Parent Briefing 6/1/25
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome back! Happy New Year!
I do hope you all had a wonderful break, and a fantastic Christmas if you celebrate.
We look forward to welcoming all children back to school tomorrow on Tuesday 7 January 2025.
It is important that children arrive to school on time, by 8.35am.
A number of children last term, were persistently late to school.
This means they miss out on crucial information during morning line-up and registration. They also miss the opportunity to check-in with their Year Team who support children for a wide range of issues.
2025 is set to be a really exciting year for us as a school. We will continue to achieve EGSellence in all areas and ensure academic outcomes are at the top of our agenda. This is important for all year groups.
Many year groups will sit their mid-year exams when we return. They will be well prepared for this having received revision tasks by their teachers in the last half term.
EGSpectations
In school, we expect all children and staff to follow our EGS expectations. We call these our EGSpectations!
These are routines that we all adhere to at all times to ensure our school is calm and orderly and focused on learning. The first focus for this half term is:
- Calm Corridors
All children are expected to walk around our school in a calm and orderly manner. We do this on the right, in no more than pairs, keeping noise to a minimum, walking quickly and safely. Children have 5-minutes to transition between lessons. This provides sufficient time for children to travel across the school.
- Threshold
All children enter our classrooms in a calm and orderly manner. Their teacher greets them at the door and issues their Recall Task (the first activity for their lesson which recaps the knowledge they have learned previously). Teachers say ‘hello’ to children and check their uniform.
- Equipment
All children are expected to put their equipment on the desk when they enter a classroom. This includes their EGS Knowledge Organiser, their pencil case, their EGS planner. Teachers will check that all children have this equipment. If children do not have their equipment, they will be issued with a B2 for Incorrect Equipment. If children receive two of these in a day, they will receive a 30-minute detention. All children have an opportunity to request equipment during their line-up in the morning. This prevents the issuing of B2 sanctions during the day.
Uniform
We are proud of our uniform, and we expect all children to be in full uniform at all times. A reminder that all children in all year groups will be expected to wear the new EGS uniform from September 2025. This is the navy and grey uniform.
Further information will be released on this later this term, however, please remember that new uniform will be available to purchase from the uniform supplier, Just Schoolwear, from February Half Term.
If your child requires new uniform from February Half Term, please do purchase the new uniform to avoid having to buy again in September.
A reminder that we have our pre-loved uniform shop available to purchase current uniform for Years 8 to 11 at low cost.
Please do pop in to our pre-loved uniform shop during its opening times , or ask at Main Reception if these times are not suitable.
E-Scooters
As you will be aware, E-Scooters are not permitted on the school site at any time – the safety of our children is our highest priority. Personal ownership of E-Scooters is illegal and users of public E-Scooters are required to have a provisional driving licence.
SAFEGUARDING
Preventing Online Radicalisation
The Police have identified an increase in concerns around young people being exploited or radicalised online. National and local news has featured similar stories – mainly about young people being exposed to extremist content and views through online platforms. A local Nottingham boy, aged 15, was sentenced in October 2024 for sharing and publishing terrorist related materials.
Social media algorithms make harmful online content so much easier to access and for young people to be targeted. Harmful content such as self-harm and suicide sites or pornography can be suggested and pushed onto young people following sharing by peers or research/interest.
Over the next two weeks we will be focusing on training both staff and children on the dangers of harmful content online with specific reference to online radicalisation.
You can support your child by talking to them about online radicalisation and spotting the indicators that your child may be being exploited or radicalised. The NSPCC has a good article and advice on this:nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/protecting-children-from-radicalisation/
If you have any Safeguarding concerns, please email: john.williams@ellisguilfordschool.org.uk
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
You said, We did
We have listened to students to find out what they would like for attendance rewards this term.
Each week students can earn an increasing amount of Guilford Gold for turning up to school every day that week, starting with 20 Guilford Gold for 100% attendance in Week 1 and rising to 120 Guilford Gold for 100% attendance in Week 6. Students wanted the opportunity to earn more Guilford Gold to save for bigger rewards in our Swap Shop including the end of year rewards trip.
For a reminder of our Attendance procedures and how to contact the Attendance Team, please visit: Attendance – Ellis Guilford School.
SCHOOL REMINDERS
Ellis Electives
If your child would like to take part in our range of after-school clubs, please sign them up through the Arbor Parent App. You will find the full schedule along with details of how to sign up here: Extra-curricular Activities – Ellis Guilford School
Arbor Parent App
The Arbor Parent App is our main method of home-school communication as well as giving you access to Clubs, your child’s Guilford Gold, payments and personal data.
From 6 January, all communications are moving to Arbor Parent, including detention notices and attendance notices.
If you have not yet created your Arbor Parent Account, please do so as soon as possible. If you need any support with this, please ask at Main Reception. You can find out more here.
KEY DATES & EVENTS
Click on the image below to view our ‘live’ calendar of key dates and events. Click through the pages to find out what’s happening this month or next!
