Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 101
- November 1, 2024
Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 101
- November 1, 2024
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
This week in school I have been conducting a series of special assemblies which encourage our students to reflect on the up-and-coming season of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday.
The commemorations this year take on added significance because it is the centenary of the Tyldesley Branch of the Royal British Legion. On Monday 11th November, the school’s brass band will be performing a special concert in school for veterans from the Tyldesley Branch. A special piece of music has been commissioned for this occasion by ex-student Ross Baillie-Eames. It is called ‘As Dawn Appears‘ and will be performed by a number of our students. As the music concludes, poppies will fall from the ceiling. As is tradition at Freddie’s, our students will observe a minute silence at 11am on Monday 11th November and the Last Post will be played by one of our students.
During the assemblies, students reflect upon the impact that warfare and conflict has had on armed service personnel as well as its wider impact on civilians. This will be particularly pertinent to students with family members who are serving or have served in the armed forces; however, students are also encouraged to reflect on how previous generations of their own families may have been affected by both World Wars or other conflicts, recent and not so recent. If students do come home and ask you about Grandparents or Great-Grandparents, I am sure you will talk to them about these important family histories.
As part of the school’s commemorations, we ask for student volunteers from each year group to represent the school by attending the Remembrance Parade in Tyldesley on Sunday 10th November. We do hope that a number of our students can take part and that those with personal, family connections gain a sense of pride, respect and service from being involved in the parade.
The Royal British Legion are fully supportive of our efforts to engage young people in these important acts of Remembrance and there is still time for your child to sign up and take part in the parade. To help us manage the parade and so that we have an idea of numbers, we do require your permission for your child to take part. Attached is a copy of a letter with the details about the parade and how to give your permission.
Thank-you for your continued support.
Mr Davies.
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
This week in school I have been conducting a series of special assemblies which encourage our students to reflect on the up-and-coming season of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday.
The commemorations this year take on added significance because it is the centenary of the Tyldesley Branch of the Royal British Legion. On Monday 11th November, the school’s brass band will be performing a special concert in school for veterans from the Tyldesley Branch. A special piece of music has been commissioned for this occasion by ex-student Ross Baillie-Eames. It is called ‘As Dawn Appears‘ and will be performed by a number of our students. As the music concludes, poppies will fall from the ceiling. As is tradition at Freddie’s, our students will observe a minute silence at 11am on Monday 11th November and the Last Post will be played by one of our students.
During the assemblies, students reflect upon the impact that warfare and conflict has had on armed service personnel as well as its wider impact on civilians. This will be particularly pertinent to students with family members who are serving or have served in the armed forces; however, students are also encouraged to reflect on how previous generations of their own families may have been affected by both World Wars or other conflicts, recent and not so recent. If students do come home and ask you about Grandparents or Great-Grandparents, I am sure you will talk to them about these important family histories.
As part of the school’s commemorations, we ask for student volunteers from each year group to represent the school by attending the Remembrance Parade in Tyldesley on Sunday 10th November. We do hope that a number of our students can take part and that those with personal, family connections gain a sense of pride, respect and service from being involved in the parade.
The Royal British Legion are fully supportive of our efforts to engage young people in these important acts of Remembrance and there is still time for your child to sign up and take part in the parade. To help us manage the parade and so that we have an idea of numbers, we do require your permission for your child to take part. Attached is a copy of a letter with the details about the parade and how to give your permission.
Thank-you for your continued support.
Mr Davies.
Things to celebrate
Students laying a wreath at the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony during the Belgium 2024 Trip.
- Over the half term a group of our History students went on the Belgium trip. A wonderful time was had by all and the conduct of our students was praised once again.
- This week has been a ‘Freddie’s Focus on the stars’ week. We are delighted by the number of our students who are shining in specific subject areas.
- On Wednesday we hosted the Primary Dance Festival. This superb event is led by a number of our students who work collaboratively with the local primary schools. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part.
- Sporting Success this week
-
District Football Team Trials
Congratulations to the boys and girls from Freddie's who have been selected to trial for the district football team. This is a fantastic opportunity for those selected and something the students should be incredibly proud of. The students who have been selected will be contacted directly by the Wigan District FA with further information.
-
Football Success for Eleanor
Eleanor Waller has recently been selected by Burnley ETC to attend the Lancashire event ‘discover my talent’ in partnership with the FA. This is a great achievement, and we can't wait to hear all about it.
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please can parents email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
Sporting Success this week
-
District Football Team Trials
Congratulations to the boys and girls from Freddie's who have been selected to trial for the district football team. This is a fantastic opportunity for those selected and something the students should be incredibly proud of. The students who have been selected will be contacted directly by the Wigan District FA with further information.
-
Football Success for Eleanor
Eleanor Waller has recently been selected by Burnley ETC to attend the Lancashire event ‘discover my talent’ in partnership with the FA. This is a great achievement, and we can't wait to hear all about it.
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please can parents email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Arts faculty extra-curricular timetables are now available. All students are welcome to attend the sessions, and we look forward to seeing you.
