Last week ended with an impressive performance by the Year 10/11 Girls’ Football team. At half time it was all level both in score 2-2, and in team performance. Then in the second half, following a motivational talk and refreshments, the girls came out fighting and secured an overall 6-2 victory with Teigan scoring 4 goals and Phoebe and Faith one each. Well done indeed! Further success was apparent in netball on Monday with Year 7 remaining unbeaten and Year 10 girls losing the first part before winning the second part.

Thanks to Year 8 parents for attending Parents’ Evening on Wednesday and for your feedback. A summary of the questionnaire feedback will be published on the Parent section of the website next week.

Conscious that Years 10 and Year 11 are revising hard in anticipation of their Progress Exams, we had a Wellbeing morning on Thursday. Students were invited to try a new skill or hobby to develop strategies for dealing with times of pressure along with the opportunity to support the wellbeing of others. There were students involved in Christmas Crafting and textiles, Art Therapy, felting, baking for Christmas and making Music.

Mr Woodward and Mr Collings were looking at how to stay fit for positive mental health and Mr Woodward’s report of the morning is as follows,

‘We all know that running benefits our physical health, but the benefits to our mental health are sometimes overlooked. Year 10 and 11 found out how neuroscience has shown links between running and increased brain capacity, levels of concentration, focus and feelings of well-being through the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids. Having discussed the benefits of distance running in developing a resilient state of mind which keeps going despite difficulty, we put this knowledge into practice and went for a 12km run around the local fields, paths and tracks. The route was muddy. Really muddy. However, spirits only heightened as the mud and exhaustion levels rose, further proving the point the distance running in a natural environment in good for both the body and the mind: a vital lesson to be remembered by our GCSE students as the approach they progress exams next week and the “real thing” in just a matter of months.’

Over at Morrisons, twenty-five students participated in a Bag Pack raising £230! Students have decided to donate across four Christmas projects; Harrogate homeless project, Crisis, The Salvation Army and Boroughbridge Lions. As the first group were leaving Morrisons, Year 12 were arriving to complete their bag pack raising a further £100 to add to the total and be divided across the chosen charities. Our thanks go to Morrisons for letting us complete the Bag Pack and for their generous donation of food for hampers. Students created the hampers for distribution in the local area and to local foodbanks whilst also taking the time to write cards for Boroughbridge Manor Care Home.

So, a successful wellbeing morning all round!

This Saturday (23^rd), some of students will be performing at the Christmas Gift and Food Fair in Ripon Cathedral between 3.20pm and 4pm and next Saturday (30^th) it’s our School Christmas Fair from 10am-12noon where you’ll be able to buy raffle tickets for the chance to win an iPad mini, a family pass to Fountains Abbey, vouchers from many local businesses, luxury hampers and much more. Thanks to those who’ve already contributed prizes. It’s not too late to get involved. We’d be very happy to receive further raffle or tombola prizes, money tree contributions or items for the hampers.

A final reminder that Wednesday (27^th) is a Professional Development Day when school is not open to students.

Have a lovely weekend!