures that all students can achieve at RPCC. Tutor Curriculum Tutor time is an important part of the day, where tutees receive updates and a tutor can check in on the wellbeing of the students in their group. In addition to this pastoral element, tutor time is also structured with a focus on every day. This is adapted according to year groups but includes a ‘read aloud’ session, numeracy ninjas, GCSE core intervention and SMSC presentations. These bite-sized learning opportunities are crucial for building skills. Full details about different aspects of the RPCC curriculum are on the website and we share a half termly update on each curriculum area on our socials, so please do follow us on our social pages.

Rich CVs & Future

Applications Through our formal KS4 curriculum and additional qualifications, experiences and leadership opportunities, it is our intention that students are educated to the best of their ability, provided with qualifications which open doors to their future and develop their skills in the widest sense to give full CVs and applications for future colleges, universities and employment. Year 9 Options Evening We recently held our Year 9 Options Evening, which presented the curriculum offer to Year 9s and their families. The evening was well attended and it was great to see so many parents taking such an interest in their child’s KS4 choices. To support students in making these important choices, each one gets a personalised meeting with a member of the options team. Later in the year, when choices have been made, Year 9s will have the opportunity to do formal tasters of their choice lessons to check they have made the correct decision.

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Exams Update We are thrilled to share that, our Year 11 students recently completed their mock examinations and we could not be prouder of their hard work and dedication. Throughout the exam period, students in general, demonstrated exceptional effort, adhering to examination regulations and showcasing their commitment to their studies. Important Reminders: As we look ahead to the summer examination period, we want to remind everyone of the following: • Starting times: please ensure that your child arrives at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of each exam. Punctuality is crucial to avoid any unnecessary stress. • Exam schedule: is included on this page. We encourage you to review this with your child to help them prepare effectively.

For more detailed information regarding the exam schedule and resources, please visit the Year 11 Information page on our website - regentsparkcollege.org.uk/exams/year-11 information/ . This section contains all the necessary information, including exam dates, tips for preparation and important links to support your child’s success. We are offering a number of revision sessions over the easter holidays, which students were able to sign up for, through their class teacher. Thank you for your continued support, as we guide our students through this important phase of their education. Together, we can ensure that they are well-prepared and confident for their upcoming exams. Mrs McCarthy Assistant Head Teacher

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Library It has been a very busy term in the library. We have been sharing books about the holocaust, chinese new year, international women’s day, empathy week and science week, with some great displays. Year 7 and 8 students join us for group or individual reading sessions in the library every week and they are enjoying the range of reading material on offer. We celebrated a love of reading with a fabulous ‘Blind Date with a Book’ event, where students were given a gift bag containing a mystery book, sweet treats, a bookmark and a review sheet, so that they can let us know whether their book date was a hit or a miss. We have also had an exciting World Book Day, with staff dressing as book characters and students taking part in activities throughout the day. In the Library, we have enjoyed an Emoji Book Quiz, made book themed crafts and handed out World Book Day books and tokens to as many students as possible.

We have started our paired reading group with Year 7 and Year 10 students on Wednesday mornings in the library. The wellbeing club on Wednesday after school is proving to be very popular, with students joining us for crafts and board games and some staff dropping in for a bit of relaxation too! We have some fantastic activities planned for the summer term. Please keep an eye on our social media for updates. Don’t forget that the library is open every day before and after school, as well as, at break and lunch time, so that students can study, complete homework or catch up on revision. Students can borrow books from the library and also have access to the e-book system via their Google Classroom accounts. If your child needs any help to access the facilities, please ask them to call in and visit the librarians, who will be happy to assist.

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GENERAL NEWS

Business Manager’s Update

their favourite items without being disappointed if we run out. Please visit this link to use our preorder system: regentspark. swift-order.co.uk/. • Access to our Parents Evening Booking System is also available from the website using the ‘family’ icon at the top of the homepage. regentsparkcommunitycollege. schoolcloud.co.uk/ • Calendar – This is updated on a regular basis, with additional events: regentsparkcollege. org.uk/home/school-details/ calendar/. • Skoolkit / KoolSkools - Please visit the dress code page on our website for up to date information on our uniform: regentsparkcollege.org.uk/school information/school-uniform/ • Uniform/Cards – please ensure your child remembers to wear their lanyard and school card, as this is part of the school uniform. Not only is this used to purchase lunch, as part of the fast track service, but it is also needed if your child needs access to a laptop or to borrow books in the library • FSM – is your child entitled to a free hot meal at school? Please complete the online form to see if you are eligible. cloudforedu.org. uk/ofsm/southampton/ • School Street – we currently have a road closure on Richville Road at the start and end of the day to allow safe arrival and

