Dear ALS Community,
As we head into the final week of this half-term, there’s still plenty to come in the week ahead. Before that, I’d like to say thank you to all of the pupils and parents who supported our Open Day last Saturday. The event was an exceptional success and at the heart of that was prospective parents meeting our pupils who best reflect the wonderfulness of our school. Thank you.
Earlier this week, our whole school photograph had to be cancelled due to the wind level on the day as the staging would be of a certain height, the wind level needed to be below a certain level. When we know the new date, we will of course share this with you. Today, ALS hosted 20 Headteachers from the ISA for a regional meeting. It was a privilege to get to share our wonderful school with colleagues from our sector.
For next week, our mantra comes from Veritas: Be honest with yourself first. Alongside using our mantra to influence our thinking, we have a few other events to look forward to including our Junior School Parents’ Evenings (on Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th October), Year 11 and Year 13 Parents’ Evening (on Thursday 13th October) and our Year 7 assessment day (for external candidates) on Tuesday 11th October. On the Y7 assessment day, we will have, roughly, three times more pupils than we will have space for in our Senior School intake. Whilst this reflects the strength of ALS and the number of people hoping to join our school community, it means that the process of selection to identify those pupils who will receive an offer to join us into Year 7 for September 2023 becomes an increasingly challenging task.
Following on from the sporting success we’ve had already this year, our Y13 hockey team secured a 5-0 vs Bowbrook House School this week. Excellent performances were noted from Oliver, Samantha, Will and Freya. On the sporting front, congratulations also to our swimming team who took part in the ESSA competition last Friday with some excellent swimming and competitive races.
On Monday, don’t forget to hunt out those yellow items of clothing as we support World Mental Health Day with #helloyellow. Each year, we support #helloyellow with a £1 donation from all pupils and staff who wear one item of yellow clothing and the school is a sea of yellow - it’s a lovely thing to take part in as well as being a very visible show of support in regards to the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Though I may go somewhat muted with a yellow tie or bow tie, I can imagine one year Mr Dobson rocking, with confidence, a full yellow suit!
I hope you will have read, with interest, about our Winter Ball that is being held on Saturday 19th November at Hogarth’s Hotel Solihull from 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased through Evolve at £90 per head and tables of 10 are also available. If you would like to get together with others from the ALS Community to fill a table do email us on [email protected] so that we can allocate the tables accordingly. Tickets will be on sale through Evolve until Friday 4th November 2022. In a similar trend to last year tickets are already being snapped up quickly. Last year the Winter Ball was a sell-out success so don’t delay in booking your tickets to avoid any disappointment.
Over the October half term, ALS Holiday club will be running for Monday 24th October to Thursday 27th of October with a ‘spooky’ theme. Please see more information here. To book your child’s place on the club, please do so via Evolve. The Holiday Club is open to those in Year 1 – Year 9 with an expression of interest from those in Reception at this stage whilst we manage numbers.
After half term, Mr Hawkins (P.E) will be competing the Israeli Iron Man, completing a 2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Mr Hawkins is undertaking this challenge to raise money for Molly Olly’s wishes, a fantastic charity that supports families who have relatives suffering from Brain Tumours. This is a charity close to our school community as one of our families has experienced this first hand. If you would like to support Mr Hawkins’ fundraising efforts, please do so here.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Best wishes,
David Preston | Headteacher |
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