13^th to 17^th January 2025

Week A

A Message from Mr. Whiteley

Thank you for your patience over the course of this first week back as the weather has posed some challenges for us. We have tried our best to keep open as much as possible, as we are aware of how hard it is for families when schools are closed.

Please be assured that you are under no pressure to take any additional risks. If you feel that your son's journey to school is too difficult because of the weather conditions, or if you have been affected by the local chaos on public transport, you can make the decision to keep your son at home.  This is not a problem, he will not be penalised, but please let us know so that we know that he is safe and can record his absence accordingly. 

Similarly, if your son is late due to the snow and ice, we will not record his lateness, and it will not affect his attendance scores. We simply want him to be here and safe.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel parents' evening for years 12 and 13 tonight. It will be rescheduled in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow's weather forecast is for more snow and icy conditions. I will let you know as early as possible if we are forced to close.  During these conditions, we allow pupils to keep their coats on in and around the building, so please be assured that everyone is safe and warm.

Luckily, over the weekend the forecast is for a significant improvement with temperatures up in double figures next week, so things can return to normal.

A reminder to parents that meetings with staff must be by appointment only.  Staff are not in a position to attend ad-hoc meetings.  If you wish to meet with a particular member of staff to discuss something, please contact the school office via telephone or email (admin@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk) and make your request.  Admin staff will pass your request on to the relevant person, and an appointment will be made.

Since implementing our phone-free school policy, we've seen a significant boost in student learning. Students are more focused in class, participate more actively in discussions, and outside of the classroom we are witnessing much more social engagement and play.

The school mobile phone policy states that:

Should students be found to be using their mobile phone without consent during the school day their phone will be confiscated and stored safely until the end of the school day. Confiscated phones will be stored securely. These can be collected by children from the canteen no earlier than 3.20 pm.

Students will receive negative behaviour points and after-school detention. Should students refuse to hand their mobile phone to a member of staff, parents will be contacted. Repeat offences will lead to a more severe sanction and possibly suspension.

However, there are a number of students who regularly don't bring a pouch in.  It is each student’s responsibility to look after their pouch and to ensure that if they bring a phone in to school, they have their pouch with them. From next week, parents will be contacted by house office staff if pupils repeatedly fail to bring their pouch to school with them.

If the pouch has been lost or damaged, replacement pouches are available from reception and via the current payment system, ParentPay for £25. 

Y9 Option Choices for Study in Y10 and Y11

If your son is in Y9, he will be asked to choose 4 subjects to study as part of his curriculum in years 10 and 11.

A booklet detailing this process will be sent out to you via email by the end of next week and will also be available on our website. A hard copy can be made available on request to help reduce the use of paper.

To help make the correct choices, subject teachers will be talking to your son in class over the next few weeks, and you will also get an opportunity to talk with them at the Y9 parents' evening on Thursday 30^th January.

Following the Y9 parents' evening, an electronic form will be issued for you to agree your son's option choices, to be submitted by Monday 10^th February (paper copy available on request). 

In addition to this, members of the school's leadership team will be available to support any parents by talking through the process and the options booklet at an optional drop-in session anytime between 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday 16^th January in the sixth form block. It should be noted that this session is for technical enquiries on the process and no subject teachers will be present. Students are not expected to attend this session.

Don't Dodge December

We had a wonderful festive celebration on the last day of term for all the students that attended school all day every day throughout December.  Students enjoyed some delicious treats while listening to Christmas music with their friends. Thank you to Refreshment Systems Limited for the hot chocolate and the cups that they provided for our event. 

Drama Club will start again next Friday 17^th January.

Charity Fundraising

The Mosslands School Sixth Form takes to the illuminated streets of Liverpool! Our incredible team of staff and Sixth Form students will be walking 8K through the streets of Liverpool for a cause that touches so many lives– The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

Every step we take helps support The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in their mission to provide world-class cancer treatment to patients across the North West. This cause resonates with so many of our school community, where many of us have experienced first-hand the invaluable care and support that Clatterbridge provides. Vital funds are needed to provide life changing care and support and we hope to make a difference as Team Mosslands.

As we prepare to light up Liverpool in this year's Glow Green walk, we're reaching out to you to be part of this meaningful journey. Whether it's £1 or £100, your donation will help brighten the lives of cancer patients and their families. Will you help us make a difference?

https://www.justgiving.com/page/themosslandsschool

Library

The Year 8 Spelling Bee starts next Friday (17^th January) during am reg, and we hope that as many students as possible will take part!

For book events, reading recommendations and more, follow us on Instagram @library_mosslands.

Careers

On Tuesday 21^st January WBC are hosting a Health and Care Careers Fair at The Hive from 2-7pm. This event is to support employers in Wirral who have large-scale recruitment requirements. The stands on the day will host employers in the health and social care sectors to reach, engage, and onboard potential applicants.  This event will connect employers and training providers with Wirral residents who are interested in a career in the sector. Residents will have the opportunity to speak to employers directly, find out what a career in health and social care would look like for them, and make job applications in person. Visitors can also explore training and apprenticeship opportunities as well as apply for college courses too. This will be a great opportunity for students who want to find out more about the sector and start their journey towards a career in this sector. 

Adult courses starting soon at Wirral Met

https://www.wmc.ac.uk/adultcourses/2025courses

Parents of SEND pupils in years 9-11 will soon be receiving a letter with regards to our careers fair on 28^th January. Please look out for it as a response is required.

Upcoming Events

Access all Areas Year 11 group visit to Liverpool John Moores University on Thursday 16^th January

Access all Areas Year 11 group visit to University College London on Monday 20^th January

Mosslands Careers Fair years 9, 11 and 6th Form on Tuesday 28^th January      

Chester University Year 9 on Tuesday 4^th February

Work Experience Year 10

We will be starting to place students who were not able to find their own placement for the work experience in March over the next few weeks. We hope to have all placements confirmed by half-term in February. Any issues, please contact the Careers Team.

Munich Trip

Please ensure you have sent a copy of your son's passport to Mr White. You can email a photo of it via admin@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk marked for Mr White's attention. The balance is available to be paid on ParentPay.

Bikeability

At the end of last term, Year 8 students took part in the Bikeability programme to ensure they are safe on the roads.

Art Department

You can follow us on Instagram @art_mosslands to see some fabulous examples of the work produced by our students.

Reporting an Absence 

Parents must telephone the school attendance line (0151 638 8131, option 1) on the first day of absence before 8.45am and on each subsequent day of absence. Alternatively, you can email attendance@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk. Please do not use the admin@mosslands email or the contact school option on the My Child at School app as these do not go directly to attendance, and you may still get a truancy call. It is our duty to keep your child safe, so if you do not inform us, you will receive a truancy call. You will receive 6 further calls until you respond.  The number which will display as an incoming call is a Sheffield number, 0114 303 4042.