Headteacher's Update - 15 November 2024
This has been another busy and productive week.
In addition to Remembrance assemblies, Mrs Robb organised external ‘Why go to university’ assemblies for Years 7-11 and I was pleased to hear students’ thoughts and comments as they left each session. Mrs Howells, Deputy Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form, has launched our Sixth Form Christmas Wonderland trip for Years 12 and 13 and Mr Fletcher is putting the ‘finishing touches’ to the December Rewards Trip for Year 11 and will then share the details with students and parent/carers. Mrs Hook has also launched our Food Donation Week:
I am also proud to report that Amalie in Year 8 recently won an English National Title – congratulations Amalie! She ran 2k on a very hilly course!
Year 11 students are now well into the routine of their mock examinations and are responding to the pressures of sitting long papers whilst also needing to revise outside of school. Keep going!
I have been in a number of lessons again this week and have seen very good use of mini-whiteboards across many subjects as well as active debate and discussion in subjects such as PER and English. Our first formal review of Science concluded yesterday and feedback from students featured heavily in the process. Students have told us that they appreciate the new curriculum and the increase in experiments but that they would like the PAL system to be applied more consistently in some classrooms.
After a period where there had been very few suspensions, a handful of students made poor choices this week and have been suspended from school. Detentions continue for poor uniform choices and for any lateness to lessons. Students are reminded that white socks should not be worn to school.
HEART points
6408 HEART points have been awarded since the start of this academic year. Over the course of the last week:
Year 7: 1040
Year 8: 1889
Year 9: 1290
Year 10: 1820
Year 11: 100 (even with them being in their mock examinations)
Congratulations to Year 9 on their most successful week so far this academic year.
A reminder of:
- Our Lockdown practice: Enhancing Safety in our School Letter
- The November Online Safety Newsletter: Online Safety Newsletter Nov 2024
- Sixth Form Application link for Year 11 students: Application Form 2025-26 - Braintree Sixth Form
Have a very good weekend when it comes.
Mr M Barrow, Headteacher
