Today saw the start of our mock exams for Year 11 and Year 13 students. School takes many different forms, and exams are one necessary part of the experience. I wish all of our oldest students the best with their time in our sports hall. I hope it gives them experience and feedback, before the final tasks in May and June. 

Fun Fridays have made a difference

You will know that last term our Fridays were the least well attended day in the school week. Absence on Fridays was 1.6% worse than the average for the first four days of the week. So we set up a challenge, and offered ‘Golden Tickets’ for Friday attendance that included prizes like a free doughnut or bags of ‘pick and mix’.

The good news is that it has made a big difference. In three out of four weeks in January, the Friday was not the worst attended, and within one week it was the best day of attendance. The difference in attendance has changed from 1.6% to just 0.3% – so well done to all the students who have made the extra effort.

We will do something similar next half term on Fridays, but are conscious that we do not just want to have prizes that are sweet treats. We spoke to students yesterday afternoon to get their views on what community events they might like to have access to on a Friday, such as karaoke or ‘sponge the teacher’. I look forward to seeing the results after the weekend… with some trepidation.

Most importantly, our students continue to know that attending school is good for their learning, and great for socialisation and wellbeing. And that is the most important thing about high levels of attendance.

Community work – Part 1

I am very proud of our community work. Sometimes this involves donating items (gifts to food banks and contributing to Christmas parcels) and on other occasions it involves giving time.

Thank you to Nafissa and Rameez who joined members of the police and community groups and residents to discuss local issues at the Police Ward Panel meeting for North Sutton. They represented the views of younger people and both made a valuable contribution. It is very impressive that our students meet with a group of adults that they have not previously met, and spoke so confidently in a formal meeting.

Community work – Part 2

A dozen of our Sixth Form students went to Green Wrythe Primary School earlier this week. They spoke with children in Years 4, 5 and 6 about what secondary school is like, and the different experiences that are on offer. The Greenshaw students spoke about timings of the school day and lunches, as well as academic topics like how they had chosen their GCSE and A Level subjects. 

I was delighted to see a letter that one of the Green Wrythe children wrote to our (much) older students. The pupil wrote: “You taught me so much about secondary school… it will make me feel comfortable when I start secondary school.”

One of the many great things about community work is that both parties benefit. The person receiving gets something they may not have (time or donations), but the giver also develops their skills and gains a sense of commitment to other people. That is why we will continue to find as many opportunities for all of our students to take part in activities like this. 

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	6th Form
Phoebe B-M	Renee-Lou	Jaiyana	Akhdan	Rakshan	Faith M/Bavan

Wishing you all a restful weekend.

Mr N House, Headteacher