As Head of Lower School I am very privileged to be able to interact with over 900 hundred students on a weekly basis. This could be through classroom teaching, assemblies, celebration mornings, tutor time, extracurricular activities or simply out and about at break time. I am always amazed by the care, respect and willingness to achieve that our students show. I am also very lucky to work alongside three fantastic Heads of Year in the Lower School. Together, all four us know that the foundations for a successful Key Stage 4 are laid down in Key Stage 3.
As well as overseeing transition through the Lower School as part of my Directorate role, I also monitor and track attendance across the school with help from the attendance and pastoral team. Together, we have managed to establish a number of close links with local infant, junior and secondary schools who have all shared the table below which summarises how excellent attendance positively impacts your child’s progress.
Having trained as a specialist PE teacher it won’t come as a surprise when I say you have to be ‘in it to win it’ regarding attendance. Attendance is critical to school success. If your child is unwell, please remember to contact the school each day by 9.00am via the school switchboard on 01794 502502 (option 1) or by email at attendance@mountbatten.hants.sch.uk.
If you do have any specific concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the school via your child’s tutor who is always there to support.
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 30 January
Nothing advised
Tuesday 31 January
Nothing advised
Wednesday 1 February
Industrial Action - School only open to the following groups:
Looked After Children and vulnerable children
Children of critical workers
Children preparing for public examinations - all of Year 11
Thursday 2 February
Nothing advised
Friday 3 February
Nothing advised
INSET Days for 2022/23
Monday 20 February 2023
Monday 19 June 2023
Friday 21 July 2023
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes
Industrial Action Update
As parents/carers, you will have received a letter regarding the Industrial Action. The school will only be open to the following groups on Wednesday 1 February:
Looked After Children and vulnerable children
Children of critical workers
Children preparing for public examinations - all of Year 11
For students not in the three priority categories above - as defined by the Department for Education - work will be provided on Google Classroom.
More information can be found in the 'Letters you may have missed section' below.
Dropping students off (A27)
Please may we remind parents/carers to not drop students off at school on the A27. This is a very busy road and it is not safe for students to cross. Thank you for your support with this.
Chinese Festival - Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year of Rabbit! Mandarin students celebrated the biggest Chinese festival in a lively fashion for the last two weeks. There has been bubble tea and a bake sale to raise money for charity and some cross-curriculum activities. Year 7 MEP students went to Bay House School, joining students from other MEP schools for a Chinese Cultural Day. Year 8 MEP students visited The British Museum and Chinatown in London to explore and experience the Chinese history, art and food culture.
Hampshire Libraries are offering free* paediatric first aid courses this Spring Term. These courses are aimed at Hampshire residents aged 19+. For more information and to book, click the button below.
*Free tuition, optional certification available at a cost.
This week's Mountbatten Miniseries clip from Lorraine Lee is all about how to talk with your child about forming and maintaining positive relationships with their peers in secondary school. All of our Mountbatten Miniseries clips can be found on our website linked in the button below.
Ella P 7DCR for gaining the Bronze Award (7books read and reviewed)
Geography Department
Geography Stars
Chloe M 7ERL
Annabel R 7LHK/EPK
Camilla S 8YDS/AVE
Amelia S 8KMN/JLE
Nathan C 9SHL/EGE
Eloise G 9NWS
Isabella H 9HCS
Charlotte H 9HCS
Oliver S 10TLS
English Department
English Stars
Matilda T 7LHK/EPK
Jessica T 8IPY/ESY
Charlie S 8KMN/JLE
Sophie C 8OWS
Ben G 8OWS
Violet C-E 8YDS/AVE
Lizzie R 8YDS/AVE
Charlie M 9HCS
Max S 10COY/SDN
Louise M 11EHK
Science Department
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Congratulations to the following for completing their Bronze DofE Award:
Michelle F 11MRA
Lucy L 11NWT/JHR
Esme M 11EGY
Toby R 11EHK
Lilly T 11JGO
STEM Leaders
Well done to the following STEM leaders for supporting the rocket workshop at Nursling:
Bella W 10CPE
Emmeline H 9HCS
Liam O 10CPE
Luke H 10FBY
Swimming - County Championships
Congratulations to these swimmers who competed in the county championships in Winchester last weekend:
Izzy H 11GWT/VGN 100m Breaststroke: 2nd place
Nathan L 11GWT/VGN 50m Butterfly: 1st place County Champion
An amazing achievement - well done!
Click the drop-down menus below to find out more about different careers opportunities coming up for our students.
Career Insights
Engineering with Babcock International
Babcock specialise in aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering.
Do you like the idea of working on the engine parts for a huge mega ton submarine, or perhaps fitting on the armoury for a tank? Babcock's mission is to create a safe and secure world through defence capabilities that they build. If you’re interested in gaining a further understanding of Babcock as a business and have the creativity, curiosity, and the passion to learn then look no further.
The virtual insight event will take place on Thursday 9 Feb, 5-6.30pm. Click here to register.
