At the top of the stairs on the way to Art, we have our display of inspirational women, all on canvas and painted by the students. What is clear to me is that our girls at Claires Court are surrounded by inspirational women every day; we do not need to look to celebrities or the media for inspiration, they are right here in front of us. I thought I would use today’s bulletin to highlight a very small sample of fantastic females at school. 

Captain Sasha O’Clee (on the right) - Sasha is an outstanding teacher of Maths, great head of department and fantastic leader of the new CCF detachment. She has a Maths degree from the University of Cambridge and has inspired countless students to build confidence and excel in Maths. She is cool, calm and collected and one of those people that makes everything seem effortless but always helpful to those that find things harder. She has also played a very high standard of Rugby and is a capped international Ice Hockey player. A real inspiration to our young women. 

Victoria Ruddick - Our Deputy Headteacher is another great inspiration to our students. She has played international Hockey for England and is an exceptionally gifted sports person. She holds a degree from the University of Loughborough, where she played first team sport at the highest level; winning the national universities competition (BUSA) every year, and captaining the winning side in 2002 (pictured).

She is driven yet compassionate and understanding. She works tirelessly to ensure that all of our young people are supported through whatever troubles they may be facing plus she is a great leader of staff too.

Sarah Bennett - Claires Court Senior Girls are lucky enough to be able to access numerous visiting professionals to come into school to inspire and develop them. This year we added martial arts instructors from Kong Martial Arts and the inspirational Sarah Bennett. In her short time with us, she has given our Y8s and Y11s the skills and, most importantly, the confidence to develop as young women. She is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in kickBoxing and runs a very successful business; Kong Martial Arts Club. It is a privilege to welcome her on site each week and I know the students really enjoy her sessions. Ms Ruddick reliably informs me that Sarah was the best BTECH student she ever taught. Thank you, Sarah.

There are of course many, many more but inspiration is all around us, it is up to them how they harness it. 

Following on from last week’s bulletin, where we covered how to speak to young people about Ukraine, we are keen to show our concern for and sympathy with the country by holding a non-uniform day today to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee, specifically for Ukraine.

On Thursday next week, Year 10 are to swap their normal morning science lessons (Periods 1 & 2) for a morning spent with our Tiny Forest project in the fields at Junior boys. As the boys and girls will be helping with the planting of 1500 small saplings, they may attend school this day in their own clothes suitable for such an outdoor activity, and will need to bring boots/ Wellingtons and have a change of footwear so that they can work normally indoors at school from 11.30am onwards. Arrive normally at school for Registration, transfer to and from the site will be by school coach.

Have a great weekend.