Celebrating Success and Promoting Growth
Weekly Vlog Update with Vice Principal Nicola Marsh
Hello, everyone! I'm Nicola Marsh, the Vice Principal, standing in for Ms Seymour this week on our weekly vlog. We'll be sticking to our usual format and discussing three key topics today:
Independent Practice
Right now, I am in a Year 12 History lesson where students are working independently, a skill we have really been focussing on. Independent learning is crucial; once students have been taught something in class, the next step is applying that knowledge by themselves. These skills are not just important for school but for life.
To help with this, we have several online resources available to support independent study at home. One of these is Bedrock Learning, which focusses on improving vocabulary. Miss Ahmed, our curriculum leader of maths, also shared how impressed she is with students' engagement with Mathletics, our numeracy support programme.
Additionally, on our school’s website, you will find our e-library, which includes recommended reading lists for every subject. All the books are available online, so there is plenty to support independent learning at home.
Wider Curriculum Opportunities
Hopefully, your children have been talking about how much they are enjoying our Tuesday enrichment activities. We have received fantastic feedback from students who are exploring a variety of new skills and experiences. But enrichment does not just stop on Tuesdays.
In last week’s assembly, we introduced students to all the extra-curricular clubs available before school, during lunch, and after school. Our trips have also kicked off, with the drama department recently taking a group to the theatre. These activities are great ways for students to bring the curriculum to life and engage with learning outside the classroom.
Black History Month: Miss Latunji Jones
As you may know, October is Black History Month, and we have lots of exciting plans to mark this important occasion.
Black History Month is a time for us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black individuals throughout history. This year’s theme is “reclaiming narratives,” and we have been exploring this idea with students in a few key ways.
First, we are honouring our heroes by having students read about black individuals who have made significant contributions to British society. We are also focussing on embracing our stories, helping students connect with these figures, and emphasising that black British history is British history. Finally, we are empowering and educating students, encouraging them to have meaningful discussions about these stories during form time.
When your child comes home, I encourage you to ask them about who they have been learning about and the discussions they have had.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and as always, feel free to get in touch with any comments or suggestions. Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to connecting with you again next week.
Weekly Update: Open Evening, Enrichment, and Respect for Our Learning Environment
Hello everyone!
Welcome to this week’s newsletter update. Regular readers will know that I like to focus on three key themes each week, and today is no different. Our topics for this week include: open evening, enrichment, and respect for our learning environment.
Open Evening
First, a reminder that our open evening is happening this Monday. While this event is primarily for Year 6 students and their parents, we are always happy to welcome current parents who may want to visit the school and see the wonderful things happening. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our school community, and I encourage you to attend if you can.
Many of our students have received letters asking them to volunteer, and I cannot stress enough how valuable their involvement is. It is the students who truly showcase the spirit and energy of our school. While I do my best, it is the students that visitors remember most, and they never fail to impress!
Please remember that due to the open evening, we will have an early finish on Monday, followed by a slightly later start on Tuesday. Students are to arrive at 10.45am on Tuesday and go straight to their line-up. Full details are available on our website.
Respect for Our Learning Environment
Next, I want to talk about one of our core values: respect. As many of you know, respect is an essential part of our school culture. This extends not only to respecting each other but also to respecting our learning environment.
We have worked hard to provide state-of-the-art facilities, like our newly upgraded computer rooms. It is heartwarming to see how much students value these resources and use them responsibly. I encourage you to talk to your children about what respect means—both for their peers and for the spaces they learn in. When the messages at school and home align, we create the "golden students" we are so proud of.
Enrichment with Mr Hazzard
Enrichment is a vital part of our curriculum because we aim to develop well-rounded students who are happy, resilient, and active citizens. Our enrichment curriculum includes a variety of clubs and activities, both before, during, and after school.
One standout example is our Breakfast Club, where students can enjoy a free snack and drink while socialising with friends. It’s a great way to start the day.
This week, we also launched our Tuesday enrichment period 6 sessions. It was fantastic to see so many students engage in activities like sports, music, performing arts, and personal development. We encourage all students and parents to check out the personal development section on our website to see the wide range of opportunities available.
Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on social media. We will be sharing updates regularly so you can stay informed about the wonderful things happening in our enrichment programs.
