MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY – 8th FEBRUARY 2019

Dear Students, Parents and Colleagues,

This week has been reassuring in the levels of air quality that we have been seeing after last week’s closures. This week saw us take delivery of more air purifiers, to bring our total on Campus to 44. This allows us to cover all main teaching areas with a particular emphasis on those classrooms that open out to the outside air. Our breakout spaces have several purifiers that ensure good quality air on each floor that extends out to each classroom. We are also employing other low tech solutions in our endeavours to keep students safe.

Our Y12/13 students began their Mock Examinations that extend to the end of the Half Term. These will help them prepare for the Final Exams in May and June. My best wishes go to them at this quite stressful time and I advise that they stick to good sleeping, eating and exercise patterns to promote good health and lower stress. The three methods for good stress management are:

• Doing something creative
• Exercising
• Actively engaging in mindfulness techniques

Sports Day was unfortunately cancelled earlier this term due to poor air quality. Looking for a new date has been difficult as our calendar is very full and we have increasing pressures on academic classes after the Mock Exams. We have therefore chosen next Friday, the last day of this Half Term. More details will be forthcoming from Mr Cantrill, our PE Faculty Leader.

I would like to thank our Mandarin teachers for organising Chinese New Celebrations across both Campuses on Wednesday. At Secondary our students were treated to a wonderfully energetic and colourful display of Dragon and Lion dancing that helped welcome in the Year of the Pig. It is very easy to take this type of celebration for granted, but it is incredibly enriching for our students. Many students around the world have only ever seen other cultures in books or film, we have the chance to feel, see and smell at first-hand.

Finally, please remember that we are closed for Half Term after next week and will start back to normal lessons at the usual time of 08:00am on Monday 25th February.

Kind regards

Nigel Wilsonlock

Head of Secondary