Head of School Letter 22nd April 202422/04/2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

It was wonderful to welcome students back to school after the Easter break, last Tuesday. The Macbeth performances were well received by Years 10 and 11 on their first morning back into learning. Exam Season is underway, with Level 3 Finance and GCSE Art exams taking place this week, before GCSE MFL speaking exams next week.

One lunch

We have had four days of the whole school taking lunch at the same time. Overwhelmingly, the trial has been positive and where challenges have arisen, staff and students have worked together to resolve them. Students will be asked for their feedback on the trial via a Student Survey in the next couple of weeks. A reminder that there is a wide range of lunchtime activities on offer for students to participate in, I popped into Chess Club on Thursday lunchtime. It was great to see lots of students from across the year groups playing Chess - both beginners and those with experience, expertly guided by Mr Knightley.  The website has been updated with details of new lunch and after-school activities: Wider Curriculum and Activities 

PE Kit

To support students taking exams this summer, from 29th April, on the days that students have athletics, they should come to school in their PE kits. This is because we shut the PE changing rooms closest to the exam rooms to ensure the space is silent. A letter has gone to parents about this and there will be regular reminders via social media in the coming days. 

School Photo Shoot Day

The weather was not helpful last Friday with rain and wind affecting some of the planned photo locations for the marketing photographs, but we’re hopeful that the photographer captured the school at its best - the blossom on the flowering cherry trees outside B Block is looking stunning at the moment. A thank you to all staff and students who were part of the photoshoot. 

Brave the Shave for an Incredible Cause!

This Friday is the day that Mr Herman will be shaving his hair and beard, donating his hair to the Little Princess Trust, and helping create wigs for children experiencing hair loss. We will share photos of the event on social media️. If you are able to, and would like to, please consider sponsoring Mr Herman's Shave to support both of these charities. Every donation, big or small, makes a huge difference. To donate, please click here: https://bit.ly/HermanShave

Sports Fixtures and Results

Yesterday I ran the London Marathon as part of the official pacing team, pacing sub-7:00 hours. As a pacer, you are required to finish no more than 60 seconds under your target time and cross the halfway timing mat no more than one minute over or under your time; I am very happy to report that I paced home some incredible runners, crossing the finish line in 6:59:28. For many of those who were running with me, this was their first (but hopefully not last) marathon. It was a huge privilege to be able to support them, and others out on the course to achieve their goals. Listening to some of their stories about why they were running, the charities that they were raising money for and their friends/family supporting them, made for an emotional run at times; a real celebration of human spirit, resilience and kindness at its best. 

 

On Saturday, four of our students volunteered to run as ‘hares’ at the Buckinghamshire Primary School Cross Country event at Ascott House, Wing. Their job was to lead the younger runners around a tricky cross-country course that had a tough uphill finish. Well done and thank you to them all for supporting a local event in this way. In other sporting news, we participated in two 6-a-side football tournaments at the John Colet School. On Tuesday, the U13 girls only lost one game, drew four and won three, finishing 5th overall. On Thursday, the U15 girls played, losing three games, drew four and won one. This meant they also finished in  5th place overall. 

 

The U15 boys’ football team headed to the 3G pitch at Royal Latin School for the District League Cup Final vs Buckingham School. I am delighted to report that the boys won this match 5-3, retaining their League Cup trophy from last year! A difficult first half saw the team trailing to Buckingham, 3-1 at the break. Jack H led the team to an inspiring comeback by scoring four goals. Sam S assisted three of these goals and got a goal for himself at the end of the game to secure the victory. Congratulations boys!!

 

It’s a quieter week for sport this coming week before the summer fixtures calendar starts up and I can report the results of cricket, rounders and athletics wins! The new practice schedule is on the website: Summer Term PE Clubs. There are a number of lunchtime opportunities: Summer Term PE Lunch Activities

 

Performing Arts

Trip Students from a range of year groups are off to the theatre in Milton Keynes on Thursday evening to watch Aladdin the musical. Miss Mayhew is hopeful it will inspire them as it is a possible contender for the next Cottesloe Performing Arts show!

 

Year 13 A letter from Mr Youngs will send home this week a letter regarding study leave and attendance at school during exams for Year 13. 

 

Year 11 A letter from Mr Passaro and Mr Magill regarding study leave and attendance at school during exams as well as key dates and information about Prom will be sent home this week. The GCSE Art exam takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and the GCSE PE Moderation on Friday. Good luck to those students involved!

 

Year 10 The mock exams for GCSE Statistics and Level 2 Functional Skills will take place this Tuesday, giving all Year 10 students one of their first opportunities to experience the exam process. We don’t underestimate the importance of rehearsing the practical side of taking an exam and developing confidence in how to take an exam, alongside demonstrating key knowledge and skills to achieve an excellent outcome.  

 

Year 9 The next group of Year 9 students undertaking their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice are out in the Bucks countryside on Monday and Tuesday this week with Mr Curtis and Mrs Rudge. Fingers crossed it is a dry night!

 

Wishing all our students who are taking exams this week the very best. We know they will be brilliant. Have a great week and thank you for your support.

Best wishes, 

Louise Baldwin

Head of School