Our Year 10 students formally transitioned into Year 11 this week. They have been superb: we are very proud of their maturity, focus and behaviour. As well as art and photography exams, students have attended breakfast revision, working lunch and champions’ hour. Ms Coupland delivered their assembly today, guiding them through the format of their pre-public exams (which commence next week) and, along with Ms Walsh, has been distributing lots of praise and rewards. A huge thank you to our families for your support.

On Wednesday, the students on our Year 8 Excellence Pathway visited The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. The students were led by a gallery educator on an interactive tour and talks. They had the opportunity to practise their observational and visual literacy skills by focusing on paintings from across the gallery.

Thank you to Ms Brown and Ms Palmieri, as well as our team of teaching assistants, who have supported our Year 6 families with enhanced induction days for children who would benefit from extra sessions with us to become comfortable with their future school. We are also grateful to the performing arts team for holding art transition evenings, providing exciting and creative learning opportunities as well as the chase to make new friends.

Ms Baatjies is currently on her second weekend with the Duke of Edinburgh expedition, who are having a fantastic time. They spent Thursday morning setting up their tents. Cayenne and Fatmata have been super helpful, guiding the others. The weather is perfect and the students have been excellent. Well done!

The Friends of Orchard Park High set up an easyfundraising site. The link is below, please take a look: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/friends-of-orchard-park/

All money raised through this will support the school for the benefit of all the children who attend.

Ms C Moran, Headteacher

Photograph credit: Will Pryce for Country Life.