The Flagpole

To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, (27 January) our recommended title is:

When the World was Ours by Liz Kessler, ISBN 9781471196812

A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses. Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 11-14.

An extraordinary and important book, based on the true story of how Liz Kessler’s father escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe thanks to a British couple his family had met once. But what elevates this book about three friends, and their different fates in World War Two, is the story of Max, the nice, ordinary boy who gradually becomes seduced into hatred and prejudice.

Vienna, 1936. Elsa, Leo and Max have always been best friends, a special team of three. Then the Nazis come. As a growing darkness descends around them, Leo and Elsa run for their lives, taking two very different paths across Europe. And Max, once their closest friend, now becomes the enemy as he is drawn into the Hitler Youth. Will the friends ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to?

When the World Was Ours shows how the bonds of love, family and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. Three friends. Two sides. One memory.

This book is a life affirming read for all ages.

The Summer 2022 exam timetable can be viewed here. Individual timetables will be available on My School Portal by the start of the February half term.

Shellagh Dodds
Examination and Assessment Manager

All Sixth Form students are timetabled to undertake an Edexcel Level 3 Extended Project Qualification, twice per week in the Lower Sixth and once per week in the Upper Sixth, unless they opt to take CORE maths or four A-Levels.

Please find attached here an overview on the Extended Project Qualifcation for parents.

Helen Pascoe-Williams
Da Vinci, Learning Skills, EPQ Co-ordinator and English Teacher

Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 February 2022 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Year 9 Parents’ Evening will take place on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 February from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. It will be hosted virtually through of a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online. Details have been emailed earlier this week on how to book your appointments.

It is hoped that all parents will be successful in gaining an appointment, however if this is not possible teachers may contact you via email to update you about your child’s progress.

You can find a list of your child's teachers under Teacher Contacts on MySchoolPortal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Full reports for Year 8 will be published on Friday 11 February 2022.  They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Full reports for Year 10 will be published on Friday 11 February 2022.  They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

A reminder that mock orals are taking place week beginning 14 February. Pupils will miss up to a maximum of 20 mins of a lesson and their language teacher will have informed them of the date, time, and place of their exam. Pupils should ensure they let their teachers know they will be absent and catch up on any work they miss.

It is very important that all candidates sit this mock exam as not only will it be vital practise for the real orals in May, but it might also end up being part of TAG evidence should that be required.

Stella Keenan
Head of MFL