During December our tutor groups have been filling hampers with Christmas items and then, as a group, have decided who they would like to receive the hamper.
As we collate the hampers this week deliveries will start taking place to local care homes, the homeless shelter, food banks and elderly neighbours.
Thank you for all your generosity and kind donations - we are sure they will be very much appreciated.
On Friday 13 December, students were invited to replace their blazer with a Christmas jumper. To support the Save the Children charity, we kindly ask for a £1 donation which can be made in cash on the day or via ParentPay (www.parentpay.com) and we are delighted that over £550 has been raised so far. We are still collating some donations and the link to donate via parentpay will remain open until Friday 20 December - we will update with the final total in the New Year.
Thank you to everyone who took part and for your kind donations.
We would like to thank all the visitors from a range of local businesses, providers and parents who supported us in running Mock Interviews yesterday for our Year 11 students and acted as interviewers.
We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in achieving the Quality in Careers Standard. This is the single national quality award for careers education, information, advice and guidance in an education setting.
Holding a nationally validated Careers award demonstrates to those outside the education setting that a high standard has been reached.
The standard is fully aligned Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance and fully complies with the Department for Education's Statutory Guidance.
Last week we supported Anti Bullying week, this year the theme was Choose Respect.
During tutor time students discussed what respect means and sessions also reminded students who they can speak to at school if they have any concerns. Our Anti Bullying week activities culminated with students able to wear odd socks to school on Friday to promote individuality, acceptance and tolerance to show that we are all unique and different.
Our Winter Music Concert held on 4 December was a wonderful success. The event showcased the incredible talent of over 70 students who performed a wide range of pieces, from solos to impressive large ensembles, such as the Pop Choir, Wind Band, Steel Pans, and String Group.
The audience was treated to a delightful variety of winter-themed performances, along with genres that our students have explored in their lessons. These ranged from rock and roll to classical music pieces. The concert also featured several band performances, where students captivated everyone with classic pop pieces including Yellow by Coldplay, High and Dry by Radiohead, and Wonderwall by Oasis.
It was fantastic to see every year group within our school well represented during the concert, creating a sense of unity and celebration of our students' hard work and dedication to music.
The music department are extremely proud of all our talented young musicians who are involved with extra-curricular opportunities at NLS.
Thank you to all those parent/carers who attended and supported the event.
Our Winter music concert is taking place on Wednesday 4 December and will feature a wide variety of acts, ranging from solo performers through to our large ensembles (Pop Choir, Wind Band, String Group and Steel Pans). The students will be performing a variety of winter-themed pieces, creating a magical atmosphere for all in attendance.
The concert will begin at 5.30pm and finish at 7.30pm.
Tickets are at no cost and available via ParentPay (www.parentpay.com)
We look forward to seeing you there.
This morning, the whole of North Leamington School came together outside in the school courtyard for a Remembrance Service.
The service saw approximately 1,500 students and staff congregate as a whole school to reflect, contemplate and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth along with young people from our school.
Head Teacher Mr Lowdell, opened the ceremony with an address to the school followed by a Remembrance poem read by Senior Student Leaders, Millie and Will. Year 11 student, Martin, played The Last Post on the euphonium before the whole school observed two-minute. Our cadet students then laid a wreath.
Mr Lowdell said I am so proud of our staff and students coming together to show their respect at this remembrance event every year. Today is a day of reflection and remembrance for those who fought in the great wars, as well as those who have given their lives in recent conflicts around the world. They each leave us with a legacy of courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to the cause of peace and freedom.
As we remember those who served in the two great wars, we also turn our hearts to those who have served—and continue to serve—in more recent conflicts. From the challenging landscapes of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq, the forests of Africa, and the towns and cities across Eastern Europe, our servicemen and women have answered the call to protect vulnerable populations, uphold democracy, and restore peace to war-torn regions.
These modern conflicts may feel different from those of the past, but they demand the same level of bravery and resilience from those who serve. Every deployment, every mission, brings new risks and sacrifices for our soldiers, sailors, and air personnel, who serve not only for the safety of our own nation but also for the safety of people around the world.
Let us also remember those who have returned from service bearing visible and invisible scars. They carry with them memories of conflict and loss, but they also carry stories of compassion, brotherhood, and resilience. For their bravery in the face of unimaginable hardship and their continued commitment to protect and serve, they deserve our deepest respect and gratitude.
As we reflect, let us hold in our hearts the families who have borne the weight of these sacrifices. The mothers, fathers, children, and loved ones left behind carry on with resilience and strength, supported by our communities, bound by shared loss and pride in the service of their loved ones. Please do take time to look at our own school plaque that lists the fallen of our community. It is a constant reminder that, in part, you have what you have today because of the efforts of previous generations.
On this day of remembrance, we pledge never to forget. We remember the fallen, who made the ultimate sacrifice; we honour the veterans who continue to serve in different ways; and we commit to supporting those currently on duty as they work to create a safer, more just world.
We are delighted to share that we have successfully secured funding from the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. Our successful application means we can offer twelve students a, heavily subsidised, opportunity to visit our partner school (Anjuman I’Islam Girls High School) in Mumbai.
During a week-long trip students will experience lessons with students from our partner school as well as guided tours to visit significant cultural sites and museums.
As an International School we want to provide opportunities for all of our students to experience the world in different ways. As such, this week our Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting and informative trip to Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
We welcome prospective Year 12 students to our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 7 November from 6.00 to 8.00pm.
Join us and find out what our Sixth Form has to offer and how we support all our students to reach their potential.
This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, discover our rich curriculum and fantastic subjects and gain an insight into the Sixth Form experience we offer.
Our students will be offering tours throughout the evening.
Head Teacher, Head of Sixth Form and Senior Student Leaders talks at 6.15 and 7.00pm.
We look forward to meeting you.
On Thursday 10 October, World Mental Health Day, students, and staff, enjoyed participating in Hello Yellow, supporting YoungMinds.
Students were encouraged to wear a yellow accessory alongside their usual NLS uniform to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.
A fantastic array of cakes were baked or donated by students for sale during break time. Donations from the cake sale, wearing a yellow accessory along with being able to donate via a dedicated ParentPay page we raised over £800 for Young Minds. Additionally, donations could also be made by card direct to Young Minds.
Unfortunately, due to the current weather conditions and concerns for safety, the Race for Life event scheduled for tomorrow (Friday27 September) is cancelled.
We plan to reschedule this event for the Spring/Summer term where hopefully conditions are better.
Therefore Friday will be a normal uniform day and students are to wear their full NLS uniform and not PE kit and blazer.
On Friday 27 September we are supporting the Cancer Research UK Race for Life as a whole school event.
Starting in Tutor Time, students will have the opportunity to run or walk a marked out route of our school field. Students can come into school in their NLS PE kit and NLS blazer on Friday and can wear a pink accessory and remember to bring a water bottle.