Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to the start of another half-term at St-Mary’s and I hope you and your families managed to enjoy some rest and relaxation last week.

The first part of the spring term was incredibly busy and productive and no doubt Spring 2 will be the same.

Thank you to those of you who managed to support our recent production ‘School of Rock’, which involved two evening and one matinee performance earlier in the month.  The show was a real triumph and reflected the hard work and many rehearsals that went into it.  I was so incredibly proud of our pupils who not only acted, sang and played so superbly, but who also had such fun doing it!  Special thanks to Mrs Goldup whose tireless efforts as the show’s Director will have created memories for the cast that I am sure they will remember for a long time to come.  I look forward to hearing plans for our next production and to building on the success of ‘School of Rock’.

Our ski trip returned safe and sound on Friday after what sound like a wonderful week on the slopes, and it is always lovely to hear from tour operators and hotel staff how well behaved our pupils were and such positive ambassadors for St Mary’s.

It has also been really good to see so many of you at various recent parents’ evenings and I am so glad we have returned to these face-to-face opportunities to meet and discuss your child’s progress.

If your son/daughter is in Y11, please can I reiterate how important it is that they make the most of all of the additional support that is available.  Some sessions in particular subjects ran over the half-term and there are sessions in almost all subjects on various evenings after school.  Most of these extra sessions finish between 4.30-5pm and the investment in attending will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their results in the summer.  Such sessions can give the chance to delve into particular topics in more depth, refresh on content covered in Y10 or ask questions in a smaller forum.

May I remind you that our plan is to be open for all year groups on Wednesday 1^st March despite having a number of colleagues in the union taking strike action.  As per my communication at the end of last half-term, provision on the 1^st of March will be a little different and this will vary from year group to year group and teaching groups within.

Please can I remind all Y7, 8 and 9 pupils to come in their PE kit on Wednesday 1^st (and try to remember their locker key!), bring their books/equipment for their ‘normal’ timetable on that day and a private reading book.  Y10 and Y11 should attend in school uniform but have their PE kit at school and in addition to their ‘normal’ books and equipment for that day, must bring revision guides, workbooks and materials.  All transport and catering remains the same.

As the days ahead promise to get lighter and brighter, I look forward to working with you and your children.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.

Yours faithfully,

Stuart Wetson
Headteacher