As we approach the end of our penultimate half term we wish our exam year groups (year 13 and 11) well as they start their study leave at the end of this week. This is always a poignant point in time with learners now seeking to study independently prior to each exam. Of course support remains in school at all times and if you are worried for any reasons please reach out to us. 

 

Attendance continues to be our key area of focus in particular for our year 10 cohort. As parents and careers will recall, we have recently undertaken some learner voice and found that learners who have good attendance (above 98%) commented that they were frustrated at times in lessons where teachers are having to spend time explaining items that others had missed because they had been absent. We know that attendance below 95% means that learners are twice as likely not to achieve a grade 5 in their core subjects of Maths and English. These comments highlight the negative impact on others of poor attendance. Vitally important for our learners in year 10 as they start their final push for those GCSE exams. Please support us and your daughter by encouraging attendance to school every day. 

 

The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.

 

Gary Kibble

 

1.  Personal Development & Awareness Initiatives

• Pentecost: Learners explored the cultural and historical meaning behind Pentecost, often described as the "birthday of the Church," looking at how different communities celebrate.
• Biological Diversity (May 22): In line with the United Nations observance theme "Acting locally for global impact," learners are generating ideas through the learner leadership team to support habitat restoration and combat local biodiversity loss.
• Sustainability: We are encouraging all learners to switch to reusable bottles and bags to protect the planet and eliminate single-use plastics from landfill.
• Career Focus: This week's "Job of the Week" is a Clinical Coder. To access this pathway, learners require strong GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science.

 

2.  Wellbeing & Safeguarding

We encourage learners to practice the 5 Ways to Wellbeing daily to stay kind to themselves and others:

1. Connect: Talk to those around you, listen, and build supportive networks.
2. Be Active: Enjoy physical movement and activities that boost self-esteem.
3. Take Notice: Reflect on thoughts and feelings; discover what brings joy.
4. Keep Learning: Embrace new skills, opportunities, or interests.
5. Give: Practice random acts of kindness, offering time and words to others.

 

3. Key Year Group Notices

• Year 7: Reward assemblies are taking place at the end of this term. Information regarding letters for Alton Towers and the "Big Day In" has been distributed.
• Year 8: Reward assemblies this week focus closely on celebrated improvements in attendance.
• Year 9: The upcoming Learner Graduation is our major focal point. Final progress grades and Attitude to Learning (ATL) marks will be locked in by June 18th to determine graduation criteria.
• Year 10: Important mock exams are only one month away. Learners must ensure they have comprehensively revised their year-long curricula by 15 June . Additionally, learners with over 750 reward points can apply to join the Brilliance Bucket Student Board.
• Year 11: As GCSE examinations continue, learners are actively working hard.