Dear Parents, Carers, and Students

Our School community continues to hold heavy hearts following the devastating news of the loss of Amelia Aplin over the weekend. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies remain constant with her family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to express my sincere gratitude for the many kind words of support we have received from across our School community; they have been a great comfort. 

In the face of such sadness, I have been profoundly moved by the bravery and spirit of our students. They have supported one another, and our staff, with immense maturity, kindness and generosity, whilst continuing to engage with the life of our lovely School. Over the week the students completed a memory book for Amelia and Amelia's friends are delivering this to her parents on Sunday. I have been so very proud of them.  

I would also like to thank staff for their support this week, they too have been incredible. Also kind, generous, brave, standing with our students and each other. Thank you, again #ProudtobeAHS. 

Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to support the family and those closely affected, and we will continue to be a pillar of strength for them in the weeks and months ahead.  When the time is right, and in collaboration with Amelia's family and our students, we will work to create a personal lasting memorial to Amelia, one which keeps her in our hearts and thoughts going forward. 

Support for your Daughter 

Some of our students, in particular, have found this week very hard. To help parents and carers support their daughters during this difficult time, we recommend Winston’s Wish. Winston's Wish is a charity which offers free online grief support to young people.  There is also a bereavement support helpline which you can call on 08088 020 021 if you would like advice on how to help your child.  Additionally, this page gives specific advice to parents on supporting grieving children. 

This week...

It has been a busy period of activity, and seeing our pupils carry on with such poise has been a testament to their character. From the strategic focus seen in House Chess to the spirited energy in sports, they have shown remarkable fortitude.

We have also been proud of those representing the school at the Buckinghamshire Model United Nations, as well as the warm hospitality shown by our students to our visiting French exchange partners. These moments of connection and achievement serve as a reminder of the strength of our community.

SEND Coffee morning

We would like to invite you to  the next Aylesbury High School SEND Coffee morning. This will be an informal opportunity to meet with members of the  SEND team and other parents too. We will be focusing on how you can support your child with school work. 

The coffee morning will be held in the SEND corridor on 18 March  October from 9-10.30 

You can confirm your attendance here.

Mrs Craft
SENDCo
Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Sport

This week 

Rugby
U18 Rugby: In a defensive battle vs Royal Latin School, the squad showed fantastic cohesion but narrowly lost 2–0 in tries. The points didn't quite fall our way this time but it was fantastic to see the team back together on the pitch.

Netball
U16 Netball: A double-header saw our A and B teams face a single, strong Royal Latin side. The A team fought hard in an 11–4 loss, while the B team displayed excellent nerves to secure a well-earned 5–5 draw.  

Badminton
Another set of matches against Royal Latin School.
U15s: Put up a strong fight, finding the net twice in a 5-2 defeat.
U13s: A tough learning curve for the younger squad, finishing 6-1 but gaining valuable match experience.

Well done to all players for representing the school with such spirit!

Mrs Colclough
PE Technician 

Classroom to Careers Newsletter 

Please take a look at this weeks Classroom to Careers newsletter here. 

M Sutton
Next Steps and Careers Lead

World Sleep Day: Developing Healthy ‘Sleep Ethics’

Friday 13th March, is World Sleep Day 2026. We are encouraging students to view sleep not as an optional luxury, but as an essential ‘ethical’ choice for their own mental and physical health.

What are Sleep Ethics?

It’s the practice of valuing, prioritising, and protecting sleep. For students, this means acknowledging that a well-rested brain learns faster, manages stress better, and is more resilient.

Sleep & The 5 Ways to Wellbeing

Healthy sleep habits naturally support the core pillars of wellbeing:

Connect: Encourage a ‘digital sunset’ where the whole family puts screens away 1 hour before bed to talk or relax together.

Be Active: Regular daytime exercise helps build ‘sleep pressure,’ making it easier to fall asleep at night.

Take Notice: If your child’s mind is racing, try a "Brain Dump"—writing down tomorrow’s to-do list to clear mental clutter before bed.

Keep Learning: Share the 10-3-2-1-0 Rule: No caffeine 10 hours before, no large meals 3 hours before, no work 2 hours before, and no screens 1 hour before bed.

Give: Help them see that getting enough rest is an act of self-care that allows them to be more present for their friends and family.

Fuel for Better Sleep

What students eat can significantly impact their rest. Consider these "Sleeper" foods for evening snacks:

Bananas & Almonds: Packed with magnesium and potassium to help muscles relax.

Oats or Wholemeal Toast: Complex carbs that help the body produce melatonin.

Dairy (Milk or Yoghurt): Contains tryptophan, a natural sleep-inducer.

Cherries: One of the only natural food sources of melatonin.

Top Tip: Avoid high-sugar snacks and caffeine (including tea, cola, and some hot chocolates) from the early afternoon onwards to prevent sleep disruption.

For further advice: https://teensleephub.org.uk/parents-carers/ 

Mrs McNally

Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead and DDSL

Unifrog webinar: choosing university courses and institutions

Tuesday 17 March 17:30 - 18:15

Designed for parents and caregivers, this session will give a balanced introduction to higher education decision-making. With guidance from Lancaster University, it will look at how to evaluate courses and universities, including reputation and the Russell Group, employability outcomes, course content, and teaching styles. You’ll come away with more knowledge and confidence to support your young person to make informed, realistic choices.

Sign up here to attend.

Unifrog Virtual Subject Discovery Fair

Wednesday 18 March 16:00 - 18:30

From finance to nursing, law to creative arts, and engineering to teaching, the Subject Discovery Fair is a great opportunity to find out all about studying at university and get all your questions answered by the experts. Students and parents/carers can join over 30 universities from across the UK to speak to their representatives via Q&A, and attend live sessions delivered by university academics to get an insight into what they might study at university.

Find out more and sign up here.

M Sutton
Next Steps and Careers Lead 

Parking 

As we move further into the term, I would like to share a brief reminder regarding parking and road safety around the school site. To ensure the safety of all our pupils, please ensure you are strictly obeying all local parking restrictions. 

I also ask that you remain mindful of our neighbors by avoiding the obstruction of private driveways. By choosing safety and consideration over convenience, we can maintain a positive relationship with our local residents and, most importantly, keep a safe environment for every child. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in this matter.

With thanks, as ever, for your support. With love to all.

Marieke Forster