Head’s Weekly Update

Year 10 have had an excellent final week after a rousing pep talk from me after assembly on Monday. I told them that next year they will be very much part of the leadership in divisions and it would be great for them to step up now. It has been good to see them do this this week in all sorts of different ways, but notably, in Div Drama on Tuesday and Div Swimming on Thursday.

I hope that the Parents’ & Guardians’ meeting was successful for everyone and that you left feeling that you have a clear idea of next steps for your child and exactly what they need to do over the summer. Eight weeks off right in the middle of a two year course is too long, so it is wise to have a few weeks to relax at the start and end of the holiday, but also to knuckle down to starting the work at some point before the end of July. As I constantly say to the students, the minute you start putting effort in you are successful. Effort in holiday work will mean they are successful.  

It has been wonderful to work with Year 10 over the course of this year and watch them gain in confidence as they navigate the challenges of their GCSE courses alongside all their many other commitments. They are lucky to have a fantastic set of tutors guiding them and together with your continued support we are looking forward to shepherding them through the next tough eleven months. It will feel like a mountain to climb at times, but I have no doubt we will get there!

In the meantime, best wishes for a relaxing, restful and rejuvenating summer.

Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4

I am so sorry not to have been in school to welcome Year 11 back after their lovely post-exam break. I hope you as parents have been enjoying the break as well, GCSEs really are draining for the support team too! I really feel like I have missed out by not seeing the Year 11 over the final days and hearing (some of!) what they have been up to. It was good to see the DofE students off on Monday morning, they seemed very organised and excited for their adventure. I know that Mr Crossley was very pleased with how well they behaved on their expedition and they should be congratulated for obtaining their Silver DofE award.

On Thursday, Ms Kaur spoke with Year 11 about her expectations for Sixth Form life and they were also given a booklet of summer work for their chosen subjects in the Sixth Form. Although it is of course lovely to have time away from studying, the work they do over the summer will go a long way to helping their confidence as they make the fairly giant leap from GCSEs to A Levels and BTECs.  In addition to subject specific work, it may be optimistic, but I would also really love you to encourage your child to read at least one book (of any type) over the summer. There is a huge correlation between reading and exam success, so the more students can practice this habit the better.  

Finally, I wish those leaving us at the end of this term the very best of luck for your future studies elsewhere - you shall be missed, please do come back to visit us. And to all have a wonderful summer with lots of rest and relaxation. I hope to see many of you on results day on Thursday 20 August (see last week's newsletter for information on details for this), where we shall hopefully celebrate the huge effort which you have all put in.

Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4

We would like to invite Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth parents to join Ms Indy Kaur for coffee and light refreshment in the Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 3 September from 08:15 - 08:45. This will be an opportunity for parents to meet with key staff, to hear more about the Sixth Form programme and key dates, as well as see the dedicated Sixth Form facilities. Please complete the form here to RSVP if you are able to attend. 

Mrs Lucinda Grafton, Director of Development & Community