Newsletters

AHS weekly communication digest -18.09.26

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Letters and emails sent home this week

  • Canada Tour 2026 - Passports

  • AHS choir - date change

  • SKi Trip 2027 - form completion request from TM Ski Ltd

  • Online Safety Morning 3rd November 9.30am - 10.30am at AHS

  • A place has become available on our Italy Ski Trip (February half term 2027)

  • Italy Ski Trip 2027 - Next steps letter

  • class specific information

* To view these letters please check your ParentMail or alternatively, please click here


General Reminders and information


If your child is ill during the school day

If your child is taken ill during the school day they should firstly report this to their teacher who will authorise them to go to the medical needs office where they will be assessed by a qualified first aider.  Parents will be notified immediately if their child requires to go home or in the case of an emergency, an ambulance may be called and parents will be notified.  It is important that students follow these procedures and do not phone home themselves.

If parents turn up without being contacted by med bay and take their child home the child's absence will be recorded as unauthorised.


Medicines

Please be aware that staff are unable to dispense any medication without parental written consent. There are 'Form for parental consent for administration of medicine' forms available at reception or you can click the link below for a digital copy:

 https://www.aylshamhigh.com/attachments/download.asp?file=666&type=pdf

Although the school is able to supply students with paracetamol and Ibuprofen subject to requirement and consent, we would request that students who are on a medical advice treatment plan requiring regular administration of Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen supply the Medical Needs Officer with the required amount to cover the period of treatment, with a completed ‘Form for parental consent for administration of medicine’ highlighting the required dose and timings for administration as advised by the healthcare professional.

If we feel that the student is taking paracetamol/Ibuprofen regularly/excessively over an unprescribed period it is our discretion to also refuse administration. In these instances we will inform you. 

More information about medicines is available on our website under 'Parents & Carers' section, then the 'Medical Information' tab. Quick link available here:  https://www.aylshamhigh.com/medicalinformation


Polite Reminder - Pastoral Concerns 

For any pastoral concerns or questions regarding your child, their form tutor should always be your first point of contact. They are likely to see your child most days and can ensure prompt support. Furthermore, they can coordinate with the wider pastoral team where necessary to ensure any issues are addressed.


Safe use of Social Media Apps

Social media apps can be a wonderful way of staying connected and communicating with friends and communities. There are many positives to utilising these apps in a safe, secure and appropriate manner. However, with everything there is also the potential for social media apps to have harmful consequences of misuse as well as to open children up to inappropriate and harmful content.

It is important to remember that a number of social media apps have age restrictions in place to help safeguard young people from potential harm. These restrictions are put in place to protect young people from content and communication from inappropriate or harmful sources.

We are starting to see a worrying trend of younger students side stepping age restrictions and having access to apps when they are not yet old enough. This is having some damaging consequences and we are seeing a higher than normal number of cases of where students have become victim to inappropriate content, harmful messages and in some cases creating serious safeguarding concerns.

Please do make sure that you are checking your child(rens) phones and other devices for age-restricted apps and have parental locks in place to ensure they are not downloading and accessing apps that have age restrictions that they are not old enough to use yet. As a general rule, all social media apps (TiK Tok, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Discord, X and Snapchat to name a few) all require a minimum age of 13 years old to use their platform. Some apps such as Vimeo and Tumblr have an age restriction of 16.

More information about how to keep safe online can be found on www.internetmatters.org and the NSPCC Online Safety section of their website https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

If you have any questions about online safety, please feel free to contact our online safety leads Mr Bradshaw (dbradshaw@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk ) or Mr Allen (tallen@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk )

If you have any safeguarding worries or wish to report a serious concern, please contact our safeguarding team on safeguardingteam@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk


Dropping off & collecting students

We kindly remind parents and carers when dropping off and collecting students to avoid parking on the roads around the school.

We are aware that the roads become very busy during these times but for the safety of pedestrians please make sure vehicles are not mounting the pavements. 

Parking is available both in the front and back car parks:

  • Front car park – For those who need to collect their child promptly at the bell, please use the front car park as a “drive-through” system. Park to the left-hand side and, once your child arrives, pull out to allow other cars to move forward.  This can also be used to drop off of that beginning of the school day too.
  • Back car park – For those who are able to wait a little longer until the buses have departed, we ask that you use the back car park. This is the safest option and there is always ample parking available.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to keep the school site safe and accessible for everyone.


