ROAD SAFETYfluencycontent2-schoolwebsite.netdna-ssl.com/File...bouquet”. (Muslim origin) “Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity

Dear Parents/Carers, Welcome back all. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break together, even if the weather was miserable. The weather of course is now beautiful! When I became a headteacher one of the things I didn’t think I would become is a parking bore! However, the good news on parking this term is that the parking bays have been painted in Bradleigh Avenue. Please use them for drop off and waiting and see if we can clear College Avenue of parents and cars at the end of the day. Few of you use College Avenue at the end of the day but I would like to be able to address the issue with our local primary school about the impact that their parents have on the children’s safety in our very small road. We also welcome this term two new Governors to our governing Body Mr Joseph Ayeni, representing you as a parent body and Mrs J Smith, our Examinations Officer as our staff representative governor. We wish them well for the 4 year term of office. It’s a challenging but very rewarding role. I am a governor for three other institutions and I think this role also supports my role as a headteacher. My assembly today was about perseverance, a quality that Mrs McLoughlin will need on what will be her ‘very hot’ Marathon journey this Sunday, and that the Duke of Edinburgh trainees will also need on their walk on Saturday. I am joining the Duke of Edinburgh walkers, so I hope I’m not limping in last. Perseverance will of course be needed over this term as we begin exam season for all Year groups. Revision guides have gone out to Years 7 and 10, and the Year 11 ‘during exam’ revision schedule will go out next week. GCSE exams have begun with Art and Photography this week, and Modern Foreign Languages, amongst others commencing next week. Year 11 remain in our prayers always; although they are a resilient bunch of young women and I have high hopes for them. The term dates for next year have been included for you, girls return in September on the 5th.

The Easter season goes on until Pentecost in 4 weeks’ time, when several of our Year 10 girls will be confirmed, so I hope you enjoy the Easter garden in reception, lovingly crafted by Miss Carson. Penny Johnson Headteacher

We would be interested to find out what you think about the opportunities we provide in school for the spiritual, social, moral and cultural development of our pupils. Please can you spend about 5 minutes answering the 10 questions in our survey of parent/carer views? Please click on the link below, type away and click ‘Done’. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P53KV9W (This link was sent out to parents/carers via our Parentmail on Tuesday).

Many thanks for your help and comments.

Mr O’Hanlon

Please do not drive down College Avenue when dropping off or collecting pupils from school. Accidents have happened and we have also witnessed several near misses involving cars mounting pavements. Thurrock Council have now installed a marked drop off zone on Bradleigh Avenue near the end of College Avenue where you can park whilst dropping off or picking up. This is a much safer place to stop and reduces the risk of accidents happening.

Mr O’Hanlon

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:

PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE

ROAD SAFETY

Inspiring Ambition,

Achieving Excellence Week ending Friday 20

th

April 2018

At Grays Convent our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mrs Collis, and our Safeguarding Officers are Mrs Wells and Mrs Bishop. Students can contact any of our Safeguarding Team during the school day. We would like to draw your attention to the NSPCC website (www.nspcc.org.uk), and in particular the following link:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/video-chat-sharing-streaming/?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=video+chat%2c+sharing+and+streaming+apps&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3a7f1b9313-bf5e-4415-abf6-aaf87298c667&_t_ip=10.99.66.5&_t_hit.id=Nspcc_Web_Models_Pages_StandardPage/_205dee51-6f91-4836-996f-a4c072bc9658_en-GB&_t_hit.pos=1

This link will take you to the ‘Video chat, sharing and streaming apps’ advice page and there you will find lots of information that you can discuss with your daughters to help to keep them safe online, particularly when using Apps.

Mrs Collis

Mary McLoughlin, whose daughters attended this school and who was chair of our PTA, will run in the London Marathon in aid of Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) this Sunday – 22nd April. The students and staff of Grays Convent High School wish Mary all the very best for her challenge, and here’s hoping the weather isn’t too hot!!

You can continue to support Mary by visiting her online fundraising page:

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/marymcloughlin1

All donations very welcome!

Keep going Mary, you can do it!

This week Year 7 have received their Geography Extended Homework Project on Rivers. They will be expected to spend approximately 6 hours on the tasks in the booklet. All completed work must be handed to Mrs Smith by Friday 18th May. All students meeting this deadline will be awarded Achievement Points.

