Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s)

 

Our new term is now in full swing and I am pleased to say that it has started in a very focused and purposeful manner.

Just prior to your children returning, the staff at St. Mary’s embarked on some important training and professional development.  Our first day was in school where I led sessions on our priorities for ensuring that your children make good progress in 2019 and our second day was spent at Belmont Abbey where our focus was the development of Spirituality and on our role as educators in a church school.  Both training days gave us invaluable time to concentrate on how we can provide the best possible education and support for your sons and daughters going forward.

Parents of pupils in Year 11 need no reminding of the importance of this term.  It has been good to meet and talk to many of you at the recent parents’ evenings and I would like to thank you for your support.  I don’t take for granted how much time you invest in collecting your children from all of the various revision sessions we run but I am sure it will be worth it when they get their results!

Now that the mock results are in, we can really make the most of the remaining time by focusing in on any gaps in their knowledge.

Further to a recent parentmail, I am delighted to be able to report that works to improve safety and visibility at the entrance to St. Mary’s will take place during the half-term break in February.  This is the first phase of work and should include the widening of the driveway entrance, removal of existing pillars and increased signage.  Alterations to the highway itself are also in the planning stages and Balfour Beatty and the local authority will give us an indication of time frames in due course.

Mr Kennedy and I will continue to work closely with the Highways agency and other parties and will update you with proposals as we get them.

In terms of recruitment, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Adam Hawkesford-Johnson who will join St. Mary’s in the summer term as part of the leadership team and in the role of SENCO.  Mr Hawkesford-Johnson is a very experienced practitioner and I know he will make a real impact in this area of the school.

I look forward to seeing you at forthcoming school events and evenings and would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Stuart Wetson

Headteacher