Dear Families,
I hope this, final, update of the Spring Term finds you and your family in good health. It’s been a busy term for everyone associated with the school and we are all due a well-deserved break away to enjoy some quality time with those closest to us. Our students in examination years will of course keep things ticking along with their revision but for everyone else the change in routine will help to recharge batteries ahead of the Summer Term.
Drop Down Day
Drop Down Day 3 was once again a stimulating experience for our students. We had three Year Groups of going off site on trips to Derby University for Year 10, Tutbury Castle for the Historians in Year 9 and local churches for half of year 7. Invaluable revision and essential coursework was completed in Year 13; Year 12 are now well on the way to achieving an accredited Skills qualification; Year 11 had the chance to explore a variety of careers at the Careers Fair, staffed with many of our alumni, Year 9 Geographers were able to learn vital fieldwork skills in preparation for their Summer field trip; Year 8 had a highly interactive day of sport, creativity and life skills and Year 7 learned important personal safety skills from former students and the importance of not giving up.
Relating to this, Year 7&8 students will be looking for more opportunities to complete assignments in their Derby Moor Award over the next few weeks to be signed off after Easter. If families could help them to do this, it would be a great help.
Easter Revision
As mentioned above our students in examination years are at the business end of their time with us with around 13 school days remaining until the exam season begins. Organisation of a revision timetable is vital in preparation for this which will need to incorporate short, regular periods of focussed work. It is important to balance this with downtime but significant gains are made by students over the Easter holiday where they can organise their time around family commitments without the journey to school each day. We do, of course, have a series of revision sessions taking place in school which have been communicated to students over the last fortnight. Please check your email or ask your child for information if you are unsure of when these session are taking place.
Easter Promise
Derby City Council are running a variety of free activities and free school meals for eligible families over the holiday as part of their Easter Promise. You can find more information here.
Careers Update
This week’s careers highlight has been the trip to Goldman-Sachs in London. Mr. Kilgour, Miss Martin and 10 students from Years 11-13 have just returned from an inspiring three days, experiencing what it would be like to live and work in one of the world’s great cities. The many highlights included: staying in a hotel overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral and walking along Fleet Street to the Lyceum Theatre to watch a breath taking performance of the Lion King along with 2,500 other people.
They also spent the last three days in the offices of one of the world’s largest investment banks. The students have taken part in workshops, presentations and talks from staff at Goldman Sachs, Deloitte’s (a global firm of accountants and consultants), BCLP (a global law firm) and the Economist. Our students have been truly inspired and on the train coming back to Derby said the following:
‘I think it was an amazing experience, both informative and enlightening’
‘An amazing experience meeting me people from all over England’
‘I learnt from Goldman Sachs that skills are so much more important than specific subject qualifications’
‘It reassured me that I can choose the degree I am interested in and it can still open many doors’
‘That I would love to live and work in London’
‘There are many different routes into the world of work and that apprenticeships are truly valued’
We are grateful to both Teach-First and Goldman-Sachs for the opportunities presented to our students this week and hope that it can become a regular feature in what is an already packed careers calendar.
End of Term Arrangements
Next week is the last week of term with students breaking up for Easter on Friday the 8th at the normal time of 3.05. School will remain closed (with the exception of the Easter Revision Sessions) until students return on Monday the 25th April. All years will return at the normal time of 8.40 on that day.
Parking and Traffic
We have had a very productive meeting with local councilors this week where we discussed a range of local issues including the traffic on Moorway Lane and neighbouring streets. We look forward to working together over the coming months to find both short and longer term solutions to alleviate some of the challenges we all face at the end of the day as a result of inconsiderate road use. I thank families who continue to use our turning circle and urge others to avoid parking on Moorway Lane as it is the main causative factor in reducing traffic flow as students are leaving site.
Covid Update
The requirement for home testing has now ceased and students with symptoms are no longer required to have a covid test. If your child is unwell you should follow the guidance found here. In summary, they should stay at home whilst unwell but can return once their symptoms have subsided.
As a school we will continue with our enhanced regimen around cleaning throughout the day as this will help reduce instances of Covid as well as other infectious diseases such as colds and norovirus.
I hope this Easter Break and the Bank Holiday Weekend allows everyone associated with our school community some time to reconnect, enjoy the change in climate and prepare for the upcoming Summer Term.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
