Autumn Term
19th APRIL 2021 Issue 1 : 4th September 2020
Dear Parents, I do hope you all managed to have some rest over the Easter holiday; it is always wonderful to welcome the girls back up the hill, and we have been blessed with some beautiful spring weather. Over the holiday, our super Maintenance team have kept the school looking spick and span, and, excitingly, repaired the bell above the chapel as well as giving it a fresh coat of paint. It has not rung for years, and its cheerful sound will now become part of the rhythm of the school week. The new Head Girl team have also been beavering away, coming up with a number of exciting schemes: the greenhouse has been cleared ready for the cultivation of peppers and tomatoes, a student magazine is going to press, and with the generous help of FOST, a number of outdoor blankets have been purchased to give our bubbled year groups something slightly softer to sit on outdoors - a launch assembly awaits on Monday. Years 11 and 13 have been given further special assemblies by myself and Miss Nelson to bring them up to date on developments from JCQ regarding Teacher Assessed Grades (or TAGs), and I wish to reassure you that we are planning exceptionally carefully for these. It is worth mentioning that part of the guidance suggests that evidence should be, wherever possible (with the possible emphasised), consistent across cohorts, and should show appropriate breadth to reflect the qualification. This will ensure fairness and credibility, and a sample of our evidence will be sent off for external moderation. We are not permitted to cherry-pick the 'greatest hits' unique to each and every individual; but we will always, always do our very best for your daughter. They are in safe hands. Please can I gently remind you to ensure that, if you have consented, you continue to test your daughters twice-weekly with Lateral Flow Tests. Please note that there has been a refinement to the guidance: a confirmatory PCR test must be undertaken if a positive LFT results. I wish you all a very pleasant weekend, and thank you, as ever for your wonderful support. Best wishes, Claire McShane