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Theme of the Week - Lent , Fasting

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday 3rd April - Last Day of Term @ 1.30pm

STUDENT ILLNESS DURING THE DAY

YEAR 8 WORK SHADOW DAY

Tuesday 17th March

ABRSM Music Practical Exam

Wednesday 18th March

Year 13 Geography Conference

Earlier this week, most of the Year 8 students spent the day out of school with

their parent or another adult they know, to observe people in the workplace as

an interesting way to start preparing for the opportunities, responsibilities and

experiences of life beyond the classroom. This was all about learning what a

job involves and what it is like to work for an organisation.

We hope that the students gained some or all of these benefits:

A positive experience of a working environment , the experience of a full

working day and the travel-to-work pattern , an opportunity to develop

social skills and an insight into the work activities of an adult. We hope that the

Work Shadow Day encouraged discussions at home between young people

and their parents about career choices later on and making choices to achieve

career goals.

Thank you to all the parents and carers who made arrangements to take their

child to work, we hope you and your child enjoyed the experience.

Students who did not go out on Work Shadow Day enjoyed a work-related

activity in school. Working in teams and led by Heather and Lesley from YC, the

students were given the task of creating their own newspaper, with a front-page

feature about flood-related story, a double page spread including coverage of

interviews with adults with interesting careers, and a creative back-page. Each

team member had a job title and they participated with enthusiasm as the day

played out with press conferences, business interviews, editorial briefings, and

deadlines to meet. The teams developed key skills of teamwork,

communication, problem-solving and time management throughout the

day. Best teamwork award went to NewsHub team, best presentation went to

Word of Hemel, and best newspaper went to Galaxy Enterprise. One of the stu-

dents wrote: "I really enjoyed the activities that we did in school, they were real-

ly fun! Heather and Lesley made me learn new things about the process that

goes into a newspaper, like what the reporter has to do or the editor, I really

enjoyed the different roles we had!" Well done to all the teams.

Thursday 26th March

Year 8 HPV Vaccinations

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TECHNOLOGY TOURNAMENT

On Thursday 12th March was the annual Technology Tournament at Ashlyns School. Congratulations to the

Year 12 team who won first place and well done to the following students who took part.

Year 9 - Grace Bailey , Reniel Mallari , Joseph Batstone and Sophie Heffenden

Year 10 - Fanuala Standen , Harry Derick, Ann Calahi and Jack Smith

Year 12 - Victor Begier ,Goncalo Natario, Elliot Dolt and Kareem Stanislas

STEP TO SUCCESS

All year 9 students came to this event this week, keenly timed to help

them focus on their learning journey as they are currently making their

GCSE choices for Year 10 and 11. 'Steps To Success' is an engaging 1

hour theatre presentation, looking at options for future routes and how

these can all lead to a fulfilling future for all. It was an informative and

fun introduction to choosing pathways from ages 16 - 18. The

presentation focussed on the different options available, including

different routes to higher education, and the importance of planning for

a successful future. The show follows three students with very

different attitudes to learning and planning ahead, it was fun and full of

music and entertainment, and the whole Year 9 audience engaged and took away the important messages

about making their own choices in the years ahead.

LOST PROPERTY

Student Services are again inundated with lost property. There are a lot of new coats - unnamed. Any items not

collected by the end of term will be disposed of. Thank you

YOUTH MINISTRY

A huge part of Lent is taking part in charity work. Charity helps us flourish because by giving of our time,

talents or resources to create a better world for others we build hope for all involved. The grace of hope

allows us to see the world God wishes to restore and empowers us to take further active steps to build it.

I am always blown away by how active in charity work our students are. In just this last week our CAFOD

Leadership Team led us in our assemblies to raise awareness of CAFORD’s Amazonian projects and our

Year 7 Common Good Sleepover was booked up within two days of the spaces being opened. Following their

assembly our CAFOD team have also arranged many activities for students to further get involved with the

Amazon appeal. While I've just mentioned these two events I do want to say a massive than you and well

done to all who get involved in charity work at JFK as the list of activities you do is amazing.

Thank you to the following Year 7s who helped to lead our Reconciliation Mass.

Sam Lamb ,Riley Callis ,Xander Secretan , Grace Wusu , Lara Okunrinyo ,Rohan Johns , Joseph Bailey ,

Katy O'Hare and Jake Crowther. You all did a fantastic job!

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NEWS FROM THE BRIDGE

Well done to Joe, Almer and Emily who delivered a fantastic assembly to the whole school on the efforts of

CAFOD to save the Amazon rainforest. These Year 12 students are part of the CAFOD team who are raising

awareness about the destruction of this part of the world. They explained what the effects would be globally if

we continue to destroy this area as fast as we are. They showed a video of people living in the Amazon and

what effect this is having on them and their way of life. They explained that CAFOD helped by supplying

lawyers to fight with the people but this was dangerous as many had received death threats and it was

expensive. The students said they were running several different fund raising events such as a penalty shoot

out tournament and the proceeds would go to this cause.

We are very proud of our Year 12 student Amy Cassidy, who is representing Hertfordshire in the National

English Schools Cross Country competition. We wish her well for her race.

Year 12 reports were emailed home this week. This shows parents how your child is progressing in their

A level subjects.

