This week, as we reached the halfway point of the academic year, we held Celebration Assemblies for each year group. Alongside our Junior Prizegiving in the Summer Term, these assemblies provide an opportunity to recognise not only academic success, but also effort, resilience, attitude to learning, persistence and progress. We believe these qualities are important to recognise, and we value the wide range of achievements demonstrated by our students.

Over the course of the week, more than 520 subject award badges were presented. Each class teacher selected two students to receive these awards. Students who received four or more nominations were awarded a Headteacher’s Award. This week, 13 students achieved this, including six in Year 7, three in Year 8, two in Year 9, and one student each in Years 10 and 11.

We continue to reward students throughout the year, both individually and as tutor groups, and look for opportunities to recognise a wide range of successes. After half-term, we will be distributing our first Silver Scratchcards of the year to students who have achieved 200 merits.

At the end of term, we will hold our Easter Celebration Assembly for the whole school, including our termly Prize Draw. Students who have been in the top ten merit earners in their year group for any week of the term will be entered, alongside those who have maintained high standards of uniform. Four x £40 shopping vouchers will be available to win.

Form groups will also be recognised for attendance and total merits, with winners able to choose from a non-uniform day, an early lunch, or a ‘popcorn and film’ reward.

Mrs K Stokes

Assistant Headteacher - Teaching and Learning

On Saturday 7 February, Anya (Year 10) and Jemima (Year 8) travelled to Loughborough college to compete in the East Midlands Young Chef competition, following on from their great success in the local heats.

There were 12 entries and the standards were exceptional. The Rotary Club provided professional judges for the event.

After two hours in the kitchen, the students produced some beautifully presented and very highly skilled dishes, which caused the judges to have lots to taste and to discuss.

The marks for skills, suitability of the dishes and presentation were very close.

Jemima (only just 13 years old) won the event overall and became the East Midlands Rotary Club Young Chef of the Year. She now goes onto compete for the Midlands title on Monday 8^th March in Stafford.

As their food teacher, I am very proud of both students and thank them for the time and effort they have put into this competition. I would also like to express my thanks to their parents for the support with trialling dishes at home and driving their daughters to a range of locations.

Good Luck Jemima for the next round.

Mrs J Pankhurst

Subject Leader - D&T

This week, 9th-15th February, is National Apprenticeship Week, where schools, colleges, employers, careers advisers and students all come together in an event to celebrate and spread awareness about apprenticeships. All students have learnt about what apprenticeships are and about a variety of apprenticeship opportunities, both in Personal Development time in tutor groups, and across a range of lessons.

As a follow-up, during Careers Week (week beginning 2nd March) students will be hearing about apprenticeship opportunities in assemblies – we will be welcoming back former students who are apprentices themselves, who will talk about their experiences in Key Stage 3 and 5 assemblies, while students in Key Stage 4 will hear about apprenticeship and other opportunities from Lincoln College.

By law, all students in England must stay in education or training until they are 18, and while most of our students choose to stay on at school, it’s worth exploring the other options that are available to them.

At 16, students can choose one of three options:

• Stay in full-time education (at school or college)
• Start an apprenticeship or traineeship
• Spend 20 hours per week or more working or volunteering, while also being in part-time education or training

At 18, an increasing number of students are exploring apprenticeships as an alternative to university, and Degree Apprenticeships mean that students can start work with a company and get a degree alongside, with the bonus that the employer pays for the university fees.

Anglian Schools Cross Country County Championships

On Saturday 31st January, I competed in Anglian Schools cross country which was the qualifying for English Schools. It was a hilly course with parts of uphill and down hills section. We started in pens with our teammates and started the 3.7km course. It was a sunny day, however staying rather cold.

-Olivia Year 10

Student sporting success – Netball

Well done to Isla who played her first match for Lincoln City U12 last weekend. Although they were beaten 21-8, Isla was awarded coaches' champion of the match, and she enjoyed herself immensely.

Stronger parental relationship to help children feel safe and secure.

Below is a poster for parents to access webinars and workshops provided by East Midlands Relationships. These free regional webinars are designed to be supportive, practical, help reduce escalation and to promote safe environments for children and families.