This week

Assemblies started with a performance from the Jazz Band. They were brilliant. We then focused on this week’s theme of People are Different. This theme allowed everyone to consider how when we look at things (e.g. a painting) people can notice different things, even though they are looking at the same thing. We also spoke about the whole world coming together for the Olympics and Paralympics this summer and how the different sports required different skills. We concluded that the fact that we are all different is great and to be celebrated. We also recognised that whilst everyone is different, when we are all part of a school community, wider society or the world, things work best when we have agreed ways of behaving – another reminder of School Rule 1 and our values and why these are so important to us as a school.

Leavers’ photos (Years 11 and 13) benefited from some lovely weather and went very well. It can be quite challenge organising the group photos but both year groups were very patient and we look forward to seeing the outcomes later this year.

Looking ahead

Public examinations get under way next week and we adjust the timing of lunch to facilitate a smooth start to afternoon examinations. From Tuesday, lunch will be at the earlier time of 12.20pm (end of lesson 3), and will be followed by lessons 4 and 5. School start and finish times are not affected.

We look forward to Year 13’s last official day with us on Friday where we will celebrate their time at the School at a Leavers’ Assembly and then later their Leavers’ Ball.

Poetry by Heart success

On 1st May our English Department received the results of our Darrick Wood Key Stage 3 entries to the Poetry By Heart National Competition. All our teachers were impressed by the strong competitors in Years 7, 8 and 9. Our English and Drama Darrick Wood judges had a truly difficult time selecting entries to put forward from a very strong KS3 group; in the end the judges were limited by the number of entries the School was permitted. After we nominated our KS3 Champions, those students were put forward to the Poetry By Heart National Competition.

With over 3,000 entries this year to Poetry By Heart, competition was truly fierce. We can all celebrate the achievement of Alexander (Year 9) in going forward to the National Competition. He is in a very select group out of 3,000 entries to the PBH competition. Across all entries in England, standards were very high, the performances were excellent, and the National Competition judges – all acclaimed poets – said how challenging it was to select just a few out of so many strong entries.

All of our students can be very proud of their participation; if they have not been selected this year, they can participate next year.

Bromley Cup success

The U15/16 girls are Bromley Cup champions! Winning 3-1 against the Kent Cup champions Bullers Wood. In the heat on Bromley FC’s main pitch they were absolutely superb! Lauryn scored twice but it was a fantastic team effort all round.

But that’s not all, the U13 team are also now champions. To have two teams lift a cup in the same season is testament to the hard work these girls have put in all year. Well done to both teams. We are all so proud of you.

Thank you to everyone who came down to support both teams.

Year 9 electives

Students on the Travelman/woman elective in Year 9 this week had the opportunity to enjoy all things Turkish. The Travelman/woman elective has been looking at a number of different European countries over the past few weeks and students have learnt snippets of languages as diverse as Portuguese, Maltese and Croatian as well as sampling some of their local delicacies such as pasteis de nata, imqaret and makovnjaca. On Monday, we were lucky enough to enjoy a Turkish banquet provided by Smoque restaurant in Locksbottom including such highlights as Çoban salatası, Şakşuka, Bulgur, Turkish breads and Lamb and chicken Adana and şiş. Çok Lezzetliydi- as they might say in Turkey.

The Little Mermaid

We had an amazing week of auditions this week and a tough job of casting from the vast talent we saw.  The final Cast List has now been published at the School. Congratulations to all who took part and we look forward to what is bound to be an amazing school production in November.

Operation Encompass

The School has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools and the Metropolitan Police. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of school staff, known as a Dedicated Safeguarding Lead, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the School is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our students and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.

Dates for the diary

Date	Event	Notes
Monday, 6th May	Bank Holiday	School closed
Thursday, 9th May	Public Examinations start
Monday, 27th May	Half-term break
Monday, 3rd June	Return from half-term break Years7-9 assessments for next two weeks
Monday, 24th June	Year 12 examinations
Wednesday, 3rd July	Sports Day – Years 7-9	Norman Park Athletics Arena
Monday, 15th July	Year 8 Sayers Croft trip	Half Mon-Wed, half Wed-Fri
Wednesday, 24th July	Last day of term