Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you've enjoyed the brighter warmer days; we certainly have during our breaks.
We opened the field for the first time this year. Pupils have really enjoyed our stunning outdoor spaces, playing sports and socialising with friends. Spring had definitely sprung on Wednesday and Thursday, the pungent country air couldn't have gone unnoticed, spring muck spreading is well underway in our adjacent fields, the joys of being a rural school!
On Monday, Ms Martin, our AHT for Teaching and Learning, led the whole school assembly. She took time to explain each section of our Danebury Teaching and Learning Principles. This is our pedagogical model which teachers use to plan, deliver and assess. It is underpinned by evidence-based research. Since we implemented it just over a year ago, we have seen an improvement in the quality of teaching and learning across the school. Mrs Martin explained why we ask all teachers to use this model and the positive impact it has on pupils' learning.
The school has felt settled this week. Our positive to negative ratio points are evidence of this, increasing from 95% to 97% whole school. I challenge the school to at least achieve 97% each term. The main reason pupils are receiving negatives is for lack of homework, closely followed by lack of effort in class. Please can you support your child to complete their homework and remind them of the importance of trying their best in every lesson. We do set detentions as sanctions.
Our Year 9s enjoyed their trip to the Imperial War Museum last week, an excellent educational trip which enhanced pupils' historical knowledge and also impacted them emotionally. They talked to me about the emotions the trip stirred in them and the empathy they had with those who lost their lives and the survivors of the Holocaust. Many thanks to Mrs Ellis for leading the trip, Mrs Alsop for organising and Mr Thomas, Mrs Yates and Mr Hardy for supporting the trip.
It's that time of year when we are looking to recruit our next Head Students and Prefects. I have met with Year 10 this morning to explain the process they need to take to apply this year. I am envisioning a large number of pupil applications; they are a very keen bunch and have fully involved themselves in a wide range of leadership roles already. Applications need to be submitted by April 1st 2025. We will shortlist, those shortlisted will have the Easter holidays to put together a promotional video of themselves, explaining why they should be elected. The videos will be shown in tutor time after Easter, a democratic vote will take place in voting booths during the second week of the summer term. I look forward to reading the applications.
Congratulations to Benji Martin for winning double gold at the British Judo Championships last week, an outstanding achievement!
Congratulations to our Year 8 Netball team for winning 10-8 at Harrow Way this week. A closely fought game. The team remains undefeated this year! Well done to our Year 7 Netball team for playing a great match at Harrow Way, narrowly missing out on a win, 5-8 to Harrow Way.
We have another Trust review next week, the focus of this is Safeguarding. I will share headlines with you once I receive the report.
Have a lovely weekend when it comes.
Nicky Goodridge, Head of School
