Friday 21 November 2025

Headmistress' Introduction

Dear Parents and Carers

Another busy week at AHS with several events and lots of sport.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: we held House PE and as we go to press, the results have not yet been published but well done to everyone who took part and thank you to the PE Department for all their hard work.  

Across the week: Year 11 had Active Tutoring, where they have an opportunity for one to one meetings with their form tutors. 

Wednesday: we held our Sixth Form Open Evening. We welcomed over 600 visitors into School and received very positive feedback.  Thank you to Mr Skinner and the Sixth Form Team for organising this and a big thank you to all the staff, Ambassadors and students who supported the event.

Thursday: our Year12 Green Schools Challenge winners visited the Whiffaway site in High Wycombe (more below) and today, our swimming team will be taking part in the Swimming Super League in Abingdon; we wish them every success.

Tonight: the AHS/AGS Year 7 Disco.  We wish all a great time and thank the AHSA, Miss Morrin and all the staff who are supporting her, for giving up their time to make this happen. 

Sport This Week

House Sports 

This week, students have been participating in House Sports, competing in games of Dodgeball, Kinball and Football. Great spirits from everyone. Results to follow.

Netball (Aylesbury League)

Year 10 A team lost 38-10

Player of the match was Sofia

Year 10 B team lost 21-8

Player of the match was Iliana 

Both teams fought hard and didn't give up, the A team only had 7 players against a very strong team from Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School.

Year 11 A lost 16-19 vs John Colet School

Player of the match was Ewa

A very close, great game and the girls worked so hard throughout. 

Utilita Cup Girls

The Under 13 football team had the opportunity to represent Aylesbury High School in the Utilita Cup this week. 

In Group Stage 1 they placed 3rd

In Group Stage 2 they placed 2nd

Brilliant work from all involved

Handball

The U15 team played against Shiplake College this week and won 5-4, well done!

Football County Cup

U18 Football lost 2-0 vs Chesham Grammar School.

Hockey

U13 Hockey vs Ashfold School, the A team won 7-0

Player of the match was Katie

The B team won 1-0

Player of the match was Millie

Your Voice, Your Future - Work Experience Programme 2026 - Laura Kyrke-Smith MP

Following the success of this year’s Easter school, I will be running two opportunities for students aged 16 and over who live and study in the Aylesbury constituency.  Both workshops will include skills-building sessions on communication and campaigning, practical exercises on how change happens locally and nationally and a day in Westminster. The aim is to help young people build confidence, develop leadership and teamwork  skills, and explore how they can make a difference in Aylesbury and beyond. 

February Dates: Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th February

Summer Dates: Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd July

Want to learn what an MP actually does?

Curious about how laws are made and how Parliament works?

Interested in boosting your CV with skills like public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking?

Your Voice, Your Future is an exciting work experience programme for young people interested in politics, leadership, and making a difference in their community.

In 2026, there are two opportunities to take part:

• A two-day event in February for those wanting a shorter introduction to Parliament and local politics; and

•  A four-day summer programme offering a deeper dive into policymaking, campaigning and community leadership.

Both programmes combine workshops, discussions and real-world challenges to help participants develop understanding, skills and confidence.

Overview of February Two-Day Programme

Day 1 – Westminster

• Tour of the Palace of Westminster

• Insight sessions with parliamentary staff

• Q&A with Laura and colleagues in Parliament

Day 2 – Aylesbury

• Insight into the work of Laura and her team

• Discussion on the work of MPs and Parliament

• Group challenge: Exploring local priorities and casework

2 Summer Four-Day Programme

Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd July

Day 1–2: Aylesbury – interactive workshops, guest speakers and policy challenges

Day 3: (Wednesday 22nd): Westminster – Parliament tour, and meeting MPs and staff

Day 4: Aylesbury – final project development and presentations to Laura and team.

Who Can Apply?

We welcome applications from Aylesbury constituents aged 16–18.

We’re looking for young people who can explain why this opportunity matters to them, what excites them about politics and leadership, and what they hope to achieve through taking part.

We’ll prioritise candidates whose answers show a real interest in public life and a clear sense of how this experience will help them grow personally and professionally. We aim to ensure the programme reflects the diversity and richness of our communities.

How to apply for the February programme

Follow this link https://forms.gle/Y3yF27XZRgjcdLyv9 to complete the online application form for the February Programme:

Applications close Monday 12th January 2026 at 9am.

Applicants will be notified of outcomes by Wednesday 21st January, and places must be confirmed by Wednesday 28th January

Places are limited, so apply early.

Applications for the summer programme will open in March

The Green Schools Challenge Team

On Thursday, Pedals that Power (our Year 12 Green Schools Challenge team) visited the premises of Whiffaway (the Bucks company that is supporting them in the competition) where they continued to develop their project idea and also found out more about Whiffaway, particularly its product development. At the competition final on 1 December, one of the prizes is for best brand and social media presence and you can help Pedals that Power here! Please follow @pedalsthatpower on Instagram to see how they are getting on and to show your support. 

Mrs Sutton
Next Steps and Careers Lead

Welcome back to one of our Alumnae

Today we have been delighted to welcome back into school Lucy Cady, who left AHS in 2013 and is now Senior Business Operations Manager for Amazon Global University. Lucy ran a session for a group of interested Year 13 students about what degree apprenticeship opportunities Amazon can offer and how they can make a strong application for apprenticeships in general.  Everyone gained a huge amount of insight and we are really grateful to Lucy for giving up her time to come in and support our students in this way.

Mrs Sutton
Next Steps and Careers Lead

Year 10 Business Students - Town Centre Surveys

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week our year 10 groups visited Aylesbury town centre to survey the local population and businesses.

They were focused on the success of these businesses, their ownership structures and objectives. Naturally, the marketing efforts in the lead up to the festive period was also very noticeable.

Mr Morris
HoD Business & Economics 

Parking around School

This week, we received a complaint from a local resident informing us that a parent, who was waiting to collect their daughter, left their engine idling whilst doing so.  Idling, instead of turning your engine off while stationary, increases the amount of exhaust emissions in the air and is bad for people and the environment.  If you are collecting your daughter(s) from School, please could you do so with consideration for our neighbours by parking legally and switching off your engine whilst waiting.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Vacancies

Cleaning Supervisor - Closing date 24 November 2025

Science Technician - Closing date 30 November 2025

With thanks, as ever, for your support, and wishing all a lovely weekend,

Marieke Forster