Thank you to Year 10 parents and carers for attending last night’s Consultation Evening. It was very encouraging to see so many families there.

I would like to start this week’s bulletin by recognising the achievements of individual students. Congratulations to:

• Lillie for being elected to the Young Essex Assembly.
• Freddie for coming first in the Nett British Championships for Youth Sidecars.
• Erin for her performance in a fast-paced match as part of the Essex County Schools FA U14 girls’ squad.

Further congratulations to our Netballs teams for this week’s matches, to the 60 Year 10 students who took part in the Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out’ challenge, and to all those who took part in this week’s Chess Tournament. I would also like to praise all students for their conduct and approach to Tuesday’s anti-vaping assemblies and to the Year 11 students who have participated in the PETXI intensive Maths and Science interventions as well as yesterday’s revision sessions run by external company called Elevate. I wish all Year 11 students good luck in next week’s mock examinations.

Works on our brand-new 3G pitch continue and we are currently on track for the construction work to be completed by early August so that we can then use this amazing new facility from the very start of next academic year.

Uniform

An update From Mrs Townsend, Deputy Headteacher. 

We continue to thank you as we focus on ensuring that our wearing of uniform enables students to focus on Dress Smart, Books Smart, Learn Smart.

Our assemblies this week, led by Ms Roberts and Mr Wilcox, have focused on the importance of uniform and the ways wearing uniform demonstrates our belonging to a community. 

We have had very positive comments from members across our  community on the improvement in dress from our students. 

This is a reminder of the expectations about nails and eyelashes. The uniform policy explains: 'Students are not permitted to wear make-up in Years 7, 8 and 9. Discreet make-up is permitted in Years 10 and 11. Nail varnish or false nails are not allowed.'

We recognise that a number of students have false nails and/or varnish currently, as well as a number who have false eyelashes. These are not permitted under the policy.

If your child is wearing false eyelashes or nails, or has coloured varnished nails, from 24 February they will be required to work in isolation until the false nails/false eyelashes/coloured varnish is removed.

With many thanks for your continued support.

Mrs Townsend, Deputy Headteacher.