Principal's Weekly Update
Weekly Vlog Update with Vice Principal Nicola Marsh
Hello, everyone! I'm Nicola Marsh, the Vice Principal, standing in for Ms Seymour this week on our weekly vlog. We'll be sticking to our usual format and discussing three key topics today:
- Independent Practice
- Wider Curriculum Opportunities
- Black History Month
Independent Practice
Right now, I am in a Year 12 History lesson where students are working independently, a skill we have really been focussing on. Independent learning is crucial; once students have been taught something in class, the next step is applying that knowledge by themselves. These skills are not just important for school but for life.
To help with this, we have several online resources available to support independent study at home. One of these is Bedrock Learning, which focusses on improving vocabulary. Miss Ahmed, our curriculum leader of maths, also shared how impressed she is with students' engagement with Mathletics, our numeracy support programme.
Additionally, on our school’s website, you will find our e-library, which includes recommended reading lists for every subject. All the books are available online, so there is plenty to support independent learning at home.
Wider Curriculum Opportunities
Hopefully, your children have been talking about how much they are enjoying our Tuesday enrichment activities. We have received fantastic feedback from students who are exploring a variety of new skills and experiences. But enrichment does not just stop on Tuesdays.
In last week’s assembly, we introduced students to all the extra-curricular clubs available before school, during lunch, and after school. Our trips have also kicked off, with the drama department recently taking a group to the theatre. These activities are great ways for students to bring the curriculum to life and engage with learning outside the classroom.
Black History Month: Miss Latunji Jones
As you may know, October is Black History Month, and we have lots of exciting plans to mark this important occasion.
Black History Month is a time for us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black individuals throughout history. This year’s theme is “reclaiming narratives,” and we have been exploring this idea with students in a few key ways.
First, we are honouring our heroes by having students read about black individuals who have made significant contributions to British society. We are also focussing on embracing our stories, helping students connect with these figures, and emphasising that black British history is British history. Finally, we are empowering and educating students, encouraging them to have meaningful discussions about these stories during form time.
When your child comes home, I encourage you to ask them about who they have been learning about and the discussions they have had.
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.