Check out our Instagram page

Aylsham High School Instagram page


Year 7 and 8 DT/drama/food rotations

Students in years 7 and 8 complete their Design and technology (DT), drama and food and nutrition subjects as part of a rotation in approximately 6 week blocks.

The rotation schedules can be found on the school website under the learning & subjects tab: https://www.aylshamhigh.com/yr7andyr8rotationsubjects

SIMS Parent and SIMS Student will be updated to show the new rotation classes. This is usually updated the Thursday before the new rotation starts on the Monday. Student aren’t issued with new paper copies of their timetables for each rotation.

In the last week of the rotation, their teacher will let them know where they are moving to the following week.


SIMS Student

Students have access to SIMS Student using their school alf.education email address. 

We are currently in the process of registering our year 7 students on SIMS Student.  This is being completed by their computing teachers in their computing lessons. Please see a letter recently sent to year 7 families about this process on the letters home page.  https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahslettershome

To get support with SIMS Student, students can see their computing teacher or Mrs Cooke in the STAR office at break or lunch time.

For more information about SIMS Student, please see the SIMS Student page on the school website under the students tab.

https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahssimsstudent

SIMS Parent

All parents/carers with parental responsibility are able to access SIMS Parent once registered. 

Accounts for year 7 families were sent out on Wednesday 9th September between 3.30pm and 5pm.

Two emails were sent out:

- Already registered email from simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk

- Invitation for SIMS Parent email from simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk along with an invite from noreply@sims.co.uk

Please check your email inbox and junk/spam for these emails.

If you are a year 7 parent/carer and have a child already at AHS, then your new year 7 child will appear on your existing account.

If you are a year 8-11 parent/carer and haven’t registered your SIMS Parent account, please email our SIMS Parent team to request your invite.

To get support with SIMS Parent, parents/carers can email simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk.

For more information about SIMS Parent including guidance on how to register, access SIMS Parent and about the information being shared with you, please see the SIMS Parent page on the school website under the parents & carers tab.

https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahssimsparent


Clubs for students

To view all clubs please click here


Year 9 Students will have their Meningitis ACWY & DTP booster vaccinations on 16/11/26.

The Vaccination in Schools Team will contact parents/carers directly for consent, the school only facilitate the coordination of students for the Vaccinations Team on the day therefore, if you have any questions or require further information regarding the vaccinations please call the Vaccination in Schools Team on 0300 555 5055 option 2 for Norfolk.


Work Experience and Careers Update

Year 10

Work Experience Launch the Work Experience Launch Assembly took place on Wednesday, 8 July, introducing students to their upcoming work experience week scheduled for Monday, 12 July to Friday, 16 July 2027. Students were given information and a booklet (if you require another booklet please see Mrs Wiseman ) updated information shared regularly on google classroom please keep checking

By now, all students should have contacted prospective companies or placements to secure their position for July 2027. Work experience is a vital part of our curriculum and is compulsory for all Year 10 students, who are expected to complete the full five days.

Further information and resources are available on Unifrog.

Year 11 – Next Steps If your child is unsure about their post-16 options or would like additional support with their next steps, please encourage them to speak with us. Parents are also welcome to contact Miss Wiseman directly to arrange a check-in.

Careers Support – Room 38 Room 38 is open every Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime for students seeking guidance on work experience placements, post-16 options, or general career pathways. Support is available from both Mrs. Wiseman and Miss Wiseman.

Year 11 Next Steps: Post-16 Your Choices Booklet & Open Days

Year 11 is a crucial year of big decisions regarding education, training, and future career pathways. To help support families through this transition, we are pleased to share the Post-16 Your Choices Booklet, which will have been emailed home already to parent/carers.

Every Year 11 student will receive a hard copy over the next few weeks during their Help You Choose session

What the booklet includes:

  • Pathways Guide: Clear overviews of A-Levels, Vocational Courses, T-Levels, and Apprenticeships
  • Open Days Schedule: Dates, times, and booking details for local college and sixth-form open events
  • Essential Info: Application deadlines, entry requirements, and guidance on choosing the right environment

We strongly encourage parents and carers to sit down with their child to read through the guide and plan visits to open days together—it is one of the best ways to explore options and build confidence for the year ahead.

