AVON VALLEY SCHOOL
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
Dear Parents and Carers
Fortnightly News
December 16th 2016
As we draw to the end of what has been a very busy autumn term, I am pleased to report that attendance
levels have remained high. Last academic year the school worked hard with parents and carers to increase
attendance, and I was delighted that recent government data shows that our attendance of 95.25% puts us
above the national average for secondary schools. To ensure that we maintain these high levels into the last
week of term, the school has been running an attendance lottery this week entitled ‘Be in to win’. Students in
each house have the opportunity to gain a raffle ticket for each day that they attend in the last week of term
and this Friday, 12 lucky winners will be picked who will win prizes of between £5 and £25 in value.
Students have worked very hard this term and this last week has seen plenty of opportunities for students to
celebrate their achievements and to reflect back on success through their Gold Book assemblies. The annual
Christmas dinners have also given our students the opportunity to spend valuable time together within their
House. It is so important that in our fast paced modern life we take the time to value each other and spend
time talking and eating together.
Back in September we launched a major reading initiative called AVS 50. As you are all aware good reading
skills provide students with better opportunities to access the curriculum and ultimately better chances in the
GCSE exams at the end of year 11. If you haven’t already done so, please do take time to choose a good
book for your child as a Christmas present and encourage them to spend time reading during the holiday. It
will benefit their imagination and their ability to engage with text – and give you a bit of peace and quiet during
a hectic holiday too!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and to send my best wishes for the
New Year. Thank-you for your support throughout 2016 – I look forward to working with you all to ensure
another great year for our school in 2017.
Alison Davies
Head Teacher
STAY
ANOTHER
DAY
See this year’s staff
Christmas video at
https://youtu.be/6qBurmlqelY
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