New parent governors have been appointed.
Headteacher’s Update – 13th September 2024
It is hard to beleive that we have been back in school a fortnight already!! I want to say a huge well done to all the pupils who have made a really positive start to the new academic year. We appreciate that getting back into routines after the summer holiday can be difficult, but I have been impressed with the attendance, punctuality and adherence to uniform so far. Assemblies have focussed on the school’s expectations and importance of mutual respect in the school community. I have been particularly impressed with how well our new pupils have settled. Our Nursery and Reception pupils have settled in well and it was a pleasure to attend the primary phase celebration assembly this morning and take an active part in a rendition of “The Grand Old Duke of York” led by Mr Davies (Head of Lower School) on the piano!! Likewise, Year 7 have made an excellent start to their secondary journey. They have acquainted themselves quickly with the school and impressed staff with their maturity and positive attitude. Da iawn all!!
I know that a number of clubs have started again including the numerous sports clubs which we run. I would encourage as many pupils as possible to make use of the opportunities on offer. Excitement is already building for expressive arts activities planned for this term as well as plans for a whole school production in the Spring Term but more about that in a future update.
I will keep it relatively brief this week but please remember to check our website, social media channels and Satchel One for regular communication updates. Let’s hope we all get to enjoy some September sunshine this weekend – the weather has certainly not been kind to us recently that’s for sure.
Thank you for your continued support.
Richard Rees
Prifathro/Headteacher
Headteacher’s Update – 19th July 2024
The Summer Term is dominated by GCSE Exam season and both Year 10 and Year 11 conducted themselves extremely well during the exams. We await the results in August and hope that Year 11 have a relaxing summer and get the results that allow them to access whatever route they have planned from September. On that note, GCSE Results Day is on Thursday 22nd August. Arrangements for collection have been issued by Mr Williams and can be found on the school website. It was also nice to see so many Year 11 pupils join us for the Leavers Assembly recently and Celebration Evening in The Manor Park. We have also held a Nursery Graduation as well as a Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly in recent weeks. Pupils across all phases have enjoyed a variety of school trips in recent weeks as well as wellbeing events. Many people from within the community and further afield have commented positively on how well behaved and respectful the pupils have been, which is really nice to hear. This was also the case with our Year 10 pupils who recently undertook a week of work experience. Pupils did themselves and the school proud with some pupils even securing part-time jobs!!
I would like to highlight a few things in readiness for September:
Return to School
Autumn Term begins on Monday 2nd September. This will be an INSET Day as usual.
All pupils will return to school on Tuesday 3rd September (except for Nursery pupils)
School Timings
Foundation Phase
7:50 -8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.) |
8:30-8:50 a.m. | Registration |
8:50-10:20 a.m. | Session 1 |
10:20-10:40 a.m. | Break |
10:40-12:00 p.m. | Session 2 |
12:00-12:50 p.m. | Lunch |
12:50-3:00 p.m. | Session 3 |
3:00-4:00 p.m. | Enrichment |
Key Stage 2
7:50 -8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.) |
8:30-8:50 a.m. | Registration |
8:50-10:40 a.m. | Session 1 |
10:40-11:00 a.m. | Break |
11:00-12:30 p.m. | Session 2 |
12:30-1:20 p.m. | Lunch |
1:20-3:00 p.m. | Session 3 |
3:00-4:00 p.m. | Enrichment |
Secondary Phase (Year 7-11)
8:00 -8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Club |
8:30-8:55 a.m. | Registration |
8:55-9:55 a.m. | Lesson 1 |
9:555-10:55 a.m. | Lesson 2 |
10:55-11:10 a.m. | Break |
11:10-12:10 p.m. | Lesson 3 |
12:10-1:10 p.m. | Lesson 4 |
1:10-1:55 p.m. | Lunchtime |
1:55-2:55 p.m. | Lesson 5 |
2:55-3:55 p.m. | Enrichment |
Attendance & Punctuality
It is really important that pupils attend school as much as possible. If for any reason, they are unable to attend school please contact school to report absence. As highlighted above, the school day in secondary phase starts at 8:30 with registration. This is an important part of the day and I would urge pupils to be on time.
Uniform
I have communicated several times throughout the year the importance of school uniform. Pupils will be expected to wear uniform in line with the school’s Uniform Policy in September. PE kit should not be worn unless instructed by the Headteacher.
Mobile Phones
We recognise that mobile phones are an important tool for parents to help safeguard their children. However, we have a very clear message to pupils that mobile phones must not be used during the school day in classrooms or corridors, and nowhere in school during lesson times. At breaktime and lunchtime pupils may use their mobile phones in the yard or atrium. Please do not call your children during lesson times as our “Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Taken” message will be confused if they are expected to take or make calls to parents during learning time. We will continue to confiscate mobile phones until the end of the school day if pupils use them at restricted times or places.
Safeguarding:
The Local Authority will be erecting a fence around the school’s playing fields adjacent to Western Avenue over the summer holiday. This will ensure that pupils continue to have a safe and healthy environment when undertaking PE lessons and matches etc.