For any questions or additional support, please reach out to Miss Wiseman in the Careers Department at lwiseman@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk


If your child is feeling unsure or would like additional support with their next steps, please encourage them to speak to us. Parents can also contact Miss Wiseman, who will be happy to arrange a check-in.

Careers Support – Room 38
Room 38 is open at lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any students seeking guidance on work experience placements, post-16 options, or further education pathways.

Support is available from Mrs Wiseman and Miss Wiseman.


Virtual Work Experience

Amazing opportunities on this link for virtual work experience all on line certification at the end of completing!

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/future-creators-wanted-virtual-work-experience-with-thales/WEXP-00487


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Online Safety

Please visit our online safety page of the website to view latest information and our monthly newsletter


TACT (Families)

Please click here to view upcoming courses and events organised by our Family Learning team.  

FREE Workshops available to book.  Please click on the link above to get booked onto the courses

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Payment Reminders

Any items available for payment will be listed on your ParentPay account.

AHS School Choir Members – please make your payment for this half term by Friday 11th September. Payable on ParentPay.

New GCSE Contributions are now due for Construction, DT, Food and Nutrition, Art, Graphics and Textiles.  Payable on ParentPay.

New year 7 and 8 Hospitality and Catering ingredient contributions (rotation1) are now due for payment.  Payable on ParentPay.

New year 7 CDT contributions are now due for payment at the start of the first rotation.  Payable on ParentPay.

Italy Ski 2027 and Naples 2027 – please check your payments are up to date in line with the payment schedule.


This weeks news

Click here to see latest news within AHS 


U13 Cricket Festival @ UEA,
12:35pm – 5:00pm
22
September
Year 8 Football v North Walsham (H)
3:15pm – 4:45pm
22
September
Year 10 Netball Hub @ AHS
3:25pm – 5:00pm
22
September
Year 8 County Cup Football v Marshland (A)
12:35pm – 6:00pm
23
September
U14 Rugby Festival @ North Walsham
12:35pm – 4:30pm
24
September
U12 Football v Taverham (A)
3:15pm – 6:00pm
24
September
Friends of AHS AGM
6:00pm
24
September
Year 7 & 8 Disco
7:00pm – 8:30pm
25
September


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Norfolk Snowsports Club

We'd love to invite your pupils and their families to SlopeFest, Norfolk Snowsports Club's open weekend, taking place from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th September.

SlopeFest is a celebration to kick off the winter season, with something for everyone, whether they've skied before or are looking to give it a go for the very first time.

Across the weekend we'll have:

  • ?? Discounted Ski & Snowboard Tasters (ages 8+)
  • ?? Tubing (ages 6+)
  • ??? Craft Fayre & Second-Hand Sale
  • ?? Freestyle Session featuring the Busseys Airbag and Pond Skim
  • ?? SnowFit Fashion Show
  • Plus demonstrations, family activities and plenty more!

It's a fantastic opportunity for children to experience snowsports in a fun, friendly environment and discover a new hobby that they can enjoy all year round.

We'd be incredibly grateful if you could help us spread the word by sharing the attached poster with parents via your newsletter, parent app, or social media channels, or by displaying it on your school noticeboard.

As an added bonus, we're also offering 10% off annual memberships purchased between 10th September and 11th October, making it the perfect time for families to get involved.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Norfolk Snowsports Club
?? Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TW
?? 01603 662781
?? www.norfolksnowsports.com


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Please can you share the attached invitation with families on the parent bulletin.  Please note: This is an adults-only session, children will not be attending with parents/carers

Here's the link to the booking form.

Online Safety Evening Booking Form


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Booking form: AHS SEND CAFE BOOKING FORM

I will make a note to adjust the publicity after the first session to remove the November date and then ask if you can kindly re share after Christmas in time for our January date.

Key points:

SEND Cafés at Aylsham High School

Three sessions throughout the year, each focusing on a different SEND topic:

  • Provision in Place for SEND at AHS – Wednesday 4th November
  • Option Pathways and Exam Dispensation – Tuesday 26th January
  • Coffee, Cake and a Chat – Wednesday 28th April

10.30am to 12 noon

Opportunity for parents and carers to:

  • Meet members of the AHS SEND team
  • Ask questions and share concerns
  • Learn more about the support available for students with SEND
  • Connect with other parents and carers in a relaxed, informal setting

Coffee and cake provided.


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To view our current vacancies please click here

To view previous news articles please click here