exit by the students. Please can parents ensure that they are parking appropriately on King Edward Avenue and Oakley Road. Please avoid blocking driveways, double parking or parking on yellow lines. • Alumni – if you are, or you have a child who is, an ex-student, we would love to hear what you/they have been doing since leaving Regents Park. Please get in contact by emailing us at info@ regentspark.southampton.sch.uk • Clubs & Classes – We have a range of different clubs & classes that run after school. For a full list of these, please visit: regentsparkcollege.org.uk/school information/clubs-classes/ • Breakfast Club – Students have the opportunity to start their day with breakfast and a drink at Breakfast Club, which Mrs Simmons, Welfare Officer, continues to run every morning from 8:00am – 8:25am. Communication • If you are contacting the school as your child is absent, please dial the absence line 02380 725712 (answerphone service available) • For all other urgent enquiries please call our main reception – 02380 325444. Due to high volume of calls received during school hours, if your call is not answered there will be an option to leave a message. Please be aware that calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

The school is continuing to improve its streamlined communication system. Our website is the hub of all information, where daily school news can be found. • All general letters will be emailed, they are also available to view under the parent section on the website. regentsparkcollege. org.uk/news-and-calendar/ letters/ • Access to X (Twitter) is available from the website so that you can follow the school news or Spencer, our Therapy Dog – use the ‘X’ icon on the right of the homepage. twitter.com/ RegentsParkCC • You can also follow us on our Facebook page for up to date news and information facebook. com/RegentsParkcc • Access to the SCOpay online payment system for school meals, trips etc is also available from the website using the ‘£’ icon at the top of the homepage: scopay. com/login • Catering - Please visit the catering page on our website for information regarding the current school meals menu regentsparkcollege.org.uk/school information/school-meals/ . We would like to encourage students to pre-order food, as this will allow the students to avoid the queues and ensure they can order

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GENERAL NEWS

• All urgent communication from the school to parents will be via text message and email in the first instance and posted on our website and social media platforms. It is therefore, important to ensure that the school has your up to date contact information and this can be updated via SIMs Parent App or contacting the school reception. In addition to the above, if the school has an urgent matter to discuss regarding your child, you may receive a phone call on this occasion by the relevant member of staff. Non Urgent Communication • The main method of non urgent communication from parents to the school is via email and SIMS Parent App, in order that our

phone lines are kept available for urgent messages. Our email address is info@ regentspark.southampton.sch. uk – please indicate in the subject header, the person you would like the information passed to. We will always check to ensure it is the most appropriate person for your request. You will receive an automated response confirming that your email has been received and that you will receive a response within 2 working days, however this is likely to be longer during the school holidays. There is also an expectation that staff will keep you informed of your enquiry if it is likely to be longer, due to a matter being investigated. • All non urgent communication from the school to parents will

be emailed, in addition to being posted on our website and other social media platforms. We welcome feedback from you and this can done in several ways: • Email: info@regentspark. southampton.sch.uk • Contact Form via the website https://www.regentsparkcollege. org.uk/home/school-details/ contact-us/ • Phone: 023 8032 5444 • If you wish to speak to the Headteacher, Mrs Barnes, please contact Fiona Hayward, Headteacher’s PA, on 023 8072 5711 Carlene Amos Business Manager

Year 7

It has been a fantastic term for our Year 7 students, with plenty of hard work, enthusiasm and progress across all aspects of school life. We continue to be impressed by their dedication to learning and the positive contributions they make to our school community. On Monday 4th March, we held our first Parent Voice meeting, with five parents in attendance. It was fantastic to have this level of support and to gain brilliant insights from a parent’s perspective. These meetings are a valuable

to welcoming more parents in term 3 - keep an eye out for an invite, as all are welcome to join! We are also excited to reward students, who

have worked hard to improve their attendance through our ‘Attendance Improvers Challenge’. Those who have shown real effort in boosting their attendance, will be invited to a special cinema experience in school - a well-deserved reward for their commitment to being in school and making the most of their education. In addition, at the end of term 3, we will be celebrating all students, who have maintained 98% attendance or above, recognising