Staff Leaving
It is that time of the year when we say farewell to some members of staff. After long and distinguished careers, the following staff members are retiring:
- Mrs Kath Palmer (Head of Lower School)
- Mr Anthony Marchant (Head of Middle School)
- Mrs Madeline Richards (Nursery)
- Mr David Clarke (English)
- Mrs Jodie Jones (English)
- Mrs Julie Peachey (Science)
- Mrs Debra Clarke (MFL)
- Mrs Jaqueline Dorr (RE)
I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best in their retirement. In addition, Miss Josie Perkins (Art Department) is leaving to take up a Head of Art post. Again, we wish her all the best in her new venture. Mr Michael Larkman will be returning to the Art Department from September. I would also like to wish Mr Robert Hayward (Science) all the best having done cover for us for some time as well as the following support staff who are leaving:
- Mr Caleb Watkins
- Ms Abbie Gough
- Ms Beth Kennedy
- Ms Emma Freeman
- Ms Megan Masters
- Mrs Donna Jones
I would like to thank parents and carers again for their continued support of the school and to wish you all a relaxing summer holiday. We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back in September.
Diolch yn fawr iawn
Mr Rees
Headteacher
Celebration Evening Year 11
Please see letter below regarding Celebration Evening. Please note payment deadline 13th of June.
Summer School Uniform
Dear Parents and Carers,
School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community. Each year we review the wearing of PE kit as a summer uniform. Once again we will be allowing pupils from Nursery to Year 10 to wear PE kit to school from after half term.
I would like to be clear that pupils in have two options only. To wear normal school uniform or to wear normal PE kit. Inappropriate garments such as crocs or hotpants will not be permitted, and my team will be contacting homes where pupils do not respect our policy. Our full uniform requirements are set out in full here: https://bit.ly/YBBUniform
If pupils do not have the correct PE kit, then they must wear their normal school uniform.
I would ask that Year 11 continue to wear uniform to their formal examinations as they have done up to this point. The examination hall has air conditioning.
For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents. Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that. We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them.
We hope that once again this compromise to our uniform policy will support pupils to be more comfortable in class without compromising our expectations for high standards.
Yours faithfully.
R. Rees
Year 11 Celebration Evening Update
Please see the letter below regarding Year 11 Celebration Evening.
Immunisation Catch Up Session
‘If your child missed the HPV or MMR vaccinations in school on 26th February 24 a catch up session is being held in school on 18th March 24. More information will follow. Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the School Nursing Team on 01639 862801’
School Uniform Secondary Phase.
Dear Parents,
School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community.
School uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging within school. These factors contribute to students’ wellbeing. Wearing a uniform sets our expectations of the mindset we need. It gives clear signals to pupils that this is a working environment with high standards and helps them separate their social and school life. When children wear a uniform, as well as gaining a sense of pride, we see improved discipline and concentration. Uniform removes the points of difference between students, unifying the student body and providing a greater focus on academic work.
We recognise that with the cost of living rising, that worries about the cost of uniform can be very real, so we have kept our Secondary Phase uniform simple, with unbranded black footwear, unbranded black trousers and skirts, unbranded white shirts. The school tie and jumper being the only branded uniform items for daily school. Our uniform bank is also full of items for those families who need more support, and we are grateful to those that have donated good quality items.
Over the last few weeks it is clear that for some pupils, standards have fallen. Pupils are arriving in school wearing PE Kit or in items which are not part of our uniform. Some pupils have had to be challenged about wearing outerwear such as hoodies and coats in class as they do not have school jumpers. Others have said they don’t have any uniform available.
For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents. Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that. We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them.
Please ensure that on return to school after Easter that pupils have at least the minimum requirement. Black footwear, black skirt or trousers, white shirt a school tie and a school jumper if the weather is cold. Outerwear, including hoodies are not to be worn in class.
Thank you for your support
Year 11 Celebration Evening
Dear Parent/Carer,
As you know from our previous letter in October 2022, the Year 11 End of Year Celebration is on
Thursday the 6th of July 2023. The ticket cost is £34 and is now available to settle via Parent
Pay only for eligible pupils. We do however require the full payment by Monday, May 22nd,
2023.
Comic Relief Secondary Phase
There will be a cake sale at breaktime and a variety of fundraising activities at lunchtime to raise money for Comic Relief. Can pupils bring any spare change with them please 🙂
HPV Vaccinations for Year 8 and 9 pupils.
The School Nurses will be attending school on the 13th, 14th and 17th of March to carry out the first dose of HPV Vaccine for Year 8 pupils. Any consent forms not yet returned should be sent into school asap.
Year 9 pupils will be receiving their 2nd dose of the HPV Vaccine on 13th, 14th or 17th March. If you consented to the first dose of the vaccine this automatically carries your consent for the second dose.
Please ensure that your child wears a short sleeved shirt and has breakfast.