Year 9 Spring Term Update & Key Dates

Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you and your family were able to have a nice half term break. It is hard to believe that our year 9 students are now more than half way through their time at Patcham High School. They continue to be a fantastic group of young people who my colleagues and I enjoy working with every day. This term is a busy one and I am writing to make you aware of some key information, dates and events all of which are relevant to the 6 weeks ahead.

Year 9 Progress Checks: You will receive these by the 13th March. Once again, they will be full of useful information with regard to your child’s progress, attitude, attendance, punctuality and reading age. They will be sent electronically to you but your child will also receive a hard copy to bring home. Please do look at these together.

Year 9 Consultation Evening, Thursday 19th March: The online booking system is now open to make appointments with your child’s teachers. The evening takes place between 4 and 7pm. Some teachers do teach two year 9 classes so please book early to ensure you see the teachers you want to see. The link for booking is below or can be found under the links section on the school website. https://patchamhigh.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/

If booking online is a problem or the teacher you want to see is fully booked please get in touch and I or a colleague can make appointments for you or we will ask the member of staff in question to contact you.

Year 9 Options Evening, Thursday 26th March: This evening will be dedicated to sharing information about the different option subjects on offer to study at GCSE level. This has purposely been scheduled to come after the release of progress checks and consultation evening. Further information will follow.

More options information: As part of the options process every Year 9 student will have a 1 to 1 conversation with Mr Newman, Ms Ottaway or myself. The purpose of this will be to discuss the options available to them and guide them to make choices that are best suited to them, their interests and lives post Patcham High School.

Finally, I will never miss an opportunity to stress the importance of ‘The Basics’ and the effect they have in giving our students the best chance of success and a positive experience at school. Attendance, punctuality, equipment, building positive relationships, taking responsibility and treating others how you’d like to be treated are all key to being successful and happy at Patcham and in life and your support in driving these behaviours and values are, as ever, appreciated.

Yours sincerely
Tom Brookes
Head of Year 9