Headteacher Blog – Christmas Edition

As Christmas approaches, I would like to thank all students, parents and staff for their hard work and support in making this term a successful one. It has certainly been extremely busy and I have been delighted with the efforts of students in all year groups. Our Year7 students have settled really well and our Year 11’s have mostly worked hard for their mock exams and have set up a platform for some excellent results next summer. I would encourage year 12 and 13 to do the same by setting aside some revision time after the Christmas festivities in preparation for their mock exams in the first two weeks back in January.

On Monday evening, 19th December, we have our last major parent and student event of the term, where we invite last year’s Year 13 students back to school for our annual A-level Awards Evening. At this event, we present formal A-level certificates to students, and formal awards to recognise outstanding achievements, most progress and outstanding personal qualities in the year group last year.

 

I was really pleased with the OAP party which took place today at school. It has become a fixture at Wollaston School over a number of years. The party was organised and run by Sixth Form students as part of their Hospitality and Catering course, supported by year 9 students and the entertainment was provided by our performing arts students. 100 visitors spent most of the day at school and an excellent time was had by all, culminating in a visit by Father Christmas!

 

I am pleased to announce that arrangements for improving our offer to students at lunchtime has gone well this term and several of the activities run by sixth form students have had a good uptake by lower school students. Basketball has been particularly popular, with about 30 students taking part each day in the gym. Over the next few days, we have builders on-site who are adding to our wet weather provision by providing a covered outdoor picnic area at the sixth form end of the school and this will be ready for use in January.

I have been asked by the local police to draw parents’ attention to potential risks created by unsupervised parties over the Christmas period. I would ask parents to read the letter from Northants Police relating to this by clicking HERE.

I would like to say huge thank-you to a local organisation called Parcels of Joy, a charitable organisation which has provided Christmas presents for local families in difficult financial circumstances, who have worked with us at school in supporting Christmas for children and families in the local area.

Finally, may I wish all of our students, parent, staff and governors a peaceful, enjoyable and  relaxing Christmas.

Best wishes

Joe Cowell

Headteacher