It has been a long half term but congratulations to everybody for getting through to the end.
The break presents a chance to relax, recharge and come back fired up ready for the next half term.
It is also a great time to reflect on what we have achieved and what we could have done better.
On the COVID front, I am really pleased that we end the half term with much lower infection rates than a few weeks ago.
We will be looking for improved attendance figures as a result.
Another change we have seen recently is in the temperature.
The lower rates have meant, quite rightly, students have been putting on coats and extra layers to keep warm and dry travelling to and from the Academy.
But nothing has changed in terms of the uniform policy in school. Coats should be left in the cloakroom or put in a bag and carried around.
We do not want to see hoodies and jumpers under blazers.
Congratulations to those in Year 9 who took part in the mini marathon as part of our enrichment programme.
It was a really colourful event – which can be seen on the PE department’s Instagram – and nice to celebrate something different.
Well done to students from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme who ran it.
We will come back to a pretty much normal calendar of events.
We have reports coming out, exams, results of exams, parents’ evenings for Years 8 and 11, rewards trips for all year groups, our community café, Christmas jumper day and the return of sessions at St Lawrence Church.
In other words, it is going to be busy. Could I encourage parents / carers and students to look at the Academy’s calendar and put events in the diary.
We all need to ensure we are prepared in advance and know what’s coming.
Another event will be Remembrance Day. We will have our usual wonderful programme of activities to remember those people who served us. Now it is our turn to serve them.
Enjoy your break. For students and staff, it is richly deserved.
