Uniform Launch Night 24th April

Prestatyn High School – New Uniform Launch Event April 2018

Dear Parent \ Guardian

I would like to invite all parents to the official new school uniform launch. After several months of consultation and design, the official new uniform for Prestatyn High is ready to be displayed. The launch evening will be on the 24th April at 6.30 pm until 7.30 pm. The evening will include a presentation by the head teacher and chair of the Uniform Committee, followed by the unveiling of the new uniform. The uniform local suppliers will also be present to inform all parents about the cost and ways to purchase the garments. The uniform suppliers were part of the working party and they have helped produce a top quality uniform at a very affordable price.

The governing body have given a commitment to help reduce the cost of the uniform for Year 11 pupils, as they will only be expected to wear the uniform for one year. In order to further support families, the Governing Body have also agreed that financial support would be available for children that are in receipt of Free School Meals as at May 1st 2018. Parents with multiple pupils at the school will also receive financial support if required. During the evening, the Chair of governors will provide information about how the school will contribute to the above. If any parents have issues surrounding the cost of the uniform not listed above, the school will assist on a case by case basis. The governors want to do everything possible to make sure all families will be able to afford the new uniform.

Unfortunately due to supply, cost and timing problems, there will not be an alternative uniform for consideration.
The Uniform working party unanimously agreed to select the uniform you will see tonight as the official uniform for Prestatyn High School.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of our school community who took part in the consultation process which helped guide the design and ultimate outcome.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Uniform Working Party for their hard work and effort on this project.

Assemblies for all pupils will take place after the launch evening to share this information.
Any other questions will be addressed at this meeting.

Download the letter
Uniform ltr – April 2018

PHS New Uniform – March 2018

Dear Parent \ Guardian

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress the Uniform Working Party and the school, is making towards the introduction and implementation of a new Prestatyn High school uniform.
Over the past few months the working party has met several times to discuss, review and design the new school uniform. The working party was made up of a range of stakeholders from a cross section of our community including Staff, Parents, Pupils, Governors and local uniform suppliers. A decision was made to have two alternative uniforms so that pupils and parents can vote on their preferred option.

It is my great delight to announce that the two final designs of the uniform have now been decided upon. Shortly after the Easter break there will be a further parental and pupil meeting to decide between the two possible uniforms that have been selected for your consideration.

The uniform working party has worked closely with the uniform suppliers so that the uniform is of high quality and very affordable. The meeting after Easter break is the first opportunity to share the design of the uniforms as the suppliers have had to wait for the manufacturers to produce the garments.

Important Information

• The governing body have given a commitment to help reduce the cost of the uniform for Year 11 pupils as they will only be expected to wear the uniform for one year.
• In order to further support families, the Governing Body have agreed that financial support would be available for children that are in receipt of Free School Meals as at May 1st 2018.
• Details on what contribution the school will make to the above and how to access this support will be presented at the meeting after Easter.
• In addition, for pupils who will be in Year 7 in September 2018, parents may be entitled to receive a grant towards the cost of their school uniform which is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Next Steps

• A meeting after Easter break will be arranged to display the two possible uniform options that the Working Party have recommended. A decision will be made at this meeting to select the new Prestatyn High uniform. The date of the meeting will be arranged as soon as the garments arrive.
• Assemblies for all pupils will then take place to share this information.

Any other questions, including how to go about purchasing the new uniform will be addressed at this meeting.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting after Easter break.

With Kind Regards

Neil Foley – B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher

Jo Newell
Vice Chair of Governors
Uniform Committee Chair

Download this parent letter
Uniform ltr – March 2018

Y7/8 Parent Letter – Accelerated Reader

AR Parent Letter

All pupils in Years 7 and 8 at Prestatyn High School are enrolled in Accelerated Reader as part of our whole-­‐school literacy improvement plan. Accelerated Reader is an online computer program that monitors pupils’ independent reading practice and progress. Pupils take online reading tests (STAR tests) four times during the school year. These tests assess pupils’ reading skills and identify the level that they should read at for optimal development. Pupils then choose books at their own level, using the colour-­‐coded system, and read them during directed time in school and at home. When they finish reading books, pupils take short quizzes on the computer. Passing a quiz indicates that the pupil has understood what has been read.

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 are required to carry a suitable Accelerated Reader book in their school bag every day. They are directed to complete silent, focused reading during registration sessions at least three times per week and during dedicated lesson time for up to one hour each week. In addition to this, group tutors will set Accelerated Reader homework, expecting pupils to read for a minimum of ten minutes each day at home. This will be monitored through pupils’ “engaged time” on Accelerated Reader, which calculates the approximate time spent reading per day based upon the length and complexity of the books that pupils pass quizzes on. If using the directed reading time productively, pupils should be able to maintain the expected 20 minutes of engaged time per day that they need to achieve if they wish to be invited to participate in year group trips in the summer term.

Pupils can log on to Accelerated Reader through the link on the school website at any time, allowing them to check their progress and to search for new books that they might enjoy within their identified reading range. Reading quizzes can be accessed between 8am and 5pm on school days.

As with all aspects of their education, your support for Accelerated Reader is vital to your son’s/daughter’s success. I hope that you will encourage them with their reading and celebrate
success with them as they improve and progress.