18 February 2022
Despite the unpredictable end to the week, we have reached the end of a very busy first half of the Spring Term, which I always consider a key milestone in the school calendar. It is wonderful to look back and reflect on what has been achieved so far this academic year for all our pupils, but also exciting to look ahead, knowing there is still so much more to come in terms of teaching and learning but also some spectacular trips and events coming up! Please can I remind parents that it is essential you log into the parent communication portal each Friday (details below) to check letters for your son or daughter’s year group. New letters will be linked below and the portal also shows letters that have been previously released. We hope you are finding this new system of communication more effective.
It was a wonderfully busy evening on Wednesday, as Year 9 pupils and their families considered GCSE options at our Year 9 Options Fair. Hosted in the Sixth Form Centre, parents and pupils enjoyed talking to our highly knowledgeable and experienced teaching team to understand a bit more about what each GCSE subject entails and pathways beyond GCSE study. It was lovely to be able to welcome parents in and see the Sixth Form Centre alive with excited expressions of interest in all subjects across the curriculum.
Year 5 have been engrossed this week, following the Endurance22 expedition to discover the final resting place of Shackleton’s ship ‘The Endurance’. The Endurance is one of the most famous shipwrecks that has yet to be discovered. Shackleton and his crew were trapped for ten months on the ship, before abandoning it and living in the Antarctic for two years. Shackleton and five crew members attempted a daring mission to get help, returning to rescue the rest of his crew in August 1916. The ship is believed to be between 2,000 and 3,000 meters below sea level and the expedition is using Artificial Intelligence to explore the seabed. The discovery may well happen during half-term, so please do encourage your son or daughter to follow the story on social media for more exciting updates!
Today marks the end of the school's fundraising for Hope for Children. The collective efforts of all our pupils have been phenomenal. From the mini marathon, collections at the Carol Services through to the penny jars, I am delighted to announced that we have raised an incredible £5,000! Thank you to all our families for the support you have shown for such a brilliant cause.
Finally, a reminder for all our parents that the first Thursday after half-term is World Book Day. We will have a big celebration of literature and reading all week, including the Senior Book Fair on Tuesday 1 March and 3 March, a Junior Book Swap and lots of wonderful activities including the option for pupils to come to school dressed up as their favourite character on World Book Day (Thursday 3 March)! We look forward to seeing school come alive with an eclectic mix of characters!
Have a lovely half-term break!
Dr James Raymond
Headmaster