Dear ALS Community,
…and, we’ve made it. I know the end of half-term comes with quite a few emails back and forth so I hope you’ll forgive a delay from my communication to this morning. I felt it was best to give you a little breathing space! Though I know that much comes down to serendipity and geography, it’s still wonderful to be able to say we have managed through this half-term without a single positive Covid-19 case in the school. The main upshot of this, of course, is that our children have had the full half-term without any interruptions to their learning. There is so much to be said for the efforts of our whole community in this; whilst our maintenance and cleaning team should take much of the credit as well as wider staff for keeping expectations high for children to follow the risk assessments, I also know how much you will have supported us by keeping children safe outside school, limiting wider contact and following the risk assessments for pick up and drop off, too. To the whole community, you have my gratitude (and though they may not know to say it) the gratitude of the children who’ve had such a wonderful half-term.
As we head in to the half-term, I know that the children (and definitely the staff!) are ready for a break. For the most, we’ve managed to give the pupils in school a more or less normal school experience and with this has come lots of learning and high expectations. Whilst this is right - and the children have clearly benefitted from it - I can only imagine how tired they must have been at home. In the two weeks to come, I hope you find plenty of time to enjoy as a family and to get lots of rest for the children as there’s plenty more to learn for them when we return to school. If you are planning a break abroad over half-term, please do keep an eye on quarantine restrictions. We must follow government guidance and any pupils who do go abroad and are caught in a quarantine zone - even with a negative Covid-19 test - will have to have the full period of time expected away from school. I really do not want any children missing out on their learning.
After the break, our mantra is from Dedicas: Always give your best. This past half-term, I think our school community has certainly lived up to that! It’s important that the lessons we learn at the moment - and the resilience we are building to graft and work hard - is something we continue on in the future. When pupils return for their second half-term (particularly those in Years 11 and Year 13), I hope they’ll continue to keep the excellent work ethic they’ve shown so far going. As in all things, talent can only carry you so far - it’s work ethic and dedication that allows for excellence.
On the topic of our Houses, it’s the time of the half-term when I can share an update on the points so far! Having taken their first victory last year, Amicus have fallen off the pace and are in third with 781 points. Then, in second, are Dedicas with 870 points meaning that, in first place (at the moment!) is Veritas with 983 points. Veritas have the most house points and they collected the most points for our #HelloYellow day. Come on Amicus and Dedicas…you’ve some catching up to do!
I’m delighted to be able to share an exciting new partnership with Stagecoach for Leamington and Warwick. As of 7th November, Stagecoach will be based at Arnold Lodge each Saturday. You may know that Performing Arts is something that I am keen for us to invest in for the future and having Stagecoach come on board to use our facilities is an exciting step on this journey. Stagecoach will be giving any space they use a full clean down (this is a key contingent of our agreement) and our cleaning team will also give a once over before children return in on a Monday morning. Having Arnold Lodge front and centre for parents and children who enjoy performing arts in our area as well as our continued investment in the Performing Arts will only benefit current Arnold Lodge pupils. If you’d be interested in your child joining Stagecoach on a Saturday for classes in acting, singing and dance, we will provide further information soon.
After half-term, I’m going to be teaching 10.1 for English. I am very much excited to be in the classroom for an extended period of time teaching one of my favourite texts (An Inspector Calls). I am hugely privileged to lead ALS and I am grateful for the position I have within our school community…but I must admit that I do miss the time in the classroom talking about History or English with children. I suppose when I have my first set of essays to mark from Year 10 then I may change my tune!
Have a wonderful half-term break.
David Preston | Headteacher
November 4th 2020
