It started with our Ofsted visit in one set of buildings (I don’t think I’ll tire of mentioning our four Outstanding judgments, earned by our brilliant students and great staff!) and ends with us in a completely different set of classrooms.

Throughout this year the students have been superb, and that was nowhere more evident than in yesterday’s curriculum enhancement days. I was fortunate enough to go to the coast with 9LAN and 9JAN, mixing the day between rigorously collecting data on the beach of Bognor Regis and also eating ice cream and skimming stones in the sea. That was a lovely end to the year. For the other year groups who visited the zoo, places of worship or royal palaces, or saw actors from the Globe Players performing, that was a really great way to celebrate the school year.

We have talented students and great staff, but your contribution as families is never taken lightly. You are the third leg of the stool (students, family, school) that we hope combines to make our young people happy, informed and capable adults and I would like to thank all of our families for your support, care and commitment over the last three terms. 

Building update

The demolition continues to march on. Here is a picture of our second dining room, and the remains of the English and Maths blocks… or rather an image of rubble. The demolition phase should be concluded by October, with large amounts scheduled for the six weeks when the site is, apart from some essential staff, mainly empty. 

Before Christmas, we are expecting to receive back our first benefit. In the area of this photograph we will have a newly formed ‘MUGA’ (Multi Use Games Area), essentially a year-round sports pitch. That will be a symbolic moment for the students as they start to see the outcome of the months of demolition. 

Students of the term

At the end of a term we celebrate the work and efforts of our very finest in each year group. So huge congratulations to the pupils listed below for being absolutely brilliant.

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	6th Form
Harry O	Keziah	tbc	Abbie	Marina

Key September dates

• Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd September: school staff return to school for two INSET days.
• Wednesday 3rd September: induction days for Year 7 and Year 12 students only.
• Thursday 4th September: partial day for all years (see times below). This allows us to share timetables for the coming school year, students to have an assembly with myself and their Head of Year, meet their tutors and get set for the coming year.
• Friday 5th September: all year groups are in for full days from this day on.

Please see the tables below for full details of these arrangements.

School Photograph Day

School photograph day will be held on Thursday 4th September for students in Year 7, 9, 11 and 12. Please ensure that your child arrives at school in full school uniform with no jewellery, other than the permitted ear studs and no makeup.

The company taking the photographs, Pret-a-Portrait, will send sitting ID cards of the photos to the school to be distributed to you via your child.  Orders are then made directly via the Pret-a-Portrait website and not the school.  All contact details will be provided.

Uniform

As we approach the new academic year, should you be planning to purchase new uniform items, I urge you to check our website here before making any purchases. This will ensure that all new uniform adheres to our standards. To avoid the inevitable rush and potential delays that occur during the final weeks of the school holidays, I strongly recommend that you place any uniform orders with our supplier as soon as you possibly can. Historically, demand is very high during this period, and early purchasing will help ensure your child is fully prepared for the start of term.

Support while school is closed 

At Greenshaw, we work closely with a variety of agencies including the London Borough of Sutton, volunteer groups and the NHS. Please be aware that our website has many signposts to support agencies in the section ‘Care & Support’ as needed.  

Access over the summer

The vast majority of our staff are on annual leave over the summer holidays but we do continue to check emails at office@greenshaw.co.uk. Although the phone lines will not be constantly open, we will check for any messages periodically. If there is something you need clarity on that you cannot find from our website, please do feel free to message us, and we will do our best to respond, but be aware this may take a couple of days.

I wish you all enjoyable summer. If you are lucky enough to be going away, then I hope you have good travels, and for all of our families and students, I hope they have restful breaks.

Mr N House, Headteacher