Our most talented dancers wowed us with their fluidity, physicality and ability to communicate with their audience, those that choreographed their own dances, or dances for other groups brought wonderful creativity and collaboration. But our show was not just about a few selected elite performers. The form or class dances meant that every pupil dances, and those whose footwork and movement memory is less secure are helped and supported by their more advanced peers. We were given three thoroughly joyous and entertaining performances and our audiences constantly showed their appreciation.  I must say a huge thank you to all members of the PE Department, led by Jo Cox, for their ambition and determination that every pupil has a memory of being part of something that they will never forget.

The government is not a strong supporter of the performing arts in schools, if only we could have got the Secretary of State for Education along......

Remarkably our sporting life has continued with excellent performances by the U14 hockey teams against Marist with the A’s winning 8-0, and the B’s losing 4-0. In netball we were in action against Ranelagh with the 1st’s narrowly losing 23-25, and 2nd’s winning 29-24.

Year 11 are getting their mock results back and it would worthwhile them looking through exam papers and assessing where more revision would have been helpful..... yes yes I hear subject teachers cry... in every topic! We have a very important Parents Evening when we return after half term when pupils and parents will receive detailed feedback on current performance and advice on how to use the remaining weeks to best advantage.

Last Saturday we hosted the district round of the Rotary Young Chef competition and the school was filled with flavoursome aromas as seven young chefs including our very own Maddy battled to catch the judges eyes and tastebuds. I had not realised how competitively and seriously our young chefs would participate and it was clear that some were already very experienced cooks. The presentation of each three course menu was outstanding and they tasted as good as they looked. We did not progress through to the regional round, but huge thanks to Mrs Irons for all the energy she expended in getting us involved, and to Maddy for being our inaugural competitor.

The PTA AGM takes place on Thursday 23 February and our Chair, Anna Taylor-West and her committee invite you, even implore you, to come along and help us review and celebrate the fine work they have done. We promise not to you drag you into becoming a fully paid up, all action committee member ..... but you might feel you could spare the odd hour or two to support us at an event. It also gives a great opportunity to become more involved in the life of the school, and to really develop that essential partnership

Pupils and staff are very much looking forward to half term and I do know they have all earned a break. I do hope you have a fulfilling family time over the half term week, and get an opportunity to spend some time together.

“The only way you can invent tomorrow is if you break out of the enclosure that the school system has provided for you by the exams written by people who are trained in another generation.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson