Schools are always very busy places, but last term seems to have been one of the fullest and most productive that I have known for many years. We were pleased with the Ofsted report letter that we received in December, which highlighted the positive progress made in the first term in the leadership of the academy. The improvements in behaviour of the students and the fact that the students feel safe in school were also highlighted.
There was a big focus on community events last term. Our Year 7 students took part in the annual Retro Dance competition, which was a super evening, full of energy and enthusiasm. The students managed to raise £977 for Children in Need from this event. The Year 7s had been rehearsing in their lessons and in their own time, showing phenomenal commitment. The staff and Sixth-Form students did a mega-mix medley at the end, for which they had also rehearsed for many hours. It’s the first time that I had ever joined in with this and I can vouch for the fact that it is more difficult than the children make it look!
Mary Poppins was the school show in December and was, as always, a magical event. Again, the time taken with rehearsals and the commitment of our students and many of our staff is a real credit to the academy. We had invited primary children in to watch the dress rehearsals and the feedback we have received from them, as well as the audiences on the evenings, was tremendous.
Our annual Christmas party for local senior citizens was very well received. Everyone enjoyed the event, which was planned, set up and run by our Sixth- Form students. Some of the people who attended made new friends and loved the chance to come and socialise and enjoy Christmas dinner and entertainment.
Our learning journeys are finally complete. Year 7 have received theirs and Years 8 to 11 will get theirs this month. We have new postcards and certificates that will be linked to the learning journeys so look out for positive comments from staff about what the students have done well, in and out of lessons.
Finally, we held our inaugural Christmas fayre event on Tuesday 18th December and invited lots of primary children and the local community, as well as our own school community, to visit us and help to raise money for our chosen charities for this year.
I’m excited to see what this next term holds for us and would like to remind everyone that I have an open-door policy, so if you’d like to talk to me about anything, then please get in touch with school reception to book an appointment.
Have a great term everyone!