How did we get to half term already?  Wow the last 6 weeks have flown by and no doubt this week will disappear in the blink of an eye too.  Just a reminder that this Friday (21^st) is a staff training day – so most students get to start their half term a day early.  I say most as there are large numbers of Year 11 on site, completing their Controlled Assessment Unit in a bid to maximise their Science grades for this summer.  It is fantastic to see so many of the year group taking responsibility for their own performance and grasping all opportunities with both hands.  I have no doubt that days like this make a huge difference!

It’s another busy week in terms of equipping our students with the necessary study skills to fulfil their potential.  This week it is the turn of Year 8 (on Tuesday 18th) and Year 10 (on Wednesday 19^th).  Every student in both year groups has had the opportunity to choose (with guidance) one or two workshops which are most pertinent to them, and will attend this during the course of the day.  The feedback from these sessions continues to be exceptionally positive, and I know from my own experience in the classroom, that students are applying what they have learnt and stating that it has made a positive difference.  Memory techniques, how reviewing is better than revising and how to take notes from a  body of text are all key skills the students have had the opportunity to learn about.

    

The above are photos from the Year 7 History trip to Mountfitchet last Wednesday (12th October).

Events this week include several trips.  The Art Department is out and about in London with their Year 10 students on Monday; The Science Department are taking Year 7 students to Leicester and the Music Department are off to London with students from Years 10 to 13.  In addition to all of this excitement, Year 9 have their Active First session on Wednesday.  The main ophoto this week is showing the fun Year 7 had at Mountfitchet last Wednesday - they are clearly defending their castle in this picture, following the lead of Mr Williams!  On Thursday 20^th is the Year 11 Parents’ Evening – a key opportunity to find out whether students are on track for a set of fantastic results, but also how we as a school, and you as parents can work in partnership to ensure that success.  And once you have heard about all the wonderful things your child is doing then you can make your way to the PAC for the Music Concert.  A great way to round off the half term – with a bit of culture!

A reminder that over half term the school will be making changes to the car parking and roadways around school to make it a safer place for all.  The internal road which runs from Hinchingbrooke House to the bus bays will be made one way and there will be an automatic barrier to control and limit the flow past the main school gates at the start and end of the day.  Please bear this in mind of you drop your child off at school in the mornings.

So to end on a competitive note…PEPYS, yes that’s right PEPYS are winning the Lower School Golden Antlers Competition (no bias here at all…ermmm, yes I am in Pepys House, but that is totally coincidental).  Last week’s winners were 8M1 with 246 code 5s between them and in Middle School 11C2 were the winners with 247.  It’s been a hard fought term with lots of tussling at the top end, but students have really bought into trying to get as many 5s as they can in lessons and the result is lots of focused, active students in lessons, which is great to see.

The message of the week is a reminder to students about the one school rule – ‘To respect yourself, others and your school’.  This week it focuses specifically on the need to respect the space of others, and that certain physical behaviour is neve acceptable, even if done in jest.

With the Academic Review day fast approaching (23^rd November), please look in your child’s planner over the next week or so to see who you need to book an appointment with on this date.  The bookings will open after half term.  Watch this space and please read through the information being sent home via parentmail for more detailed information. 

Have a fantastic half term when it arrives.

Anna Nightingale

Vice Principal