Message from the Head - May

This article is from our newsletter, The Albanian.

Please see The Albanian Newsletter for a plethora of articles!

We are in the middle of public exams currently and Year 11 and 13 students are approaching these crucial assessments with determination and maturity. Many thanks to all our families who have young people undertaking these exams, as your support and cooperation are ensuring students are prompt and prepared. We wish all our students the very best as they complete their exams. As we approach the end of this half term, it is heartening to reflect on the variety of enriching experiences and opportunities our students have enjoyed. Our staff have continued to provide exceptional learning across all subject areas, while also generously dedicating their time to facilitate a broad array of extracurricular and enrichment activities for our young people. This term, all of Year 8 had the exciting opportunity to visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter. The trip was a magical experience, allowing students to delve into the behind-the-scenes world of this film series, based on the original novels. The enthusiasm and excitement of the students were a testament to the enduring appeal of Harry Potter and the enriching nature of this trip. Our students have also undertaken the Duke of Edinburgh expedition, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and determination. This trip is a significant part of their personal development, helping them to build essential life skills and confidence. Huge thanks to the staff who gave generously of their weekend to allow for the most recent expedition to take place in East Sussex. We have been fortunate to arrange visits to the University of Oxford, giving our students a glimpse into one of the world’s leading educational institutions. These visits are designed to inspire and motivate our young people, providing them with valuable insights into higher education and the opportunities that lie ahead. A visit to The Globe Theatre offered students an immersive experience into the world of Shakespeare, bringing literature to life in a way that only live theatre can. This opportunity, among others, underscores our commitment to providing diverse cultural experiences that enrich our students’ education. We also celebrated our Year 13 Leavers’ Mass, a poignant and joyous occasion marking the end of an important chapter for our senior students. The day was filled with heartfelt moments and celebratory activities, culminating in a memorable celebration of their last formal day with us. Our Year 11 students also participated in a Mass of Thanksgiving, reflecting on their journey to date and giving thanks for the experiences and friendships formed during their time here. It was a moving event that highlighted the strong sense of community and faith that underpins our school. This half term we say farewell to Mr Hastings who moves on to another school. On behalf of our young people, we thank him for his many years of loyal service and wish him well. As we look forward to the next half term, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality education and a wealth of opportunities that enable our students to thrive both academically and personally. Thank you to our parents and carers for your support and encouragement and I hope you and your families enjoy the half term break.

Kind regards,

Niamh Arnull