Updates from NLS
Year 9 students have had a brilliant start to the final term of the academic year and we are really proud of their achievements. There has been lots of exciting work going on in school, from careers to STEM events and it has been wonderful to reflect on some of these as part of this update
As we come to the end of the penultimate term, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the activities and events of the past few weeks within Year 10.
Year 11 have made a great start to their terminal exams. They have shown both maturity and calmness as they have gathered in the canteen in readiness for the start of each exam. We are incredibly proud of their attitude in the run up to the exams, and to the actual GCSE exams themselves.
We have no doubt that they will do themselves proud for the remainder of the exam season, after which they can heave a sigh of relief, and relax.
As always, this half-term has been a very positive one and there has been much to celebrate.
We were delighted to learn that Adam and Thomas received awards for their involvement in the recent Physics Olympiad. Aimed at very high-performing students, the Olympiad brings together many students from across the nation in an incredibly exacting process to stretch & challenge students at the top end of their subject and to bridge any gap between the A-level curriculum and the demands of degree-level study.
KS3 Update -
In Year 7 students have been studying the theme of Identity and Culture through the lenses of literature and non-fiction. Students have been learning some historical elements such as South Africa’s apartheid era, the migration of those from the Caribbean and South Asia and the tyrannical brutality of despotic leaders and analysing the way the voices of those who experienced these times is portrayed through various literary and non-fiction texts. They will be using these voices to create their own voice, being able to write evocatively, persuasively and passionately.
Similarly, during the summer term, Year 8 students have started studying a scheme of learning on Minority Voices through the base text of Long Way Down, a novel written entirely in verse, where they look at writers’ creation of a voice and recreate their own ‘voices’. An excellence transitionary module that will see our students prepared for the next step of their learning journey into Year 9.
KS3 Drama
Year 7 Drama - Exploring Design Billy the Kid
This unit of work focuses on Live Theatre and students have had the opportunity to watch a live performance. Students have explored the story and themes and considered the production elements in the play including Costume Design, Set Design, Lighting and Sound Design.
As we come to the end of a short but incredibly busy half term I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the activities and achievements of Year 7 students over the last 5 weeks.
Year 7 have focused on a range of topics during Tutor Time this half term, topics covered have included:
I have now officially completed my 10th academic year at NLS and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute of it. The students in Year 8 have managed to develop their year ethos to a whole new level. I have some fantastic students that are inevitably going to be incredible life-long learners however, my job is to ensure that I help to instil the confidence they need to believe that they can achieve anything. I have had a superb set of tutors this year which have supported me and the Year 8 students on their journey. They have continued to promote the NLS CORE ethos through the tutor curriculum as well as during structured learning conversations. It is for that reason that I believe they have pivotal role in the outcome of our students’ attitude to learning levels, rewards / consequences as well as their academic progress. I am extremely proud to inform you that Year 8 currently have the highest rewards in the school, as well 162 students exceeding their target grade in one or more subjects. It is the passion and determination of our Year 8 students that allows me to believe that we are the leading Year group at NLS.
I want to celebrate the fact that the majority of our students in Year 8 are incredible. They always look professional, they are prepared for learning and are respectful to staff and fellow students. I hope your child will continue to be kind, thoughtful and supportive of their peers. I will be closely monitoring those students that can occasionally find it difficult to adhere to school policies and expectations.
As a Year 8 cohort, we wanted to make sure that we did our bit to support and raise as much money as possible for the recent Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal. Students were able to replace an item of their school uniform by wearing something red; we had a significant number of Year 8 students participating and in total raising £494.70. I am so proud of them all.
This half term your child attended College Assemblies. These assemblies were an opportunity for the College communities to reaffirm the ties that bind them and ensure they stay connected.
We have also been able to witness this half term how superb our Year 8 girls Netball Team were in action. Team work, communication and spirit got these students through to the League semi-finals where they met Kingsley. They played amazingly well but unfortunately lost 17-14! Next time Kingsley, next time!!
