July 2018
Dear Parents / Carers, And so we come to the end of another year, and what a year it’s been… In September, Franklin, Davies, Hobbs and Soyinka Houses were born. Groups of 22 students spread between Years 7 and 11 came together with two members of staff to form new family units. We have been delighted with this development and the legacy which is being created for the school. In September, House logos (based on student designs) will be installed in the Atrium foyer, flanking our new trophy cabinet holding all of the new house shields and cups. We will also be electing House Captains who will represent their Houses in meetings which will be held each half term with myself. This will provide a vehicle for discussion of student concerns as well as providing me with a forum for seeking their views on future developments. The House Captains will also have their names immortalised on plaques which will be installed in the Atrium building and added to each year thereafter. Another significant development was the movement to a split lunchtime. It’s fair to say that the move was not instantly popular with students but it has proved to be a hugely beneficial change. Queuing time for food is now greatly reduced and we have capacity for all of our students to be inside during wet lunchtimes. Numbers of clubs have increased rather than reducing and the lessons of those not on lunch have proceeded uninterrupted. This system has also ensured that Year 7 students have an early lunch allowing a smoother transition from the timings of their primary school. We will be continuing with this model next year and, in addition, exploring with students the option of keeping a section of the school field available throughout the year in dry weather. Over the summer, the school will be very busy with our site staff and external contractors carrying out a variety of internal and external work. The installation of a school-wide CCTV system will be completed and there will be improvement to standards of decoration and furnishings. Two of our computer rooms will also be refitted over the summer with the installation of new Apple computers, replacing a cohort now nearing their 8th year of service. The school will also be hosting parking for the Cambridge Folk Festival as well as a number of summer schools and other community bookings. Arrangements for the start of Autumn Term 2018 As well as looking forward, July is also a time for wishing farewell to a number of our staff. Miss Pickton is moving to Hitchin Boys’ School whilst Mrs Allen is taking a break from work to spend time at home with her young family. Miss Toley is making a very exciting move to Kenya to take up a position leading geography. It’s right that I thank Miss Toley for her amazing contributions to Netherhall over her time here: numerous ski trips, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and adventures to Nepal and South Africa (to name just two locations) could not have happened without her commitment and boundless enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed and we all wish her well.
Monday 3 September - Training Day Tuesday 4 September - Year 7 in school at 8.30am & Year 12 in school at 9.30am (Week A) Wednesday 5 September Whole School Opens 8.30am Year 13 - In school for 9.00am A Level Results in the Atrium Thursday 16 August 2018 Year 13 results available for collection from 8.00am until 10.00am Year 12 results available for collection from 10.00am until 12.00 noon.
We bid a fond farewell to Miss Star who has lived up to her name as a wonderful art technician / Teaching Assistant who will be missed by students and staff alike. Miss Stokell is leaving to join cabin crew to see the world whilst Mr Dooley, our much-loved head of English, is also GCSE Results in the Atrium travelling around the world, but to settle for two years in Thursday 23 August 2018 Collection 10.00am - 12 noon - Year 11 Shanghai, teaching in an international school.