Year 9 & 10

Year 10 – looking sharp, thinking ahead

Year 10 – looking sharp, thinking ahead

It has been a busy term with lots to celebrate — but now a few reminders! First up: uniform. Our Year 10 students all looked fantastic at the start of the year, but lately standards have slipped. Please remember to wear blazers to and from school and be in full uniform every day. The school tie needs to be worn with the top button done up and only one pair or earrings can be worn. It is about pride, presentation and setting the tone for success.

Work experience is just around the corner, and it is a brilliant chance to explore possible career paths. If students are having trouble organising a placement, don’t wait—see Mr Cotterell or Mrs Collins ASAP. 

This morning our Year 10s visited the Careers Expo where hopefully they were inspired in a field or two and could link this to where they might want to seek a work experience placement. 

Exams are creeping up, so now is the time to get organised. If struggling with time management, speak to teachers or Mr Cotterell. Short, focused study sessions are the way to go. The traffic light system should be helping students identify where to focus efforts, especially as subject selection looms.

Keep pushing, stay focused and remember — your future starts now. Good luck and keep working hard!

Year 9 - work, rest and play

It has been a strong and positive start to Term Two for Year 9 students, who are presenting themselves well in full school uniform. We thank families for their support in maintaining these high standards. A reminder that blazers must be worn to and from school each day, that school ties need to be worn with the shirts top button done up and skirt lengths need to reach the knee and not be rolled up.

As this term progresses, the academic pace will increase, with assessments approaching in several subjects. Students are encouraged to manage their time effectively by working consistently and not leaving tasks to the last minute. Regular, manageable study sessions can significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes.

We are pleased to offer a Year 9 social event in Week 8 (Wednesday, 19 June) – an Escape Room experience followed by pizza. This is a great opportunity to relax and connect time outside the classroom. Please ensure bookings are made using the link shared via DM. 

This term, we welcomed guest speakers from Armed for Life, who presented on the topic of screen time. Research shows that excessive screen use (more than four hours a day) can lead to reduced attention spans, sleep disruption and lower academic performance. Alarmingly, young people may spend up to six years of their lives on screens by the age of 22. 

Students are strongly encouraged to limit recreational screen time to under 2 hours per day and avoid screen use an hour before bed to support healthy sleep and focus.

Mr Brad Cotterell

Head of Year 9 and 10