Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends
The general election last week seems such a long time ago …
On Wednesday 3rd July, we had the final of the Holt Young Musician of the Year. This was the culmination of various rounds over the summer term. Over 100 students entered the first round. In the second round, students performed in Gold, Silver or Bronze concerts with the winners of the Gold concerts going through to our grand final. The final showcased 12 performers across 3 categories; piano, vocal and instrumental. Our three category winners were: Ruby Conlon (vocal), Kaylie Cheung (instrumental) and Claire Chan (piano). Kaylie Cheung who performed on the harp was selected as the overall ‘Holt Young Musician of the Year’. Thank you also to Sarah Scotchmer and Dawn Wren who were our guest judges for the evening.
We held the Holt School mock general election on Wednesday 3rd July, and the results were announced on Thursday 4th July, the date of the general election. In preparation, the sixth form A level politicians and economists delivered an assembly to every year group. For each political party – Conservatives, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK – the students summarised the manifestos. The economists focused on taxation, support to small businesses and regional growth and the politicians key policy areas, such health care, education and the environment. The intention was to mimic the democratic process as closely as possible so that students could get a flavour of how a polling station works as they cast their ballots, and simply get them talking about politics.
All students cast their votes and the results were as follows:
Liberal Democrats 44%
Labour 27%
Green 18%
Conservatives 5%
Reform UK 4%
Spoilt ballots: 2%
Thank you to Mrs Bethencourt-Smith and Mrs Hagger for organising the election and to the sixth form A level politicians and economists for the assemblies, the crossing off names at the polling station (main hall!) and the count.
.On the actual election day, last Thursday, Year 7 students competed in teams to complete the House Maths Competition. Students raced around the school trying to complete questions in a mathematical scavenger hunt: to seek out numbers “hidden in plain sight” around the Holt School site. This included questions like:
- How many “science department pets” are there?
- What is the average number of books the English Department read this year?
- What mathematical shape is the rounders pitch?
Students were encouraged to look closer at parts of the school they pass every day but may not have noticed, such as finding the original entrance to the Holt Building, finding evidence of a “missing door” to the maths office, and learning when each school House was founded.
This year, the weather was glorious, and the students enjoyed the challenge (and being outside in the sunshine). Congratulations to 7S who obtained the highest score! Thank you to Mr Green for organising the event – he is very creative in raising awareness of maths around us.
We also held our Open Evening last Thursday for Year 5 students who are our prospective Year 7 students for 2025. We hold it in the summer term when the evenings are brighter and the weather better so that the school can be seen at its best. This was certainly the case this year. It was a busy evening with parents and students attending one of two talks in the Hall and they were then able to take a guided tour or look around by themselves. The guides were fantastic, we had over 70 Year 10 and Year 12 students showing parents around. They are always the best ambassadors for the school. In addition, parents and their daughters were able to visit departments, meet teachers and join in activities. In history they could follow historic make up recipes, do a quiz in geography, make a key ring in technology and taste some samples in food. Science was busy with numerous experiments and displays and PE were demonstrating games in the Sports Hall and gym and much more. It was a great evening and we have received many positive comments from our visitors. A huge thanks to Mrs Smith who oversees the running of the open evening and to all the Year 12 and 10 prefects and Year 10s who volunteered to help, they were all very welcoming and enthusiastic as they showed parents and students around the site. Thanks to everyone – the evening was a great success.
The art department had its exhibition last week showcasing the work of the outgoing A level students as well as some GCSE work. It was wonderful to see such a diverse variety of media and themes and the standard of work was exceptional. Visitors to the exhibition were all astonished by the quality and all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Thank you to Mrs Skeates, Head of Art and her team – Miss Schotting and Mrs Cartmell-Webb for inspiring the students to produce such creative pieces.
Our KS3 and KS4 drama clubs have been buzzing with activity this past academic year, crafting both devised and scripted performances. Through these endeavours, students have honed their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
The KS3 drama club delighted audiences with their unique rendition of “Home Alone,” penned by the talented Shayna. Meanwhile, the KS4 drama club brought to life compelling scenes from “DNA” and “Noughts and Crosses.”
A highlight of the year was the collaboration with the Spanish department, where students performed scenes from the A-level Spanish text “Yerma.”
The annual showcase, that is entirely student-driven, highlighted the exceptional leadership of our Drama A-level students and prefects. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the vibrant community they have fostered. Thanks to Mrs Bennett for overseeing the showcase.
Sportsfest (sports day) is a big diary date in the Holt School calendar and Wednesday’s sportsfest lived up to expectations!
Congratulations to Spinners who won the event with Lacemakers coming second and Clothworkers a close third place. The students took the track and field events very seriously and there were some excellent races. Alongside the sport, the House prefects made banners for the open ceremony …..well done to Clothworkers for winning the banner competition! The Heads of House and House prefects set up mocktail stalls as well as charging for their skills in hair braiding and applying glitter make up. All the money raised has gone to the House charities.
Thank you to the Heads of House for organising the charity stalls and opening ceremony banners – Mrs Hart, Miss Hurry, Miss Vockins, Miss Hayes, Mr Thrower, Mr Mosley, Mrs Totolan-Moore and Miss Stanborough. £813.74 was raised for the House charities – well done!
After lunch, the students ….and staff …. enjoyed the mess of the colour run!! We raised £3472.33 for Friends of the Holt – thanks to all for taking part!
Throughout the day, students performed various songs on the Sportsfest stage and the day ended on a high with DJ Richard banging out the tunes and being greeted with the collective energy of all the students on the fields dancing/moshing by the speakers. A unique experience – so many happy faces – it is hard to explain how lovely it was – ask you daughter!
Here are the teachers watching the dancing!
Thank you to Miss Harris, Miss Holmes and Miss Barnett who compared the whole day…they maintained an upbeat vibe for the whole day with their wit, chat, singing and dancing!! Thank you!
Finally, we are indebted to the PE department for organising another fabulous Sportsfest…they start the planning just after Easter! Thank you to Mrs Bolton, Mrs Ebden, Mrs Woods, Mrs Cardy, Miss Stanborough and Miss Welch!!
Next week Year 10 are out on work experience – good luck! Year 7, 8 and 9 and the sixth form have activities in school, day trips planned, and Year 8 are out on a residential PGL trip. Thank you to Mr Adams for organising the activities week and we will share photos on Twitter.
It has been a joyful week – what we do as teachers really does matter – it is the best job ever!
Anne Kennedy
Co-Headteacher