Mrs M Smith

SAFEGUARDING OUR CHILDREN AT GRAYS CONVENT

MARY RUNS THE MARATHON FOR BCCS THIS SUNDAY!

YEAR 7 GEOGRAPHY : IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Worried about a child? You can phone or write to The MASH about your concerns. Phone immediately if you believe it is urgent.

Thurrock MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding hub), Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL, Tel: 01375 652802.

Emergency Duty Team (for out of hours) 01375 372468.

Police Child Abuse Investigation Team 01277 266822 or call 999 if you are concerned a child needs immediate protection.

Childline 0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk; www.facebook.com/nspcc

On Wednesday 18th April Grays Convent was presented with the Bronze Level of the Learning Workz Diversity Award by the Mayor of Thurrock, Councillor Tunde Ojetola. Our school's Mission Statement teaches us to recognise and value each individual as unique. As a school we value diversity, equality and inclusion. We celebrate the success of each individual.

By participating in the Diversity Awards we will enhance our school community further by providing opportunities to build upon our successes and expand our horizons by working in partnership with other Thurrock schools who are striving

to be the future 'Change Makers' of tomorrow. “A lot of different flowers make a bouquet”. (Muslim origin) “Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people?” (Desmond Tutu)

Mrs Michaelkiewicz

GCSE’s exams are approaching but it is still vital you attend school, especially these last few weeks approaching the exams. You are in danger of missing out on last minute information, tips and revision notes etc. AND DON’T FORGET colleges take into account your attendance and punctuality whilst attending Grays Convent - this could mean you will not get the college/6th form that you want when assessing places available.

Mrs C Smith

Please, follow us on Twitter:

@GraysConvent, and re-tweet all our good news! See our Twitter feed: http://www.graysconvent.thurrock.sch.uk. If you would like real time up-dates and photos on our sporting fixtures follow @graysconventPE or look for the #GCHSsport tag!

Directl.ly and Live.ly Direct.ly is a direct messaging function within Musical.ly that allows users to send direct messages to each other. In 2016 Musical.ly launched a linked live streaming function known as Live.ly, which allows users to broadcast their Musical.ly videos in real-time(Live.ly has the same unclear age restrictions as Musical.ly, users need to be at least 13 years old but by using the service they are affirming that they are 18). To access Live.ly, users will sign in to their Musical.ly account. The default settings on Musical.ly (and therefore Livel.ly) are set to public. This means that anyone can view a user’s videos, write comments or send them direct messages. Location settings are enabled by default which mean a child’s location could be publicised on the app.

Mr Burr

MAYOR PRESENTS DIVERSITY AWARD

MESSAGE TO YEAR 11 REGARDING ABSENCES

GCHS TWITTER

INTERNET SAFETY TIP

Characterizing 'keyhole' is the first step to fighting obesity at cellular level

Jens Meiler's team determined the first crystal structure for a neuropeptide Y receptor, deciphering the thousands of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and other atoms involved with it and how they bind to one another. An international team has uncovered the potential to beat obesity at the cellular level, characterizing for the first time a complex, little-understood receptor type that, when activated, shuts off hunger. Jens Meiler, professor of chemistry and pharmacology at Vanderbilt University, said pharmaceutical companies long have attempted to develop a small-molecule drug that could do just that. But until now, nobody knew exactly what the receptor looked like, making it nearly impossible to design the key to activating it. FINDING THE "KEYHOLE" The team determined the first crystal structure for a neuropeptide Y receptor, deciphering the thousands of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and other atoms involved with it and how they bind to one another. Meiler and a Ph.D. student in his laboratory, Brian J Bender, translated the inherently low-quality data about the atoms' coordinates to build accurate computer models of both the inactive receptor and what it looks like when activated. "This is a very important milestone in the drug discovery process," Meiler said. "The big contribution of this paper is to list the atoms with all the specific coordinates of where they sitting in space and where they are bound to each other. We've actually found where there are little pockets in the structure where we can build a small molecule to bind. "Before, it was like trying to design a key without knowing the shape of the keyhole." "Once you eat, you produce this peptide, it activates the receptor, and then you don't feel hungry anymore and you stop eating," Meiler said. "The idea here is that we could up regulate this receptor with a small molecule and create this feeling of not being hungry so that you eat less."

