The elections for Head Student are over and the count complete and I’m delighted to announce that Year 11 students, Carli and Emilia have been elected as our Head Students with Phoebe and Izzy as Deputies. Our congratulations go to them. They will make a great team and we’re looking forward to working with them in their new roles.

On Tuesday, Year 7 had a truly magical musical experience with a visit from the Opera North Orchestra. Following a physical warm-up, students were asked to identify different instruments and were played a quick melody. They then looked more deeply into composition identifying the things that provide inspiration for composers such as experiences or paintings. Tempo and dynamics were then explored further before one of our Year 7 students conducted aspects of Grieg’s ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. The finale was a full rendition followed by resounding applause. Our thanks go to Cundall Manor for sharing this experience with us.

We had a further musical treat last night when GCSE Music students, ‘Entropy’ and Year 8 band ‘The Firebirds’ performed a range of pieces playing a variety of instruments. This was performed to a live audience who found themselves singing along to the final Christmas number ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree’.

Mrs Langford’s assemblies this week have focused on the diversity of our school community with a spotlight on our Service students who make up 7% of our school population. She shared what it’s like to be part of a Service family and finished with an inspiring story of the parent of one of our current Service students who is taking part in an incredible rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean, starting in two days’ time. The team are raising money for the Royal British Legion and you can find out more at  https://www.forceatlantic.com/

Today has been Christmas Dinner Day so our thanks go to the Catering Team not only for serving hundreds of Christmas lunches today, but also for the high-quality service that they provide for our students throughout the year.

We are collecting food items again this year to donate to homeless shelters and food banks in the local area. Donations of food items will be much appreciated or you can donate cash. (Please put it in an envelope marked ‘Homeless Project’ and hand to the Pastoral Team.) Thank you in advance for your support.

A reminder that next Friday is Christmas jumper day. We’re suggesting a donation of £1 for Save the Children which can be paid through ParentMail. School closes at 1.30pm on that day.

Have a lovely weekend.