Principal's Weekly Update

Dear parents, carers, and students,

Welcome to the final vlog of this half-term, which has absolutely flown by!

This week, I want to focus on three key themes:

• A huge thank you to our entire school community.

• A discussion on co-curricular activities and how they link to careers, which Mr Heslin will touch upon.

• The hidden curriculum—what we teach beyond the classroom without even realising it.

A Big Thank You

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to our students, staff, parents, and the wider Uxbridge High School community. Your support this half-term has been incredible, whether it is attending Year 7 Parents' Evening, visiting our surgery sessions to share positive feedback, or supporting the many school events that have taken place.

We know that this time of year can be challenging, with shorter days and colder weather, but your dedication has been unwavering. As we approach the break, we look forward to the arrival of spring, longer days, and continuing to celebrate gold standards in attendance. Thank you for all you do to support our students in showing up, working hard, and embracing every opportunity available to them.

Co-Curricular & Careers

Mr Heslin will speak more about this, but I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible enrichment opportunities that have taken place this half-term. From sports clubs and arts activities to exciting trips, our students have been fully engaged. Year 11s are wrapping up their coursework, and our Year 7s had an amazing trip to Bubble Planet—just a snapshot of the many things happening at Uxbridge High School every single day.

These activities are not just about fun; they are essential for personal growth. We want our students to be academically successful, but we also want them to develop skills and characteristics that will help them thrive in the future. Looking ahead, we have even more to come, including the much-anticipated school production of "Brain Play", which I have had the pleasure of seeing in rehearsals; our students are working incredibly hard!

A special mention goes to Mr Irwin and the Year 8 Girls' Football Team, who have been absolutely smashing it! They are currently unbeaten in their local league, with an impressive record of 30 goals scored and only 3 conceded. Winning isn’t everything, but their dedication and teamwork truly reflect our school values. I wish them the best of luck in their next matches!

The Hidden Curriculum

Now, I want to touch on something you may not have heard of before: the hidden curriculum. While co-curricular activities are things we actively plan, the hidden curriculum refers to the messages we send students without realising it—often shaping their understanding of the world.

One area where this is particularly important is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We are committed to ensuring that every student feels valued and represented, regardless of background, gender, or identity. No single characteristic should take priority over another; we want all students to have equal opportunities.

Take girls’ football, for example. It is fantastic to see more girls participating in sports, but I also noticed something interesting this week while supervising Year 8 football. I attempted a few kick-ups (which, admittedly, were not that impressive!), and the students were surprised. Why? Because of a hidden message they have picked up—that girls don’t play football as much as boys. These small perceptions matter, and part of our job is to challenge and break down these unconscious biases.

This leads me nicely into International Women’s Day, which we will be celebrating next half-term. It is a chance to discuss how we can all be allies, regardless of gender, to champion equality and opportunity for everyone.

A message from Mr Heslin – Careers & Work Experience

I want to start by saying a huge thank you to all our Sixth Form parents and carers who have helped secure work experience placements for Year 12 students. After the half-term break, they will be heading into hospitals, marketing firms, banks, pharmacies, and schools, gaining invaluable insights into the working world.

We also have an exciting Careers Fair coming up for Year 9 and 10, featuring a range of companies, including the fire service, who will even be bringing in a fire truck! This is particularly important for Year 9 students, who will soon be choosing their GCSE options. It is a great chance to explore different career pathways.

Lastly, we are thrilled to announce that Year 10 students will also be heading out on work experience placements soon. We have had an incredible response from parents and carers - thank you for your support! If you have any questions about placements, please do not hesitate to email the school.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this half-term, I just want to say thank you once again for being part of our incredible school community. If any parents have suggestions about co-curricular activities, the hidden curriculum, or ways we can continue celebrating success, we would love to hear from you!

And finally, one more huge congratulations  to the Year 8 Girls’ Football Team; keep up the fantastic work!

Have a wonderful half-term break, and we will see you back, same time, same place, next half-term!

 

Best regards,

Ms Seymour