A Message from Principal, Mr Martin
The half term has gone by incredibly quickly and new students to our academy have settled in really well!
We have achieved so much in the last seven weeks: every class in Year 9 completed their library induction; Year 11 Geography students undertook field work in Cambridge; pantomime auditions took place (oh no they didn’t!); Sixth Form students started their global citizen seminars; the netball fundraiser was a tremendous success; extra-curricular participation has rocketed, and our Year 8 Open Evenings were bigger and better than ever. Last weekend, members of our choir also opened the BEST governors annual conference to great acclaim.
Following the very successful Year 8 open evenings earlier this month, this week the PE department held our very first Rugby Open Evening for prospective players interested in joining our academy. The event was really well attended and Year 8 students from across the county got to hear from staff, students and professional players (ex SWA student Tom Litchfield and our own staff member Mr Arthur) before touring our amazing facilities.
Unfortunately, this half term we have seen an increase in uniform which does not conform to the school’s uniform expectations. Can I remind everyone that if you purchase skirts or trousers from providers other than our agreed provider, then you need to have the item approved by the pastoral team and purchase a school badge. In these difficult times, please can I remind parents/carers that we have a range of hardly worn, second hand uniform (some of which still has labels!) which once cleaned, we donate to anyone who asks, so if you need any uniform then please contact Rob Graves, Associate Principal.
As part of this month’s Black History Month, students took part in a number of events such as assemblies, guest speakers and tutor time activities. It was a great success and I would like to thank all the staff and students who planned and took part in all the events.
Next half term, Year 11 and Year 13 have their mock examinations, which provide students with a valuable opportunity to assess where they are at this point in the course, learn which topics they need to work on and improve their understanding and explore misconceptions. I wish them the best of luck in their preparation for these.
Finally, on Thursday Professor Hubbard and I led a very successful session at MK:U with all the Sixth Form leads from across the county. This was part of a project funded by the Connelly Foundation and includes almost every Sixth Form in Bedfordshire, along with universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Bedford, Cranfield and Hertfordshire. The aim of the project is to increase the aspirations of Sixth Form students in Bedfordshire and to share good practice.
Have a safe and restful half term break. I look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday 1st November.