opportunity to share feedback and ideas and we look forward

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GENERAL NEWS

their dedication and commitment to their learning. Year 7 students continue to embody our school values of Respect, Pride, Creativity & Challenge , demonstrating these qualities both inside and outside the classroom. School mantra: “All hands in, be the best version of you”, striving to make the most of every opportunity and pushing themselves to succeed. Finally, as shared in our recent letter home, we are committed to ensuring that Year 7s continue to feel supported and challenged. Whether it’s through high expectations in lessons, our engaging extra Year 8 Year 8 represents a key transition in a student’s educational journey. It’s a time of growing independence and deeper academic exploration as young teens begin to develop more complex thinking skills. Many students discover new interests and talents during this year, as they access a wider range of subject options and extracurricular activities. Social connections take on greater importance, with friendships becoming more meaningful and self-identity beginning to solidify. It has been a real pleasure to watch Year 8 adapt, work hard and continue to navigate school life as successfully as they have! While Year 8 certainly presents challenges as students navigate increased academic expectations and social pressures, it often proves to be a formative period of personal growth, where young people start to envision their future paths and gain confidence in their unique abilities and perspectives. This will continue as we move up through the years and we will continue to support them every step of the way. A big shout out to the tutor and pastoral team, who continuously work hard to guide and help our young people each day – a personal thank you from me on this. An even bigger shout out to the students who are

curricular offer, or the ongoing encouragement of positive habits, such as punctuality and resilience, we are proud of the journey they are on. Thank you for your continued support - please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be involved in future events! Mr Wilson & The Year 7 Team

currently holding the most achievement points in our year group, we are so proud of you!

Name Abby Adam

Reg

Points

SBI

366 271 233 243 257 236 257 244 257 233 242 259 362 276 248 252 340 293 256

DBC DBC EGT FCO EGT DBC DBC FCO DBC FCO EGT TPI SBI

Asrielle Caitlyn Gabriel

Holly

James

Katherine

Keira Kyah

Leo

Logan

Luke

Poppy

Rand Riley

CFI TPI TPI

Sebastian Wendy Wisdom

DBC EGT

Wishing Year 8 and their families a restful break and we are looking forward to the third and final term of the year! Miss Harrison & Year 8 Team

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Year 9 As we move further into the academic year, it has been fantastic to see how Year 9 students have matured and embraced the challenges ahead. Since returning from maternity leave at Christmas, I have been impressed by their growing sense of responsibility and readiness for the important decisions they will soon make regarding their options. We are now at a crucial stage, where students will be finalising their subject choices for next year. These decisions will shape their future learning journey and we will be working closely with them,

to ensure they feel confident in their choices. Support and guidance will be readily available to help them make informed decisions. Whilst we celebrate the progress of Year 9, there are areas where we need a renewed focus. Uniform standards have slipped, and we ask for everyone’s support in ensuring students adhere to the school’s dress code. Additionally, punctuality is an area that requires improvement, both in terms of arriving at school on time and getting to lessons promptly.

I would like to extend my thanks to parents for their ongoing support in these areas. Your involvement is invaluable in helping students maintain high standards and develop good habits that will serve them well in the future. I look forward to seeing Year 9 continue to grow and take the next exciting steps in their school journey. Let’s keep up the great work and make the rest of the

year a success. Mrs Mouland Head of Year 9

Year 10

a valued member of RPCC. I am really looking forward to Year 10 students ‘stepping up’ and applying for the Student Leadership Team in the summer term, where they can have a greater influence in shaping the school. A special thank you goes to our dedicated tutors and staff, who continue to support and guide Year 10, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges ahead. Their encouragement and commitment make a real difference in helping students grow both academically and personally. As we head into the break, I encourage all students to take the time to rest and recharge, while also reflecting on their goals for the final stretch of the year. With only one full academic year left, it’s important to maintain focus and make the most of the opportunities ahead. Well done Year 10, your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Wishing you all a restful and productive break!

As we come to the end of another busy term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress Year 10 has made. This term has been filled with hard work, new challenges and fantastic achievements, all of which, have set a strong foundation for the year ahead. Academically, students have continued to develop their knowledge and skills across all subjects, showing great resilience and determination. Many have excelled in assessments, demonstrating their growing confidence, as they move closer to their final GCSE year. It has been especially rewarding to see students engaging with their learning, seeking support where needed, and pushing themselves to achieve their best. Beyond the classroom, Year 10 has truly stepped up as role models within the school. Whether supporting younger students, getting involved in extracurricular activities, or working towards their ethos badges, they have shown what it means to be

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Top Achievement Points

Koyna

BMO GDO

Name Alicja Chloe

Tutor BMO PWH BMO BEY JWA BMO BMO BMO PMU BEY

Liam

Luyanda

BEY

Maisie

GDO TMA JWA BMO PWH BMO BMO BMO

Colleen

Mateusz

Diana Fahim

Mohammad Jawed

Nadia

Georgia-Rose

Olumide

Humeyra Jasmina

Rida

Saran

Julia Kara

Yasir

Year 11

as I write, but early indications see many students have made significant improvements since their November mocks. Awesome! Please be reassured, if your child is finding the final months at RPCC difficult with the pressures that is associated with GCSE examinations, please let the school know, so support can be offered. Key Dates for your Diary • 1st - 3rd April - DofE expedition • 4th April - Last Hot 50

