Ercall Wood Technology College

Measles in Shropshire and Staffordshire

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:41:51 +0000

NHS England
Shropshire & Staffordshire Area Team
Head Quarters
Blackheath Lane
Stafford
ST18 0YB
Tel: 0300 7900 233
2 May 2013

Re: Measles in Shropshire and Staffordshire

As you will be aware, there are an increasing number of measles cases and local outbreaks being reported across England. In 2012 there were a total of 1,920 confirmed measles cases in England, the highest annual total since enhanced follow up of measles cases began in 1994. Measles activity has continued to remain high in the first three months of 2013, with a total of 587 confirmed cases reported across the country.

The patterns of disease in recent years has changed with many of the cases currently being confirmed in older children and teenagers aged between 10-16 years. These children were most affected by the fall in vaccine coverage which occurred at the turn of the century following unfounded safety concerns and therefore did not complete the recommended schedule of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine. Many of these children are now in secondary school where the opportunity for the infection to spread rapidly is high. It is therefore important that parents and teenagers are alerted to the risks and advised to get vaccinated if they have not received two doses of MMR.

A national media statement was launched on 26^th April 2013, advising young people (and parents) of this increase and urging young people between 10 and 16 years of age who remain under or unvaccinated to get vaccinated. The highest priority groups are young people who are completely unvaccinated and have not received a single dose of MMR vaccine.

I am writing to you to ensure that you are aware of the high number of measles cases nationally, to advise you that the national publicity may result in an increased request for information and advice regarding MMR vaccination, which will be available to you through your school nurse, and to request that you encourage take up of the vaccination.

For information, advice is also available to patients through their own GP practices.

Public Health England has a public facing website which includes a section of information which may be useful for you and to share with parents.

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Measles/MMRCatchupProgramme/

Currently it is anticipated that children aged 10-16 who required vaccinations will be contacted by their GP practice who will in turn then arrange for the immunisation within the practice.

There are a number of helplines available to NHS professional staff and therefore if you have any queries, please liaise with your school nurse.

Thank you for your support.

Yours Sincerely

Sultan Mahmud
Director of Commissioning

NHS – England Shropshire and Staffordshire Area Team

Holocaust Memorial Day

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:42:11 +0000

On the 25th January 2013, a group of pupils from our school attended the Holocaust Memorial Day along with two staff members. While there we met a Holocaust survivorwho told us of her inspirational journey through childhood during the war. Janine told us how she survived the experience of the Holocaust. Janine was living in Poland when the Germans came. They told Janine’s Jewish family that they had to leave home and were only permitted to take one suitcase. This was only the start of her wartime experiences!

Janine moved, or should I say ran, through the war not looking back. Janine’s brother was shot along with her dad. Her mother became ill and died in horrendous conditions in a rat infested cellar. Janine explained how she was scared to call herself a Jew; she had to say she was Catholic to live. She lived in poor conditions, including in a hole for a year sleeping with eleven others and no daylight. Her uncle and aunt managed to get false papers, so she went on living with an elderly couple as a maid. She believed she was the only member of her family to survive.

Janine moved to Paris and was reunited with her only surviving family member, her Aunt. She then moved to England to improve her English. She was able to settle here and now has a family of her own including two grandsons.

We were very privileged to meet such a confident and inspiring women!

By Erin S and Alice D (Year 8)

As a result of our experience Janine Webber came to Ercall Wood where she spoke to the whole school for three quarters of an hour. It is an experience none of us will forget!

Janine Webber thankyou letters from pupils

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New School 360 Panoramic View

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:44:45 +0000

Time lapse videos

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:24:25 +0000

Watch time lapse videos of the new school being built.

Week 11 beginning 13th May 2013

Week 10 beginning 6th May 2013

Week 9 beginning 29th April 2013

Week 8 beginning 22nd April 2013

Week 7 beginning 15th April 2013

Week 6 beginning 8th April 2013

Week 5 beginning 1st April 2013

Week 4 beginning 25th March 2013

Week 3 beginning 18th March 2013

Week 2 beginning 11th March 2013

Week 1 beginning 4th March 2013

Year 11 Revision/Support Sessions

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:48:17 +0000

Year 11 Revision/Support Timetable

Please see timetable below which has been organised within all subject areas to assist our Year 11 pupils leading up to their examination period.

