Today saw our annual foodbank collection in support of the Gloucester Foodbank. It is always a highlight of the school year for me seeing our community come together to support such a worthwhile cause.

The collection was all organised our Year 11 student leaders. They have taken on the responsibility for each stage of the process and have done a tremendous job. I am enormously proud of them. Thank you to them for their great work and to you for giving so generously. I know it will have real impact and will be appreciated by the many recipients.  

This week an Oddballs ambassador from Hartpury University came into school to talk to our Year 10 and 11 boys about testicular cancer. Two really important messages came out of the talk: firstly, the need  to do regular self-check-ups and secondly, to talk to somebody if you find anything of concern.

Issues like testicular cancer do get covered as part of our Futures curriculum. However, it is always good to get the messages reinforced through these sorts of assemblies. The boys were really mature and listened well. I know the presentation also informed discussions that took place later in the week in Futures lessons.

After school today, I will be dusting off my trainers to join Mr Spooner in the final 5km run of his challenge to run 60 x 5kms in 60 days. I am looking forward to running with the many Year 7 students who have donated £1.00 to participate. It’s all in aid of Cancer Research UK and should any other families from other years or non-runners wish to donate, it is also possible to do so via parent pay.

On the sporting front, fixtures this week have included:

• U12 Rugby - the U12 girls rugby team took part in a big tournament at Churchdown School this week. For many it was the first time they had played any competitive rugby. They showed a lot of progress throughout the afternoon. They made it to the semi-final where they lost out to St Peter’s. Players of the Tournament went to Amber H and Aaliyah C.

• U14 Rugby – the U14 girls rugby team also played in the tournament at Churchdown. They played some excellent rugby in what were really physical games. They beat Churchdown and Archway and lost to JKHS, Dene Magna, Crypt and St Peters. Player of the Tournament (as chosen by Sophie McQueen, prem player for Gloucester Hartpury) went to Teanna.

• U14 Football – the girls U14 Football team played 2 games this week. The first resulted in a 0 – 0 draw against Holmleigh Park away. Abby was brilliant in goal receiving Player of the Match. Their second match was also away, this time at Ribston Hall. The girls went down to a 3 - 0 defeat but played some of their best football to date, with some really mature attacking phases and some brilliant defensive displays. Abby was once again Player of the Match.

• Year 11 Football – the Year 11 boys played against Crypt this week in a hard-fought match, winning 3 - 0. There were some outstanding goals from Joe W, Jaiden C and Josh B, two of those coming from some well worked set plays. Player of the Match went to Josh B for his consistently strong defending and nice headed goal in the closing stages of the game to secure the win. 

• U16 Netball – the U16 Netball team played in the District tournament at Crypt on Tuesday. The standard was incredibly high from all the teams playing. The girls got off to a great start, beating Ribston and then drawing with St Peters. There followed defeats against Kings and Crypt. The girls were an absolute delight to watch.  Player of the tournament went to Eva M.

I do hope you enjoy a great weekend.

Kind regards,

Richard Johnson
Headteacher