A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing this first newsletter of 2004 to you, wishing you a very Happy New Year and hoping that you had a good break. Although it is only a few weeks since the holidays, it seems like ages ago, I'm sure!

Firstly, I am sorry that it was necessary to close the School for two days last week, but the new fire alarm system which has been installed had not been fitted correctly, and I felt the only sensible course of action to ensure the safety of your children was to close until the system was working properly. We are now satisfied that the system is safe.

The School is relaunching a merit system for Years 7-9, designed to reward not just good attendance and punctuality but, more importantly, excellent work, thoughtful homework, supporting one another, positive oral work and being helpful to members of staff. Please ask your children how they are doing and support them in trying to amass as many merits as possible.

We continue to look at the amount and quality of homework which students are producing. Please check your child's homework diary regularly to make sure that you are satisfied with the amount of homework being set - and let us know if you are not! Updated homework timetables will be distributed to students within the next two weeks.

As you will have seen from the local and national press, there has been a worrying increase in violent incidents in and around East End streets. Please would you continue to impress upon your children the need for them to come home quickly when they leave School, and not hang around on the streets, where there is no-one to supervise them.

As always, I am particularly keen to hear the views and suggestions of parents. If there is information you would like to see in this Newsletter, or questions you have of the School, please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher