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Message from the Headteacher Dear Parents and Carers
HIGHLIGHTS p3 Our new Headteacher p4 A message from Nick Gibb MP p5 Duke of Edinburgh p6 Running success p7 Futsal queen p8 Karting news p9 Talented teens p10 STEM Club p11 Winning writer p12 The winning story p13 Online safety p14 Student leadership P15 Maths news p16 Booths project p17 Funding issues
Following the announcement by Mrs Freda Armstrong, Chairman of the Governing Body, that Mrs Jayne Jenks our Deputy Headteacher has been appointed to succeed me as Headteacher of this wonderful school, I am delighted to extend my congratulations to her knowing that St Michael’s will be in extremely safe hands and set to improve even further. Above all, she will preserve the unique heart and soul of this school, that very special Christian element that pervades every aspect of our work here. The five weeks since half term seems to have sped by remarkably quickly and as I write this both pupils and staff are looking forward to our end of term Easter services and holiday.
continue with their fantastic support by ensuring that controlled assessments and home learning deadlines are met and that pupils attend the many and varied after school activities designed to support learning. It is quite possible for pupils to improve by one or two grades from this stage through hard work and commitment.
plete our parental survey earlier this term. Your views are very important to us and form an essential part of ongoing school improvement. Parents gave an ‘outstanding’ overall performance score, however, we are not complacent and constantly strive to improve so that our young people have the best possible opportunities and outcomes here at St. Michael’s.
As outlined at Revision Evening we have put in place a substantial revision package to help pupils, including designated revision lessons once the main body of examinations start, after school and holiday sessions, and a two hour session entitled “Prepare to Succeed” which will be delivered by a motivational consultant.
GCSE and Curriculum changes linked to Year 9 and Year 8 Option choices Many thanks to Year 9 and Year 8 parents and carers who attended our Option Information Evenings and to pupils for returning option forms so promptly.
As many of your know, the new GCSEs with greater We wish them well in the breadth of content have last few weeks at school. forced many schools, including St Michael’s, to take the Uniform decision to begin GCSE studAs you know school uniies in Year 9. The new GCSE Year 11 form, apart from ties, is specifications will influence This is, of course, an imthe way we track, monitor, portant time for our Year 11 supplied by Jada of Eaves pupils. These young people Lane, Chorley. Thank you assess, report to parents and to all parents and carers even structure our schemes are a very special and who support school in our of learning. It will be more amazing year group with drive for very high standdifficult initially for teachers great character and such ards of uniform amongst all to be truly confident that talent who add so much to our pupils. The length of they are measuring progress the life of St Michael’s. some girls’ skirts is becom- accurately when the new Following their mock exami- ing a concern and I remind grading system remains so parents and carers that the vague. However, I have nations and their reports, they now have a clear idea length must be within three been encouraged by our staff who have more than risen to of their strengths and areas inches of the knee. the challenge and I trust in for improvement. Kirkland Rowell – Patheir ability and professionalrental Questionnaire ism which is exceptional! There is no substitute for Survey February 2016 dedication and hard work In the examinations in Engand I do thank and encour- Thank you to all parents who took the time to com- lish and Mathematics in 2017 age parents and carers to P.T.O.