Headteachers Letter – 1st April 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have now reached the conclusion of the 2022 Spring term, although the flurry of snow yesterday did not quite match the season!  We are however, well and truly back into the rhythm of a normal academic year , and are looking forward to the traditional summer term, which sees public examinations and internal assessments take centre stage for all year groups, in addition to the induction activities as our Year 11 students progress to Sixth Form and we welcome in the current Year 6 students for their first formal taste of life at Wollaston School.

As ever, thank you for all of your support during this term. The challenges of covid remain with us, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of the entire school community in coping with higher then normal levels of absence. Times of challenge can reveal our true character, and it is clear that we remain able to cope with obstacles and disruption with positivity, resilience and creativity. That does not happen in isolation, or by accident, so thank you for your support in ensuring that we have continued to succeed, no matter the size of the challenge.

 

Consultation on Timings of the School Day

Thank you to those who have already contributed and a reminder that the survey can be accessed HERE  We encourage as many parents and carers as possible to put forward a view, before the decision is taken early next term.

 

Year 11 and Year 13 Examinations Season

With public examinations taking place for the first time since 2019, we are looking forward to a successful summer series, which begins in earnest in early May. External qualifications mean that for most Year 11 and Year 13 students, term finishes earlier than usual,  on completion of their final exams and after the traditional leavers assemblies and events. However, please note that the exam boards have designated Wednesday 29^th June 2022 as the final exams contingency date. This means that in the event of any disruption, exams can be scheduled to this date, or in advance of it.  All students in Years 11 and 13 should be aware that they should not make plans for any date prior to the 30^th June 2022.

 

Year 10 Boys Football Team

Congratulations to our Year 10 boys for an amazing County Cup run, culminating in the final at Cogenhoe FC on Monday. Unfortunately Wollaston were beaten by a very strong NSB side who emerged deserved winners 3-1 and who also had an incredibly talented Number 10 playing for them which proved to be decisive. Well done to NSB on  their success and congratulations to our Year 10 team for a wonderful season.

 

Student Successes

Congratulations to Hannah Wayman for an amazing performance in her first national gymnastics championships and her first in a packed arena. Hannah was the youngest competitor in the entire field and finished in a highly creditable 34^th position out of 68.  Congratulations to Hannah and photos can be found on our website.

Congratulations also to Jensen Bishop for his successes in the Minimoto racing series, most recently in Spain. Jensen will start the British Championship series this week – and we wish him all the best for the season to come. Photos again on our website.

 

Covid Rules From the 1^st April

We have had confirmation from the Department for Education of the revised rules for Coronavirus from today as part of the wider Government’s  living with Covid plan.

Free universal testing ceases, although some individuals may still be able to access tests through the NHS, dependant on their circumstances.  In terms of guidance regarding illness and attendance, the revised guidance now states:

• adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature
• children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend
• adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days

This essentially brings into line the guidance on coronavirus to that regarding all other forms of illness.  As always, we reserve the right to contact home if a student is demonstrably unwell and clearly unfit for school, however, we completely trust our parents, students and staff to follow the guidance above and continue to act sensibly regarding potential covid infections, as we know all members of the school community have done, both pre pandemic and throughout the past 2 years.  We will also continue to support the wearing fo face coverings for any individuals who choose to do so.

 

Important Dates for Next Term

Summer 2022 promises to be a busy and exciting term, and a quick reminder of key term and events dates.

Friday 1^st April – School closes for Easter

Tuesday 19^th April – School reopens

Thursday 21^st April – Year 12

Monday 2^nd May – Bank Holiday

Friday 27^th May – School closes for half term

Monday 6^th June – School opens

Friday 1st July – Year 12 induction day

Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th July – Year 6 induction days

Friday 21^st July – School closes for summer

 

Thank you as always for your exceptional support of Wollaston School. if you do have anything which you would like to discuss, please get in touch FitzhughJ@wollaston-school.net and I would be happy to hear from you.

 

James Birkett

Headteacher