The Flagpole

It always impresses us just how much our pupils achieve in addition to their academic studies. So many regularly take part in co-curricular activities, managing the demands of training, competing, performing or even fundraising in addition to their busy school lives.

Assistant Head, Co-Curricular, Neil McCollin is always keen to hear of pupils’ endeavours so that we can celebrate their commitment and dedication, so do please continue to share their news.

Across the Trinity Term:

Year 11 pupils, Jamie Smith and Adam Ledbrook played for Warwickshire County U17 hockey team against Northampton on Sunday 6 June and won 2-0.

Year 7 pupil, Henry Jeffries came first in his age category in the West Midlands orienteering championships that took place on the last weekend in May.

Year 8 pupil, Topsie Egan completed the Dare Skywalk and Abseil at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to raise money for The Children’s Air Ambulance charity, together with her Dad, Topsie managed to raise £2080!

Year 8, Fin Calder and, Year 7, Marco Rodriguez Hernandez took part in the UK U13 Festival of Hockey Championships. Playing for BAHA (British Asian Hockey Association) the boys finished top of their pool, then in the knock-outs won against West Panthers 2-1 but lost the final to a very strong Tensworth team. Well done to both boys and especially to Fin, who on the basis of his performance, has been selected for the UK Lions U13 squad for the next 12 months.

Lower Sixth, Jonti Spilman who took the Junior Champion title at the English Open Helice Championship 2021.

We congratulate them all.

As we reflect on the past year, we are incredibly proud of all the co-curricular opportunities which we have been able to offer this year. All the teachers have been amazing and I am so very proud of all those who have contributed, the pupils who have engaged and made the most of the experiences which we have been able to host as a school. Since May half term we have been able to participate in 95 fixtures, showcase pupils work in the Art, Photography, Design and Textiles Show, run the Japanese Theme House Activities Day and enjoy 16 different activities and trips on Monday 5 July. 

As we look ahead, I am delighted to announce that residential trips will be returning next term. As always, we will be monitoring Government guidelines but planning is full steam ahead for the following trips: 

• Incoming Year 7's will go to Whitemoor Lakes in September and we are planning to take the current Year 7's later in the academic year as they have missed out on this oppportunity this year.
• Current Year 7 girls' and Year 8 boys' will go to the South Coast at the start of half term for the annual Netball and Rugby tour. 
• At the same time the current Year 8 girls' and Year 9 boys' will go to Cardiff for the Hockey tour.
• Geography and Biology have their Field trips planned for the current Year 10, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth respectively.

More trips will be announced soon and Evolve emails detailing the sports fixtures will be sent to parents shortly. 

The provisional Co-curricular programme for the Michaelmas term can be found here so have a look to see what the next academic year has to offer. 

Have a lovely summer and I look forward to seeing you all in September.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Well done on your commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme this year. 363 pupils have completed a DofE expedition since last July, an outstanding effort by all involved. Please continue to log your hours and sign off your physical, volunteering and skills sections over the summer holiday. Once these have been approved on eDofE you will receive a Certificate of Achievement from DofE Central Office for completing this element. Full Award Certificates will be distributed at the Presentation Evening in the new year.

For help, please refer to this eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide. You may also find it useful to refer to the Temporary Changes Summary or Gold Temporary Changes Summary documents.

Please be reminded of the remaining expedition dates for the 2020-21 cohort:

Gold Qualifying Expedition, Snowdonia Tuesday 31 August 9.00am to Saturday 4 September, 2021, 9.00pm.

Bronze Group B Qualifying Expedition, South Warwickshire and Oxfordshire – Saturday 25 September, 8.30am – Sunday 26 September, 2021, 5.00pm.

I will contact Gold and Bronze DofE participants and parents in due course to confirm the final details for these expeditions.

I hope that being involved in the Award Scheme this year has provided a welcome focus and distraction from covid. Seeing you all outside, working together and helping one another has been a great privilege.  I hope you have enjoyed the challenge; now is the time to complete it by signing off your award.

Will Bower 
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager