Useful Information & News for Parents

Blue Moon Walk

Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00

Hi, my name is Rosie Van Raalte.  Having already been diagnosed with diabetes in late 2005, I was then diagnosed with osteosarcoma (primary bone cancer) in September 2008.  I underwent nine months of gruelling chemotherapy on the children’s ward at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge and also underwent a major operation at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore where the tumour was removed from my left arm and then reconstructed using bone from my left leg. 

Despite having this difficulty in my life, I have realised how lucky I have been and want to help other young people in the future who are similarly faced with cancer.  Therefore, after jointly winning the Bernard Matthews Youth Award for Bravery back in February this year, which included £500, I decided to donate half of this to Teenage Cancer Trust.  To increase this amount I have organised the Blue Moon Walk – a fun filled charity walk around Norwich on Friday, 10th September between 8pm and 11pm to raise funds for the construction of the first Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge.  These units are so important because at the moment young people are either scattered on children’s wards or adult wards which each cater for completely different needs from those of teenagers.   To be able to be treated in an age appropriate environment is great because you can talk about your cancer and teenage worries with people of the same age who are in the same situation.

Please come and join me, my family, Darren Huckerby - ex Norwich City Football Superstar and Jackson Williams - Ultra Athlete on Friday 10th September and help us help young people facing cancer. 

The Blue Moon Walk starts and finishes at the Forum, Norwich and is sponsored by the Darren Huckerby Trust.  There will be entertainment from The Garage, Taverham Brass Band, NYFC Gospel Choir, Stilt Walkers and lots more.  Also, SNYA radio with be broadcasting live and will be looking for walkers to come and talk to them live on air. For more information and to receive a registration form and pack you can contact me at the Blue Moon  Walk on 07570 893296, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website www.bluemoonwalk.co.uk  where you can download a registration form.  Registration for adults is £10 and £5 for 18s and under. 


Please come and help me raise lots of money for this great cause.

Attendance and Holiday Absence

Friday, 02 July 2010 11:32

At Sprowston Community High School, we will report your child’s attendance to you whenever you receive information about your child’s progress; that is 3 times per year.

If we have concerns about your child’s absence, you will receive a call  from an attendance officer. This is because we are monitoring  the well being of your child as well as academic performance. If you have any concerns , please contact the office where you will find someone to help you.

Holiday Absence

Please be aware that holiday absence is only authorised by the school ( this will show as H on the register if your child’s attendance is at or above the school target of 94%. Any other holiday absence will show as G. However both codes will affect your child’s attendance figure.

This approach to requests for holiday absence is approved by the local education authority.

There are also certain points in the your child’s time with us when we do not authorise any absence for holidays. Obviously for Year 7  we do not authorise holiday absence in the autumn term as we are concerned that your child should settle in to this new school and get used to a new curriculum.

Police Carry Out Spot Checks in Sprowston Pubs

Thursday, 01 July 2010 11:43

A number of spot checks were carried out at licensed premises in Sprowston and Old Catton, last weekend.

Officers from Sprowston and Spixworth Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) joined forces with Special Constabulary officers to visit pubs to check their licence, drink promotions and the age of their customers, as part of a policing priority to reduce anti-social behaviour.

A number of visits were made with only one premise found to be serving alcohol to underage drinkers.  The two youths aged 16 and 17 were caught red-handed, had their drinks confiscated and were asked to leave.  The pub has been reported to Trading Standards and the Licensing Department.

Police Community Support Officer Luke Calton-Porter said: “The majority of the pubs satisfied the all of the conditions and staff were aware and able to spot youngsters trying to buy alcohol.

“The checks were successful and raised the awareness among licence holders and their customers that we can turn up unannounced and if anyone who is underage and drinking alcohol will be dealt with positively”. 

Children under 18 are not permitted by law to buy alcohol in licensed premises. Police are also warning members of the public that it is an offence to purchase alcohol on behalf of anyone under 18. The person who passes the alcohol to under 18 is committing a serious offence and could be prosecuted.  If you are approached with such a request, you are advised to report it to the police.

If you have concerns about underage alcohol sales in your area, please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team  on 0845 456 4567.

Spanish Trip Update - 21 June 2010

Monday, 21 June 2010 11:52

We have just received the following short message from our colleagues travelling with a group of students as part of this year's Sprowston High Spanish trip:

"After a long, but smooth and uneventful, coach and ferry journey we arrived safely at 12:30pm (BST) in a warm and sunny Cantabria in Santander. Weather looks set to stay sunny for the rest of the week. Hotels are comfortable and everybody is settling in before spending the afternoon exploring. We have a lovely sea view and are dying to get in the swimming pool! Went through some fantastic scenery and we'll be exploring the area as the week goes on."

Student Bus Passes

Monday, 21 June 2010 11:17

All bus passes for September are being issued from Student Reception this year and not sent in the post as in previous years.

Lost Property

Monday, 21 June 2010 10:37

There is a large mountain of lost property at Student Reception.  Please could all parents and carers remind students to come and have a look for any lost items (which range from coats, jumpers, jewellery, shoes, shoes and more shoes).

Any items remaining at the end of the term will be disposed of.

Kett Art Show at St Margaret’s Art Gallery on St Benedict Street in Norwich

Monday, 21 June 2010 08:42

The annual Kett Art Show features a wide variety of 6th Form work including; Photography, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Printing, Textiles and Painting. The exhibition opens on Monday 21st June with a Private View from 7 – 9pm, it then runs from 10am to 6pm each day up until the final day on Saturday 26th when the exhibition closes at noon.

Spanish Trip Reminders for Parents

Monday, 14 June 2010 12:20

The time for the Sprowston Community High School annual Spanish trip is almost upon us and here are few last minute reminders from Ms young:

• We depart on Sunday 20 June at 11.30 am.
• Please be at the school and ready for departure 45 minutes beforehand.
• Please remember to pay the £32 excursion money before we go, if not already paid.
• Passports, European health card and pocket money need to be in an overnight bag for the coach.
• Earplugs are also a good idea.
• Students have a final lunchtime meeting in school at 12.30 pm on Thursday 17 June in room FB01.

As useful reminders, here is the itinerary for the Spanish trip to Cantabria (.PDF, 1.3 Mb) and the equipment list for the trip (.PDF, 56 Kb).

Broadland Police Extending the Use of DNA to Catch Criminals

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 10:39

Police in Broadland have been given further funding to roll out a security marking initiative to trace the tracks of burglars.

The high tech property marking solution, SelectaDNA will now reach more victims of crime thanks to a £3000 cash injection.

Read more: Broadland Police Extending the Use of DNA to Catch Criminals

Bringing Water Into School

Monday, 14 June 2010 13:31

Please ensure your child attends school with a water bottle and encourage them to drink regularly during the day.  The bottles can be refilled at break and lunchtime. Dehydration is so easy in hot weather and a drop in concentration and focus are the first signs of this.