At Freddie’s we offer our students a wide variety of other extra-curricular activities, including STEM club, Physical Education and many more. For further details, click here.
School Reminders
-
Winmarleigh Residential
On Monday 4th November our annual Year 7 trip to Winmarleigh Hall will take place.
-
Ski Trip Meeting
On Wednesday 6th Nov at 6.30pm, we will be holding a meeting for the ski trip to Italy which will take place during February Half Term.
-
Tyldesley Remembrance Parade
On Sunday 10th November our school will take part in the Tyldesley Remembrance Parade. Please see the letter above from Mr Davies.
-
Year 11 Core Examination Support Event
On Wednesday 13th November we will be hosting our Year 11 core examination event in school from 6.30pm. This event is for parents and students and will go through key information regarding how to access examinations in these core areas.
-
60 Years of Freddie's
We will be holding our 60th Anniversary concert on Thursday 14th November. This event commences at 6.30pm and tickets are on sale from our music department.
-
The Wiz
Tickets for our school show ‘The Wiz’ which will take place from 5th to 7th February are now on sale.
-
General Reminder
Can we please ask for your support in ensuring that your child comes to school with an appropriate school bag. Please see the letter from Mr Davies regarding updates to our school uniform, link provided below.
Did you know that you can read previous editions of Freddie’s Focus from this Academic Year? To do so, click here.
School Reminders
-
Winmarleigh Residential
On Monday 4th November our annual Year 7 trip to Winmarleigh Hall will take place.
-
Ski Trip Meeting
On Wednesday 6th Nov at 6.30pm, we will be holding a meeting for the ski trip to Italy which will take place during February Half Term.
-
Tyldesley Remembrance Parade
On Sunday 10th November our school will take part in the Tyldesley Remembrance Parade. Please see the letter above from Mr Davies.
-
Year 11 Core Examination Support Event
On Wednesday 13th November we will be hosting our Year 11 core examination event in school from 6.30pm. This event is for parents and students and will go through key information regarding how to access examinations in these core areas.
-
60 Years of Freddie's
We will be holding our 60th Anniversary concert on Thursday 14th November. This event commences at 6.30pm and tickets are on sale from our music department.
-
The Wiz
Tickets for our school show ‘The Wiz’ which will take place from 5th to 7th February are now on sale.
-
General Reminder
Can we please ask for your support in ensuring that your child comes to school with an appropriate school bag. Please see the letter from Mr Davies regarding updates to our school uniform, link provided below.
Did you know that you can read previous editions of Freddie’s Focus from this Academic Year? To do so, click here.
What we do at Freddie's and why we do it
Supporting our students with reading:
At Freddie’s we place great value on reading. We have a reading curriculum in place to support every child to access reading materials in all of their subjects. All classroom display ‘Read like a….’ posters which contain subject specific tips on how to access reading materials. We also use a variety of strategies to guide students through specific texts (see below):
Please encourage your child to read at home. Prioritising 15-20 minutes a day to read can have a very powerful impact on your child’s reading ability.
Year 7 to Year 10
100 HoY Mug/Earphones/water bottle/skip the queue pass
175 JWY Power bank/skip the queue pass/calculator/£5 Amazon voucher
250 JWY £10 Amazon voucher/skip the queue pass
350 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/skip the queue pass
Year 11
100 HoY £5 Amazon voucher/£5 off Prom
150 JWY £10 Amazon voucher/£10 off Prom
200 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/£15 off Prom
On the run up to the Musical ‘The Wiz’ students at 250 rewards (150 Y11) when they see Mr Whalley (JWY) may opt for a free ticket to see the musical.
Homework and Independent Learning
Please encourage your child to get into the HABIT of checking ‘Satchel: One’ every night and completing home study nightly rather than leaving homework to the last minute. Below are the types of homework that your child could receive:
Applications that we use for learning
The following applications are used by our students during their time at FLHS to aid their learning. You can learn more about them below.
Microsoft Office
Did you know that your child can access Microsoft Office at home for free? As a student at Fred Longworth High School, your child is allowed to download a fully working free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use on their computer, smartphone and tablet whilst they are a student at our school. Click on the button below to learn more.
Satchel:One
Satchel:One is the school online learning platform for students and is the parental portal for all information related to your child’s overall progress within school. You can keep track of your child’s homework using Satchel:One. It is advisable to remind your child to get into the habit of checking their homework on Satchel:One regularly. Relying upon notifications is not the right approach and we advise students to turn off notifications so that they are not disturbed by them.
GCSEPod
GCSEPod is an online study platform and is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals. GCSEPod provides 3-5 minute bursts of audio-visual, teacher written learning which can help to reinforce and consolidate key GCSE topics covered in lessons. Experts read and explain everything clearly including all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and diagrams on screen. GCSEPod is only available to students in Year 10 and Year 11.
Homework Club
Please remind your child that homework club is available to all students Monday-Thursday in the Library (apart from Monday week B) where support and IT equipment is is available.
Attendance
We want to do all we can to support your child to be in school every day and ask that you support this important message from home, encouraging your child to avoid missing curriculum content through absence. Here is a breakdown of the absences for the following attendance percentages: