From the Head of Secondary 20.05.2023
This week has very much been a time of looking forward, changing plans, and organising upcoming events.
Dr Gross’ presentation about ChatGPT at the Drop Off and Drop in Coffee Morning made us all think about what the future will hold, specifically in the world of education. There were mixed feelings in the room, with the parents who attended volunteering a range of thoughts about this, and other forms of artificial intelligence, including fear, trepidation, doubt, excitement. It was also acknowledged that there are, or could be, many plusses. ChatGPT can be a tremendous time-saver, and a fantastic extra tool that students and teachers could use. Here at school a working party has been pondering and discussing all of this for several months, and have now put together the first draft of a policy, the final version of which will guide the school as we move forward to embrace all that this new technology has to offer. It is by doing this that we can exercise some control of where it will lead us, or rather, where we will lead it.
Staff Appreciation Day on Tuesday was fantastic! Many thanks to our parents and the PTASC for the generous donations, and for covering staff duties, which meant that we could partake of a really delicious lunch buffet. In addition, it was lovely to read all the very moving and heartfelt messages of appreciation on the huge banner under the covered walkway. It is these kinds of events that really signify what a true community that we are, staff, parents and students.
Under the new Ministry of Education rules concerning limitations on activities during the hot weather, we have had to significantly adapt what we are able to do in PE, physical activity, ECAs and trips, including the Duke of Edinburgh Silver AJ. The PE staff have had to be super-flexible in converting those lessons which normally take place on the field, on the court, or at outside venues, to run indoors instead in the Hall and the multi-purpose Room. Naturally, this has had a knock-on effect on the activities which would normally be happening in those two venues [hence the coffee morning on Tuesday happening in the Drama Studio]. The students cannot play under the sun during break and lunchtimes, and for some of them this is a huge loss. Nevertheless, they have responded really well to the limitations and made the best of it by sitting and chatting to their friends during those times. Our school calendar is very finely tuned, and the postponement and potential cancellation of trips is an issue, as we look for alternative dates, on the premise of course that there may be more flexibility in the restrictions moving forwards. An event such as the DofE Adventurous Journey takes months of planning by the staff team, led by Ms McNutt, and the disappointment that it could not run as planned has been palpable. However, we remain optimistic that these events will take place in the future, and we have tentatively placed them in future months with ‘to be confirmed’ against the details. We will, of course, notify the affected students, and their parents, when we are totally confident about timings.
Still looking forward, we have some really exciting times ahead in Secondary! Prom23 will be happening on the 17th June at the Magellan, Sutera. I met with Mr Bromley this week to go through the fine details and we are able to confirm the arrangements and the associated documents. Tickets will be on sale shortly for this. The theme is ‘Hollywood Glamour!’ and I am certain that our students will certainly live up to expectations with their outfits!
Preceeding that we have another really significant event, the Class of 2023 Graduation, on the 16th June. This will take place in the school hall, transformed for the evening into an amazingly beautiful space. The same venue will host Macbeth, this year’s school production.
I know that directing and producing a play is a mighty task, and Mr Bryant and the cast have been working very hard for most of this year to bring it to fruition. Please make a note in your diaries; ‘Macbeth 14th & 15th June’. It is a totally unmissable event!
In the meantime, I do hope that everyone has a really relaxing weekend!
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Head of Secondary / Deputy Principal
