I would like to begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful and restful break. As we embark on this new term, it presents a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and share some important updates.
Preparations for our Chinese New Year celebrations are well underway, and as always, this event is a highlight of our school calendar. Although the Mandarin department has had a limited time to prepare, I am confident that our students will once again impress us with their talent and dedication. I eagerly anticipate seeing their hard work come to fruition.
I am also pleased to announce that our Sixth Form students achieved pleasing results in their October AS examinations, with an outstanding 100% pass rate. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers for this exceptional accomplishment!
Another exciting event this term is the school ski trip. Mr. Clifton will be taking 35 students to Songhuahu in Jilin Province. Having participated in ski trips myself, I can personally attest to the numerous benefits they provide. Skiing is not only a physically demanding activity that promotes fitness and health, but it also offers stress relief and mental health benefits, allowing students to recharge away from academic pressures.
Our Year 13 students are diligently refining their university applications in anticipation of the upcoming UCAS deadline. Many have already submitted their applications and received offers—congratulations! Your teachers are incredibly proud of your accomplishments. Meanwhile, our Year 9 students will soon begin their journey toward university by selecting their IGCSE options. They will receive guidance from Mr. Davis, Mr. Schlemmert, and myself throughout this process. We will host a Parents Options Workshop in February to explain the selection process and engage with staff. While this workshop is specifically designed for Year 9 parents, all are welcome to attend and gain insight into the steps involved.
I am confident that this term will be vibrant and productive, and I look forward to seeing everyone throughout the coming weeks!
Anthony O'Brien
Vice Principal
Head of Secondary
