Dear parents and carers

We have had a busy and exciting week – particularly if you were a Year 11 student- with Action Jackson visiting us to motivate students and help them to plan for glory in their mock exams, a trip to Silverstone for DT students and of course Parents’ Evening! We have also had a pumpkin carving house competition with plenty of scary and creative carvings on offer, GCSE PE practicals for Years 10 & 11 as well as our ambassadors coming together for the first keynote speech of the year with ‘Action’ Jackson Ogunyemi who delivered a speech on his journey to success and what he felt it meant to be an effective leader. Our ambassadors got plenty of tips that will help them in their first conference on Wednesday November 6^th.

DT Trip to Silverstone Years 11 and 12

Head of DT, Mr Hollis-Brown writes: ‘Students studying GCSE and A-Level Design and Technology attended an exciting trip to the home of British motorsport – Silverstone. 42 students and 4 staff members experienced the interactive museum, followed by a unique tour of an old part of the original F1 track. Finally, the students listened carefully to a racing driver and technical instructor who showed them genuine F1 car parts made from titanium, carbon fibre and Kevlar. Students handled the actual components and considered their properties and reasons for their selection to build an F1 car. This material technology and understanding links directly to their current DT course. All students came away from the trip with new found knowledge of the circuit and the construction of race components. They had a memorable experience which has hopefully inspired and strengthen the link between DT and high-performance technology.’

Reminder Remembrance Activities

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are planning to do some work as a community to remember and mark the service of relatives and family friends. The idea is to have an installation of poppies along our main corridor with names and relevant information of family members or friends who currently serve or have served in the armed forces to protect our freedoms written in the petals of the poppies. The hope is that not only do we have a moment to reflect on the sacrifice and service but also hopefully stimulate an opportunity to share the information in our community and have also a visually striking installation! If you could perhaps see the example – which are members of my family- you will get a sense of what I am hoping for and have some conversations with your child about who they might be able to write down or alternatively discuss a message of remembrance they could write on the poppy. Given the rich history of the local area’s airfields during WW2, I am sure there are some remarkable stories to be shared within our community. We will share some pictures of the installation when it is completed. On Monday 11^th November we will all come together in silence at 11 am and students who are part of the army, sea or air cadets or guides, rangers or scouts may wear their uniforms on this day.

Key Dates

Monday 4^th November Term begins

Wednesday 6^th November Ambassador Conference (period 1-4 in the main hall)

Thursday 7^th November Sixth Form Open Evening

Tuesday 12^th November Character Development Day 1

Friday 15^th November Children in Need – non-school uniform day

Best wishes for the half term.

Simon Anderson