Head Teacher’s Update - July 2024
As we draw to the end of another exciting and productive school year, I am delighted to share with you the highlights and achievements of our school community. It has been an incredibly busy year, filled with numerous activities and memorable moments.
This year, our core values have been woven into the fabric of our school, contributing to a rich and vibrant learning environment; enabling all our students to RISE to the challenge.
Our students have shown resilience in their studies, bouncing back from setbacks and persevering through difficult times. They have displayed integrity in their actions, upholding the highest standards of responsibility both inside and outside the classroom. Their pursuit of success has been evident in their outstanding achievements in academics, sports, and the arts. And their empathy and compassion have shone through in their interactions with peers, staff, and the wider community.
As you read through the highlights below, you will see how our students have embodied these values in various activities and accomplishments, making this year truly remarkable.
10 Year Anniversary
This year marked the 10th anniversary of our school, and we celebrated with a series of special events and activities. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our journey and accomplishments over the past decade.
Ofsted Success
We had a successful Ofsted inspection earlier this term and we continue to be a ‘Good’ school. The inspectors praised our ethos and ambition, the behaviour of our students and our supportive and inclusive school community. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.
Expanded Curriculum
This year we expanded our curriculum to include Food Technology and Textiles for Y7. Additionally, we have introduced Food Technology as a GCSE option, giving students the chance to develop essential life skills and explore their culinary talents. We have also implemented an alternative pathway for Key Stage 4 to better cater to our students' diverse needs, ensuring every student can succeed.
Our extracurricular offerings have expanded to include trampolining, street dance, catering and many more. These new clubs have been met with enthusiasm and have provided students with more opportunities to pursue their interests and develop new skills.
New Caterers
I'm sure you have already heard how thrilled we are with our new caterers, Aspens Services. Our chef Larisa and her team have significantly enhanced the quality and variety of meals available to our students. The feedback from both students and staff (and parents who have attended events and sampled their food) has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to expanding our partnership next year with the addition of another serving area.
New Staff
We have been fortunate to welcome several new staff members to our team this year. Their expertise and enthusiasm have already made a positive impact, and we look forward to their continued contributions, reinforcing the strength of our staff community.
Trips & Visits
We have enjoyed some fantastic trips and visits this year.
Year 7: A residential trip to Hill End Outdoor Learning Centre in Oxfordshire, where our new Y7 students bonded while engaging in team-building activities and outdoor learning.
GCSE English: A visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon to watch an RSC performance of Macbeth.
Year 9: A festive journey to the Lille Christmas Markets, providing a cultural and linguistic experience.
GCSE Art & Photography: An inspiring trip to the Oxford Natural History Museum, sparking creativity and artistic exploration.
GCSE Geography: A residential trip to Dorset, offering hands-on learning about coastal geography.
GCSE French: A day trip to Paris, immersing students in French culture and language.
Enhancing our students learning with school trips is crucial as it allows them to engage with their subjects and embed their knowledge. These experiences also help develop important life skills such as independence, teamwork, and problem-solving. It is always a pleasure to take our students on these trips, as their exemplary behaviour consistently reflects the values we uphold. Their curiosity, respect, and enthusiasm make every outing not only educational but also enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved.
The calendar for next year is already filling up with more exciting trips and visits with many more in the pipeline!
Performing Arts
Our performing arts department has had another outstanding year, putting on three fantastic shows: the Winter Concert, Bugsy Malone, and the Summer Showcase. These performances highlighted the incredible talent and dedication of our students and staff, as they worked together to bring these productions to life.
Next year’s school performance will be Oliver! with auditions taking place this past week ready for rehearsals to start in the Autumn.
Community & Charity
Our school community has shown incredible generosity and spirit through various charitable activities this year. We supported the Christmas Jumper Day and the Rotary Shoebox Appeal. Our Student Council raised £292 for Four Paws animal charity with their mufti day, and our school uniform shop has raised almost £900 for the students from donated secondhand uniform. The Student Council are currently deciding how to spend this – we'll keep you updated. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated old uniform and supported our causes this year.
Sensory Garden & Butterfly Room
We are so pleased with our new sensory garden. It was only completed a few weeks ago and is already providing a peaceful and therapeutic space for our students. The project was completed funded by donations of money, materials, plants and time – thank you to everyone who has contributed.
Additionally, work has commenced on our new Butterfly Room, which will further support our SEND department to meet the needs of our students.
Sporting Achievements
Our annual sports day was a great success, with students participating in a range of events with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Throughout the year, we have celebrated various sporting achievements, showcasing the talent, resilience, and dedication of our students.
Both our boys' and girls' football teams competed valiantly across Aylesbury Vale, with the girls participating in three exciting tournaments and the boys making their mark in the district league. Our girls' netball teams displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, with Year 8 earning a commendable second place in the district league. The Year 8 boys also had a successful rugby season, while our joint girls' rugby team, competed in three tournaments and several friendly matches against schools from all over the county.
In athletics, our students showcased their versatility and stamina, finishing 5th overall out of 14 schools in the district athletics event. Additionally, our athletes demonstrated remarkable endurance in the Cottesloe Cross Country at both Junior and Intermediate levels.
Our cricket team faced tough competition in the district league, playing against Buckingham School and Royal Latin School.
Congratulations to all our athletes for their hard work and achievements!
Visitors & Events
We were delighted to host several exciting visitors and events, including a D-Day reenactment, a falconry display, and the Restart a Heart program. These experiences have enriched our students' learning and we hope to offer many more similar events in the future.
Farewell
We say goodbye to Mr Lewis, Mrs Stone, Mrs Bass, Miss Joseph and Miss Millers and we wish them the very best in their new roles.
Thank you
As we conclude this academic year, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership. Successful education is truly a collaboration between school staff, students, and their families, and we are fortunate to benefit from such a supportive school community. Your involvement has been instrumental in making this year a success.
Wishing you all a wonderful and restful summer break. Please take this time to relax, recharge, and enjoy special moments with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming our students back in September, refreshed and ready for another exciting year filled with new opportunities for learning, growth, and achievement.
Francis Murphy
Head Teacher