End of Term Letter - July 2025

Dear Parents/Carers,

As the summer break begins, I would like to thank you sincerely for your continued support during this academic term. This letter marks the close of my first term as Headteacher, and I want to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for the warm welcome I have received. Having worked at Newman for several years, it has been a privilege to step into this role and begin leading a community I care deeply about.

Over the past term, I have seen first-hand the exceptional commitment of our staff, the enthusiasm and resilience of our students, and the invaluable partnership we share with you as parents and carers. Together, we continue to build a college that is centred on Christ, driven by aspiration, and united by our Catholic values.

Highlights:

• Our Year 11 students approached their public examinations with maturity and focus. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to celebrating their results in August.

• We welcomed our new Year 7 cohort with a full transition programme to support a smooth and confident start to secondary school life in September.

• We have continued to raise standards in behaviour, learning, and personal development across the college ensuring that every child is seen, known, and supported to flourish.

• The pupils have been offered many experiences from trips to Rome, Berlin, London, Belgium, Duke of Edinburgh, Fieldwork experiences, University visits, Theatre visits and much more.

• We have been awarded the EPDA (Excellence in Personal Development Award), Gold School Games Mark and Faith in Action awards by Bishop John.

• We have seen the pupils demonstrate their God given talents in the Christmas Concert, Summer Concert, school production of Matilda, came fourth in the country for Debate mate, celebrated multiple sporting achievements and much more.

• Dawn’s Pantry was opened in May to support our local community and a massive thank you for all the donations of food, money, and preloved uniform.

• We have celebrated our faith and our rich cultures; Culture Day, Faith Formation days, celebrated masses throughout the year and have worked closely with our Parish priests.

September news:

• Drama will be taught as a discrete subject from September in KS3, after a successful appointment of Mrs Burrough, Drama Curriculum Leader.

• Year 10 will be the first cohort to study Psychology GCSE under the leadership of Miss Kelleher.

• Year 10 will have the opportunity to carry out work experience due to changes in DFE guidance.

• The School Council will be launched in September along with our Head Students, Senior Prefects, Prefects, Form Captains and Vice Form Captains, Pupil Chaplains, Anti- Bullying Ambassadors, Sports Captains, Caritas Ambassadors and Mini Vinnies. This will give pupils many opportunities to help shape the college.

• Year 7 and 8 will start our Catholic Character Education program in form time which will tie in with our Formation Friday. This will allow the pupils time to reflect on the Gospel reading of that week and look at how they can be positive role models in society.

  
  

Key Dates

• College closes: Tuesday 22^nd July at 15:15

• GCSE Results Day: Thursday 21^st August 2025

• Staff return: Monday 1^st September

• Students return: Tuesday 2^nd September at 08:30

A full bulletin is below, containing important reminders about expectations, daily routines, and key policies for the upcoming academic year.

Thank you once again for your trust and partnership. I wish you and your families a safe, restful and joyful summer.

We return in September with continued ambition and shared purpose, always striving to be the best we can be for our young people, for each other, and in the light of the Gospel.

Mrs K. Phillips

Headteacher

Pastoral & Achievement Bulletin – Summer 2025

End of Term & September Return

• College closes: Tuesday 22nd July, 15:15.

• Staff return (INSET): Monday 1st September.

• Students return: Tuesday 2nd September – all years (7–11), full day.

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College Day Timings

• College opens: 08:30 (students can purchase breakfast and prepare for the day).

• Warning bell: 08:45 (students should move to Form Time, school gates close).

• Form Time: 08:50 (late after this).

• Finish: 15:15.

  
  

Uniform Expectations

·        Footwear: Black school shoes only. Trainer style shoes, canvas pumps, or boots of any kind are not permitted.

·        Trousers: Tailored only. Skinny fit are not permitted.

• Skirts: College-issued with logo, worn correctly (not rolled up) and of an appropriate length. Black tailored trousers are an alternative.

• Socks/Tights: Plain black ankle socks or plain black tights only. Knee-high, over-the-knee, frilled/lace socks, or coloured socks are not permitted. 

• Headscarves: Plain black only.

• Phones: These remain banned on site. Any necessary contact between students and home should go through reception.

• Not allowed: Makeup, jewellery, false nails/lashes/tan, nail varnish & piercings.

  
  

PE Kit

• Compulsory items: Newman PE t-shirt, Newman shorts, and (optional) Newman tracksuit bottoms with the logo. A ¼ zip top is also available (recommended due to outdoor PE).

• Leggings: Plain black leggings/under armour can be worn under the Newman PE shorts and t-shirt.

• Footwear: Trainers must be worn – college shoes are not acceptable for PE.

• Injury/Illness: Students unable to participate must still wear their PE kit and take on an alternative role.

• Headscarves: Must be securely fastened for health and safety reasons.

Daily Equipment Checklist

• College bag.

• Pencil case: black pen, green pen, pencil, ruler, calculator.

• Full PE kit.

Daily checks by Form Tutors, missing items must be borrowed and signed for.

Attendance & Punctuality

Excellent attendance is essential for academic success. We ask all parents/carers to work with us to ensure their child achieves 100% attendance by:

• Ensuring daily attendance.

• Report absence on day one.

• Book appointments outside school hours.

• No term-time holidays – fixed penalty will apply.

  
  

Stay Connected – Arbor App

Thank you to all parents who use the Arbor app, this is our primary method of communication.

• All communication, reports, rewards & homework via Arbor. 

• Please ensure email is up to date.

• Issues? Contact: IThelp@newmanrc.oldham.sch.uk App can be downloaded from the Apple or Android store by searching Arbor Parent App.
  

Travel & Site Access

• Bus timetables: visit the Bee Network here– Newman RC College | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM

• For the safety of children and staff, please do not use surrounding streets or college grounds for pick-up/drop-off. Please make use of the San Rocco carpark.

• Students who make their own way to school are reminded to be respectful of our local community, including neighbouring houses and residents.

• Site access reserved for staff, visitors, and buses.

  
  

Homework

• Set and tracked via Arbor app (students & parents).

• Non-completion will trigger notification to parents/carers.

  
  

Assessments & Progress – KS3 (Y7–9)

• Mid-Year Assessments: HT3

• End-of-Year Assessments: HT6

• Progress Check 1: February

• Progress Check 2: July
  

Assessments & Progress – KS4 (Y10–11)

Year 11:

• Mock Week 1: w/c 13^th October

• Mock Results Day 1: 24^th November

• Mock Week 2: w/c 9^th February

• Mock Results Day 2: 13^th March

• Progress Check 1: November

• Progress Check 2: March

Year 10:

• Mock Week: w/c 2^nd April

• Mock Results Day: 22^nd May

• Progress Check: May
  

*Not all mock and external assessments/ exams are listed; all will be communicated individually for students involved.

Parents’ Evenings (16:00–19:15)

• Year 11: Thursday 15^th January

• Year 10: Thursday 5^th February

• Year 9: Thursday 5^th March

• Year 8: Thursday 19^th March

• Year 7: Thursday 23^rd April
  

Other Key Events

• Y11 GCSE Ready Evening: Thursday 11^th September (17:30–19:30)

• Open Evening: Thursday 18^th September (17:30–19:30)

• Y10 & Y11 Careers Evening: Thursday 2^nd October

• Y9 Pathways Marketplace: Wednesday 25^th February