Dear parents/carers,

I want to start this year’s correspondence with a massive Thank you to our families.  Because of your support, we made a fantastic start to the new academic year.  I’m sure you will have heard wonderful comments from our students about their first week back too.  In my assemblies this week I spoke to them about our school values Kindness, as a strength of the heart, Respect, as a strength of the mind and Determination, the strength of the will.  I also used Chandrayaan 3 as an example to share how having a determination to succeed can overcome many barriers.  I asked all students to be determined to attend school every day and to make a positive difference to themselves, their community and the wider society; be the best version of ourselves.  They were surprised to note that after taking all holidays out, they are expected to come to school for only 190 days and how attendance plays a significant role in the ensuring success.

I had the pleasure of visiting lessons and was impressed at the learning in all year groups.  Yr7s were learning about hazardous chemicals and risk/safety in lessons.  Their joy at a practical lesson, with Bunsen burners on during one of the hottest days this year, was infectious!

Yr8s were gathering facts and comparing the catholic and protestant church during the Tudor period and Yr9 were busy sharpening their practical skills using laser cutters to make plastic key rings.  At KS4 we have a focus on their GCSE preparation, as one would expect. Yr10 were working on English Literature poetry anthology, Power and Conflict, whist Yr11 in Science were working on their exam skills.  Every day, every lesson in school counts.  I seek your support in encouraging your child to attend school every time their will wavers.  Thank you.

In view of the high temperatures this week, we encouraged students to remove their ties and blazers.  Please note that we are back to the full uniform from Monday 11 September.  Students will be expected to wear ties and blazers as normal. Thank you in advance for your help in reinforcing our uniform code.

Hope it has been a pleasant and enjoyable summer for all families.  It is good to be back with our students at school.  For this term, I will be available to meet with families every Thursday after school from 3:15pm onwards. Please feel free to email office@bourne.org.uk

I look forward to working with you closely this year.

Kind regards

Mrs A Sharma
Head teacher