MMR vaccinations

We sent out a letter from the interim director of public health earlier this week with a reminder of the places where parents can book MMR vaccinations over the holiday break. There are increasing numbers of students in our school who have not had their vaccinations and this is an opportunity for parents to ensure that these are undertaken as soon as possible.

Specialisms

Tonight we will have an online session for parents of students in year eight regarding the specialisms programme for next year. The web link to the event has been sent out by email today.

Rowing opportunity

We are really pleased that after the success of the rowing event with year eight students on discovery day, we have now developed a four week programme for after the holiday break. There will be three sessions on indoor rowing equipment with the fourth session on the water. This is a great opportunity for our students to try out something entirely new and we plan for the programme to continue past the current four week taster.

Meal charge increase

Effective from 1st April 2024 the new meal charge will be £2.50. This is to ensure that we can continue to provide nutritious and high-quality meals to our students while covering the rising costs of food and operational expenses. We understand the importance of affordable and accessible meals for our students and families, and we have strived to keep this increase as minimal as possible. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. 

New block

As part of our ongoing efforts to support the growth in student numbers and ensure the comfort and safety of all our students, we will be installing a new block on site. This will provide additional space to accommodate our expanding student population effectively. The installation process will begin at the start of the summer term and is expected to be completed before the start of the new academic year. We assure you that every precaution will be taken to minimise disruption to daily school activities during this period. Our priority remains the well-being and academic success of our students, and we believe that this expansion will contribute positively to their overall experience at our school.

Nicotine Sachets - are you aware of what children are doing?

Oral nicotine pouches are the new trend affecting a small number of teens. They are promoted on social media, with videos being posted discussing the "buzz" these products apparently give. Several of these videos have millions of views.   

Nicotine pouches, specifically, transfer nicotine through the gums, which allows the substance to enter the blood-brain barrier faster. This is a potent drug with a variety of side effects, including:

• Gum Irritation

• Sore Mouth

• Teeth Discolouration

• Nausea

• Headaches & Dizziness

• Blood Flow Changes

• Increased Blood Pressure

• Shortness of Breath

• Disturbed Sleep

• Oral Cancer

It's likely your child has heard of nicotine patches through social media and peers. Open communication is important in tackling this issue. We will be raising awareness in school about the dangers of nicotine patches but it would be beneficial if you spoke to your child about the dangers of these patches.

Activities week final instalment

We want to remind you that today is the deadline for the final payments for activities week. As we prepare for this exciting and enriching experience for our students, it's essential that all payments are settled by the end of the day to ensure smooth planning and coordination of activities. If you have not yet made your payment, please do so at your earliest convenience. Should you encounter any challenges or require assistance with payment arrangements, please don't hesitate to reach out to our finance team. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to an incredible Activities Week ahead for our students.