Headteacher's Fortnightly Update - 28th November
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you are all well and enjoying the start of the festive season. I am pleased to share this week's update with you about what has been happening in school and what we have coming up.
Term Dates
Firstly, the term dates for the 2027/2028 academic year have now been released. We know how important early notice is for family planning, holidays, and childcare arrangements, so please take some time to look through the dates provided below.
Paul Moreno
We would also like to take a moment to celebrate an outstanding achievement within our school community: our very own Paul Moreno has made us incredibly proud by scoring a hat-trick for the Wales Under 17 team. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to his dedication, talent, and hard work both on and off the pitch.
Mobile Phone Policy
I would also like to remind all parents and carers of our mobile phone policy, which continues to play an important role in supporting a calm and focused learning environment. Students are permitted to bring phones onto the school site, but devices must remain out of sight at all times. This policy helps minimise distractions and ensures students can concentrate fully on their learning and on positive social interactions during the school day.
Attendance Challenge
As we approach December, we are excited to launch our Attendance Challenge, which will run throughout the month. There will be a range of rewards and incentives to encourage students to maintain strong attendance right up until the end of term. Good attendance is a key factor in academic success, so we appreciate your support in helping your child arrive at school on time every day.
Sixth Form Open Evening
Looking ahead, we are pleased to invite all families considering our post-16 offer to the Sixth Form Open Evening next Thursday, 4th December, from 4pm to 6pm. There have been some significant and exciting changes to our sixth form provision this year, and this event will be a great opportunity to explore courses, meet staff, and ask questions about pathways for the future.
Mobile Phone Policy
I would also like to remind all parents and carers of our mobile phone policy, which continues to play an important role in supporting a calm and focused learning environment. Students are permitted to bring phones onto the school site, but devices must remain out of sight at all times. This policy helps minimise distractions and ensures students can concentrate fully on their learning and on positive social interactions during the school day.
Attendance Challenge
As we approach December, we are excited to launch our Attendance Challenge, which will run throughout the month. There will be a range of rewards and incentives to encourage students to maintain strong attendance right up until the end of term. Good attendance is a key factor in academic success, so we appreciate your support in helping your child arrive at school on time every day.
Sixth Form Open Evening
Looking ahead, we are pleased to invite all families considering our post-16 offer to the Sixth Form Open Evening next Thursday, 4th December, from 4pm to 6pm. There have been some significant and exciting changes to our sixth form provision this year, and this event will be a great opportunity to explore courses, meet staff, and ask questions about pathways for the future.
Upcoming Events
Finally, we have several events coming up that we hope will bring the school community together in celebration. Our Alder Festive Fair will take place on 11th December, offering stalls, activities, and seasonal treats for families to enjoy. This will be followed by our Christmas Concert on 16th December, showcasing the wonderful talents of our students. We will then close the term with Winter Fest on 18th December, a joyful event filled with performances and festive spirit. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and engagement—it makes an enormous difference to our school community.
Kindest Regards,
Mr D Lawlor
Headteacher