Dear parents and carers

We have had a great start to term with students returning back to school with a positive attitude and working hard. This has been really pleasing to see. Key to maintaining our high standards is regularly communicating expectations with students and offering them guidance on how to be the best version of themselves. This week we have spoken in assembly about what this means- trying your very best but also showing strength of character and doing the right thing even if others aren’t. We have also reminded all students about our gate-to-gate mobile phone policy and also outlined our other foci for the term around punctuality, uniform, engagement in learning both in the classroom and at home and the importance of being proud of the learning they demonstrate in their books and in practice. I am pleased to see how our students have taken on board these messages – it really has been an excellent week!

Year 11 have returned with gusto and have been showing a great attitude to their studies. We are looking forward to sharing mock exam outcomes (for both Year 11 and 13) on Wednesday 22^nd January where we will also do some work with Year 11 about what their mock results mean and some goal setting to target even greater success in the summer examinations. Mr Matthews will be in touch with families in due course to outline what the details of this event are. Year 11 also have an exciting event planned for next Wednesday where we will host a social event that includes Keith Farnan, an Irish comedian who has featured on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and promises to be good value for the £5 ticket! Tickets are available on ParentPay for anyone wishing to attend.

We are nearing the end of our renovation of the performing arts building and are hoping for a start of February handover which will return that part of the school to a more familiar beat. We are looking forward to the additional indoor seating area for break and lunchtime as well as an additional food outlet. Nearer the time we will share this with students and families in more detail. We are hopeful also that our 4G pitch and pavilion build will start on March 1^st and should be completed before the end of the school year. Again, this is an exciting addition for our students and the local community.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Simon Anderson

Key Dates

• Wednesday 15^th January: Year 11 Winter Social
• Thursday 16^th January: Year 13 Parents’ Evening
• Wednesday 22^nd January: Year 11 and 13 Reports Available to Parrents
• Thursday 23^rd January: Year 10 Success at GCSE Evening
• Wednesday 29^th January: A Christmas Carol Live Performance Year 11 (in school)
• Thursday 30^th January: Year 11 Class of ’24 Celebration Event