Despite only having had 9 days of school since we sent you our last edition of Headlines, it is amazing how much has taken place! At the start of April, a small group of KS3 students, led by one of our Year 12 students, Anaka, participated in the Cardiff round of the World Scholars Cup; over the Easter weekend, 29 Year 12 students travelled to the Lake District for a four day training expedition for their Gold DofE Award in preparation for their trip to Norway this summer; and I was delighted to hear about, as well as read in my children’s copy of The Week Junior, an article written by one of our Year 9 students, Prisha, about her love of books and her passion for sharing her inspiration of reading to the wider community. In addition, two of our teachers - Mr Biswell and Dr Sephton - ran the London Marathon last weekend; congratulations to both of them for completing the marathon and raising significant sums of money for their chosen charities. 

As I’m sure you are aware from previous editions of Headlines, as well as our social media channels, our football teams have had an incredibly successful season with our Senior, Year 11 and Year 7 Boys teams being District Champions; the Year 9 Boys’ incredible achievement of reaching the last 8 of the English Schools Cup and our U16 and U18 Girls football teams reaching the County Cup final taking place this week and next - Good Luck! Please can I take this opportunity to remind you that we are still looking for families to host visiting students from Maine, USA. Our history of tours to Maine spans 30 years, and we have enjoyed incredible hospitality during this time. Further information regarding the exchange which is taking place this summer can be found here.

Our return to school following the Easter break, marks the start of both internal and external examinations. Year 10 students began their mock examinations last week, followed by the Year 12s who started their UCAS examinations this week. Students have approached these assessments in a mature and sensible fashion, helping to serve as a useful tool in developing their revision and effective study skills. 

In assembly last week, I thanked all the students for their involvement in the Ofsted inspection at the end of last term. I shared with them how it was no surprise the inspectors commented on the exceptional maturity and commitment of the students to the school values of Success, Character and Dignity for All. And how the inspectors were incredibly impressed by the students' commitment to their learning both inside and outside of the classroom. I encouraged the students to continue that commitment this term and for those who have not yet taken up the opportunities offered to them to use this term to push themselves out of their comfort zone. 

The first quote of my assembly read: “True learning happens when we engage with ideas that challenge our assumptions and force us to think deeply about the world around us” - Learning without Limits. I positioned this as part of the challenge to all students this term to take up these learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom but also as a provocation for the main content of my assembly - a reflection on the Israel - Gaza conflict 6 months on and the developing situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and the potential for conflict in other unstable regions of the world.

A danger for all of us and particularly younger generations as we face the spectre of global conflict, political instability, climate change, economic uncertainty and increasing societal and political polarisation is the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. The challenge to the students from the assembly was the need for them to understand this and to: be informed; be curious; be active; to discuss; to challenge; to listen; and to be kind.

Last Monday - the 22nd April - was Earth Day, a global event which aims to highlight the importance of protecting the environment. The theme for this year was ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ raising awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for human and planetary health. The Geography Department, organised a number of events including an Earth Day themed form time on Monday and activities in KS3 Geography lessons which brought students up to date about single-use plastics, a survey to staff and students about what further action they would like to see in school regarding single use plastics, as well as a competition to encourage staff to car share. I would like to take this opportunity to really encourage the use of clearly named reusable water bottles by students, with the aim of reducing the number of plastic bottles which are thrown away, thus ending up in landfill.

As I write this month’s edition of Headlines and am reminded of all of the recent events that have taken place within our school community, it fills me with pride to see our core values and drivers of Success for All, Character for All and Dignity for All, demonstrated by both students and staff in the actions and decisions that they take.

Please can I remind parents to be more aware, respectful and considerate of where they park when dropping off or picking up their children. Sadly, parents are using the bus lane, blocking driveways and pavements and trying to enter the school car park. All of these actions impact upon the traffic, erodes our relationship with local residents and ultimately can put our students at risk when coming to school, as well as being a continuous frustration.  We do not underestimate the challenges of getting your children to school.  However, your children and the staff at St Clement Danes do our best to build a deserved reputation of respect for the community we serve.  We would ask that you, as members of the wider St Clement Danes community, do what you can to ensure that reputation for respect is not undermined.  Thank you for your support going forward next half term. 

As this will be the last time I write before study leave commences, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those sitting public examinations well. I have been incredibly impressed by the way students and teachers have worked together giving those concerned the best possible chance to secure exam results which will open up a wide range of opportunities for them in the future. I know how intense this period of the year can be for both students and their families and wish everyone all the very best.