Friday 23 February 2024
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope this letter finds you well.
Over half term our Years 10 and 12 Spanish students went to Malaga on the Spanish Exchange, Mr Baird led a football trip to Valencia and Mr Stanley led the ski trip, with 52 students, to Bardoneccia in Italy. Huge thanks to students and parents who make these amazing trips possible, and particularly our staff who give their time and holiday to both organised and run these trips. The personal development opportunities within such trips are extensive and highly valuable.
We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the Artsmark Gold Award! A huge well done and thank you to Mrs Hughes, our Head of Drama for leading on this, and thank you to everyone who has contributed, by supporting students to achieve Arts Awards in their lessons, taking part in the One Creative Moment challenge or through supporting the Cultural & Heritage Fair. This is in recognition of our commitment to the arts, both in our curriculum and in the extra-curricular activities across the School and into the community.
Sport this week
Our 8B netball team played against Buckingham on Tuesday, unfortunately missing out on the win by only one point, with Buckingham scoring the winning goal in the last 30 seconds of the game. Well done to Sophie and Jess for being awarded Players of the Match from Buckingham.
Our Y10 A&B netball teams played The Royal Latin School on Wednesday with some exceptional play in the A Team, resulting in a 15-5 win. Our B Team lost 7-9 with the score going up and down throughout so it could have ended either way. Players of the match went to Lily and Ade.
We travelled to Wycombe Abbey School for the A team swimming finals with our Junior Team securing 1st place. Our Inters placed third and our Seniors 2nd. A huge achievement for all involved. Overall in the league, we finished in second place, missing out on 1st by only 3 points. Well done to all!
Finally, our U13 and U15 Badminton Teams playing against Waddesdon School on Thursday. Our U13A team won 7-0, the U13B team won 4-3, the U15A team won 7-0 and the U15B team won 7-0.
Again, huge thanks to all students, parents and staff who make these events possible.
Merit Mark Winners
Congratulations to the students below who earned the largest amount of merit marks in their forms last half term.
On-site catering next week
Thank you to our caterers, Cucina, for doing an incredible job this week in very difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, we are still unlikely to have the gas supply back to the kitchen next week. We will however, have a greater selection of food available, as Cucina are going to use another of their school site to prepare food for us . Apologies for this ongoing inconvenience.
Calling all English GCSE students - Jekyll and Hyde at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Calling all English GCSE students and literature lovers! DTC’s acclaimed production of a Victorian classic arrives at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre in Spring 2024.
If your daughter is studying GCSE English Literature (particularly those in Year 11) here is an excellent opportunity to see one of the key texts we study, realised on stage!
Students who went to last year's production found the revision play very useful to clarify their understanding of the novella's plot and themes, as well as for revising key quotes.
Revision on Tour: Jekyll and Hyde at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Date: Wednesday 27th March 2024, 19:30
Link to tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/revision-on-tour-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/
Year 7 Disco - Friday 1 March
AI Slides and Video
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday for the AI Parent Information Evening. Please find the linked slide show which contains the links referenced in the talk, but also a video which includes a talk through of the whole presentation.
Contaminated vapes
We have been alerted by Buckinghamshire Council that there have been reports of vape liquids & pens containing very strong synthetic cannabinoids or ‘spice’. These THC (tetrahydrocannabinol: the primary psychoactive component in cannabis) vapes are not legal in the UK, but can be bought in some countries and are being sold on or produced illegally. Synthetic cannabinoids are much more harmful and unpredictable than cannabis and effects include seizures, extreme anxiety, paranoia, psychosis and acute kidney injury.
Vaping itself is widely known to be harmful - more information here. But if you'd like more information on THC vapes, please see this information leaflet from Cranstoun: Drug Alert - Contaminated Vapes - Cranstoun
Wishing all well for a lovely weekend and thank you, as ever, for your support.
Marieke Forster