Headteacher’s Letter – 10.03.22
11th March 2022
Dear parents and carers,
We are coming up to the halfway point of the school year. For our Year 11 and 13 students this means the start date for their examinations can now be counted in weeks and the need to be focused and working hard is never more important. Year 11 have been undertaking further practice exams in all subjects. They are not alone, however, as in March Year 7 students will also be sitting examinations.
World Book Day
We have celebrated World Book Day with a variety of activities and have distributed a number of books to students. Members of staff dressed up as a character from a book for students to guess, and a read-a-thon took place in the library to raise money for charity.
Safer Internet Day
Technology and the ability to use the internet are key parts of modern life, but awareness of the risks and how to avoid them are essential. Safer Internet Day 2022 was celebrated globally on 8th February with the theme: Exploring respect and relationships online. Consequently, students in Years 7-11 have all had lessons to mark the event. Students have worked on issues ranging from cyberbullying to critical thinking and fact checking. Please visit our website and social media feeds for parental advice and ideas for conversation starters to ensure that your children are using technology safely.
Year 9 Parents Evening and Options Process
Thanks to parents, students and staff for a positive and productive options’ evening. This formally marks the start of the options process for GCSE courses. We continue to receive positive feedback regarding our virtual parents’ evenings, for both the convenience of families joining from home and that the system ensures that appointment times are strictly adhered to. Whilst I know that some staff and parents do prefer face-to-face meetings, we are planning on maintaining the current format.
Swimming Pool Update
You will share my pride in the fact we have a swimming pool on site and that we use this as part of our PE curriculum. This is a huge privilege and asset to the school. We expect the building work to be completed for the beginning of the summer when we will have not only a refurbished pool, but also updated changing rooms which will serve to greatly enhance our provision for students and the local community.
Free School Meals Vouchers
Tower Hamlets has confirmed that they will be offering a £20.00 voucher for those eligible for those vulnerable or on free school meals to cover the Easter period. Vouchers will be send via email to the primary contact email address we have on the system for your child.
Please note that this is likely be the last time that Tower Hamlets will provide the voucher, as government funding is ending in March. This may be disappointing news to parents, however Tower Hamlets will continue to run the Holiday Activities and Food programme in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Key Events for this term
The term dates for the coming half term are listed below. Please check our website and social media feeds for regular updates.
Spring Term: 4th January – 1st April
Year 7 examinations – Week beginning 21st March
Easter Holiday: 4th April – 18th April
This is a busy time of year for all of us, however I would like to highlight that on Wednesday 2nd March the period of Lent commenced. This is one of the most important times of year for many Christians around the world. Lent calls us to slow down, to take time to reflect, to pray and to take a good look at our lives and how we are living them. With this in mind, I would like to wish you all the best in the run up to Easter and I will be writing again in the coming weeks.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Woods
Headteacher