Welcome to this week’s newsletter.
There has been an updated letter shared with you this afternoon about the proposed upcoming industrial action on Wednesday 1 February. Please ensure that you read it as unfortunately it is not going to be possible to open to students safely on this day.
On Wednesday we had the first of our Pathways Assemblies for year 9 students. This is where each subject informs students of what they would be studying if they were to choose that subject as an option for years 10 and 11. The next assembly covers the Creative subjects and will be held on Thursday 2 February. Just before half-term, pupils will be asked to express an interest in which subjects they would like to follow. At this point, it is just an expression of interest which helps us understand which courses we ought to offer and whether we have the staffing to do so. After half term there is an online parents evening to discuss your child’s progress and a week later the Year 9 Pathways Evening. At this point our offer is firmed up and subjects are blocked together to meet as many preferences as possible. The Pathways Evening is an opportunity to meet staff, learn more about the courses on offer and the process itself.
An email was sent out to all parents of year 11 with links to book in for the virtual parents’ evening on Wednesday 8 February. If you haven’t already made your appointments, please do so as this is an excellent opportunity for parents/carers to discuss their child’s progress with their individual subject teachers. Also the results of the recent practice exams whereby subject teachers can inform you of what added support and guidance your child requires to reach their expected grade.
I have mentioned attendance in the last two newsletters. The Local Authority is also working to encourage and support good school attendance and they are running a media campaign across a range of platforms. Further in the newsletter there are tips and advice on how you can support your child with their school attendance.
One of our new weekly features in this newsletter will be #feelgoodfriday, which will actively promote strategies and practical help to support good mental health and wellbeing across our Federation. Launching today with Five Ways to Wellbeing, please see the information in the newsletter.
Have a lovely weekend.