Students and staff were firmly in the festive spirit. What really impressed me was how engaged students were in their learning, not losing their focus in the classroom despite the various Santas, Christmas trees, gifts and reindeer on their jumpers.

There are details of the last day of term later on in this letter. However, please be aware that all lessons continue as normal until the very end of next Friday. As we have a two-week half-term in October, we cannot afford our teachers to use next week’s lessons for anything other than normal full-on learning. So please ensure your child attends fully next week, like any other school week.

Year 11 families – get ready for January!

You will already be receiving information about our very important parents’ evening. It is in the first week back, Thursday 8th January 2026. This is a crucial chance to catch up with your child’s subject teachers about their progress in each GCSE subject. Please join us online for that evening.

Thank you to the families who took time to complete a survey for their preferences for the Year 11 evening being in person or online. There was a clear preference for staying online, with about two thirds of you wanting to stay with online contact. I met a number of Year 11 parents at an information evening before half term, where you said you would like to meet in person. However, there was a clear majority who talked about the convenience of being online. We will be holding another face-to-face event with Mr Johnson later in the spring term, so hopefully we can combine the in-person and online contact.

12 day attendance challenge

Each afternoon, every tutor group has been running their ‘spin to win’ competition each day this week. Prizes have ranged from themed socks to chocolates, and next week the prizes start to increase in value. Attendance has been strong this week, and we want to reward students for being in school – even while the ‘flu bug has been around – so we will keep doing this for the last five days of term. Remind your child that if they want to win something they need to be in school, they need to be “in to win”!

Shoebox donations

Thank you so much to all of you who made donations to the tutor group shoe box campaign. I am always so proud that the families of Greenshaw act as one to support others in the local community. Thank you for a generous range of gifts that included chocolates, biscuits, sweets and toiletries. 

Our students will be taking these gift-wrapped boxes to local care homes and children’s hospital wards next week, and they are always very much appreciated. 

Students of the week

Congratulations goes to our stars of the week listed below for maintaining their commitment, focus and sense of drive. Well done to one and all!

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Sixth Form
tbc	Oron	Maisey	Kayleigh	Aarujan	Yusuf/Andrew

Arrangements for last day of term

On Friday 19th December, all students will attend their timetabled lessons until the end of period 3 at 12:15pm. Year 7 to 11 students will then return to their tutor bases by 12:20pm for registration. Students will then be dismissed at the below times:

• 12:25 pm – Year 7, 8
• 12:30 pm – Year 9, 10, 11 

Mr N House, Headteacher