Dear Parents/Carers,

As we reach the last days of the term and come towards the end of another year, I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during what has been a very positive and productive first term at St Mary's.

At the time of writing, we are coming to the end of the mock timetable and I have to say how pleased I am with the approach Y11 have taken.  As teachers in the various departments are marking papers, some encouraging results are starting to filter through and on our return after Christmas, we will get the full picture and a good indication of areas for focus in the remaining months prior to the GCSEs.  If your child is in Y11, I would just like to remind you of our extensive after-school revision offer and recommend that all pupils in the year group attend as many sessions as possible.

Our Y11s are understandably looking a little tried at the moment but after a good rest over Christmas we are very much looking forward to working with them and to making sure they are as well prepared as possible.

The cast, crew and musicians of 'School of Rock' are busy rehearsing at the moment in readiness for hitting the stage early next year.  It is wonderful that we have a production to look forward to and Mrs Goldup, her team and the cast are working really hard to put on a great show for us all.  We will be in touch early in the new year with details about how you can get your tickets.

Throughout this term we have been focusing on Literacy across the curriculum and exploring strategies and resources which will help us to support our pupils.  We are understandably placing great emphasis on reading at KS3 in order that our pupils not only develop a love of reading but so that they can cope with the demands of their courses, assessments and exams higher up the school.

For one of the forthcoming staff training days in January, we will welcome a representative from the National Literacy Trust to share further research and training with us in order that we can develop literacy skills via all subjects across the curriculum.

We are also at the early stages of exploring the introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh at St Mary's with staff training and essential planning taking place - more updates to follow in due course.

There are of course many more trips and events planned for 2023 which I know our pupils are looking forward to!

May I remind you that on Wednesday 14th we have our Christmas lunch for pupils in the hall and on Thursday evening at 7pm we are holding our annual Carol Concert.

Finally, Friday 16th December is a half day finishing at 1.15pm