20 October 2023
Dear Parent / Carer
At the end of what has been a packed first Autumn half-term, I would like to say thank you to all members of our student body who have applied themselves to their work so diligently and who have enriched our school community through their extra curricular activities, whether in the field of performing arts, music, sport, engineering, robotics, design technology, art or academic endeavour. We have so much talent in our school and it is a genuine delight to showcase this.
I would also like to thank you, our parents and carers, who have provided such a sustaining and supportive voice through what has been an exceptionally busy, challenging and, ultimately, exciting half-term. My own and my immediate team’s greatest joy has been the way in which our students have increasingly smiled and engaged with us, both at the gate during the mornings and evenings, and also as we have walked the school more generally. In light of this, I would ask that you read the information relating to our new Rewards System provided later in this newsletter. I look forward to rewarding the many students in our school who support its work with their positive attitude and actions.
You will know that the second Autumn half-term brings Mock examinations for our Year 13 and Year 11 students. Please be aware that you should have received your child’s ‘Mocks’ timetable today alongside details of the Year 11 ‘Prepped for Success’ Intervention Programme that will be running from Monday 30 October.
‘Prepped for Success’ is the brainchild of Ms Adele Wallis, Associate Principal at Elstree Screen Arts Academy, who has been seconded to The John Warner School for two days a week to support our curriculum and assessment work. Target students in Year 11 will be invited to attend specific, subject-based intervention sessions for up to 3 weeks at a time on a given evening or lunchtime. After 3 weeks a second cycle will run with an adjusted focus. Your child will receive a bespoke invitation to the sessions they are expected to attend. I would ask that you support us by strongly encouraging your child(ren) to attend the sessions they have been invited to.
Finally, I would like to invite all Year 11 students and their parents / carers to our Post-16 Open Evening to be held on 7 November 2023 from 18.00pm. You will find a flyer for the event here Sixth Form Open Evening.
I look forward to speaking with you then.
Wishing you all a restful and happy half-term break.
Warmest Regards
Rachel Brindley
Interim Headteacher, The John Warner school
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students:
Jessica Walker in Year 9 who has been selected from over 14,500 Sea Cadets to represent Sea Cadets at the National Trafalgar Day Parade on 22 October 2023.
Oliver Dudley in Year 11 who has been offered a place to attend the Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre (SCIC) with the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
Lydia Higgs, one of 22 selected from 217 girls who trialled for the Hertfordshire U13 County Netball Selection.
Alumni, Georgia D’Ath, Apprentice of the Year for the East of England last year and, as of October 2023, an Apprentice Ambassador. Georgia is shown in the picture here, co-hosting the National East of England Regional Apprentice Awards and has been kind enough to provide a short summary of her experiences since leaving The John Warner School:
To read Georgia's short summary, please click below.
Victory for The John Warner Robotics Team
On Saturday 7 October 2023, six of the school’s Robotics teams took part in the second regional event of the year with three of the teams (in combination) making it to the semi-finals.
While Highgate's Momento Mori defeated our own Zara and Tegan to deny them a finals spot, Dennis and Ethan made it through in the other semi final. That meant that our boys were against Momento Mori and Greig City Academy in the final match and they battled valiantly, applying pressure throughout the match and, ultimately, winning the tournament!
This was a major achievement as the boys were 10th seed, the lowest rank coming into the knockout stages. They had to play an extra match to get into the final bracket and, ultimately, to beat the 2nd, 3rd and top seeds to win.
World Mental Health Day
The John Warner School went #HelloYellow on 10 October 2023 for World Mental Health Day, showing up for young people’s mental health and raising vital funds for YoungMinds.
We can all struggle with how we’re feeling, but sometimes things get really tough and it can be difficult to cope. For so many young people, when this happens, they don’t get the help they need, when they need it. By taking part, our school showed our young people that we’re with them; that they matter and that they deserve the support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
To take part, our students wore one item of yellow to school and Annabelle O’Bryan in Year 13 contributed a poem which you may read by clicking below and which was shared with all students during their form time.
'Wear it Pink' Day
Today saw our school community support Breast Cancer Awareness month, always a poignant occasion for colleagues and students who remember, with love, Jen Pope. Pink ribbons were worn and our 6th formers did a sterling job collecting donations. If you would like to make a contribution, please use our WisePay page found here www.wisepay.co.uk
Year 7 Concert
It was an absolute joy to attend the Year 7 Concert last night, 19 October, the first of what will be many live music events featuring our students. Around 50 students took part in the concert, singing popular songs that embraced teamwork and friendship. Highlights included Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' (featuring our GCSE students on accompaniment) and Randy Newman's 'You've Got a Friend in Me' from Toy Story. Several soloists performed in between ensemble songs and an enjoyable evening was had by all.
Black History Month - Danielle Halley, Subject Lead for History
Earlier this month, students were respectful and attentive throughout the presentation of an assembly which celebrated and acknowledged the 2023 theme for Black History Month: Saluting our Sisters. Students have been invited to participate in the organisation's poetry competition, and this will continue to be encouraged as final submissions are accepted until November 15. During form time, conversations have taken place about the role of pioneering black women whose influence has brought such richness to the British Community. Students have actively voiced their awe at particular females, one Year 10 form being enthralled by the work of Jessica Inaba, the first black and blind British female to become a barrister. We will endeavour to keep these conversations going throughout the year and across the curriculum.
Please click on the link below to read the following entry to the poetry competition from Kundiso Marango (8A1) which, in its deliberate simplicity, has both power and energy.
Autumn Term 1 -
Sports' Round -Up
Since we returned to school in September, John Warner students have taken part in 31 sports fixtures covering a range of activities including football, rugby, cross country and netball.
Please click on the link below to read our notable highlights over the past 6 weeks.
Rewards System
after half-term
In keeping with our strategic plan for 2023 to 2024, please be aware that we will be initiating a new Rewards System at The John Warner School from 30 October 2023. Please take the time to read the following information in table form. We have then provided a brief explanation of the way(s) in which each reward will be applied.
Celebrating 100% Attendance and ZERO 'Behaviour Points'
The first Autumn half-term saw over a third of our Year 7 to Year 11 community on 100% attendance. Their commitment is to be highly commended and they will, of course, reap the rewards in future examination cycles. All students involved will receive a letter of congratulations.
Equally 253 Year 7 to Year 11 students remained on ZERO negative 'Behaviour Points' across the whole half-term. All students involved, again, will receive a letter of congratulations.
Parent / Carer Thank yous
In each newsletter our final item is always a short extract from one of the many ‘Thank yous’ staff have received over the previous two weeks.
Good morning Mr Starling,
Many thanks for sending this most informative email - it’s very reassuring to understand the measures which you have put in place to help our children achieve their full potential in their GCSEs, and also what both parents and students can do to help you with this.
Owen speaks very highly of you and your teaching, and is very excited for the year ahead - such a contrast to last year when there didn’t seem to be any real direction or plan in place!
Thank you once again for your communication and I look forward to speaking to you over the coming months.
Warm regards,
Denise
Thank you to Ms Hockin for remembering us as Owen continues to take great strides in his musical career with the school.