Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends,
As I gaze out of the window, the half-term heatwave already feels like a distant memory, replaced once again by the unpredictability of the great British weather. Here’s hoping that brighter days return as we look ahead to our much anticipated summer events, including Sports Day and Activities Week. Until then, we will simply soldier on!
This half term began with Years 11 and 13 entering the final stretch of their public examinations. With the finish line now firmly in sight, we wish them every success and the very best for the remainder of this important period and I am looking forward to the upcoming leaver’s events, particularly the Year 11 prom on the 25th June. Keep an eye out for the beautiful pictures!
Year 10 PE students have been completing their mock practical assessments. These assessments mirror those they will undertake in Year 11 and account for 40% of their final GCSE grade, providing valuable experience and preparation ahead of next year.
Meanwhile, our KS3 assessment fortnight has also been underway. We believe these assessments offer an important opportunity for students to become familiar with the process in a lower pressure environment, with time built in for feedback, reflection and growth. It has been particularly encouraging to see the girls approach the fortnight with both positivity and focus.
The English department welcomed a poet to school. Miss Roberts wrote:
Last week we had Rachel Jeffcoat, a successful poet and educator, visit The Holt School to run poetry writing workshops with our staff and students. The sessions were a huge success; students were encouraged to hone their writing craft and explore creative writing prompts, resulting in some wonderful poetry. Rachel herself commented: It was such a delight to meet with your students and staff on Tuesday afternoon – the girls were so engaged and thoughtful, and I was especially touched by your fellow teachers joining in the writing tasks. Please pass on my sincere thanks and appreciation.
You can find out more about Rachel’s work here: https://www.racheljeffcoat.co.uk/.
Thank you to Miss Roberts for facilitating this visit.
On Wednesday, the Art department ran the annual trip to Kew Gardens where our GCSE artists were inspired to take pictures so they can begin their project on natural forms. Mrs Skeates wrote:
The Year 10 art students had a fantastic day exploring the different environments at Kew Gardens, recording their observation photographically in preparation for their new coursework unit. It was a great day, despite a few quick showers.
Mrs Skeates has shared more art news with us:
We were delighted to hear last week that another of our talented Year 11 students had their work selected for the Royal Academy’s Young Artist competition. Chimmaramma produced this vibrant and eye-catching portrait of her grandmother. Her work, along with Wing Kiu and Serena’s art, will be displayed at the Academy later this month. What an achievement and a privilege! We are very proud of them all.
Congratulations to Chimmaramma, whose portrait is pictured above, on her success in the competition. A big thank you as well to Mrs Skeates and the Art Department for making it possible for our students to experience opportunities like this.
On Thursday we welcomed a group of 40 Year 6 students for our small school’s transition day. This is the group of students where only one or two students are joining us from their primary school. They had an opportunity to meet other students in a similar situation and make bonds so that they have made connections before we welcome the whole cohort on the 24thJune for the main transition event. A big thank you to Mrs Beavan who does our transition administration, Mrs Izod-Martin for coordinating the afternoon activities, Mrs Hedley-Bosworth from student support who spent the afternoon with them and to our newly appointed prefects who supported them and made them feel welcomed.
Speaking of our prefects, this week we have had our summer house assemblies, and the new 6th form and Year 10 prefects have been promoting our much-anticipated Sports’ Fest which will be taking place on the 26th June and is a day of bright colours, exciting stalls, great competition and camaraderie. I look forward to seeing what each house has in store for us, from the charity stall ideas to the war cries; it will be high day at The Holt. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Soulscape who support us in many ways, notwithstanding the Leadership training they do every year for our new prefect team to prepare them for their tenure. Selma has written:
On Wednesday during Period 4, 40 of us took part in prefect training. It was really fun, and we all enjoyed it a lot. It gave us an insight into what the Year 6 transition day will be like and helped us learn how to communicate with people we do not usually talk to. We also learnt how important teamwork is and how to work effectively with others. These are key skills that will help us grow and develop, and using them on induction day will be really beneficial for the new Year 6 students as well. Thank you to everyone who helped organise this, and a special thank you to Soulscape too!
Prefects in action- human hot air balloons.
On Thursday, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend a ‘Meet the Subjects’ event. The aim of this was to inspire students as they begin to think about their future studies and explore the excellent opportunities available in our Sixth Form. It took the form of a marketplace, where students could speak with Sixth Form teachers and prefects about life in the Sixth Form, the subjects on offer, and the experiences available beyond GCSEs. It encouraged them to start considering their post-16 options as they look ahead to Year 11 and the exciting decisions that lie ahead. Thank you to Mrs Salamut-Ward and the 6th form team for coordinating this event.
As I am sure it is in many of your households, our attention at home is firmly focused on the FIFA World Cup. Who will be crowned world champions? Could this finally be the year that football comes home? It may be too early to make any predictions, but we can always hope! Whatever the outcome, many of us will be keeping a close eye on the action, and our PE Department has already launched the sweepstake so many of us are fully invested. I wish all the competing nations the very best of luck, but, of course, come on you Lions!
Nozipho Connor
Assistant Headteacher