Principal's Weekly Update

Celebrating European Day of Languages and School Updates

  

Dear Parents and carers

Greetings and welcome to this week’s newsletter! As we celebrate European Day of Languages, it’s a great opportunity to highlight the various initiatives happening in our school that promote diversity, personal development, and academic excellence.

 

Personal development and diversity

At our school, we believe in holistic education that not only focusses on academic achievements but also nurtures personal growth. European Day of Languages is one of many events that feed into our broader personal development program, which emphasises equity, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to create an environment where students feel empowered to explore different cultures and communities, whether that’s through celebrating Black History Month, LGBTQ+ awareness, or other important topics throughout the year. Assemblies are followed by personal development activities to reinforce these lessons, helping students deepen their understanding and contribute positively to our school community.

 

Attendance and punctuality

We are delighted to report that attendance rates have been excellent this term, with many students maintaining 100% attendance. Being in school consistently is crucial for students to make the most of their learning experiences, and we are grateful for your support in encouraging regular attendance.

Alongside attendance, we have implemented a strong focus on punctuality this year. Our new bell system has been introduced to ensure that students transition smoothly between lessons and are seated and ready for their ‘Do Now’ activity when the second bell rings. The ‘Do Now’ activities at the start of each lesson are designed to help students recall prior learning, reinforcing key knowledge and developing their long-term memory.

Please help us by reminding your child of the importance of being punctual and by supporting any follow-up communication if your child is late for lessons. This life skill is essential not only for their time in school but also for future endeavours.

 

European Day of Languages with Mr Norman

This week marks the European Day of Languages, and our school has embraced the celebration with enthusiasm! Mr. Norman and the Language Department have put together exciting activities for students across all year groups. Throughout the week, students have engaged in language-based assemblies and form-time activities designed to inspire a love for languages and an appreciation for cultural diversity. These sessions not only focus on the academic value of language learning but also emphasise how being multilingual can enrich students’ lives beyond the classroom.

One of this week's highlights was the Year 7 treasure hunt, which saw students racing around the school to uncover language-themed clues. The excitement and energy were palpable, and the students’ behaviour and participation were exemplary. Tomorrow, we will continue the celebration with a language-themed bake sale, where students can enjoy delicious treats while immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of European languages.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce a planned trip to Valencia in April 2025 for GCSE Spanish students, which will offer a hands-on cultural and linguistic experience. We hope this trip will inspire even more students to embrace the beauty of learning a language.

 

Final thoughts

As always, we are incredibly proud of our students and the hard work they are putting in, especially our Year 7 students, who have made a fantastic start to life at Uxbridge High School. They have embraced the challenges of secondary school life enthusiastically, and we look forward to seeing them continue growing and thriving.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and as always, feel free to get in touch with any comments or suggestions. Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to connecting with you again next week.