The second round of College Sports saw each College play against each other in a highly competitive Dodgeball tournament. Year 10 Sports Leaders were tasked with putting together a team for their College from Years 7 to 8 and it was great to see so many students take part in this after-school event and represent their college and demonstrate excellent competitiveness, sportsmanship and honesty.
The final results:
As the total points for Croft and Manor were tied, Croft were crowned the winners based on their head-to-head result against Manor.
Not long now - its only 7 weeks until our Paris 2023 trip! Our aim is for the students to have fun, learn new skills, take part in new and enriching experiences, discover more about their capabilities and to celebrate each others successes.
I will be holding an Information Evening on Thursday 20 April at 17.30 - 18.30.
I have included basic details of our itinerary below:
We will now be travelling by ferry across the channel, which is an exciting change to our original itinerary.
Please make sure that your child has a valid passport for travel. I am sure that you have heard in the news that Passport Office workers are to strike for five weeks in an escalation of a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. Your child’s passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date)
We will leave the school site at 9.30 on Friday 19 May and aim to arrive back at 18.00 on Monday 22 May.
Despite the disruption caused by the strike days, Year 8s were welcomed into school to attend sessions centred around ‘Team Work’. We started the day with an engaging assembly that included student participation. We identified that working together would enable us to achieve something we cannot do alone, complete something more quickly, negotiate and compromise with others and support those who are finding it difficult. It was lovely to see the students communicate respectfully and confidently, sharing ideas and opinions effectively during all the activities. We then went onto play either football or benchball, followed by a creative drawing activity to finally participating in an exciting and enthralling quiz.
photo check
During the last week of term we have completed our end of term Celebration Assembly. It was a pleasure to recognise students in the following areas relevant to the Spring term:
Achievement- The table below identifies students in each college that have achieved the most progress relative to their target grades this term.
Rewards -There wasn’t much of a battle this term when looking at students with the highest number of reward points, Amber B clearly reigning supreme at the top of the rewards table. The battle for second place however between Paulina, Nadia, Sam and Nimitt has been so close for the past 12 weeks, with these students interchanging their position weekly. This term’s top 10 students are listed below. These students been relentless in demonstrating their dedication and commitment to all aspects of school life. Well done.
Rewards Leaders have been busy helping to organise a celebratory event last week. This event is to acknowledge and award those Year 8 students that achieved enough reward points to get in the top 50 in the entire Year group. Students were able to eat pizza and play games for an entire 90 minutes. A well-deserved break from their normal routine.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this academic term. I hope that you feel your child has been given the guidance and support to achieve, but more importantly, to enjoy school life. I look forward to catching up with you all at the various school events next term.
Have a fantastic Easter.
Kind regards,
Mr Royle
This half term, students have been exploring the dangers of gaming within Tutor Time. This has allowed them an opportunity to reflect on the dangers they may encounter when gaming and led to some very interesting discussions around how gaming could be safer for young people.
Despite this half term being a relatively short term, it has been extremely eventful nonetheless. Firstly, I’d like to welcome the new students that have recently joined the Year 10 group – I hope you have enjoyed a pleasant and enjoyable start to school life at North Leamington School. It was also great to see so many pupils, parents and carers at the Year 10 Subject Evening at the end of February. I do hope you received some valuable feedback about how your child is progressing.
In addition to the controlled assessments and coursework currently being undertaken in a range of GCSE subjects, students have also have opportunities to experience broader themes relating to personal development and wider opportunities.
During this half term in Tutor Time students have been revisiting their revision strategies and schedules based on their last mock exams. This has been a vital time in ensuring that they are adapting to meet the emerging needs they have identified.
KS3 Drama
Year 7 Drama - Performing Text The Grimm Tales
This unit of work focuses on collaboration skills and how to work well in a group. Students have enjoyed the opportunity to explore extracts from a play from The Grimm Tales (Hansel and Gretal) and also explore line learning and interpreting the script using physical theatre, chorus and props.