Welcome to our End of Term Newsletter. Here you will find a round up of the terms news, details of upcoming events and messages from our Headteacher and Chair of Governors, as well as important dates for the next term.
Message from Headteacher:
Dear Parents and Carers
As we approach the end of the term, and indeed the end of the year, it is always a time for reflection and consideration of what has gone before. Of course this year has been one of the most extraordinary years most of us have ever witnessed in our life time. It is in such times though, that we see the very best in people.
During the last year in our school, I have witnessed the most remarkable courage, resilience, tolerance and tenacity amongst both our students and staff. This is not to say that the last year has not been a struggle, of course it has. Closing school in March was incredibly difficult and the move to on line learning was not without its challenges. Our Year 11 and 13 students faced unprecedented upheaval, and yet they got through it exceptionally well and were able to look to the future with enthusiasm.
The return to school in September brought huge changes to the way we work and yet again, our students and staff rose to the occasion and took everything, largely, in their stride. Who would have thought only a year ago masks, bubbles and virtual parents’ evenings would become normal.
Every day continues to bring something new or different, whether it be positive cases or mass testing. Yet despite all of this, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in the last term. We have managed to deliver a varied and exciting curriculum, and have tried to ensure that our students continue to make good progress.
I look forward to 2021 with optimism and know that despite everything that may be thrown at us, our school will continue to go from strength to strength.
In the meantime, may I wish you a happy, peaceful and Holy Christmas.
Warmest wishes
Emma Jackson
Head Teacher
Message from Chair of Governors:
In any other year we would now be reflecting on the past 12 months; remembering what we did, looking forward to the next year and making plans. This year has been like no other. We have all lived and continue to live with uncertainty and trepidation, but we also have hope that things will get better and that our lives can return to normal, rather than another new normal.
Great credit is due, across our country, to school staff who have worked so diligently to keep our schools open and provide our children and students with education and opportunity for social interaction which is so vital for their development. The effort and commitment to achieve this has not been fully appreciated. I know that in our own school there has been an immense amount of work involved in maintaining a safe environment, to say nothing of delivering a curriculum in such unprecedented circumstances. On behalf of the Governing Body, I thank all the staff for their extraordinary efforts in this difficult year and I wish them a very peaceful and restful Christmas.
May I also take this opportunity to thank our Parents and Carers for their patience and support with new school guidelines, and for helping to ensure excellent student attendance as well as effective school engagement through periods of isolation. It is so important that students do not miss any more school than absolutely necessary and your efforts here are very much appreciated.
I hope you also have a very peaceful and restful Christmas and that we all stay safe and healthy over the holiday period.
John McGuirk
Chair of Governors
Message from Sixth Form:
We have had a very busy term with lots of fundraising activities which have raised over £800 for local and national charities. Sixth form students have also be involved in outreach work with our local care homes leading up to Christmas making Xmas cards for residents.
Our Year 12 students have settled in extremely well and our Year 13 students have settled back into the routine of sixth form study. This is reflected in the numerous nominations we have had for student of the week as well as the exemplary attitude to learning grades in our most recent reports.
I hope that you all have a peaceful Christmas and I would encourage our students to ensure that whilst they have a break they also use their time wisely in terms of revision especially as we have our Year 13 mocks in January.
Sheena Kar
Head of 6th Form
Merry Christmas from us all here at St Benedict’s – We look forward to seeing you all in 2021!
