Students from years 7 – 10 at Felpham Community College are celebrating a successful ‘Dance House’ performance, held at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis.

The extra-curricular team took part in the event along with 7 other local schools, performing to a packed audience on Monday 23^rd January. The FCC dance was titled ‘Game Over’, with the storyline of the group being trapped in a video game. The piece explored the impact digital games have on our society.

Miss Crocker, Teacher of dance commented:
“I am so proud of the team. They have worked extremely hard on the piece, putting in lots of hours of practice! It was great to see them on a professional stage showcasing their talents to a paid audience. We are now busy rehearsing for the ‘FCC Move It!’ Summer show, which will be a mixture of solos, duets and bigger group numbers. Our Blake building has an excellent studio for students to use for all the performing arts courses and extra-curricular clubs we do, and dance is going from strength to strength. We are also now offering Dance for the first time as a GCSE option from this September which is exciting.”

The National Education Union (NEU) have voted to take industrial action in schools across the country on Wednesday 1^st February 2023. The strike is happening because of a national dispute between the union and the government over teachers’ pay, and not because of any issues specifically at our school. 

At FCC, a very large proportion of our teachers are members of the NEU, (currently over 80%). After careful consideration, I am sorry to have to inform you that Felpham Community College will be closed on Wednesday 1^st February 2023, and we are asking you not to send your child into school on this day.

We have not taken this decision lightly. We remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all our students, and feel that we would be unable to provide this with the very limited staff we will have available. 

Students may wish to work at home on their set homework tasks on the day of the strike, or alternatively work on education platforms such as The Oak National Academy or BBC Bitesize.

(The school will be open for children of some critical workers and for our most vulnerable children. If you are a critical worker and wish to book a place for your child on the day, please complete the form using the link here. The Sixth Form Hub will be open for Year 12 & 13 for private study.)

I am sorry that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child at short notice, and that they will experience disruption to their education. I understand that this situation may be frustrating, and ask that all members of our school community continue to treat each other with respect. It is unlikely that the industrial action will be called off, but if this were to happen, we will contact parents to confirm that the school will be open.

There are three further national strike days which may affect FCC this term: 2^nd March, 15^th March and 16^th March. Details of the arrangements for these days will be provided nearer the time.

If you have any questions, please contact the school and I will do my best to respond.

Mark Anstiss
Headteacher

Students from years 9 upwards were invited to attend a careers event at Felpham Community College, held on Wednesday 18^th January at the school. The event was an opportunity for students and their parents/carers to talk to employers, educational establishments and training providers to find out more about what is on offer locally and nationally post 16.

Year 10 students attended the event within the school day, with year 9, 11 and sixth form invited to attend with their families in the evening. There was a wide range of people presenting including local businesses, universities and public sector organisations.

Mrs Woodman, Careers Leader, commented: “It is great to be able to offer this event to our students as there are so many opportunities and different pathways after school out there. We have grown the event since last year and would like to give a massive thank you to all the individuals, businesses and educational establishments who attended. It was great to see so many students and their families mingling and asking questions. Next year we plan for it to be bigger again!”

Thank you to the following for attending:
Barfoots of Botley Ltd, Innovate Tax, Strohacker Design School, GTR, Rolls-Royce, Royal Navy, Thakeham Group, Sussex University, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Bay Tree Estates, Seal Bay Resort, Saab Seaeye, Vertical Leap, N A Colgate Property Maintenance Services, Allied Healthcare, BIMM, Chestnut Tree House Hospice, Chichester University, Plumpton College, Felpham Sixth Form

Year 11 students at Felpham Community College attended their mock results presentation assembly on Wednesday 11^th January.

Supported by their Form Tutors and Year Office, it was an opportunity to reflect on what they have achieved so far in their final year of key stage 4 education, as well as identifying what they now need to do before the Summer exams.

Mock exams were held before the Christmas holidays, in strict exam conditions. After presentations, results were distributed at the assembly in the same style of final results, so that students can experience the whole process and know what to expect in the Summer.

Miss Greenland, Year 11 Leader commented: “It was great to look round the hall as students were opening their envelopes and see so many happy faces. Students worked really hard preparing for their exams, we are proud of the effort they have put in with revision and planning. The following day, we had our parent and student consultation evening, to discuss action plans and get everything in place to keep year 11 motivated, focused and calm in their final term of FCC.”

Adam Francis and Imogen Orde, year 11 students commented: “Between us we received 11 grade 9s and 3 grade 8s as well as some 7s and 6s – when we opened the results we were so pleased! We both worked hard with revising, we found watching video clips and online apps our best methods, and doing it in small chunks. The teachers have been good supporting us through the exams and how to prepare. We want to improve on our grades for the summer and then come back in September in the sixth form. I want to study chemistry, maths and further maths (Imogen) and go onto to study engineering. I want to have a career as a software engineer (Adam) so hope to study maths, computer science, physics and further maths.

Your son/daughter is approaching the important time in their education where they decide what option subjects they would like to study in Year 10 and 11.

To make the process as informative as possible, we have created a timeline of activities for you to engage in, with your child, in order to select the correct options.

Our Year 9 Consultation Evening is on Thursday 2nd February from 4.00-7.00pm for parent/carers and students. It is important to note that this evening is face to face at the school and we ask that students attend alongside parents/carers so they can participate and benefit first hand from the appointments and the presentation regarding KS4 Options.

I will be making three 10-minute presentations with Mr Whiffin (Deputy Headteacher) to outline the move to Key Stage 4 (KS4) and how to choose GCSE/Level 2 options. Presentations will take place at 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm; space is restricted, so please email fcc@felpham.org.uk by Wednesday 1st February 2023 with your child’s name and which presentation you will be attending.

You will be sent a link from school cloud to book your face to face ‘in school’ consultation appointments. Please ensure your appointments are booked around the presentation you may be attending.

Teachers of option subjects new to students, such as psychology, media studies, health & social care and business will be available in the cafeteria before, between and after the presentations.

Please find below the timeline for the Options process:

1. Students will receive an options assembly on Wednesday 18th January.
2. The Key Stage 4 Options booklet will be emailed to students and parents/carers on Friday 20th January and will also be on our website, along with subject videos.
3. The option choices Cognito form will be emailed to parents/carers on Friday 27th January.
4. Consultation evening at FCC is on Thursday 2nd February.
5. The deadline for option choices is Thursday 9th February.

If you have any questions about any of the above please contact me, or Mrs Wilson (Year 9 Manager).

I look forward to seeing you at the evening.

Mrs Reeves
Year 9 Leader