Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to parents who responded to the questionnaire related to the 321 bus service.  All responses and comments have been collated and shared with Councillor Teresa Heritage for her meeting with the General Manager at Arriva last week. As a result, Arriva are aiming to introduce a new timetable early in the New Year to accommodate the increased numbers. As and when I receive any further information, I will keep you updated.

In addition, there has been an issue with the 304 bus from Kimpton and again I have shared the concerns with the Council and look forward to providing you with an update when I receive some feedback.

Mrs Wheatley, who leads PSCHE within the school, has just returned from the Houses of Parliament following a review of the Healthy Minds Programme which we began in STAGS four years ago - The Penn Resilience Programme. As a result of our continued focus on wellbeing and resilience, we have been identified as one of only 20 schools across the country with a nationally recognised accreditation as a Healthy Minds School. 

We are taking part in a national programme called Challenge Partners and have been identified nationally as a school of sustained excellence in outcomes over a prolonged period of time. Some years ago, educational research focused on 12 outstanding schools and now this will be updated to include a new cohort of 20 schools, one of which is STAGS, where standards achieved by young people are consistently at the highest level. We welcomed a number of schools and research scholars to STAGS on Wednesday where they met with students, colleagues and visited many lessons reviewing provision. I will share with you their findings when published towards the end of the academic year.

Thank you to you all for the superb array of donations for the annual STAGS PTA Winter Fair, scheduled for this Sunday, the 9th of December, 12.00pm to 3.00pm. The House captains have worked tirelessly, between examinations, to ensure that the Christmas Movies theme is as sparkling as ever. This is a great opportunity for  students to fully participate with their Houses and is a great event enjoyed by all. You will have received the Fair brochure and raffle tickets for this event and there are, as usual, fantastic prizes again this year thanks to the great work of the PTA who bring this wonderful event together and, with your support and that of our students, ensure that it is a roaring success. The stalls and activities are designed by each of the Houses with themes that inspire and challenge their creativity. Mr Kershaw and I have the unenviable task of choosing the best, so why not come and join us to assist with this task! There are fabulous prizes and stalls, all organised by the PTA. All money raised by the students goes to the House charities that the students have chosen and the PTA fundraising towards the next school project, which is to refurbish the Food Technology classrooms and bring their specification up to 21st century catering standards.

A reminder that next Friday, 14th December is the Carol Service – please note the arrangements for the day.

I look forward to glorious weather as we walk to the Abbey today and I am grateful to Mr Zarrouq and the colleagues who remain in school with the focus of Diversity.

We wish Mrs Roston every happiness as she begins her maternity leave today, who has ensured an excellent transition as Miss Lambert takes over the leadership of Years 10 and 11, ably supported by Mrs Rock.

I look forward to seeing you at the Winter Fair on Sunday.

With all good wishes,
Margaret Chapman