July, 2023
Dear Parents /Carers, As we approach the end of another academic year, I would like to thank you all once again for your continued support. Events
We have had some wonderful community events this year. We cherish all opportunities to bring our community together, along with our own staff and students. We have worked in partnership across the Local Authority, but particularly with our church sister schools. We have learned and we have celebrated together.
Founders Day
On Monday, 3rd July members of staff and year 7 students celebrated `Founders Day’. The Celebrant Father Stephen Taylor, led our inclusive service, with students supporting in readings and our wonderful worship choir uplifting us with their voices. Our Preacher, Andie Frost enlightened us with his inspiring stories and staff members took part giving readings to the congregation.
Year 6 Transition Day
On Thursday, 6th July, students attended Bishop Stopford’s School for their taster day. Our new year 7 students for 2023/2024 were able to experience lessons in a variety of subjects. Students were introduced to the Head of Year, middle leaders and Teaching Assistants who assisted them throughout the day, as well as our student leaders who represented our school community in a helpful, informative and caring manner. The day was very successful and we look forward to welcoming our new year 7 students in September, 2023.
100 Voices Project – Bernardo’s Children’s Charity
On Thursday 4th May 2023, twenty year 9 students participated in the 100 Voices Project in collaboration with Bernardo’s Children’s charity. This writing project is designed to celebrate the heritage of young British people of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage. The end product will be an anthology of 100 pieces of original writing (poetry or prose) produced by students across 10 UK schools. Students from our school may be chosen to have their work published in the anthology! The anthology will then be published by Barnardo’s and their partners, shared with the participating schools and potentially other schools nationwide, as a testament to the talent and diversity of our young people. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to appreciate the power of their own unique voice and story, and the voices, stories and lived experiences of their peers.
We are also currently encouraging students to enter the Foyles Young Poets of The Year Award writing competition - deadline for entries Friday 14th July 2023. See attached poster.
Student Leadership
This year we have been keen to encourage our students to be leaders in their own communities. School events have provided them with a variety of different platforms to lead and demonstrate their ability to organise and inspire younger generations.
In PE they have enhanced their communication skills and have learnt how to adapt to different groups and audiences. This has included the Literacy, Sport Programme at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, as well as providing leadership in numerous primary school sports events.
School Festival
We have had some wonderful joint events with our family of primary schools, culminating in our Summer Festival on Tuesday 11th July. The Summer Festival is an annual event which provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the end of the school year along-side our local primary schools. Staff from all schools work in partnership to put on a festival that includes live music performances on our centre stage and creative activities that broaden the curriculum for all. The day allows our students to gain valuable experience of organising groups and leading by example.
Mathalon for Primary Schools
On Tuesday 23rd June, the maths department hosted our year 5 `Mathalon’ for St James, St George's and St Andrew's Primary Schools. Each school was divided into two groups, such that we had six different groups of competitors. The first part of the session provided a refresher of different skills in maths, followed by four different challenges based on the competition; the different strands of maths number, algebra, geometry and statistics. The competition was led by experienced maths teachers and a group of year 10 students. There was a vibrant atmosphere during the session where all students enjoyed themselves and demonstrated a notable consistency of high performance in mathematics at all levels. Each student from the winning group was awarded a trophy and a certificate for their achievements. The feedback from these primary schools was extremely positive and complimentary with regard to our students.
Inter-School Drama Awards
On Sunday, 9th July, Students of Bishop Stopford’s School took part in the Inter-School Drama Awards. Our students were extremely successful winning awards, for the best script, which they had written themselves. Two students were commended for `Best Actor and Best Actress’. Professional actors who were present commented on the quality of both performance and script.
Science – Primary Schools
Students from St Matthews Primary school, year 5, experienced an exciting three week programme of scientific experiments. The students carried out: - preparation of an onion slide, constructing electrical circuits and making a pH indicator using cabbage.
The children really enjoyed the chemistry and biology sessions. The practical activities and the chance to work in a science laboratory with all the equipment was motivating and inspiring for them.
DIVERSITY
Focusing on the nine protected characteristics, as set out in the `Equality Act 2010’, the Diversity Team have been busy. Set up earlier this year, the team includes 14 staff ambassadors, 10 working party members and 4 student ambassadors. Bishop Stopford’s has worked hard to demonstrate a commitment to supporting and celebrating all members of our school community.
We have come together, discussed and celebrated a number of key events: -
Black History Month, Anti-Slavery International Day, Holocaust Day, Women’s international Day, Cultural Day, Pride Month and Age awareness.
We have explored the historical and cultural importance of certain Afro-Caribbean hair styles for Black History Month and handed out Amazon vouchers and mugs to the winners of creative competitions for Cultural Day and Pride Month.
Monthly bulletins for students and staff have kept the school community informed and we already have a plethora of events planned for the upcoming school year.
Results Day for Years 11, 12 & 13 We are looking forward to results day for our year 11, 12 and 13 students. Our students have worked extremely hard this academic year. I would like to express how very proud I am of them all. A separate letter has gone out with the details of how students can obtain results, but for ease of reference, results days are outlined below. Results will be available for students as follows: A level results, Thursday, 17th August, 2023 GCSE results, Thursday, 24th August, 2023
Students will be able to collect their results from school on these days, following the full guidance emailed to you in our Exam’s Office letter this week. Results will also be available on the dates listed above from 12pm via My Child at School (MCAS). We are looking forward to seeing our students collecting their results, celebrating their successes and sharing with us the next steps on their educational journey.
END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS
The last day of term is Wednesday, 19th July and school will finish at 12.15pm for all students.
The arrangements are as follows: -
- Period 1 - Normal lesson - Celebration breakfast
- Period 2 - Normal lesson
- Break - Normal
- Period 3 - Pastoral/ Tutor time
- Leave school 12:15
There will be an opportunity for students to collect a meal at break-time if they are eligible for free school meals, or to purchase a meal if not eligible for free school meals, should they wish to do so.
RETURN TO SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 2023
We will be welcoming students back to school using a staggered approach. Student return dates by year group can be found below and details of timings will follow on the school website nearer the time;
Tuesday, 5th September – year 7 and 12 induction, 8.30am (year 7); Year 12 will be sent appointment times individually.
Wednesday, 6th September, all students return to school at the normal time
UPDATES ON THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
Finally, please do continue to visit the School’s website for updated information with regards to summer exam results and the start of term in September 2023.
In the meantime, I wish you all a peaceful and restful summer holiday.
Warmest wishes,
Mrs T Day,
BA (Hons), NPQH
Headteacher
