GHS Connect #17 Monday 24 January
From the Head
I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend.
First of all, congratulations to Gulaid and his wife who have had baby girl called Ayah - we wish them all the best!
We press ahead with recruitment and have appointed a new science, maths and PE teacher in the last couple of weeks. Well done to Fay Hudson and Monika Siek who were both appointed as Deputy SENCOs on Friday. These are crucial posts in continuing to support us in moving this area forwards and they will begin after half term when we say farewell to the wonderful Lucy Metcalfe who has secured a SENCO position in another school.
Covid cases appear to be easing, and while we will continue with virtual assemblies this week, we intend to move back to assemblies in the hall as of next week. This is an important part of our students’ routine, and as long as it is safe to do so, we will run them. At this point, I’d like to give a special thank you to Nugbinder who has worked tirelessly on Covid tracking over the past few weeks. It’s been very busy at times but she always remains calm and focused and has a very clear system for us all to follow.
Obviously, we know that we had a moment of particularly poor behaviour last week with some rushing in the playground. As I said in my announcement, thank you to everyone who supported with this - it clearly wasn’t a pleasant experience. Sanctions will follow after full investigations have been carried out.
Finally, schools work in rhythms and cycles, so remember that these next few weeks are about the business of learning more than anything else. I was privileged to see the plans for KS3 and KS4 catch up last week at my SLT meeting, and was again struck by everyone’s commitment to ensuring that all of our students make the progress that they deserve over the coming months. It was also lovely to hear about the Year 8 celebration event along with some of our sporting successes recently. Well done to Jesse and the KS3 basketball team who beat Dormers Wells, with Karish Potchilaiarasu and Adam Mohamed scoring 16 out of the 23 points for the team. I thought I’d also share that I have just been informed that Javon Marquis in Year 11 has just started a trial at Arsenal Academy. If you teach any of these students, please do congratulate them.
Have a great week,
Mia
Inclusion Heroes!
In order to foster and maintain positive relationships, we start our lessons doing 50/50 as well as ending and sending them in a similar way. 
When every teacher is at the door doing 50/50 or ending and sending the lesson, we have a massive corridor presence and this has a very positive impact on student behaviour at the start and end of lessons. 
Behaviour for Learning Surgery will take place this week on Wednesday at lunchtime in the classroom just off the small gym (GG13). We will have an open forum this week so you can come along to discuss whatever behaviour related issues you like and seek support from a range of staff. We look forward to seeing you there!