• 1st May - Sports Awards • 9th May - Final exams begins • 26th - 30th May - Half Term • 2nd - 18th - Final June Exams • 3rd July - Prom A huge thank you to Alana and Hikmet, our Head Ambassadors, for their efforts towards shaping RPCC over the year, they have certainly left their mark! Mr Sinclair Head of Year 11

As we step into the spring term, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Year 11 students. This term is crucial, as we approach the final stretch before exams and we are here to support and guide you every step of the way. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and resilience shown by Year 11 students so far during their most recent mocks. Results are still being made available

Comic Relief We are proud to announce that we have raised £588 for our charity Red Nose Day. Well done team RPCC.

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

Mathematics DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Sparx Update At the time of writing, students have spent 10,160 hours on Sparx Maths completing homework and revising, with 753,510 questions answered correctly.

Numeracy! We have been working hard to raise the profile of numeracy across the school. We have shared with different departments, ways in which they could use maths within their subjects. Here is a wonderful example of how maths can be used in art, using percentages to make up the secondary and tertiary colours.

Check out our new numeracy section on the school website! We will be adding more information throughout the year. UKMT - Intermediate Maths Challenge Year 9, 10 and 11 students took part in the UK maths challenge. 17 students were awarded certificates, 1 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze. Andrei in Year 11, qualified for the next round of the competition, the Pink Kangaroo! What an amazing achievement! We wish him the best of luck.

Can we reach 1 million before the end of the year? What an amazing achievement if we could! Here is some feedback from our students: “Sparx has really helped me to revise for my mock exam.” “When I can’t do a question, the support videos are really helpful.” “I do the XP homework sometimes, to challenge myself.” “I like that it has an independent learning section. It means I can go over any topics that I struggle with.”

Pi Day We celebrated Pi Day on Friday 14th March. Students had the opportunity to take part in lots of pi-related, fun activities.

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

English Brand New English Ambassadors!

will be growing in the very near future, with students from other year groups. Their first project has been to read with a group of Year 7 students, in order to develop their reading skills, as well as, their love of reading. Kinti, James, Ellie, Cliff, Diana and Ayan have been meeting the Year 7 students in the library during tutor times on Wednesdays, reading either 1 to 1 or in small groups.

This term, we have appointed our first ever English Ambassadors! We have started with a small group of outstanding Year 10 students, but their number

Friday Reading/ Listening

World Book Day On 6th March, RPCC celebrated World Book Day. This day encourages more children and families to discover the fun and enjoyment of reading, as reading for pleasure changes lives. This year, students were able to visit the library and exchange their World Book Day tokens for books. This initiative resulted in over 400 books being distributed to students to promote reading for pleasure. This term, ‘Friday Reading’ has evolved, into ‘Friday Listening!’ For the past two years, the whole school has been coming together to read the same short story, during the same period, on a Friday – this way, the whole school has enjoyed a shared reading experience. In order to keep things fresh, this term, Mr Lucas has been recording himself reading the opening chapters of some of the famous books that appear on the book stairs around the school. Teachers then play these recordings to their classes during the same period on a Friday. The vision is for students to be inspired by these wonderful book openings and go on to borrow the book from either the English department, or the library. So far, Mr Lucas has read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Hobbit and Noughts & Crosses and Miss Donovan has read 1984.

The library became a hub of activity, featuring emoji book title quizzes, word searches, and various challenges, all designed to engage students actively with reading. During period 1, all students had the opportunity to participate in a 100-word story challenge. As always, our staff dressed up as their favourite characters. They embraced this opportunity and represented characters from various genres and time periods.

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Science KS3 Science Club

Constellation Light Cubes Finally, our pupils crafted constellation light cubes, combining art and science to create beautiful representations of various star patterns. This activity encouraged creativity while reinforcing their knowledge of astronomy and the night sky. Looking Ahead As we look forward to next term, we are excited about the prospect of even more engaging activities. We encourage all pupils to join us in the Science Club, where curiosity meets creativity, and learning is always an adventure! Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and activities. Together, let’s continue to explore the wonders of science and inspire one another to reach for the stars! We are proud of our pupils’ enthusiasm and commitment to science, and we can’t wait to see what the next term holds for our KS3 Science Club!

