Dear ALS Community,
As we close this half-term and head off for our break, I want to thank the pupils and teachers for a wonderful half-term. After the disruption of Covid-19 through the past few years (and let’s not forget that was still hanging over us last term), it has been fantastic to see pupils getting back to something more akin to our normal routine of events and curriculum. Of course, this has also meant the resumption of GCSE and A Level examinations and I must praise pupils in Year 11 and Year 13 for their exceptional approach to their examinations over the past few weeks.
Each year, as part of our process to select the new Head Prefect, pupils in Year 10 are invited to apply for the role and, as part of the process, have an interview with members of the Senior Leadership Team as well as giving a 2 minute presentation to the whole staff team at a Friday morning briefing. This process took place last week and I am very proud of each pupil that took part. A formal interview process and speaking in front of so many people is not an easy task! I am delighted to announce that Hannah Longstaff will be the new Head Prefect and Sophie Yates will be the new Deputy Head Prefect. Congratulations to both pupils who will take up their roles provisionally during the next half-term before the “formal” handover of duties from the current Head Prefect, Elysia, and Deputy Head Prefect, Beth, at Prize Giving.
Rolling on with congratulations, I would like to congratulate Mr Smart on his promotion to Assistant Head for the Juniors from September 2022. Mr Smart will take up this leadership position within the Juniors and work with Mr James to continue to secure the very best for children in Reception to Year 6. I’m sure you’ll congratulate Mr Smart when you next see him (which might be on the BBQ after Prize Giving… he’ll always have to be the BBQ King regardless of any promotion!).
When we return from half-term, there is a lot going on and so please excuse this briefing being more information led. Firstly, we will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Monday 6th June with a whole school non-uniform day around the theme of “red, white and blue”. All pupils will enjoy a quintessentially British lunch for the Juniors in a street party style picnic in the playground and, for the Seniors, the same style but in the Dining Room. Please note that there will be no hot food served on this day.
Following the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we have our annual ALS Sports Day on Friday 24th June. Mr Gear writes with more information on the format of the day here. Please do bring a picnic and watch the sporting events around you. The full schedule for the day will follow nearer the time.
On Tuesday 5th July, the ALS Musicians will be performing at the ALS Summer Show, the concert will start at 6:30pm and finish no later than 8:00pm. Keep your eyes peeled after half-term for information on how to purchase tickets.
I am delighted to confirm that we will be holding two separate Prize Giving events at Holy Trinity Church (just around the corner from school) on Wednesday 6th July for Juniors (in the morning) and then Seniors (in the early afternoon). After both events, we will be holding our traditional end of term BBQ which is always a popular event. I’ll share more detail in the invitation but, for now, do reserve out Wednesday 6th July to join us if you can.
ALPA would like to put a request out to those who shop frequently online. ALPA is set up as a charity with Easyfundraising which you can shop via online and they then donate a percentage to ALPA. Easyfundraising have just improved their app which if you go into an online shop and it is on the Easyfundraising list a pop up will come up and you can click so that a donation will be made if you purchase (which means you don’t miss any donations). The link to the new app update is here. It is also on the Easyfundraising website.
We have now migrated over to Evolve which is the system used for payment for our trips and excursions. Many trips have already gone out through it. If you are experiencing issues when paying, please do get in touch with [email protected]. Although there is no requirement, if you would like to create an account for future purchase please find the details on how to do so here.
For those collecting pupils from the Binswood gate, we have had a request from a local resident that we pass on to the school community; whilst you are waiting to collect please be mindful of the noise levels in the area.
If you are in need of some new school uniform over the summer holidays in preparation for next academic year, the ALS School Uniform Shop will be open throughout the summer holidays on a Thursday and a Friday from Thursday 14th July. If you would like to pop into the shop and purchase some new school uniform, please email [email protected].
Have a wonderful half-term. We look forward to seeing all the pupils return to school on Monday 6th June wearing red, white and blue.
Best wishes,
David Preston | Headteacher |
|
|
