Welcome to our new website. The website gives you general information about Holy Family Catholic School and we hope that you will find it useful and informative.

The beginning of a new year sees many students coming to an end of their courses!  In Year 11, students have sat their mock examinations, have their grades and are now working towards reaching them in their final examaination. In Year 13 the 'A' Level students have now completed their University application forms and are awaiting offers. Even our Year 9 students are becoming aware of their SATs examinations due to take place early May.  Now, even I am becoming more aware of coming to the end of my career in teaching!

In the meantime the builders are in again, this time to complete the refurbishment of the old P.E block.  this work should see the school equipped with a new Performing Arts Facility which we are calling "The Studio".  It will allow for the teaching of Drama, Dance and Movement, and other aspects of P.E which do not involve kicking a ball!  The work is scheduled for completion by Easter.

C M Davis

STUDENT PLANNER

All pupils are given a student planner, which includes the following:

- The School prayer - prayers used regularly in school - The Mass.
- School rules and procedures.
- Personal attendance record.
- Facility for recording merits and credits.
- Space for students to record homework on a daily basis.
- Recording Achievement procedures.
- Library card.

Students are required to use their planners each day in school and these will be checked regularly by form tutors. We would also encourage parents to use the planner as a quick way of communicating with the school e.g. absence notes.

HOME/SCHOOL CONSULTATION

We actively encourage links between home and school and welcome the involvement of parents wherever possible.

Formal meetings are arranged for each year group. At these consultation evenings parents are invited to discuss academic progress with academic tutors or subject teachers.

We are also very keen to foster less formal links: we have a very active Parent Teacher Association. The committee meets regularly and arranges a full and varied programme of social and educational events. The P.T.A. also provides us with an invaluable source of income in these times of economic stringency. We warmly welcome parents to help in enhancing the provision for our young people.

PROCEDURE TO RECEIVE AND HEAR COMPLAINTS

The governors have accepted the Bradford Council's policy on Complaints Procedure.

The governors would like you to contact the School (usually the Year Head in the first instance) if anything at all worries you about your child's educational welfare at school. They firmly believe that all young people are entitled to receive the best possible education within our schools. Governors, teachers and all school staff are working together to ensure that the school provides the best possible education for all.

Any concerns you may have should be raised with the Year Head in the first instance; this can usually provide reassurance and resolve problems speedily.

There is a new procedure to deal with complaints about the school curriculum, collective worship and religious education.

Further information about this procedure is obtainable from any governor, the Head at the school or from the Area Education Office.

PARENTS AND HOMEWORK

It is the policy of the school to set regular timetabled homework. Students are issued with a homework timetable and parents are asked to co-operate with the school in ensuring that good habits of private study are encouraged.

The aim of giving homework is to provide the opportunity for self-organised learning through which will develop habits of self-discipline. Parents should help to promote a positive attitude to homework in every way possible, with tact, sensitivity and encouragement. An over-critical or negative approach to children's work will only encourage negative and resentful attitudes to homework in particular and study in general.

POLICY

The school policy is that homework will be set for all children and will be appropriate according to their age, ability and the subject matter in hand at the time.

PURPOSE

Homework is set when it is meaningful in educational terms, and relevant to classwork being undertaken at the time.

SUBJECT APPROACH

Departments, at times may vary the amount of, type and homework given according to the ability of the pupil and the degree of difficulty experienced at that stage and according to educational needs.

TIME ALLOCATION

This is a very generalised guide and all the information contained in the above should be considered when assessing how much homework should be set and done.