March 6th 2026  

Dear Parents and students

Students have worked very hard this week and have earned 4335 Excellent Effort Points along the way.

Last Wednesday evening, we had the joy of welcoming students and parents to our School Colours Evening hosted by Mr Bennett. This is now a twice-yearly event, where we present School Colours to students, who have excelled in their kindness and care for others, academic, sporting or other important achievement. The event was both uplifting and moving. The wide-ranging achievements of the students never cease to amaze me, and I am already looking forward to the summer event.

This week, our school librarian, Ms Brown held a Book Swap and gave away 300 World Book Day titles to celebrate World Book Day. The library hosted many events during this week; an author event with award winning author Nathanael Lessore, World Book Day Footie and Book Quiz with the Literacy Trust, a drawing event with Liz Pichon of the Tom Gates books, and craft events. We have also started the planting for our new reading space, The Reading Garden, with the Duke of Edinburgh students. 

On Monday, Mrs Gear and the Maths team ran a Year 8 Maths Celebration event to celebrate the most improved as well as the most highly achieving mathematicians. With Animal Care students visiting the Big Cat sanctuary in Smarden, English Literature students watching Othello at the Picture House in Ashford and Year 10 students attending a talk on careers in podiatry it has been a busy and productive week!

For Family Friday today, Mrs Eastham’s assembly delivered by Academy Tutors addresses International Women’s Day

Of course, it is entirely possible for a student to receive Excellent Effort Points as well as homework reminder texts in the same week! And this week we have sent Homework texts for a range of subjects in Years 7 – 11 and Years 12 & 13. Please do check in which subjects your daughter or son is due to submit homework assignments, and please talk to them about any Homework texts you receive. In Examination Year Groups, students who do not submit homework assignments will simply perform less well in Public Examinations. Your support is vital here.

647 students have participated in 1 or more lunchtime clubs since January. If your daughter or son has not yet participated in a club activity, please encourage them to. It is a great way to try something new with friends and even make new friends. Of course, students can join any club of their choosing, and they can also attend more than 1 club. Lunchtime Clubs and Activities

Again, this week I am proud of how many Year 11 and 13 students attended After School Study Sessions. Please do encourage your daughter or son to attend these - the support they receive will be invaluable. We are working with students to coach them around revision timetable planning and revision techniques and will continue this, so they are in a good place to set about revision over the Easter holiday. If you are not sure or believe your child is not, or that they may be overwhelmed by the task ahead, please do let us know. We are here to help and want to give the best possible support to our students preparing to sit Public Examinations.

Year 11 Revision Tips – Monday, March 2nd            Year 13 Revision Tips – Monday, March 2nd

From last Friday’s newsletter A Word about Mobile Phones 

Have a lovely weekend.                                                                                      

Yours sincerely,

Charles Joseph

Principal