February 2023

The New Year already seems a distant memory!

We were delighted that motivational speaker Cameron Parker was in school again recently to work with a number of students across different year groups. His own journey and story is so inspirational and allowed the students to reflect on their own aspirations for the future.

It was lovely to see so many year 8’s and their parents’ last night for their annual parents evening. Hopefully they came away energised by the praise, but also clear on what they need to focus on to improve even further.

The majority of year 11 have been out at “Poetry Live” today. An amazing opportunity to help prepare them for the poetry element of their forthcoming examinations. Year 10 have also been to the theatre to watch a performance of “MacBeth”. Thank you to the English staff for organising these trips.

Holocaust Memorial Day at the end of January was an opportunity for us all to pause and reflect on the horrors that so many innocent victims suffered. We are very grateful to Mrs Rowe for organising the informative and reflective information the tutor groups used for their discussion.

Our production of “Bugsy Malone” is fast approaching on Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th February. Students and staff have been working hard in rehearsals. For students in the show just a reminder there is a rehearsal during half term on Thursday 16^th February from 9am – 3pm. We are also delighted to have been able to invite our local primary schools to attend the dress rehearsal. Tickets can be purchased via the school office.

Year 11 have now got fewer than 50 school days until the written examinations begin. Before then there will be practical exams for Food, Art, PE, Drama, Music and MFL. Preparation must start now if it has not already begun. A revision timetable needs to be created and followed, as a “little but often” approach is the most likely to help them succeed. This needs to include weekends and the holidays.

Some dates for your diary:

Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh training days – Saturday 4^th & 11^th March

Year 11 Exam Preparation Information Evening – Monday 6^th March

Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 9^th March

Year 9 GCSE Options Evening – Tuesday 14^th March

The next national day of industrial action for teachers in the NEU is Wednesday 1^st March. Arrangements are likely to be similar to those last week, but I will write nearer the time to confirm. As before, union members are under no obligation to inform us of their intention to take industrial action or not, which does make planning more challenging. Attendance for those year groups invited into school is essential, especially year 11 where they still have a significant number of lessons in person, but also access to work that will help them prepare for their examinations.

I want to congratulate the students for their hard work and effort this half term, especially when so many have been fighting off illness. I hope the holidays are an opportunity for us all to recharge ready for the new term.