This week we launched our peer reader scheme. Students from Years 9 and 10 are reading with Year 7 and 8 students to develop their confidence in reading aloud. A huge thank you to Jude, Nyshel, Ella, Sophie, Charis, Zachary, Saivarshini, Niamh and Tina for supporting our young pupils. 

As part of our personal development programme, Year 9 students watched a fantastic Theatre in Education production of Mark Wheeller's play 'I Love You, Mum – I Promise I Won't Die'. This is a play that was created after the death of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs from Croydon, who tragically lost his life after taking ecstasy. The session was an interactive drug and alcohol education workshop delivered by experienced educators. Students were very positive about the experience and the theatre company praised our brilliantly behaved and fully engaged students. 

A small group of parents is working to relaunch the Friends of Orchard Park High School association in 2024 (PTA). They hope to apply for grants, hold fundraising competitions and hopefully hold a Christmas shopping event, but they need more volunteers to make this a reality. Please complete this form to express a no-commitment interest in helping – all are welcome, even if you only have a small amount of time to spare.

Across the Greenshaw Learning Trust, pupils are being asked to complete a survey about their experiences in PE. This has been loaded onto their Google Classroom. Please remind your child to fill this out: their views are important to Ms Hansford.

Year 11 begin their Pre Public Exams next week. This is the last round of mocks before they sit their GCSEs, meaning it is their final opportunity to receive full feedback from staff on their exam performance. The PPE timetable is on our school website. Please discuss it with your child and ensure they are revising. Year 11 students must arrive at school at 8.00am for a free breakfast and to complete further revision activities. They will then receive a subject-based exam warm up before each exam begins. Similarly, these will run at lunchtimes for the afternoon exams. We wish them the best of luck.

Ms C Moran, Headteacher