Mrs Sajid

Are you, or do you know, an ex-Grays Convent High School student? Do you remember collecting your GCSE certificate(s)? If you are unsure, please contact Mrs J Smith, Examinations Officer via email (either admin@ or [email protected]) who will be happy to check for you.

Deadline for queries: Wednesday

23rd May 2018 Mrs J Smith

Thurrock Library is advertising for teenage volunteers for the Summer Holidays 2018. Click the link below for more details: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/news/whats-on-at-your-library/apply-now-for-summer-volunteering-opportunities-with-libraries

SCIENCE SPOT… EX-STUDENT OF GRAYS CONVENT…?

FANCY VOLUNTEERING THIS SUMMER?

9 to 1: a brief guide for parents

Ofqual have published a blog post specifically for parents of students taking their GCSE exams this summer. It covers why the grades are changing, how they compare with the A* to G scale and how the combined science grade will look.

You can access the blog via the following link: https://ofqual.blog.gov.uk/

EXAM INFORMATION FOR PARENTS YEAR 11 PROM DRESS SHOPPING…?

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

We’re celebrating all 50 days of Easter, up to the feast of Pentecost

on 20th May. We are rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s amazing personal love; that he willingly took the blame for our sins and gave his life on the cross for us, so that we are made perfect and blameless. By dying he destroyed the power of death which could not hold him, and by his resurrection he has gained for us the free gift of eternal life for all who believe in him. The Easter Garden symbolises the new life and joy that Jesus brings. The rainbow colours remind us that God keeps his promises. A traditional Easter Greeting: The Lord is risen! Alleluia, alleluia Reply: He has risen as he said! Alleluia, alleluia!

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: All Year Groups have had Exposition during assembly time this week, to reflect on the Victory of Christ’s death and Resurrection and how we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and gives us victory in our daily lives when we partner with him.

Walsingham House at Grays Convent High School

We were delighted to welcome the Walsingham House team who led very inspiring retreats for Year 9 and Year10, providing girls with a range of opportunities for personal reflection on their relationship with God and with one another through prayer stations, activities, silent times and courageously sharing their testimonies. All the girls engaged in this very thoughtfully and respectfully. It was moving to see groups of girls of all faiths and none spontaneously holding hands around the world map and praying for peace. God bless you.

Miss Carson

JESUS IS ALIVE! ALLELUIA!

School Open Evening Dates

Writtle College Saturday 21st April 2018 (10am - 1pm) Wednesday 20th June 2018 (5.30pm - 7.30pm)

YEAR 11 GCSE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS – 2018

YEAR 11 INTERVENTION TIMETABLE 2017/18

FURTHER EDUCATION OPEN EVENING DATES

BRONZE AWARD Date Session Venue Time

April 23rd Campcraft and cooking School 3.10-4.30

April 30th Campcraft and cooking School 3.10-4.30

May 14th Kit Check and Route Card Check School 3.10-4.30

May 18th & 19th Practice Expedition School Two Days

May 21st Kit Return and Route Card Check School 3.10-4.30

June 4th Review of Practice Expedition School 3.10-4.30

June 11th Kit check by assessor School 3.10-4.30

June 16th -17th Qualifying Expedition Ballards Gore to Belchamps and return

Belchamps Scout Camp Two days

June 18th Kit Return Outside 3.10-4.00

July 2nd Expedition Exposition Hall 7.00-8.30

DUKE OF EDINBURGH TRAINING SCHEDULE BRONZE/SILVER 2017-18

SUMMER 2018 EXTRA CURRICULAR TIMETABLE

23rd April to 4th May Year 8 Exams Year 8

Tuesday 24th April Year 9 to Victoria & Albert Museum Year 9

Thursday 3rd May Year 11 Trip to Thorpe Park Year 11

Monday 7th May Bank Holiday Monday Whole School

Tuesday 8th May Students return for 8:25am Whole School 14th May to 22nd June Year 11 Exams Year 11

Tuesday 22nd May Year 8 to National Maritime Museum Year 8

28th May to 1st June Half Term Whole School

Monday 4th June Students return for 8:25am Whole School 4th June to 15th June Year 9 Exams Year 9

KEY DATES, TRIPS & EVENTS