I strongly recommend that you encourage your child to attend these sessions to ensure they are well prepared and able to do their very best in the examinations this summer.

Your support in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely

C Davis
Headteacher

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri
English Sessions start after Easter			3.20– 4.00 E1	3.20 – 4.00 E2
Maths		3.15-3.45 Maths Rooms	3.15-3.45 Maths Rooms	3.15-3.45 Maths Rooms
Science	3.15 – 4.15 by arrangement	3.15 – 4.15 by arrangement	3.15-4.15 by arrangement	3.15 – 4.15 by arrangement	3.15 – 4.15 by arrangement
D&T		3.15 CA Drop In	3.15 DT2,3,4 & 5
Geography	3.30 – 4.15 G1	3.30-4.15 G2
History		3.15 – 4.15 H2
R.E.		3.15 RE1		3.15 RE1
M.F.L.			3.15 – 4.15 L3
Art Support & Catch up Sessions	3.15		3.15	3.15	3.15
Music Coursework catch up – Drop in Sessions	3.15 – 4.15	3.15 – 4.15	3.15 – 4.15	3.15 – 4.15	3.15 – 4.15
P.E. BTEC Sport					3.15-4.15 Catch up Club

Options 2013

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 23:09:08 +0000

The following documents will help you and your child decide on the best possible route for 2013-2015 at Ercall Wood Technology College. A letter will be sent out on the first day back at school on Monday 25th February 2013, explaining the whole process.
There will be an extended year 9 assembly on Wednesday 27th February 2013 and a full parent information evening on Thursday March 7th 2013 from 4.30 pm – 7.00 pm. A presentation will be held in the school hall at 6 pm on that evening.

Parent Information Day

admin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:37:17 +0000

Parent Information Day Poster

Gifted & Talented

admin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:20:43 +0000

Gifted & Talented Newsletter

F.E.W. Friends of Ercall Wood

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 13:14:19 +0000

“Friends of Ercall Wood” FEW is an active group representing an important link between the parents and the school. All parents can get involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available. Our “Friends of Ercall Wood” is backed by a team of dedicated members, who are all parents, family, colleagues and friends of students at Ercall Wood school. The FEW spends a lot of time fund-raising but also has a consultative function, and on occasions would like host educational / informational for parents.

The Friends of Ercall Wood meets every six to eight weeks at the school, Please see the school web site for further information. Please feel free to come along and join us. We welcome any new ideas for fund-raising and you will be made most welcome.

We are always looking for volunteers for events. It doesn’t matter if you’re not able to help on a regular basis, or even if you can’t come into school. You can also help by letting us know if you have any contacts or skills we could use – anything you can offer is very valuable to us.

The welcoming, family-friendly environment of our school is a combination of all who contribute to the school: the staff, parents and the wider community. The contribution that the Friends of Ercall Wood makes is testament to their enthusiasm and commitment to support the school’s key goals, and to provide our children with that little bit extra that makes our school special.

We look forward to welcoming all new members.

Exam Revision Tips

admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:11:20 +0000

	Short spurts of revision (20-25 minutes) are most effective. Your concentration lapses after about an hour and you need to take a short break (5-10 minutes).
	Find a quiet place to revise—your bedroom, school, the local library—and refuse to be interrupted or distracted.
	Make sure you don’t just revise the subjects and topics you like. Work on your weak ones as well.
	Make your own revision notes, because you will remember what you have written down more easily. Stick keynotes to a cupboard or loo doors so you can see them everyday!
	Re-write the key points of your revision notes, read them out loud to yourself. We remember more than twice as much of what we say aloud than of what we merely read.
	Use different techniques. Make your own learning maps. Use post-it notes to write key words on, create flash cards. Record your notes on tape and listen to them back on your MP3 or mobile phone. Ask friends to test you. Use highlighter pens to mark important points. Chant or make up a rap song.
	Practise on past exam papers or revision tests available on the web. Initially do one section at a time and progress to doing the entire paper against the clock
	You will need help at some stage; ask parents, teachers, or even friends. If there is a teacher who you get on well with at school, ask for their school e-mail address so you can clarify points you are unsure of whilst on study leave.
	Don’t get stressed out! Eat properly and get lots of kip!
	Believe in yourself and be positive. If you think you can succeed you will; if you convince yourself that you will fail, that’s what will probably happen