Springtime and Rising COVID Cases
Welcome to the School Blog. The wonderful weather, lighter mornings, and longer evenings are a welcome change for all of us. Unfortunately, however, incidences of COVID are once again on the rise locally. A number of our staff and students currently have the virus, so please can we remind you to watch out for the three key symptoms:
- A high temperature: Students feel hot to touch on their chest or back.
- A new, continuous cough: Coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.
- A loss or change to sense of smell or taste: Unable to smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
To keep our school running smoothly, it is important that students showing any of these symptoms do not come to school and arrange to be tested. All other schools in the locality are experiencing similar pressures. We will endeavour to keep our students learning from within the school building where possible. However, should staffing levels be reduced to the extent that we cannot safely cater for all students on-site, it may be necessary to return to blended learning for a short period for certain year groups. This would not be our preference, but we are monitoring the situation closely and working flexibly to keep everybody on campus. Thank you for your understanding and support as we attempt to keep everyone safe.
Criminology Talk by Linenhall Chambers
This week, some talented Year 10 and 11 students joined many of the Sixth Form Criminology cohort to attend a bespoke talk from two barristers from Linenhall Chambers, Chester. The barristers discussed their career paths, the challenges of the role, and key elements of legal reasoning. Criminology is proving exceptionally popular in our Sixth Form, and we hope to develop students’ critical thinking skills further as they take their latest learning into a mock trial scenario, possibly next academic year. Our grateful thanks go to all at Linenhall Chambers, and we eagerly anticipate continuing our partnership with them.
Sixth Form Information Evening
Yesterday evening, it was fantastic to see many of you in the building once again for our ‘appointment only’ Sixth Form Information Evening. We appreciate that some families already know us well and are aware of our Sixth Form reputation and course offerings, and therefore did not book a slot. Please remember that Mr. Kevin Davies (Assistant Headteacher/Director of Sixth Form Studies) is always willing to chat with students or parents in person or over the phone to answer any questions. If Mr. Davies cannot answer the question himself, he will direct you to the most appropriate member of our team. Mr. Davies and his team are also running school tours by appointment, so please contact him directly if this service would be useful to you.
Sporting Achievements
Our Year 9 and 10 netball teams enjoyed their friendlies against Hawarden this week. These informal matches focus on fun and skill development. Well done to everyone who participated! Special mention to Annabel (Year 11) who represented Wales Under 18s in golf against Ireland. We are thrilled to tell you that she is a great prospect for Welsh golf in the future. Congratulations also to Elin (Year 7) and Ffion (Year 10) who have recently achieved personal bests in their races with Buckley Swimming Club. Please continue to let us know about any student successes outside the normal school day.
Continuing on a sporting theme, well done to our GCSE and A-Level PE students. Everyone demonstrated top performances during their examination moderation sessions this week.
Upcoming Examinations and Rehearsals
Best wishes to examination students in Years 10 and 11 who will sit their Welsh orals over the next two weeks. We are very grateful to our Welsh Department for running revision sessions outside the standard school day for these students. Our good wishes also go to students studying GCSE, AS, and A-Level Drama as they prepare for their examination pieces and run a pantomime for an invited audience next week. Our A-Level Music students have been rehearsing hard and will undertake their practical exams very soon. Go for it, everyone! Thank you to all staff involved in preparing students for these events.
Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions
Duke of Edinburgh is back in full flow! A group of Year 11 students will venture out on their Silver practice trip next weekend. These expeditions are valuable and great fun, and it’s brilliant to be able to run them again.
World Cup Anticipation
Wales is now so close to qualifying for the World Cup finals, and our anticipation grows by the minute!
See you back here soon for the next School Blog!
