I hope you all had a lovely and restful half term. The weather was glorious and definitely had a “holiday feel” about it, we even had the paddling pool out chez Pearce!
So, this half term is the “home straight” of the year and the one where we usually look forward to a whole host of House events, competitions, sports’ day and various induction days! But don’t worry, our Heads of House are working hard to plan some remote House competitions so that students can boost their new House totals now the competition has started again following Clothworkers’ win last term.
From the 15th June, we are welcoming back our Year 10 and 12 students for some face to face teaching to supplement remote learning. We were actually aiming for a return on 1st June as per original government guidance; we were certainly ready with an adapted timetable, protective measures in the classrooms, one-way system and signage in place, and the other adjustments but alas, the Prime Minister announced in his speech at the start of half term that this was to go on hold until 15th June along with some new, additional measures thrown in! A great shame for our staff, students and parents; there was an overwhelming appetite to return, but our plans were always subject to the government’s final call! So for us, that meant some more tweaking to our plans……. but then as they say “a smooth sea never made a skilful mariner!”
Year 10 and 12 parents have been sent a letter outlining the plans in more detail.
For Key Stage Three students, I am sure they enjoyed the break after their assessments in the last week of half term. The remote system worked really well and students got into a great rhythm completing the assessments and emailing them in. Thank you to all parents for your support with this! Teachers are now busy marking those papers!
The Heads of Year 7, 8 and 9 have sent an email to all parents outlining the curriculum plans for the rest of the year. Each department has highlighted the different topics that will be covered over the next seven weeks to give you a bit of a “heads up” as to what to expect. I hope you find this helpful. Because the school is partially reopening to groups of Year 10 and 12 students, it might be that your daughter’s teacher now sets her work for the day, the afternoon or evening before it is due to be completed, or she may even have all her work set for the day in the morning.
Your daughter will also have received a “welcome back” video message from her Head of Year!
We also have our annual “Global Day” to look forward to…..Mr Marrison and Mr Furlong have been working hard to plan this day to be delivered “remotely”. There will be more information about this to follow!
The community project with Glebelands care home continues as Miss Harris sent another powerpoint of stories and jokes to them this week. Please do encourage your daughter to keep them coming using glebelands@holt.wokingham.sch.uk
Lastly, Dr Lewis, head of physics, was delighted to receive the results from the Year 10 Olympiad competition that some students entered last term. In all, there were two Gold awards, three Silvers and five Bronze! Some special congratulations to Anabel and Josie who were in the top 13% of all students entered!
Well Done to you all!
Katie Pearce