The Easter break is fast approaching and we are all I'm sure looking forward to sunnier days and warmer temperatures on our return to school on Wednesday 24 April.

So time for the final notes for the term, and it's great to be bringing everything to a close in a really positive way. Our efforts for Charity Week were enthusiastic, creative, and varied, although there seemed to be a common thread of pupils craving sweet foods. To date we have collected in the region of £1,900 - an amazing effort.

G9 visited Bucks University on Friday and took part in their Passport Day. These events offer learners the opportunity to discover the range of universities and courses available throughout the UK. They will explore the characteristics expected in a university student, learn the differences between school and university and consider what it is like to be a student.

On Monday we celebrated the pupils' efforts over the course of the charity week and the feeling of satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or the achievements of others you care about. We are looking forward to the end of term assemblies where we celebrate subject awards and look at the grades achieved by the girls and give general academic awards based upon attainment, attitude to learning and progress. Progress is measured from the grades achieved at the end of the previous term with an additional look at how things were at half term. As I frequently remind pupils the key to it all is their attitude to learning, and whilst it is true that not all can win an award, there is no doubt that the vast majority are highly focused on their work in class and in the broader life of the school.

We have a new Book Point award winner and a GOLD Star winner too! This is the highest level of achievement we reward on Accelerated Reader.  Congratulations to Megan G9 who has achieved her Accelerated Reader Gold Star Book Point Award. She is only the fourth pupil to attain a Gold Star.

Our Executive Headteacher, Justin Spanswick, ran an extremely informative talk on Wednesday which highlighted the emerging picture of early teenage addiction to ‘gaming and social media’ which can be as damaging to their health as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. Two main problems are being caused; forcing a child’s nature to move from daytime to night time and secondly, motivation around anything else other than being on screen reducing rapidly. We are continually advising parents that screens should be switched off by 9pm. It has been increasingly obvious that parents are finding this difficult to police and enforce, partly because "every other friend’s parents let them play".

We are delighted to inform you that it is with many thanks to our parents for their close involvement this week, in preparing the groundwork for the Y11 Prom, later in the year.

Finally, we are looking forward to the Inter House Music Competition - which I am sure will be an opportunity to embrace talent, enhance creativity and collaborative work, building trust and provide occasions for informal social interaction.

It has been a hugely busy and creative term full of energy and achievement. We will formally recognise that in our Academic Assembly on Wednesday with our usual subject and overall academic awards. Delightfully we shall also get to hear G7 choir performing their group piece; a fitting end to the term. Have a lovely holiday.