Thursday 11 February 2016

Headteacher’s Blog - February 2016

This half-term has flown by with a tremendous number of achievements to celebrate which tells the story of what has been a short, but highly rewarding and exciting half term. I hope you enjoyed reading about our successes, on the website and through our Twitter feed, as much as we did creating it!

The next half-term, before we break for Easter on the 24th March is even shorter, but it will be just as hectic and jam packed with good news stories! Once again, our Year 11 leavers have purchased a specially designed leavers’ hoodie. The hoodie is allowed to be worn in place of their blazer. An additional feature of the 2016 hoodie is that each student has their initials embroidered on the front.

Hot on the heels of our students’ recent success at the North Yorkshire Schools’ Student Conference, I am delighted to announce that the school is one of only 41 nationally that has been awarded a Discovering Democracy Award. The school will be presented with the award, by John Penrose MP, at a special ceremony in London immediately after half-term.

Congratulations to all the participants in this year’s Talent Show. Once again the standard was incredibly high, which made it an extremely hard decision for the judges. The Lower School winner was Kate Hinken with Talia Firth as the Upper School, and overall winner.

The targets we have set our Year 9 & 11 students in respect of this summer’s GCSE results, whilst challenging, are achievable given the level of support that is available here at school and at home from yourselves. Please encourage your child (ren) to undertake some revision/on-line learning and any required catch-up work during the half-term break. It is essential that students realise the level of commitment that is now required from them at this stage of their school career. Those students in their last year at Selby High School, that is Year 11 students, should be undertaking a minimum of twelve hours’ home study per week and beginning to make the social sacrifices which are necessary for success and which in turn will provide choices and chances!

This commitment should also be extended to ensure that they turn up for scheduled booster and intervention sessions that are taking place both after school and during the supported study programme from now until the end of June, some of which takes place at weekends and in the school holidays.

Remember, there is no substitute for hard work and, without doubt, it is the key to success!

As we proceed through the amalgamation consultation, it is obviously necessary to plan for either of the two possible outcomes. Mrs Carter-Mills has, therefore, assumed the role of Acting Headteacher, for the foreseeable future, in order to allow me to undertake work for the joint Governors’ Steering Group. I know that you will give her the same level of support that you have afforded me. In addition, Mr D Block will be assuming some additional responsibilities as Acting Associate Assistant Headteacher, supporting the work of the behaviour and safeguarding team.

Given that we have experienced some sub-zero temperatures of late, may I remind you that either in the event of adverse weather conditions or indeed any other emergency a decision as to whether or not to open the school will be made, at the latest, by 6.40am. If closure is necessary, an announcement will then be made on BBC Radio York & Minster FM. The school’s website will be updated about any school closure, together with utilising Twitter and SMS messaging services.

Important Future Dates
Monday 22nd February                        School re-opens
Tuesday 23rd – Thursday 25th   
February                                               Years 9 & 10 school meningitis injections
Friday 26th February                            More Able visit to Cambridge University
Monday 29th February                       Young Voices at Manchester Arena
Wednesday 2nd March                        Years 9 & 10 meningitis injections
Tuesday 8th March                              Year 8 Enterprise Day
Thursday 10th March                           Year 9 Parents/Carers/Guardians Consultation Evening
Monday 14th March                            Year 7 Camp Information Evening
Wednesday 16th March                       ‘The 39 Steps’ Theatre visit
Tuesday 22nd March                            Year 10 Parents/Carers/Guardians Consultation Evening
Thursday 24th March                           Year 11 mock results assembly
Thursday 24th March                           School closes for holidays