On Wednesday of next week (18th December) we will be having a number of further activities, including Christmas lunch and a day to "Wear something Christmassy" - so whether it is an inflatable snowman outfit, a Christmas jumper, a tinsel hat or a Christmas decoration badge, we encourage everyone to be involved and enjoy the day!

Cross country
Well done to all of our students who have made it through as qualifiers to the Broxtowe district team. We have eleven girls and seven boys across years seven to eleven who have made it into the team and we wish them the best in further events.

Y10 Work experience at the Theatre Royal
As a further element of our link with the Theatre Royal, Nottingham and the RSC, a number of our year ten students have had the opportunity of work experience at the theatre whilst the panto is on. Natasha in year ten writes:

"I really enjoyed learning all about the theatre and how it works as well as fixing and altering costumes that were worn on stage. I found it an extremely beneficial experience, especially as I would like to go into the costume industry so real life experience of it was incredibly eye-opening."

Football at Long Eaton
There is the opportunity for some of our older students to take part in a typical Long Eaton United Academy training session. It will involve meeting club staff and experience the environment and facilities.

This will allow students to understand more about what the academy entails and the opportunities that may be there for them as a player and as a learner in a sports setting.

Farewells
With the end of term come some farewells and we wish Ms Coltman every success in the future as she takes on a new role in a school in Loughborough. Ms Coltman has been a valued colleague and has had a significant impact on many children here and helped them appreciate the breadth of beliefs and religions that influence so many people around the world. We also wish Ms Davidson well as she leaves us in her role as science technician. Thank you for all the support she has given to colleagues and students.

I also say farewell, having led the school for just over six years. I will be handing the leadership to Ms Baxter-Williams and know that there will be an exciting future that will be shaped by everyone involved with Chilwell School. It has been an eventful few years since 2018 and I have been honoured to play some part in the school's development.

School will finish for students at 12.00pm next Friday and so this will be the final blog of the term.

My best wishes to the school, its community and the future.