On Thursday 5^th October, as part of our PSHE programme, we welcomed Saltmine Trust Theatre Company to perform Switch Up for pupils in Years 8 and 9.  

Saltmine have been touring theatre in education nationally since 1980, educating the next generation on current social issues and empowering them to make wise choices.  

Switch Up is an anti-knife crime production and workshop which focuses on the complex, interrelated issues of knife crime, gang violence and self-identity. Incorporating multi-media and rap music, this powerful production aims to encourage young people to make considered and positive decisions in relation to these concerns. 

The production was both moving and thought provoking and received highly complementary reviews from staff and pupils. 

Pupils valued the workshops after the performances in which they discussed the myth that carrying a knife protects you and the fact that most people that carry a knife end up hurting a friend or themselves. Pupils left the sessions very clear that knife crime is completely avoidable and that they should ‘pave their own path’. 

Our thanks go to the performers and also to our Year 8 and 9 pupils for engaging wholeheartedly with some challenging scenarios.

Trampolining

Well done to Zachary R in year 7 who became a Double Youth British Champion in Trampolining for both individual and synchro last weekend (16th/17th Sep). He kept his calm and focus in a very competitive field and achieved a 48.25 PB in his individual. What an excellent achievement, well done Zach!

Well done to Zach H in year 8. He placed 7th overall for his age group/grade which was an impressive show of resilience after a horrible fall at his mock competition earlier in the week. Good work Zach!

Year 10 Hospitality and Catering pupils went to visit and spend a wonderful day at Farm Ed in Oxford. The farm provides fresh organic produce to the local and wider community as well working to ensure the future of British farming for many years to come. Pupils tasted fresh produce straight from the ground, explored Orchards, grazing meadows and got to see close up the honey making process.

Year 7 pupils and parents: Join us on Tuesday 26^th September 9.15 to 10.15pm for our annual Macmillan Coffee morning. It will be a great chance to meet some of the staff, donate to a fantastic charity and also eat plenty of cake!

Please register your interest here https://forms.office.com/e/L09b4dsnKZ

Our Year 11 pupils have been celebrating a collection of superb results.  The long wait for results following the last exam is always a tense time for everyone, but this morning has seen both relief and jubilation. 

We are proud of the hard work and commitment our year 11 pupils showed when completing their key stage 4 studies culminating in the exams.

We wish everyone good luck as they embark on their next steps post-16 many of whom have chosen to study at our Sixth Form.  We look forward to hearing about their future successes.

Congratulations to all of our Year 13 students who collected their A Level Results. Good Luck in your future endeavors!

Madeleine (Right) is off to read Psychology at Lancaster University and Emily (Left) is off to work at Aston Villa Football Club, coaching teams.

Chanel (Left) going to study Law and Criminology at University of Derby and Havana (Right) will be taking a GAP year before starting her University in 2024

The 8^th annual Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School Mathematics adventure trip to Wales took place this week. 80 students and 8 staff made the 4 hour trip to Manorbier on the Pembrokeshire coast for 4 days of adrenalin packed activities. Accomodation varied from land pods, bell tents, glamping pods and indoor dormitories. Pupils and staff enjoyed coasteering, body boarding, rock climbing, bush-craft and archery, even torrential rain did not dampen the fun! 

Students got to spend time on the beach and enjoyed swimming in the sea. On Wednesday evening, pupils were shuttled to Tenby to embark the famous Caldey Island boat tour where they saw seals, puffins and other marine life. Pupils were then given free time to try local delicacies including fresh fish and chips and homemade ice-cream. 

Pupils battled it out on our quiz night, which involved five round of questions and a dance off! The evening was then topped off by a big game of football and traditional toasting of marshmellows. 

Well done to all pupils and staff for a fun-packed and courageous few days; everyone really pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones. A real highlight was when Harry T was presented with the overall award for effort and offered two weeks of work experience with Clive and his team next year! 

Quotes from pupils: 

“This week in Wales was very fun. I really enjoyed my time. It was very active and I could be creative. The activities were brilliant and I would definitely go again”. Hayden B 

“I had a great time. The activities were really fun, even though the weather was not great” Emma M