From the Head of Secondary 24.08.19
We were delighted to welcome our students back into school this week. Years 7, 10, 11 and 12 attended on Thursday with all students in school yesterday. For Year 7 Thursday was a momentous day, their first day in Secondary, and as a group they were both excited and nervous. One young man confided to me that he had not slept a wink on Wednesday evening as he was so excited! Year 10 seemed very pleased to meet up with their friends. Thursday was a very full day for them as they heard presentations from various members of staff. Ms Service’s assembly gave a very science-based assessment on what teenagers needed to do to be both happy and successful at school; it was a fascinating talk and Ms Service delivered her ideas with lots of energy and enthusiasm. In the Year 7 assembly Mr Kelly talked about the organisational skills that were needed in Secondary, the House system, and how to get lots of merits. He even gave the students an opportunity to gain some merits there and then by answering some questions about our Mission Statement! Years 12 and 13 had their first session in their new Common Room with Mr Barker describing how success is earned. There was a particular emphasis on seeking advice and help when needed, and how we all relied upon each other for support [even adults!]. This is an idea that we would like all students to embrace and was further reiterated in the full Secondary assembly yesterday morning. The induction days were a success again this year and particular thanks must go to all those teachers who gave very valuable advice to the students so that they started the academic year with optimism and enthusiasm as well as being well organized with diaries and lockers etc.
Examination Success!
Once again our students have done extremely well in their IGCSE and A Levels:
IGCSE
A*/A 40.6%
A*-C 89.6%
Pass 99.7%
A Level
A*/A 15.6%
A*- C 68.8%
Pass 100.0%
No matter how old we are I am sure we can all remember the stresses and strains of studying for and taking exams and we congratulate all of our students on their efforts and achievements. Students who were in Year 13 last year are now headed to universities around the world, those currently in Year 13 are pondering how to move forward after receiving their AS results, and students in Year 12 are making final decisions about their A Level choices. In this they are being counselled by experienced staff in school.
New Teachers
We welcome new teachers into Secondary this term:
- Ms Tooley: Biology/Science and 7S Form Tutor
- Mr Reid: English and 9S Form Tutor
- Mr Baxter: Chemistry/Science and 9K Form Tutor
- Ms Bater: History and 11K Form Tutor
- Mr Watson: PE and 8S Form Tutor
- Mr Bromley: PE and 10K Form Tutor
- Ms Duffield: Head of Individual Needs
- Mr Soo: Mandarin
See list of Secondary Teachers
These colleagues have been extremely busy over the last two weeks as they prepare for life in Kota Kinabalu and at KIS. We are delighted that they have joined us and know that they will contribute hugely to our school.
There have been some changes to the leadership structure in Secondary. Ms Service is now our Head of Key Stage 4 [Pastoral] and Mr Kelly is Head of Key Stage 3 [Pastoral]. Mr Barker remains as Assistant Head of Secondary and Head of Sixth Form. As a team of four we will be working closely together, and with parents, to guide all of our students through the year.
In future newsletters you will be seeing lots of information about what is happening in Secondary and we have no doubt that we are going to see another very busy and exciting year. In the meantime there are some basics that we would like parents to be aware of:
- We have a new signing in system for latecomers. Students who arrive on or after 7.50am will be required to sign in at the guard hut before proceeding to the Secondary office to sign in there. We do ask that all students are in school when the bell goes at 7.40am. They should proceed to their tutor room for registration at 7.50am.
- All students have a school diary and this is used for recording homework. We ask that parents sign it on a weekly basis to indicate that they are aware of the homework that their child is doing.
- Absence from school during term time can be extremely disruptive and we recommend that your child attends every day, unless of course they are ill. We have a minimum attendance rate of 90% for all students and we thank all parents for their support in ensuring that all of the students achieve this.
It just remains for me to say, on behalf of the Secondary staff, that we are excited about the year ahead and that we look forward to working together with students and parents to make it a productive and fulfilling time!
Margaret Renshaw
Head of Secondary
