Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

I hope everyone has had a fantastic Christmas break and has had a positive start to 2024. It has been lovely to get pupils back into lessons this week and to hear all of their experiences over the festive break. Prior to Christmas we donated a huge amount to our local foodbank as part of our reverse advent campaign (photos can be found on the school website). Please can I thank all parents/carers who supported the school in this drive. As a school, we also participated in the RCT Santa Appeal, working to ensure that every child in RCT had a present to open on Christmas morning. Again, thank you to all the staff at PHS who took part in this initiative. As a school we donated close to 50 gifts.

This week it has been fantastic to have so many pupils have such a positive start to the start to the term. Alfie Gwynne in Year 9 has had a fantastic start, achieving over 40 achievement points, Lexi-J West in Year 7 has achieved 31 achievement points, Kamyar Aldawodi in Year 8 has received 24 achievement points, Ruby Pothecary in Year 10 has achieved 22 achievement points and Nathan Osazuwa-Imade in Year 11 has achieved 17 achievement points. Well done all. This week we have implemented some changes to the school’s positive relationships policy, this can all be found in the policy on the school website.

Miss Morgan-Jones would like me to mention pupils in 8W who have had wonderful lessons throughout this week. They have been working very hard in the context of World War 2. There have been many positive contributions from the class, in particular, Dylan Turner, Kael Howells and Phyllisity Hawkins, the insightful comments and research have added a lot of value to the lesson. Mrs Stockman (Science) has asked to mention 9S who have been learning about health and fertility. They have been very mature and asked very interesting questions surrounding the topics of endometriosis and PCOS. A particular mention to Charlie Holland, Bailey Jackson & Jayden Bowden. Mrs Barrett would like to mention Year 10 Performing Arts, who are working hard to rehearse for their upcoming practical exam. They have created their own musical called ‘Doomed Wedding’, particular mention to Paris Thomas who has achieved pupil of the lesson for her dance.

Next week we start the week with Year 10 Progress Evening, which is being held on Monday evening in school. I would encourage all parents/carers of pupils in Year 10 to attend to focus on your child’s progress as they prepare for their GCSE Examinations. As always, please can I take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of high school attendance. We need pupils in school to achieve their progress and unlock their potential. You will have received a message earlier this week from Miss Catherine Lee to outline the new ways in which you can record pupil absence. Any issues regarding this please contact Miss Lee.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Kayleigh Oliver - Head of School