May 2022
Dear Parent/Carer
Year 11 last few weeks at Mount Carmel
We are fast approaching the start of the GCSE Exams for 2022 and in a short time your child will be leaving Mount Carmel and taking their next steps into further education, training or employment.
The exam season is a stressful time for pupils, and they are likely to be feeling under pressure. You can really support your child by ensuring that they eat properly and at regular intervals, get some early nights and have a quiet area at home to revise. You can support revision by asking questions from their revision material, providing encouragement and, if you feel able, the odd incentive to maintain motivation.
If required, exam equipment packs are available to purchase from school at a cost of £1.50. These packs contain all the stationery required for exams: two black pens, a pencil, eraser, sharpener, protractor and pair of compasses. Please note that they do not include a calculator.
During the GCSE season we will be making changes to the Year 11 timetable in order that pupils have access to last minute revision sessions and enter the exam room feeling as calm and prepared as possible. Pupils will be given a copy of the timetable and Form Tutors will remind them daily where they should be and when. During the exam period we may ask some students to work at home in between exams where we feel this will be beneficial.
Pupils will officially leave school at 12.30pm on Thursday 23 June having finished their final GCSE exam (apart from the Polish exam candidates). Nevertheless, the awarding bodies have designated up until Wednesday 29 June 2022 for a contingency day in the event of national or local disruption to examinations. Pupils do need to remain available up until and including this day. We have arranged a Leavers’ Assembly to celebrate your son/daughter’s five years at Mount Carmel which will be held on Thursday 23 June after the science exam at 11.00am. If your son/daughter would like to ask friends to sign a school shirt on that day, they need to bring a spare shirt so that they do not let uniform standards slip on their last day.
We would like to commend our Year 11 pupils on the fantastic contribution they have made to the family of Mount Carmel during their five years with us. They have been a real credit to themselves and their families. We would also like to thank you as parents/carers for your constant support during the last 5 years.
We are relying on them now to maintain their high standards right up until the very end of their school life and exams and look forward to seeing them at the Year 11 Prom at Foxfield Hotel, Blackburn on Friday 8 July. All students have been invited to attend the prom, nevertheless school reserves the right to withdraw this invitation if your child does not or has not presented appropriate behaviour and or attitude during the exam period. If your child is currently at risk of losing their invitation you will be contacted by school, and we recommend you do not yet buy or book any items that will leave you out of pocket if the invitation is withdrawn. The final decision about pupils attending the prom will be made by Mr Bowers immediately after the last exam.
I would also like to ask parents to remind their child of the importance of keeping themselves safe when undertaking any leaving school celebrations, especially with friends when not supervised by adults. It is this time of the year that youngsters can be easily influenced by others putting themselves at risk at late night celebrations and a lack of care regarding illegal substance use such as alcohol.
Year 11 GCSE Results Day – Thursday 25 August 2022
GCSE results should be collected from the school hall on Thursday 25 August 2022 between 9.00am and 10.30am. There will be staff present on the day to direct pupils to their collection point.
Pupils must collect their results in person. However, if they would like us to give their results to a parent or other family member, the pupil must give them a signed letter giving their permission. The collecting adult will also need to present some form of identification such as a driving licence or passport which matches the name on the letter.
If a pupil cannot collect their results on Thursday 25 August 2022, a stamped addressed envelope should be left with the examinations officer before school closes for the summer holidays on Thursday 21 July 2022. Alternatively, results can be collected from the school reception during school hours in September.
Presentation Evening/Collection of Certificates – 10 November 2022
At this presentation evening we will celebrate the achievements of all our outgoing Year 11 pupils and present them with their GCSE certificates. If pupils are unable to attend the presentation evening, they will need to collect their certificates from the school reception during school hours after this event. Further details of the evening will be sent out nearer the time.
Please remember that schools are only obliged to keep certificates for one year after they are issued. If they are not collected at presentation evening but they are then needed at a later date, pupils will have to contact each examination board separately for a further copy which will incur a charge. Some examination boards however do not re-issue certificates and will only issue a Certifying Statement of Results.
Once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to wish your son or daughter the very best of luck in the future. We hope they achieve all that they deserve in the GCSE exams so that they are able to make their next steps with confidence and optimism.
Yours sincerely
Xavier Bowers, Headteacher
Simon Evans, Pastoral Leader Year 11
Dates for your diary
Thursday 23 June 2022
Leavers’ Assembly official leaving school at 12.30pm
Friday 8 July
Year 11 Leavers’ Prom at Foxfields Hotel
Thursday 25 August
GCSE results day 9.00am – 10.30am
Thursday 10 November
Awards Evening and presentation of GCSE certificates (more details to follow)