Law
Eight of the world's biggest firms are taking part in the event, providing students with an insight to what a career in law might look like, as well as discovering various work experience and solicitor apprenticeship programs on offer. Date: 7 February, 5.00pm - 8.00pm. To register, please click here.
Assemblies
To prepare students for the upcoming National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February) we have invited a range of speakers in this week to talk to students about the various apprenticeship options. In attendance were KPMG, Brockenhurst College, City College, ASK and Totton College. More information about apprenticeships will be sent to parents during Apprenticeship Week.
Routes into STEM - Years 9 & 10
If you are enjoying your Tech, Design, Maths or Science subjects and would like to know what exciting future these subjects could lead to then join the Engineering Development Trust on their Virtual Routes into STEM course during the February half-term!
The course provides guided learning for you to work through flexibly and find out all about college, university, apprenticeships and careers in STEM from the experts, you will also have a selection of tailor-made STEM projects and activities at their fingertips. A variety of live sessions will be running in half-term week for students to join and ask questions to the panels of experts, students and apprentices.
Throughout the duration of the course students will have a unique opportunity to access content from:
This is an opportunity not to be missed! Do not delay and apply by Sunday 5 February.
As a reminder, please see the application deadlines below:
28 February: Brockenhurst
31 March*: City College, Eastleigh, Itchen, Richard Taunton, Sparsholt and Totton College
*Recommended deadline as courses can fill up fast.
Gender Equality / Gambia Fundraising
Last year we started a fundraising partnership with our school, The Mansa Colley Bojang School, in The Gambia. This fundraising initiative resulted in our students sponsoring two girls to attend secondary school for the year, meaning that they will have access to all school resources, a hot meal and a school trip once a year. Educating girls is recognised as a fundamental way to combat climate change. If you want to know more about this, please read Wonder Foundation's site.
Students attending The Gambia expedition in October later this year have been tasked with raising funds for our partnership school and we would encourage our local school community to get involved too! Keep an eye out for upcoming fundraising events.
RSHE restarts for the Spring Term on Monday and tutors are looking forward to reconnecting with their tutees through the discussion based lessons.
Year 7
This half-term Year 7 will be looking at how to lead healthy lifestyles by considering what health and fitness is before identifying the need for good food, sleep and exercise habits. Students will also explore the impacts of energy drinks and caffeine-based drinks on health and fitness and the law. Students will then move onto exploring the body’s physical changes during puberty.
Year 8
This half-term Year 8 will be exploring healthy lifestyles and good physical health as well as how to maintain positive mental health when using Social Media. Media bias and different media sources will also be covered so we can encourage students to consider what influences they may be exposed to.
Year 9
Year 9 will be starting the new year considering what supports healthy living and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. This moves on to some basic first aid training and then supporting positive mental health and positive self-image. Students will consider how their own self-perception and internet use may be linked.
Year 10
Year 10 will be kick-starting the term with a recap on healthy living and positive lifestyle choices. This will be supported by exploring what a role model is and how this can support personal progress and decision-making. This then leads into exploring the impacts of drug and alcohol use.
Year 11
Year 11 will recap healthy living before moving onto some practical emergency aid training. Students will also explore contraception and sexual health. Students will be signposted to some external agencies that offer support. Youth In Romsey offer support and guidance. Information can be found on their website where further services can also be found as well as what they offer.
Should your child wish to seek support in any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
We have also launched our message reporting system 'TooToot'.
Childline also offer a range of support and resources.
Part of the healthy living topics include discussing the need for good sleep habits. Support with teenage sleep can be found at Teen Sleep Hub which is part of The Sleep Charity.
Level 3 Bikeability Courses - Years 7, 8 & 9 only
Personal Best is pleased to be able to offer Level 3 Bikeability courses FREE of charge . These will take place during February half-term at The Mountbatten School. All courses will be half a day. For more information and to make booking please follow the steps below:
Step 4 - Choose the date and time that suits you. Complete your child's details, then add 'Activity to Basket' and finally click on 'Proceed to Checkout'
Step 5 - Complete the information page, and complete the booking
If you have any questions please contact Glenn Vincent.
Mountbatten Activity Camp, February Half-Term
Following the success of their Christmas Programme, Personal Best Education is running an activity camp during February Half-Term for children aged 6 - 12. For more information and to book, click the button below!
In this episode, a group of students meet Mr Portas, our new Headteacher, and ask him questions about the things that matter to them. From what makes Mountbatten special through the controversial topic of pineapple on pizza!
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Megan S 7LHK/EPK
Ella P 7DCR for gaining the Bronze Award (7books read and reviewed)
Chloe M 7ERL
Matilda T 7LHK/EPK
Michelle F 11MRA
Personal Best is pleased to be able to offer Level 3 Bikeability courses FREE of charge . These will take place during February half-term at The Mountbatten School. All courses will be half a day. For more information and to make booking please follow the steps below:
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