The headlines for this week centre around changes to the Covid-19 restrictions with masks being removed in classrooms (from yesterday) and then masks removed altogether throughout the school from next Thursday. From there, I hope that we will soon be able to resume vertical mentor groups, face-to-face assemblies and begin to build back those facets of school life that have been absent.
Yesterday, our Year 13 and Year 11 pupils received their mock examination certificates. For some, there was much joy in the grades. For others, disappointment. This is a normal part of the mock examination process. Some pupils will find their efforts and attitude rewarded, reinforcing the approach they are taking to study to be the right one and helping to know to stay steady on the path. For others, the mocks provide an opportunity to reflect and make a change. This might be more revision, a different type of revision, a change of attitude or some additional support. Either way, the mocks mark a point at which pupils can begin to really feel that they are nearly there with their GCSE and A Level courses. I have been very proud to see the attitude and approach from all of our pupils towards their mock examinations and I know, however yesterday went, we will see all children achieve their very best in the summer examinations.
For this week, the house mantra is a little on the nose for some high profile people within British politics. Coming from Dedicas, the mantra is: Only expect from others what you are willing to put in. Whatever your politics, the idea that our leaders were disregarding the rules that they set (and we were following!) leaves something of a bad taste and simply does not set the right example. Pupils, across the age range at ALS, missed out on so much during that period. Even when we returned to school, we stuck to the guidance set because that was the right thing to do. At home, I also know that our community took the measures set by the government seriously. Even now, pupils in our Seniors continue to LFD test to keep each other safe and to follow the rules. I’m conscious we have “forgive mistakes; we all make them” for our Amicus mantra next week so I’ll try and channel some of that.
On the sporting front, we’ve had some excellent results. Our U11 hockey teams were victorious 3-0 and 3-0 (with Archie and Beau the Players of the Match). In netball, our U13 team had two strongly contested matches with Campion with a 7-5 victory for one team and a 2-13 loss for another (with Julia and Sinead as Players of the Match) and also in netball our U15 team recorded as 15-6 victory and a 10-14 loss also against Campion (with Jessie and Amelia as the Players of the Match). Congratulations to all pupils who represented ALS in competitive fixtures this week.
Can we please remind parents and guardians that Junior ExEn clubs finish at 4:45pm and Senior ExEn clubs finish at 5:15pm. The only exceptions to these being gymnastics club (ends at 5:15pm on a Wednesday) and fencing (finishes at 5:45pm on a Monday and 5.00pm on a Thursday).
Over the coming weeks, we will share information about online safety as part of the #wakeupwednesday campaign run by National Online Safety. For this week, the section is about Screen Addiction. It can be challenging for parents and carers to know whether children are spending too much time on their devices. Furthermore, it’s even more of a challenge to know whether a child is addicted to the internet and social media. As technology is becoming more pervasive, children and young people are experiencing tech – related dependencies. Do we as parents and carers have the knowledge to identify and support children and young people who may be developing an addiction to their devices? In this guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as health & wellbeing, app addiction and a lack of sleep.
Long standing readers of the weekly email will know I rarely prattle on about personal aspects (I may mention the rugby from time to time!) but I do get asked regularly by members of the community about how Henry is getting on. Believe it or not, Henry actually turned 1 last weekend and has just taken his first steps this week. I am still deeply grateful for the outpouring of kindness and support that Mrs P and I received when Henry was born from the school community and so Henry’s birthday is a chance for me to once again say thank you to everyone.
Henry had a fantastic day (who isn’t obsessed by balloons?), got to eat some birthday cake and spent the day wearing his new prized possession…a Wales jersey. I must admit that Mr James purchased Henry a very lovely England jersey for his birthday and pointed out to me that Henry is, in fact, English. I’ve decided I’ll let Henry pick his rugby allegiance for himself when he’s old enough (which, in my book, is probably when he’s about 18).
January 21st 2022
