27th November 2025

Welcome to our weekly bulletin,

A shorter week and an earlier bulletin today as school is closed to students tomorrow. This week has seen significant progress on the building site, the start of the Christmas preparations and some important health and safety topics being discussed in personal development time.

We have been very busy...

Watching the framework appear

On Monday we were greeted by the sight of steel and we have been hooked on watching the rapid construction of the new build structure.

By Tuesday we could see a Science lab and a French classroom on the second and third floor and whilst this might be in outline only, it prompted lots of discussion and excitement about our new school.

Our students deserve the very best place to learn and we have strived for excellence in an environment that has been extremely challenging to maintain for several years. Our new building will be a pristine school with the best technology and facilities and a completely fresh canvas for new memories to be made. Seeing it rise from the ground suddenly makes it seem real and there is a building site buzz around school which grows with development we see.

If you want to know more, our builders post community information on the safety gates which member of the public can read.

Launching our Christmas appeals

We will be working with Feeding Families again this year and as part of their Food Raising Project Tutor groups will be challenged with bringing in items to donate.

We also know that some of our families may be unable to donate and would benefit from receiving goods themselves and so if you feel this is you, please contact reception so we can help.

The Feeding Family donation boxes will be in main reception and items can be dropped off or brought in with your child between 8am and 4pm Monday- Friday.

Final donations are required by Friday 5th December so please bring in your goods next week.

Reminding about road safety

This week's big question has focused on why road safety continues to be something we need to consider as we get older.

Students tend to have greater freedom as they travel to and from secondary school and so the risks around crossing roads increases. Add in some dark and wet weather and the hazards are even more dangerous.

We have asked parents and carers not to park straight outside of school because it causes traffic congestion and mixes children with moving vehicles which is an accident waiting to happen.

Please remind your child about the safe places to cross the road, the importance on walking on a path and that that they should be looking at the road and not their phone when crossing. If you drop off or pick up, please park in a parking space well away from the school entrance and exit.

Inviting Year 11 parents to speak to your child's mentor

Every year 11 student has been allocated a mentor who will support them during the lead up to their exams.

Following their trial exams, their mentor will share their progress to you and explain their priorities for revision in the next few weeks.

Appointments will be scheduled through School Cloud which can be accessed on your child's chromebook or your mobile phone.

Year 11 parents will receive a letter about this next week.

Enjoying a rainbow

The rain may not have been pleasant this week but the rainbow over school was amazing to see on Monday morning.

Students were stopped in their tracks in awe and wonder as three rainbows formed an arc over our site. This prompted lots of scientific discussion about how rainbows are formed and whether or not there is anything at the end of one.

Reflecting on Lumiere

The festival may be over but we are still celebrating the work of our students.

Sadly, not all of our student work was installed during the preview evening but the organisers and our own Mrs Willis have shared some fabulous photographs of the final pieces on display during the festival.

Saying well done to Year 7

Year 7 have produced some spectacular art work this week and Mrs Willis said they reminded her or why she became a teacher in the first place.

Students created landscape paintings in the style of Angie Lewin the artist. Students have been studying natural form learning to observe, shape and detail. They used mixed media to create a final piece celebrating the beauty of every day detail in flora around us.

Well done Year 7 and keep up your confidence, ambition and respect.

Reminding students about sleep hygiene

Sleep is one of the most important things in our lives because it helps our body and brain rest and repair. It is vital for mental and physical health. We all know how important sleep is for babies and toddlers but did you know that it is just as important for your teenager too?

The NHS states:

Teenagers (13 to 18 years old)

It is well-known that teenagers want to stay up late and then struggle to get up in the morning. This is due to the puberty hormones shifting their body clocks and changing their sleep patterns. These hormonal changes can make them feel like they need to go to sleep and wake up 3-4 hours later than adults.

Teenagers need approximately 9-10 hours sleep at night. If they do not get enough sleep it can affect their mood, their ability to concentrate and learn, and their mental health.

Using electronic devices such as TVs, mobile phones, computers and tablets around bedtime can affect your child's sleep. It can impact the quality and length of their sleep.

Teenagers who put their smartphones down 1 hour before bed gain an extra 21 minutes sleep at night (1 hour 45 minutes over the school week).

Establishing a good sleep routine is part of preparing your child to be a healthy adult and further help can be found here.

Recommending reads

Some parents and carers have asked us for recommended reads so Mrs Turnbull has created a guide for each year group.

Each list contains a selection of iconic books that they will not only enjoy but that will add to their wider understanding of literature and develop vocabulary.