Blog #28 - w/c – 04/06/2021

Hi All,

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the fantastic weather during half term and is feeling refreshed after the break. I know that, after the massive amount of work involved in generating and assessing work to support Centre Assessed Grades for our Year 11s, the half term offered a much needed opportunity to ‘breathe out’.

Well, we made it to the last bit of the academic year. Under normal circumstances, the first few weeks of this half term would be exam season, characterised by the bustle and panic of GCSEs but, obviously, this is not the case this year. As a result, the atmosphere in school feels a little more relaxed than in previous years and our focus can remain on all students in years 7 to 10. We look forward to a productive last six weeks as we continue to underpin learning that was lost due to Covid.

Infection Rates

Well, unfortunately, it appears that infection rates, especially of the Delta variant (formerly referred to as the Indian variant) are on the increase, with cases in Cheshire West and Chester at 75 per 100,000. Additionally, 12 -18 year olds have been identified as the group with the highest new rates of infection nationally. As a result, the local authority has decided that masks must once again be worn at all times in school, including during lessons. Obviously, none of us want to see a return to wearing masks but I’m sure you’ll agree that it is a small price to pay in order to protect those around us, and also as a means to ensure we can enjoy freedom during the summer holiday; nobody wants to risk another lockdown!

Please support the school by ensuring that your child comes to school with either a cloth or disposable mask. We will have a supply of disposable masks if students arrive without one, but it is all of our responsibilities to try to limit further spread of the virus.

New Build

Although it might still look like a building site, I’m delighted to announce that the interior of our new building is all but complete, with most of the work now focused on the outside space. There will be a further 14 car parking bays, which will help to alleviate the current issues we have with a lack of parking. Also, the ground immediately outside the building is being landscaped and pathways between the new facility and the main school building are being laid. This is a very exciting time for us and we can’t wait to take ownership and be ready to welcome students into the building in September.

Countdown to Fame?

I’m sure many of you regularly tune in to ‘Countdown’ and, if you were watching on Thursday 10^th June, you will have seen that one of our ex-students, Charlie Rowlands, was one of the contestants. Charlie did really well and was one of the youngest contestants featured on the show to date.

Brilliant job and well done Charlie (he had a great English teacher 🙂 ).

PE Clubs this half term

Mr Cairns and the PE team will be delighted to see all of you at any of the PE clubs after school. See below for details.

And finally,

End of year exams start next week so please encourage your children to prepare appropriately; they need to take some time to revise to make sure that they give themselves the best chance of achieving their potential.

Remember that your child will need to wear a mask from Monday until we are advised otherwise by the local authority.

And lastly, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend for weather so please take care in the sun.