In the Year 13 briefing this week Mr McCarthy spoke to the students about important up and coming events in

the school calendar. The Year 13 pictures are being done on Thursday 19th March at 9.00am. Students are to

wait on the bridge and will then be taken to the hall. There will be a whole Year group photo, an individual one

and then the students will be able to do friendship groups. These photos are always very special as it is the

last ones taken at school.

The Year 13 leavers mass will be held on Thursday 7th May. The time is to be confirmed. Students will meet

on the bridge and then attend the mass. This will be followed by a reception on the bridge which will give

students and staff a chance to say goodbye.

The A level exams begin on Monday 11th May. A timetable of the exams is on the bridge and students and

parents will shortly receive an individual exam timetable. Where there may be a clash, students are to speak to

our exams officer Miss Harnett.

A level results day will be on Thursday 13th August. Students were advised that the system has been altered

this year. Universities will not receive confirmation of student grades until after 8am. This will mean that alt-

hough students can come to school to collect their results from 8.30am onwards, universities may not be able

to confirm their place until later. The 6th Form team will be available to help students who may wish to use

clearing or adjustment.

Student finance is now open and we would encourage students and parents to complete their application as

soon as possible. This is an online system and once completed you should receive details of the amount

within 6 to 8 weeks.

If your child has firmed their university choice they should now be going online to reserve their

accommodation. These are often in high demand so we would advise this to be done quickly so the students

will get the accommodation they would like.

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InvestIN SUMMER INTERNSHIPS 2020

Internships are now available in Medicine, Investment Banking, Law, Engineering and Tech and offer some

once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Please visit https://investin.org/ for more information

JFKSA

JFKSA Easyfundraising/Amazon Smile update

A BIG thank you to everyone for helping us reach 130 supporters by the end

of 2019, we’re now at 133 supporters so please do spread the word to family,

friends and colleagues. With YOUR help we’ve raised £1542.55, an

increase of £267.86 on our total just before Christmas.

Remember, supporting our school doesn’t have to cost you anything! Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate

for FREE when you use easyfundraising to shop with them. This means you can raise donations for us when

you buy clothes and accessories, electricals, homeware, groceries, book holidays, take out insurance, switch

energy providers or anything else! www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/johnfkennedycatholicschool/

We will be holding a clothing collection with Happy School Bag on 29 April

2020. This scheme is designed to help schools raise funds as well as helping the

environment by keeping textiles away from landfill sites and giving the clothing a

new lease of life. To take part you simply need to fill any plastic bags with

unwanted but clean and reusable clothing, paired shoes and fashion accessories,

eg handbags, belts, light jewellery, scarves, hats. Also console games, small

decorative ornaments (souvenirs), unwanted gift box sets.

Happy Bag are NOT able to collect single shoes, mats, carpets, duvets, pillows,

blankets, bedlinen, curtains, bric-a-brac, uniforms, toys, books, DVDs. Further

details to follow.

Date for the diary....Quiz Night on Friday 26th June. See attached flyer.

VOLUNTEERING

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LIBRARY

The Library is still looking for any good condition children’s and young

adult books to broaden the range of reading material available to

students. A big thank you to those who have already donated.

LITERACY

March’s Book of the Month -

The House of the Spirits

Science Teacher Mrs Timpe says

This was one of the books I enjoyed the most during my teenage years. This “magic realism” takes you to the rural towns of South America and helps you understand the idiosyncrasy of their people, traditions, exaggerations and family feuds that intertwine with the characters and their stories. Definitely a good read!

Recommended for : Year 10 upwards

Date: Wednesday 18th March 2020

Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

This workshop will provide tips and techniques in supporting children with anxiety related to tests and exams as

well as techniques to help develop resilience and confidence. We will explore anxiety, low self-esteem and

signs to look out for and will provide simple coping strategies and skills for parents to use to support their

children. This workshop is relevant for children of all ages going through any form of test.

Where: Kings Langley Secondary School, Love Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 9HN

MANAGING EXAM STRESS AND ANXIETY

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We now have a central JFK twitter account which we would love you to follow so we can share information,achievements and events happening throughout the school year. The account is @JFK_Hemel. This will not be used as our main source of communication but will give us the oppor-tunity to share snap shots of information, opportuni-ties, learning and news each day.

If your son/daughter is going to be absent due to illness please telephone the school absence line by 9.00am on each day of absence.

Year 7 01442 229105 Year 8 01442 229124 Year 9 01442 229131 Year 10 01442 229132 Year 11 01442 229136 Sixth Form 01442 229137

Students should bring a

letter explaining their absence

on their return to school.

ABSENCE

Spring Term 2020

Term Ends Friday 3rd April

Easter Holiday Monday 6th –Friday 17th April

TERM DATES

Summer Term 2020

Term Starts Monday 20th April

May Day Friday 8th May

Half Term Monday 25th - Friday 29th May

INSET Day Friday 10th July

Term Ends Tuesday 21st July

*Please note that the half term dates may differ from

Central Bedfordshire and Luton.

Provisional Term Dates 2020-21

Term Starts Wednesday 2nd September

HALF TERM Monday 26th October - Friday 30th October

Christmas Holiday Monday 21st December - Friday 1st January

HALF TERM Monday 15th February - Friday 19th February

Easter Holiday Monday 29th March - Friday 9th April

HALF TERM Monday 31st May - Friday 4th June

Summer Holiday Friday 23rd July - Tuesday 31st August