Behaviour Curriculum Bulletin

Very much like an academic curriculum map where all the schemes of learning and lesson resources are carefully planned out across the Academic Year, a Behaviour Curriculum plans out everything that falls into the world of 'pastoral'. It covers everything from assembly themes, tutor time activities, lesson routines, evacuation drills as well as student voice opportunities and extra events across the site. The focus for everything on the Behaviour Curriculum is making sure it fits into our school Preparedness Principles of: Achieve, Belong, Connect, Develop as well as building a culture of good character within our young people. We want there to be a reason and purpose to everything we do.

 

So far this term we have had extra transition assemblies and workshops, our connect and sing workshop and a road safety workshop for Year 7 - they have definitely had a packed schedule alongside our usual assembly and PSHE themes. Year 7 has our big London trip coming up on the 23rd October as well as ending the half term with a celebration assembly and taking part in their first 'Own It' session where they reflect on the last half term and set themselves some targets for the new half term coming up.

 

We have also had an extra transition assembly for Year 8 and many students getting involved in the School Council meetings as well as representing the school last week by helping at our Open Evening. It was fantastic to see so many Year 8's confidently speaking to parents and visitors and showing them around our school. Year 8 will also be ending the half term with a celebration assembly and taking part in their first 'Own It' session where they reflect on the last half term and set themselves some targets for the new half term coming up.

 

Year 9 students have had a series of vaccinations already this half term as well as an opportunity to have their updated school photos. They have also had a first aid focus within PSHE before moving onto a topic linked to finances and budgeting. Year 9 will also be ending the half term with a celebration assembly and taking part in their first 'Own It' session where they reflect on the last half term and set themselves some targets for the new half term coming up.

 

Year 10 students have also had some additional 'Welcome to KS4' transition sessions and will be having an assembly this week focused on thinking ahead for college opportunities. We have also had an increase in Year 10 students wanting to represent themselves and their peers as a Student Leader and attended our first student council meeting at the end of September which has been great to see, and there is certainly space for more students to get involved. Year 10 will also be ending the half term with an Aspirations Day as well as a celebration assembly and taking part in their first 'Own It' session where they reflect on the last half term and set themselves some targets for the new half term coming up.

 

Year 11 students have been having a lot of outside visitors into assembly to support them with the process of applying to college and preparing for Year 12 opportunities ahead. Yes we are starting to think about this already and most college open evenings are across the month of October. Year 11 students will also have their first progress report released this week and some of our Year 11 Dance students are participating in a workshop next week. We also hope to see as many of you as possible on the 16th for our first parents evening of the Academic Year. Year 11 will also be ending the half term with a celebration assembly and taking part in their first 'Own It' session where they reflect on the last half term and set themselves some targets for the new half term coming up. I also wanted to flag to Year 11 parents in particular that we have a few parent workshops focusing on supporting young people during exam periods, especially focusing on exam anxiety. They will be led by the MHST team on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd October. Places can be booked on the MHST Eventbrite: NELFT Essex MHST Events - 4 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

 

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This week is also Achieve Week and all students will be receiving a short daily email each morning focusing on how students learn best. Each message links to one of five key research-backed strategies that explain why our lessons are structured the way they are.The aim is to help students understand that achievement isn’t just about results — it’s about how they learn and how they can get better. Here’s what’s being shared each day this week:

Day	Focus	Message Summary
Monday	Retrieval Practice	Remember more by recalling what you’ve learned — “use it or lose it.”
Tuesday	Spacing & Interleaving	Learning a little and often works better than cramming.
Wednesday	Avoiding Distractions	Music and multitasking reduce focus and memory.
Thursday	Dual Coding	Using words and visuals together helps ideas stick.
Friday	Self-Explanation & Talk	Explaining your thinking strengthens understanding.

Miss Bradshaw - "It has been a big and exciting time for our Year 7 students. They have strongly embraced the new school term; positively building a great foundation for the rest of the Academic Year. Students have been getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities, a key element in developing friendship and connecting with the wider school community. Recently the Year 7 cohort had a fantastic opportunity to take part in a singing workshop which brought our students together, boosting their creativity by experimenting with different sounds, melodies and rhythms. It was great to see so many of you at the parent performance at the end of the day."

 

 

Miss Garcia - "Year 8's have already really stepped up this year. They have been such positive role models and a friendly face to the new year 7's! Well done Team Year 8!"

 

 

Mrs Honeyman - "Year 9 have settled well into this important stage of their school journey. They have approached their academic studies with real maturity and focus, especially their Humanities and Technology choices. Year 9 should be proud of the positive start they have made, and I look forward to seeing their confidence and talents continue to grow throughout the year ahead."

 

 

 

Mr Day - "We are excited to welcome up to 30 guests from various professions (many ex HDHS students) who will be joining us for our Year 10 Aspirations Day on Friday 24th October. I cannot wait for the Year 10 students to experience this great opportunity."

 

 

 

Mrs Abbott - "Big improvements in attendance for Year 11 so far this term, putting us up near the top of the table for all Sigma schools. I am really impressed with how the students have come back focused and ready to achieve their best possible grades in the summer exam series. Lots of students are already doing extra independent study to help them progress further. I am really proud of the focus I have seen so far."

 

 

I also just wanted to take this opportunity to raise awareness about Period Poverty. As the cost of living continues to bite, a new ActionAid poll has revealed that 21% (more than one in five) women and people who menstruate in the UK are now struggling to afford period products - up from 12% in just one year. More than a quarter of survey respondents (28%) said they were able to rely on period products available at school or work, but for 17% they stayed at home. This means missing out on school, work, exercising or socialising, all of which can have wider implications for their mental health, wellbeing, and future. Period products are expensive and we know there is a stigma around asking for support in this area, but I wanted to let you know that we have thousands of free products to give out at school. Students will hopefully be aware of this and there are multi collection points throughout the school. But if you would like products to have at home please just email me (charlotte.doyle@hdhs.school) and I will ensure a bag of products are discreetly left at reception for you and your family.