The second week of the summer term is complete. It feels a bit disingenuous to call it the summer term given the weather we have seen this week!! Hopefully, we will see some warmth soon, although for our Year 11s, doing exams in these conditions has been better than in the usual heat. Talking of our Year 11s, a significant proportion complete their GCSEs today, with only a few exams next week. I continue to be very proud of them and of their attitude and application.

Our Year 10s have also been in assessment mode, with the Year 10 exams in full swing. Our KS3 students are busily preparing for their forthcoming Order C assessments which will take place in the week beginning 24 June. It’s a busy term for all!

Last week we received confirmation of our annual DfE volunteering total. It was brilliant to see the amazing number of hours volunteered by our students. As part of the DfE scheme, our students have volunteered in a variety of ways including: being a young leader at Scouts, coaching younger age groups in their chosen sport, helping at primary school after-school clubs, raising money for local charities, helping with event management for local charities, undertaking duties with the local police cadet force, helping the elderly, reading to children and helping at the local library.

Volunteering is an amazing way to give something back to the local community. I would like to congratulate all the students who have contributed to these numbers and hope that, having started their volunteering journey, they choose to continue this and carry on supporting those who have benefitted from their time so far.

Sporting fixtures resumed this week. These included:

• Year 7 Rounders – the Year 7 girls played away at Gloucester Academy this week. In an enjoyable game, the girls were defeated 14 – 7. Batter of the game was Bella and fielder, Amber. 

• Year 7 Cricket - the Year 7 boys played a fantastic game of cricket on Monday night against St Peters. There was some great bowling and fielding on show by both teams, with the game ending in a draw. Player of the match went to Theo B, with a Hat Trick Maiden over.

• Year 8 Rounders – the Year 8 girls began their season with a fixture versus Ribston Hall. Despite a defeat, it was a great experience and practice for them. Lotte H and Teanna M were highlighted for their brilliant rounders skills and communication throughout the game.

• Year 10 Rounders – the Year 10s also played Ribston, narrowly losing 18 – 13.5 in a game that was great preparation for the District Competition that also took place this week. In that District Competition, the girls came away losing their games against St Peters, Ribston, Denmark Road and Holmleigh Park. This was not a reflection of the girls’ performances, they played against some extremely strong opposition. Players went to Maddy R, Macey M and Libby E. 

• All Stars Cricket - on Monday we hosted St Peters in our third All Star game of the season. We batted first, posting a challenging 75 from 12 overs. Despite a strong bowling performance, some dropped catches cost us, with St Peter’s scoring the winning runs from the final delivery of what was a great game.  Special mention to Oliver W and Rhys L for some outstanding bowling.

• Athletics – this week also saw the first mini-athletics meet of the season. Four schools were competing at the event, hosted at Holmleigh Park. All our students demonstrated fantastic commitment, effort and behaviour. Some highlights included:

  • Amber H - 1^st 100m / 2^nd 800m

  • Grace A - 1^st 100m / 1^st 200m

  • Lilly Ann C - 2^nd Javelin / 3^rd 100m

  • Armarni F - 1^st Shot

  • Jacb B - 1^st 200m / 3^rd 100m

  • TJ McQ - 1^st Javelin 

  • Kaelen V - 3^rd 100m

  • Toby W - 2nd 300m

In other sporting news:

• Zane H in Year 11 competed in the English National Tumbling Championships last weekend in Telford. After a number of years of competing, I am delighted to report that Zane was crowned English Champion. What an amazing achievement, Zane!

• Will Burnett competed in the County Athletics Championship last weekend. I am delighted to report that he has been crowned the County U16 Champion in the 800m in a school record time of 2:07. Well done Will!

• In the same championships, Jacob B in Year 10 finished third in the 200m, setting a new school record in the process. Joe W in Year 11 also competed, finishing second in the Shot. Joe will be representing Gloucestershire this weekend in Exeter. Well done to both Jacob and Joe.

I conclude with my weekly reminder about Free School Meals eligibility. If your financial circumstances have changed, your child may be eligible for Free School Meals. If you click on this link you will find guidance on the eligibility criteria and the application process. It's a quick process and we are notified of all FSM entitlements by Gloucestershire County Council each Monday. I would urge you to take a look if you think you may benefit from financial assistance. 

I hope you enjoy a great weekend. 

Regards,  

Richard Johnson  
Headteacher