Headteacher Blog October 2021
It gives me great pleasure to write the first blog of our school year just before we break up for the half term holiday and I really hope that you enjoy reading about some of the great things that our students have been up to!
In September it was brilliant to see all of our students return back to school without the yellow tape, face masks and bubbles and staggered start times. We gave a huge welcome to all of our new Year 7 students and their families, we are so pleased that they are with us and hope that they have enjoyed their first half term. Mrs Askham and Miss Lockwood tell me daily about the amazing things that Y7 have been doing, well done to all of you and keep your standards high! Also welcome to some new students in Y12, I know you have settled in well.
With 1580 students in school there is always lots going on and people being involved in different things. We have had so many students involved in Y7 and 8 football that we have had to recruit more staff! Y9 and Y11 football teams have had some great success and represented our school in away fixtures. Y9s have been involved with Bradford Manufacturing week with their Technology teachers and have been out on visits and listened to business owners. Y12 have been to Leeds University and Y13 have been busy completing the UCAS process for a place at university. I feel proud when I hear about how many of you have been offered a place already. I am also proud to see so many sixth form students involved in student leadership around school from supporting in the library to wearing orange hi-vis jackets in the dining room at lunchtime helping younger students. All of Y7, 300 of them, have been to the outdoor pursuits centre at Nell Bank near Ilkley, the pictures are fantastic, but the stories and memories are even better and will last a lifetime.
To Y11; well done to those of you who have been staying after school to ‘period 6’ sessions to support your studies especially in English, Maths and Science. Your October Half Term I know will be spent revising for the mocks for the 2 weeks after the holiday. An important time for you all. Do your best and we all send you a ‘good luck’ shout. The school Eco-garden project has begun at the Captain Tom Moore Centre and we have some new planters in the school yard. We are raising money for Manorlands through a book sale and we will be supporting Children in Need after the holiday with 50p or a £1 donation to wear non uniform bottom half (PJs is the theme this year I think!)
As we start a new half term, I hope that all students come to school every single day – there is not a moment to waste – and that everyone tries their best every single day. What new thing will you get involved in? And where will you start to push yourself more? You are at secondary school once in your life – make every bit of it the best that you can. Thanks to all the staff and students for their hard work this term and also parents for their support. Have a great half term. Miss Smith.
