Headteacher's Fortnightly Update - 15th September
I hope you all have an enjoyable summer and you were able to make the most of the good weather we were lucky to have. I would like to welcome you all back to the new school year; it has been lovely welcoming all of our pupils back and they have made a really positive return. Our new Year 7’s are getting used to the building and moving around with a timetable and are enjoying their lessons. Our new staff have settled in well and lessons have been positive and purposeful.
There are a number of things I would like to share with you as we start the term and these are detailed below.
Uniform
It is noticeable that the standard of school uniform is excellent so far. Most pupils are wearing the correct uniform and parents/carers have worked well with us to address any incorrect uniform. The change to either a jumper or a blazer seems to be working too. We do have a minority of pupils who are wearing plain black jumpers or cardigans. We are introducing an iron on school logo that we will offer, initially free of charge, to logo any plain, non-uniform jumpers and cardigans that pupils are wearing to school. We will contact parents in advance of ironing the logo onto any items of clothing.
Attendance
We have made a very positive start to school attendance which is very pleasing. Attending school regularly is the most important indicator of academic success and we are focussing on this in form time and in assemblies. Please remember to report absence at your earliest convenience and remain in contact with the school regarding any period of absence. We will work with you to support any situation that affects attendance.
New school phone number
The school phone number has changed as we have moved to a new system. The system provides more lines for reception, reducing the possibility of not being able to get through to the school. The old phone number does still ring but is not in use from now on. As a reminder the school number is: 01633 631780
Breakfast Club
We run a school breakfast every morning in the school hall. This is a free breakfast that is available to any pupil and there is no need to book. The provision opens at 8am.
Parking/Turning
The access to the school by car at the start and end of the day continues to be an issue for us. If you are dropping off/collecting, can you please use the overflow car park at the end of the drive to turn your car and be very mindful of where you park, avoiding parking on corners or where other cars are blocked.
Disabled and visitor parking
We have extended the number of disability parking spaces in the school car park and have also allocated visitor parking spaces, next to the disability parking bays. This should provide ample opportunity for visitors to access parking during the school day. These should not be used to drop off or pick up pupils at the start or end of the school day.
Rewards
We have introduced a reward shop for pupils to exchange their merits for items available in the shop. The pupils are aware of what is on offer and the shop will open at the end of each half term to make purchases.
Y7 Meet the Form Tutor evening
We look forward to meeting parents/carers of Year 7 pupils on Thursday evening. Parents will be able to receive some key information and have a discussion about the start of term with their child's form tutor.
Mobile Devices
It is important that I remind everyone that mobile devices and accessories are not allowed in the school. They may be brought to school but must be turned off and not visible at all times. Pupils must find alternative ways of accessing their timetable, with many of them having a hard copy available in their school bag.
Important Dates
Inset days:
24th November
2nd March
27th March
26th June
20th July
I look forward to working with you all again this year as we continually strive to provide the best learning environment possible to achieve our mission of Nurture, Growth, Success for All.
Best wishes
Damian Lawlor
Headteacher