In what seems like just a few days since we returned after Christmas, we find ourselves at the February half term. As ever, this has been a very busy half term that has seen the new building take rapid shape. For those of you that visit school, or drive past, you will have seen the metal external structure developing and this will be pretty much completed by the end of next week. 

I remain incredibly impressed with the positive way that our students have adapted to the constraints that the building work has brought. As we head into our week-long break, this has been a very positive half term.

Attendance recognition for Greenshaw

Absence rates from school have been variable this term. I will always talk about how important attendance at school is – it strengthens learning and also builds great habits for adulthood, about resilience and reliability. We are delighted that we received an attendance award for the November to December half term, but next half term will continue to focus on what we call ‘casual’ absence. This is not where a pupil has a significant illness, taking several days to recover from, but more like taking a single day off every other week or so.

I hope that half term is a good chance for our students to rest and recover from any lingering bugs and then, when we return, we will be focusing on getting our spring term attendance back up to the highest levels. 

INSET day – Monday 9th March

It is a few weeks away, but it is always helpful to have a reminder of an upcoming school closure. At the start of the third week of next half term, Monday 9th March, there will be a school closure and no students should attend school on that day.

GCSE Pathway evenings for Years 8 and 9

There are two evenings of information for families and students in Years 8 and 9 at the start of next half term. For families and students in Year 9, the event is on Tuesday 3rd March and for Year 8 students the event is on Thursday 5th March. There will be two ‘sittings’ at 17:00 and 18:15 and a recording will also be available for any families unable to attend.

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.  

Stars of the half term

Congratulations to our stars below who have demonstrated something special in their attitude to their peers, the community or their learning. Well done to each and every one of them.

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	6th Form
Jordan	Ava Mai	Eda	Tallulah C	Fortune	Bella, Avaneesh, Alec Alvin O-A, Thirushanth

So a packed and successful term, that concluded with students in tutor groups in Years 7, 8 & 9 thinking about their community action – choosing charities to raise funds for, and deciding what activities to hold. It is brilliant to see these in the planning stage, and I look forward to seeing much more next term. In the meantime, I wish all of our students a restful half term. Wishing you all the very best.

 Mr N House, Headteacher