Picture of the week:

National Table Tennis competitors: Mary Pang, Sofia Moran-Casanova, Sophie Mutlow, Rebecca Greenough.

Headlines:

• Have you had your say? – Vision update.
• Up on the roof.
• World Challenge Auction
• Sixth Form Open Evening.
• Enrichment achievements.
• Cake at break – Year 11 Mocks are over!
• U16 Regional Netball finals.
• The week in pictures – follow our Facebook.
• Forward Look – dates for your diary.

Picture of the week

The High School for girls took part in the Zone 5 finals of the national table tennis competition in Birmingham last Sunday. The standard was very high and although we persevered in some close matches we were not quite able to qualify for the regional finals. We were however an under 15 team in the under 16 competition, so next year we will be stronger because of this experience.  The girls were, as always, an absolute pleasure to be with and we had many positive comments from officials and other teachers about their good nature and enthusiastic approach. 

Have you had your say?

The new school vision is on its way! All staff have taken part in considering the educational landscape and our ‘Little Blue Book’ of vision statements is nearly ready.  Students are collating their input next week and parents/carers have had their opportunity to contribute through the survey issued last week.  Missed this? Why not join us at the PTA meeting 22/1/18 at 7.30pm where the ‘Little Blue Book’ will be available for comment.

Up on the roof - site development

We successfully won a bid from the government to repair leaking roofs.  Work on the main building is due to complete by February half-term.  Large parts of the gym roof will be resurfaced by the end of March.

World Challenge Auction takes place 2/2/18.   The auction list and tickets are available here.  Get your cheque books ready

Sixth Form Open Evening

Hundreds of students, parents and carers were welcomed to our Open Evening on Thursday evening this week.  Our school has an amazing vibe due to the people that make our community.  Thank you to students, staff, parents and governors who made the evening such a success.  All details relating to Sixth Form and admissions can be found here. Individual Post 16 pathway discussions with current Year 11 will take place in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, Miss Leathart, Mrs Dunnett and your subject teachers are always happy to discuss Sixth Form options with you.

Enrichment achievements

Bryony Tuck (Year 10) has become a Medic Mentor Ambassador for the school. 

Charlotte Russell (Year 11) recently qualified for and won her first round in a women’s Grade 1 British Tour event.  She went on to compete against a world ranked player on the women’s WTA Tour.

Year 11 mocks finished on Tuesday this week and we celebrated with ‘Cake at Break’ for all Year 11 and staff on Wednesday.  Well done Year 11 on managing the exam period, remember, they are a ‘learning opportunity’ (to quote Miss Wilkes!).  Thank you to staff for organising the session and for the massive amount of marking undertaken.

U16 Regional Netball finals

Best wishes to the following students who will be competing in the U16 South West finals in Bournemouth on Saturday, 27^th January.  An amazing achievement.  Go get ‘em girls!

Harriet Sanderson, Remi Shah-Thornley, Rachel McKinlay, Jemima Kelly, Lucy Griffin, Elissa Moor, Antonia Smellie, Jess Bedwell, Scarlett Jinks, Natalie Sodzi

Forward Look – dates for your diary

• 22/1/18 – PTA meeting 7.30-9.30pm.
• 29/1/18 – Progress Monitoring issued – all Year groups.
• 30/1/18 – KS3 Chamber Concert, 7.00pm, Main Hall.
• 1/2/18 – Year 9 Consultation Evening 5.00-8.00pm.
• 2/2/18 – World Challenge Auction of Promises, 7-9.30pm, Main Hall.
• 6/2/18 - Year 11 Consultation Evening 5.00-8.00pm.
• 9/2/18 – End of term at 3.30pm.