It is very rare for me to start with a negative comment but I would like to highlight my concerns with regard to some of the issues in the local community. Myself and colleagues are on duty at the end of every school day and it has come to my attention that there is a group of youths that customarily inhabit the vicinity of the Underground Station. Despite regular police intervention and conversations with myself and Senior Staff this group is still in place and some of their behaviour is certainly of an anti-social nature. It is vital for the reputation of Roding Valley High School that our students distance themselves from the group in question as I would be mortified if the public believed that the conduct of this group of youths reflected the school's aspirations and expectations. I am delighted to say that the vast majority of our students are excellent ambassadors for the school and I have often said in this column how wonderful it is to hear about how smart our students look in their uniforms and how much of a credit they are to the school. However, it is important to note that when students let the school down with their conduct then we will always take stringent action. I take the school's reputation very seriously and if any student brings the school into disrepute as a result of their behaviour then the sanctions will be severe. Just because an issue arises outside of the school day does not mean that we are unable to take action. This message will be made very clear to students in next week's assemblies and I very much hope that they all take it on board as I would be disappointed if any student lost their place at Roding Valley High School as a consequence of negative behaviour in the local community. On a much more positive note it has been pleasing to see the Year 7s coping so well with their formal examinations in the Hall this week. We appreciate that this is a difficult time for them but I'm pleased to say that their behaviour has been excellent and they have handled the pressure exceptionally well which certainly bodes well for the future. Finally I would like to say a very big well done to Alice Redknap who has been selected to represent the school in the forthcoming Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge. She was chosen as a result of her superb debating performance in the school competition and despite stiff competition from a number of other students she will be taking the hopes of the school forward on the 10th May when she will be competing with orators from a number of local schools. Louise Gilbert also performed admirably and she has been selected as the reserve for the competition. I wish them every success. James Luck Headteacher
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