This term, our KS3 science club has been nothing short of extraordinary, engaging students in a variety of hands-on activities, that have sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for the wonders of science. From exploring the mysteries of the universe to investigating the intricacies of life on Earth, our students have truly embraced the spirit of inquiry. Mars Day We kicked off the term with a thrilling Mars Day, where students delved into the fascinating world of space exploration. They learned about the Red Planet’s unique features and the latest missions aimed at uncovering it’s secrets. The excitement was palpable, as they discussed the possibility of future human colonisation! They met a series of scientists - including our own British astronaut Tim Peake! Owl Pellet Investigations In a unique twist on biology, students engaged in owl pellet investigations to discover the diets of these fascinating birds. By dissecting the pellets, they identified the remains of small mammals and birds, gaining insights into the food chain and the ecological role of owls in our environment. Heart Dissections for Valentine’s Day In celebration of Valentines Day, our budding scientists conducted heart dissections, allowing them to explore the anatomy of this vital organ. This hands-on experience not only enhanced their understanding of human biology, but also highlighted the importance of heart health. Relative Sizes of Planets with Fruit To grasp the concept of the relative sizes of planets, students creatively used fruit to represent the planets in our solar system. This fun and interactive activity helped them visualise the vast differences in size and scale, making learning both enjoyable and memorable.

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DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

KS4 Science We are thrilled to share the incredible achievements of our KS4 science LEGO challenge club, who recently represented RPCC, at the prestigious Oceanography Centre in Southampton. This event was not just a competition, it was a celebration of creativity, teamwork and scientific exploration! Designing and Building a Robot Our talented students worked diligently to design and construct a robot, capable of tackling various challenges related to oceanography. Their innovative approach and problem-solving skills were on full display, as they navigated through the competition tasks, showcasing their understanding of engineering principles and teamwork. Presenting Research with Passion The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the presentation of their research. The team captivated the judges with their findings, which were not only informative but also creatively presented. A special mention goes to Kinti, whose heartfelt song moved the judges to tears, demonstrating the power of art in science communication. The emotional connection made through Kinti’s performance truly set our team apart. A Well-Deserved Recognition We are proud to announce that our team won the judges’ award for their outstanding presentation, a testament to their hard work and dedication. Additionally, they finished an impressive 5th overall in the competition, competing against some of the best schools in the region. Congratulations to Our Young Scientists! This achievement reflects the commitment and passion of our students in the KS4 science LEGO challenge club. We are proud of their accomplishments and the way they represented our school with pride and enthusiasm. Their success not only highlights their scientific talents, but also reinforces our school’s vision of fostering exceptional progress and exceptional people.

We look forward to more exciting challenges and achievements in the future. Congratulations to all members of the KS4 Science LEGO Challenge Club!

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The Regents Review Spring 2025

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

• Interactive workshops: the workshops were designed to be both informative and fun, encouraging our students to think critically about health and science. They learned about the latest advancements in medical research and the role of scientists in improving health care. • DNA extraction: one of the highlights of the day was the DNA extraction workshop. Students had the chance to extract DNA from fruits, providing them with a tangible connection to the genetic building blocks of life. • CPR training: understanding the importance of life-saving skills, our students participated in CPR training sessions. This practical skill not only empowers them, but also emphasises the significance of quick response in medical emergencies. • Meeting real-life scientists: our students had the unique opportunity to meet and interact with scientists, who are conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as microbiology and cancer cell research. They learned about the scientists’ journeys and the impactful work being done at the hospital. The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed how inspiring it was to see real-world applications of their studies and to meet professionals who are making a difference in the health sector. This visit not only enhanced their understanding of health sciences, but also ignited their passion for pursuing careers in this vital field. We are proud of our Year 9 students for their enthusiasm and engagement during this visit. Their experiences at Life Lab will undoubtedly contribute to their growth as budding scientists and informed citizens. As we continue to foster a culture of curiosity and excellence at RPCC, we look forward to more opportunities that connect our students with the world of science and health. Thank you to all staff involved in organising this enriching experience, and to Life Lab for hosting our students. Proud to be RPCC – proud of exceptional progress, exceptional people!

Life Lab Visit We had the incredible opportunity to take 26 of our top Year 9 scientists to Life Lab at Southampton Hospital. This visit was the culmination of our Year 9 Life Lab lessons, which focused on the theme of health and it’s effects on our future wellbeing. The day was filled with engaging and interactive experiences, that allowed our students to delve deeper into the world of health sciences. Here’s a glimpse of what they experienced: • Practical health investigations: students participated in hands-on activities that highlighted the importance of scientific inquiry in health-related fields. They engaged in experiments that demonstrated how various factors can influence health outcomes.

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