Dear Parent,
Events have moved very quickly during the last 24 hours!
Please share this letter with your son/daughter as they begin the process of adapting to the demands of remote education.
All teachers are clear about our high expectations in relation to live learning in the coming weeks. Please make use of Synergy, contacting the appropriate head of year, if you have any concerns about the work set or support provided.
Dear Pupil,
Rising to the challenge!
You will have heard the news that schools will be closed for most pupils until February half-term. For many of you, and I think particularly of year 11 pupils and students from the upper sixth, the Prime Minister’s recent announcement will have come as an unwelcome shock and one which raises many unanswered questions. All of you will be concerned about the implications of missing so much school just at the point where you were getting used to the rhythm and routine of the school day. Please do not despair and remember that your teachers are here to support you, to guarantee that you will continue to learn, progress and develop.
In order for this to take place you need to play your role. The commitment this week to logging onto Synergy and joining Teams lessons has been outstanding. This needs to continue! Your teachers will take a register at the beginning of each lesson and they are committed to joining with you for at least part of each session. Now is the time to establish good routines and habits – view it as a New Year’s resolution.
At the beginning of the school day (8.45am) you must log-on and check the Synergy Student Bulletin. This is where you will find links to the collective worship programme as well as other important notices. At 9.10am you can begin with Lesson 1 and continue for the rest of the school day. Please don’t be taken aback if your form teacher contacts you directly to ask about your welfare and work rate.
In the week before Christmas, looking back on what was a pretty testing year, I received a gift from a friend: a drinks coaster for my daily brew. On it was quotation from the Book of Joshua. It has helped me and I hope will help you as you rise to the challenge of the next few weeks.
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Kind regards and until we meet again,
R D Jones
Headmaster