This week has been incredibly busy with the Year 11s enjoying their final assembly and then the Prom. It is always great fun to invite the students into school once they have completed their exams and get them together as a year group for the final time. They came into school on Wednesday and signed shirts and socialised before entering the Hall. The Assembly was a chance to reminisce about their last 5 years and the event was ably hosted by the now famous double act of Matthew Tinker and Doncho Atannassov. There were a whole range of awards and speeches and it was a chance for the students to thank Ms Draper and Mr Hudgell who have been so supportive to them as their Heads of Year. In the evening it was the social event of the year at Woolston Manor. The Prom is a lovely occasion and as ever the students made a real effort and looked fantastic in their outfits. The atmosphere was one of celebration and it was a pleasure to see the students enjoying each others' company and interacting with the teachers and support staff who were also invited. I think that it is testament to Roding Valley High School that so many staff chose to give up their Wednesday evening and stay to the very end to give the students an excellent send off. We also held a very successful Year 6 into 7 Transition Evening on Tuesday. The Hall was absolutely packed and the parents heard an address from Mrs Jenner, Deputy Headteacher, regarding how we are planning to track and monitor the academic performance of all students. Mr Hudgell, Head of next year’s Year 7, discussed how the students will be supported both academically and pastorally as well as highlighting the expectations that we have as a school. For me, though, the highlight of the evening was hearing from two Year 7 students who have thrived since they joined the school in September. Molly Spencer and Olympia Barnett spoke with such enthusiasm about their experiences and opportunities this year and their confident performances were superb. They are clearly tremendous ambassadors for the school and a credit to their families. On Monday evening at 6pm I will be hosting the final Parent Forum of the academic year. I will be reflecting on the year as a whole and would encourage as many parents as possible to come along and share their comments and views about the strengths of the school as well as identifying any areas for development. The meeting will take place in the Media Suite. I hope that you have already seen the letter this week regarding the partial closure of the school on Tuesday 5th July. As many of you will know the National Union of Teachers has decided to take industrial action and since many of our staff are members of the union I have no choice but to close the school to Years 7 to 10 for the day to ensure the health, safety and well being of all students. The year 12s will come into school at the usual time and register. The school will be open as normal on Wednesday the 6th July. James Luck Headteacher
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