Sports day

Sports day on Friday was a fantastic day. Year groups from year seven to year ten were out for part of the morning and the students were wonderful, cheering each other on and celebrating success. In the afternoon the whole of key stages three and four were involved in tug of war events between tutor groups. It is always a really wonderful day and so my thanks to Mr Lodge, Ms Ault and Mr Littlewood for co-ordinating and running the events.

Sixth form transition

On Wednesday and Thursday, many of our current year elevens and a number of new students joined us for two days of transition into Chilwell sixth form. It was so good to welcome them and we are so pleased that there are significant numbers of students choosing Chilwell sixth form as a place for the next stage of their academic journey. On Thursday, a small group of the new students took a trip to Liverpool with Mr Sweeney, Ms Ault, our new head of sixth form and Ms Fyles, who hands over the reigns of leading the sixth form as we move into the new academic year.

Year five taster day

Monday was also a wonderful day with over two hundred children joining us from local primary schools for a taste of secondary education. The day was filled with opportunities to try lessons in all areas of the curriculum. It was a busy day but another successful one in our partnership with primary schools across the area.

Duke of Edinburgh expedition

As I write this, nearly fifty of our students and large group of staff are out in the Derbyshire countryside for the bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition. We are so proud of the students who undertake this and also the staff who support them in their achievements. It has been a hot weekend for them!

Heat

As we move into the new week, we are aware that the temperatures will be very high. Our buildings sometimes do us no favours in keeping classroom temperatures down and so please ensure that your child arrives in school with water and that they ensure they keep hydrated during the day.

Cygnus

Thank you for all of the responses to our Cygnus offer for next year. We continue to build the opportunities for students and I am really pleased that the offer has become more extensive than we have ever been able to offer before. We will collate the choices and ensure that students and parents have the information they need before the enhancement sessions start in September. 

BBC Introducing

Further congratulations to Romy Woodward, whose track was featured on BBC introducing last week!

Secondary education information

On Saturday, the school played host to an event organised by one of the regional Hong Kong groups for a talk on secondary education in England. It combined information on how to gain access to secondary schools, curriculum, progression and how parents can find out more about schools. It was a successful event with plans for further information sessions.

Year six transition

We look forward to three days of year six transition from Wednesday 13th July to Friday 15th July. We will also be holding our welcome evening for parents on Wednesday 13th at school. Parents have already received letters regarding the times they will be able to meet with tutors and senior staff. 

Activities week

With one more week of formal lessons left we are looking forward to activities week and the various adventures that will take place. There have been a number of parent information sessions and letters issued so that parents and students are aware of arrangements and equipment lists. Please ensure you have read all of this information before the end of the coming week.

Last day - Friday 22nd July

Please be aware of the following arrangements for our final day of the academic year on Friday 22nd July. After students have returned from activities week they should be in full uniform for the day.
Students will be with tutors for double period one.  There will also be year group assemblies in the theatre. At 11.10am there will be a whole school assembly in the sports hall. All students will finish at 12pm. Students who are entitled to FSM will be provided with a packed lunch for collection on request.

Farewell

At the end of term we will say farewell to a number of valued colleagues. It has been a busy few months, ensuring that we have recruited some more fantastic staff ready for the new year. I have been really pleased that many of our staff are moving to promoted posts and that they have been replaced with talent from within our own staff. In September I will introduce our new colleagues, but in the meantime thank you and best wishes to the following members of staff:

Mrs Bradley, Ms Chambers, Mr Eggleston, Ms Goodhead, Ms Henshall, Mrs Lawrence, Mrs Lee, Mrs Smith, Ms Theodorolou, Ms Yeung

They have played such an incredible role in the development of the school in their time here and we wish them the best for their new adventures.

Support for families over the summer break

Families who are entitled to support for free school meals will receive a voucher for support over the summer. This will be issued in the usual manner on Friday 22nd July as a £50 voucher 

New academic year

Autumn Term begins: Thursday 1st September 2022 (Y7 and Y12) and Friday 2nd September 2022 (Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11 and Y13)

Please also remember that our new day pattern will start in September. Students are expected to be arriving for registration at 8.40am.

Full details on term dates and pattern can be found here.