Last week saw our annual Open Evening for parents of
prospective Year 7 pupils, and I was most impressed by the number in
attendance. Well over 1500 visitors on what proved to be both a thundery and a
humid evening. I was delighted that 230 students volunteered to attend in the
evening in a whole range of capacities, whether as guide, departmental
assistant, speaker, musician or even car park attendant. It speaks volumes for
our ethos of being proud to belong that over 20% of the student population
chose to give up their afternoon and evening to support their school. Thank you
to everyone involved.
As you know, we take safeguarding very seriously at the
academy, and our Designated Senior Lead for safeguarding, Mr Bilton, is
continuing to ensure that this is a high profile part of school life. As well
as his Safeguarding Tip of the Week in main assembly, Mr Bilton led House
Assemblies last week on how students can keep themselves safe online and out in
the community. Mr Bilton also signposted our website, where students can find
out how to get help if they have any concerns. I would encourage parents and
carers also to have a look at the website, which gives guidance and a quick
link where you can report any safeguarding concerns you might have. A link to
the appropriate page is here.
We had a very enjoyable celebration
assembly last Wednesday, focusing on students who have made the academy proud
in recent days by their actions, including: Rebecca Russell in Year 12 for
being a young curator at Watford Museum; Isabella Garter in Year 10 for her
success in International Kickboxing; Jay Webster in Year 11 for his help on a
school trip to London; Tyrell Celestine-Abbas in Year 11 for helping a new Year
7 student find his way around; Nejmi Sadak in Year 13 for completing his work
experience at Scotland Yard over the summer break; Priya Patel in Year 13 for
her completing her work experience placements at both Crystal Palace Football
Club and Le Manior restaurant; Hannah Wales for taking the leading role in Fame
with the National Youth Theatre in London; Ruby Ryan, Jessica Stocoe and Abigail Gullen-Grieve in Year 9
for their help with helping new Year 7 students to settle in; Holly West in
Year 11 for dedicating herself in her summer holidays to excelling in her Art
work; Cem Kiran in Year 11 for being a superb role model; Tony Garvey in Year 9
for being incredibly helpful and supportive in the History department; Davina
Barrell-Macdonald in Year 11 for completing the Starlight Walk in her own time
and raising lots of money for charity; and Sebastian Pira, Max Aldous and
Michael Wooler for completing 4 week Nuffield Trust placements during the
summer.
Here is another reminder of what is coming up this month.
20 September: UCAS evening for parents of Year
12 and 13 students from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
27 September: 1-9 Information Evening from
6.00pm – 7.00pm: another chance for all parents of students in Years 7 to 11 to
learn about the new GCSE 1-9 grading system, which replaces the A*-G grades.
28 September: Year 7 and new starter Form
Tutor Evening from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
And during school time, Modern Foreign
Languages week runs from 26 September to 30 September, so expect to hear all
about different languages and cultures from your children at the end of the
month.