March has been an incredibly successful and action-packed month at school, filled with events celebrating World Book Day and Science Week, along with numerous sporting competitions. Unfortunately, we faced a narrow 4-3 defeat in the School Football Girls' National Cup semi-finals, held in Whitley Bay. Despite the result, it was an incredible effort, and we are immensely proud of the team's dedication and hard work.

Congratulations to our three students who participated in the English Speaking Union (ESU) public speaking competition held at our school this week. Although they did not advance to the national final, I would like to personally congratulate the students for their hard work and outstanding performances. The ESU judges praised them highly, noting that they "acquitted themselves very well in a contest of exceptionally high standards, with little to separate the teams overall."

We were treated to an incredible fashion show earlier in the month which showcased the amazing work of our Textiles students; thanks to Miss Georgiou and Mrs Twine for their organisation. If you're not doing so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook where you can see a round up. 

We are delighted to have been awarded the Isaac Physics School Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to integrating Isaac Physics assignments into our students' learning throughout the past academic year. This award acknowledges schools that consistently engage students with structured problem-solving tasks, as well as a deeper understanding of physics and mathematical reasoning.

Additionally, we are proud to have received an Area of Excellence (AoE) in Leadership and Ethos from Challenge Partners, a national network dedicated to school improvement through collaboration and peer review. The accreditation highlights our dedication to holistic student development, with the review noting:"The school’s personal development curriculum is a comprehensive programme covering PSHE, citizenship, finance, and careers, alongside SMSC. It is meticulously planned and reviewed annually, with significant investment in staff training through CPDL sessions and resource support. Lessons follow high-quality guidance from the PSHE Association and are enriched through collaborations with organisations such as Bold Voices, Equaliteach, and Education Child Protection."

Congratulations to everyone involved in the whole-school production of Matilda. It was truly an outstanding performance. A special thank you to the entire Drama faculty for creating a truly fantastic and professional production. Below, you can read Stanley V., a Year 12 student who played Mr. Wormwood, sharing his insightful perspective on being part of Matilda.

On Friday 14th March, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Gianfranco Conti, CEO and founder of The Language Gym, along with teachers from across Hertfordshire and London for the ‘Becoming an E.P.I Teacher’ Language Conference. The event explored how Key Stage 3 EPI (extensive processing instruction) prepares students for GCSE, supports transition to Key Stage 4, and integrates input-to-output sequences to teach language and develop exam skills. This conference is just one example of our commitment to providing exceptional learning opportunities beyond our immediate community. Thank you to Mrs. Floyd for her dedication and effort in organising such a successful event.

This week saw the announcement of our new prefect team; after hustings, making speeches to their peers, and an interview with me, I am delighted to announce Charlotte G and Jonny M as Head Girl and Head Boy, and Shayna P and Rian M as their Deputies. I was truly impressed by the exceptional quality of the eight students who advanced to the final stage of interviews. Their confidence, depth, humanity, humor, and intelligence were truly inspiring. Congratulations to the newly appointed senior prefect team and prefect team, and thank you to the outgoing prefects for their outstanding contributions.

I look forward to seeing you at this evening's Easter Concert. We are privileged to have a remarkable venue for such performances. Special thanks to the staff and students whose efforts make these concerts possible as well as the PA for providing refreshments during the evening. 

Finally, I would like to wish all of our Muslim families Eid Mubarak, a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover over the holiday period, and best wishes to anyone else celebrating religious festivals over the break.