Dear Parent/Guardian

I hope that you have had a restful summer break. I look forward to welcoming pupils back over the coming weeks, with a particular welcome to our new Year 8 pupils, many of whom I had the opportunity to say hello to in June. I hope that they quickly feel at home in Bloomfield.

This letter is simply to remind you of a few important dates and messages regarding the new term. Key dates have already been shared with you and are as follows:

Thursday 15th August	8 am 9- 11 am	AS/A2 results available online AS/A2 results available in school
Thursday 22nd August	9- 11 am	GCSE results available in school
Friday 23rd August	1- 3 pm	Year 13 registration (Sports Hall) Uniform not required Parents may attend
Wednesday 28th August	9- 12 noon	Year 14 Training Event
Thursday 29th August	9 am – 12 noon	Year 8 only and any other new starters – familiarisation and form time
Friday 30th August	9 am – 12 noon	All pupils in school – form time and morning classes
Monday 2nd September	8.45 am – 3.25 pm	All pupils in school – full timetable

Please be aware that the early closures are because the canteen and dedicated school buses are not available to us as an Education Authority Controlled School until 2^nd September. However, a bus to Comber will be available after school closes at noon on Friday 30^th August. 

Examination Results

Results will be available in the school canteen from 9 am on Thursday 15^th August for AS and A2 candidates, and from 9 am on Thursday 22^nd August for GCSE candidates. Alternatively, A level candidates may use their individual PIN that was issued to them by the Examinations Officer last term to access their CCEA results online.

If a pupil is unable to attend school to collect their results, a stamped addressed envelope may be left at reception to enable the results to be posted on the day of issue. Alternatively, a parent or guardian may collect results with the appropriate means of identification. Please contact reception to arrange this in advance. Results will not be issued over the phone or emailed to candidates on the day of the results.  

If you have a query about your results or think that the results you have received are not correct, we can request an awarding body to carry out a review on your behalf. There are several post-results services available, including clerical re-checks and reviews of marking. The cost of these services and application forms will be available at reception following publication of results.

Uniform

As I have often iterated, we are one of the most visible schools in East Belfast, and our reputation is important to us. Part of that is established by our school uniform and appearance. At the outset of this new academic year, I would stress the importance of your support as parent, guardian or carer in ensuring that your child arrives in school wearing uniform correctly; the following points may guide you:

• A blazer must be worn both to and from school and in class unless permission is given to remove it. 
• If a cold or wet day, or wearing PE kit to school, a regulation school jacket or school puffa jacket may be worn over the blazer or hoody, and removed when in school. No other jackets or fleeces are permissible in school.
• To make the judgement of skirt length manageable, please note that skirts should be knee length and must not be rolled up at the waist.
• School shoes must be plain black leather with flat heels. Black trainers or canvas shoes are not permissible.*
• No more than one plain stud earring may be worn in each ear. No other ear, nose or facial piercings are permissible. 
• False nails, false eyelashes and unnaturally coloured hair must be removed or washed out before return to school.
• When wearing PE kit, pupils have the option of wearing plain black Kukri leggings, Kukri leggings with blue trim or the green or black school tracksuit bottoms. Other branded leggings are not allowed, nor are any legging with see through/mesh sections.
• Appropriate trainers must be worn. Please note that pupils wearing Converse trainers or similar will not be permitted to take part in activities as they lack the support necessary.
• PE kit may be worn to and from school on days when timetabled for Games or PE, but not days with extracurricular activities. When wearing PE kit to and from school, only PE hoodies should be worn. Other hoodies or fleeces, including those issued by other organisations within school, should not be worn.

* We are aware that Dr Marten shoes are increasingly being bought for school use; if purchasing this brand, they should be plain black leather with black or yellow stitching only.

I am sure that you have been aware of media attention surrounding post-primary school uniforms. Bloomfield Collegiate does not receive benefits in kind from any of our recommended uniform and kit suppliers. Also, the Senior Leadership Team and Governors are acutely aware of the rising costs associated with school uniform, and will be discussing the issue at Board level early in the first term.

Mobile Phones

In keeping with our policy, pupils should not be using mobile phones in school unless with the permission of, and under the supervision of, a member of staff. If a pupil needs to contact you, they may do so at reception with permission. We will always contact you directly when necessary.

We currently have to deal with a variety of issues where parents are contacting their children directly during the school day. This is not helpful in the running of the school; if you need to contact your child during school hours, please do so via reception.

Mental Health

It may be that your child feels anxious about the return to school.  Please find website links to Young Minds aimed at parents to help support children, which can be found here:

Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

How Parents Can Help With Secondary School Transition | YoungMinds  

Should you have serious concerns, please contact the form teacher who can then ensure that we can offer the appropriate support. 

Staffing Update

As always at this time of year, there have been changes to our staff. We have said fond farewells to Mrs Martelli, Mr Stevenson and Miss Wilgar and we will be welcoming Mr Thompson in IT and Business Studies, while Miss Blaney will be joining us in English and Drama. 

Finally

On your behalf, my thanks to all who have been working over the summer to prepare for the new year, particularly our Examinations Team, Mr McManus and Mrs Wallace, who are responsible for the issuing of examination results, and the Office Staff, Technicians and Classroom Assistants, who have been busy redecorating areas across the school site. 

I wish you and your families a happy and successful academic year.

Mr Greer
Principal