Welcome back after the half-term break. I hope both pupils and staff enjoyed a restful break after such a busy start to the academic year.

As we enter the holy month of Ramadan, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all members of our school community who are observing this period of reflection, prayer and fasting. Ramadan Kareem to you and your families. Earlier this week, we shared a detailed message outlining the specific measures the school has put in place to support our pupils as they observe their fast. Our priority is to ensure that all pupils feel supported, comfortable and able to flourish both academically and personally during this important time. If you haven't had a chance to review those arrangements yet, please do take a moment to look back at that communication.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Haynes, who generously gave his time to lead our recent school ski trip. The Year 9 ski trip was a fantastic experience for our pupils, and we are incredibly grateful to the staff who make these opportunities possible. I encourage you to visit our school’s Instagram page to see updates from the week; it was wonderful to see our pupils embracing new adventures and creating lasting memories with their peers.

It was also excellent to see such a strong turnout of Year 9 pupils and their families at our Options Evening on Wednesday night. This is a significant milestone in their educational journey, and we appreciate your support in helping our pupils make informed decisions about their future studies.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in the Gym and Dance Show. A total of 140 pupils showcased their talent during this highly anticipated annual event on the 10th and 11th February. The showcase was the result of months of dedication, featuring an impressive range of performances, including Trampette routines, Floor Gymnastics and various dance styles such as Contemporary, Commercial and Modern. Thank you to our pupils for the incredible effort they put into perfecting their performances, and to Miss Tucker and the entire organising team for such a professional production.

I am also delighted to share that we have been named one of the top 200 sporting schools in the country, achieving an impressive 62nd place ranking nationally. This recognition by School Sport Magazine reflects our competitive success in over 120 national competitions, specifically highlighting the achievements of our Senior Girls in the ESFA Football semi-finals, our Inter Boys in the National Track & Field Final, and our U16 Boys reaching the National Vase Regional Final. These milestones are a testament to the dedication of our pupils, staff and supportive parents. However, while we celebrate this elite performance, our focus remains firmly on participation as well as performance. We remain committed to an inclusive culture where every pupil, regardless of ability, feels empowered to stay active and enjoy the vital physical and mental benefits of sport.

Excitement is now building for the school production of Alice in Wonderland, with final rehearsals well underway for next week’s performances. We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now officially sold out for all performances running from the 3rd-6th March. Thank you to our wonderful community for your incredible support of our talented cast and crew. I very much look forward to seeing those of you with tickets at 7pm in the Drama Hall!

Looking ahead to March, there is much to anticipate, including our Spring Concert and the upcoming Parents' Evenings for Year 8 and Year 7. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the upcoming PA Quiz Night on 14th March.

We will also celebrate the immeasurable impact of Dr. Josephine Valentine OBE, honoring her 31 years of dedicated service, including 20 years as Headteacher, and her visionary leadership of both the school and the Danes Educational Trust. Dr. Valentine retires at the end of this term from her role as CEO of Danes Educational Trust.  We wish her all the very best in her new roles.