Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

What a lovely week to end this half term! Further participation and success in sport and music, with some impressive score lines and much learning, coupled with the wonderful array of concerts provided at lunchtimes in the theatre foyer. Then, the joy of reading and the wonder to be found in books has been celebrated in GSAL Primary.

All in all, a wonderful way to mark Children’s Mental Health Week with examples of the kind of activities that provide us with enjoyment and comfort throughout our lives. The school even set a Stone Age Challenge for older pupils (and staff!) to eschew social media for a period of time to prove to ourselves that we do not need to be driven by it.

Now the half term break beckons but work goes on at school, with the estates team as busy as ever and the external lets department getting ready to host BBC Question Time next Thursday. The work never stops at GSAL but it does take on a different rhythm and I wish you all a happy half term.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

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Whole school notices

GSAL to host BBC Question Time

The Grammar School at Leeds is to host the BBC’s flagship political debate programme, Question Time, for the first time in its history. The programme, being broadcast on Thursday 17 February at 10.35pm on BBC1, will be presented by Fiona Bruce in the assembly hall. The panel will be announced the day before on the show’s Twitter account, @bbcquestiontime. If you would like to apply to be part of the audience you need to apply via the BBC website.

Message from the PFA

The parent community at GSAL is really important and has huge potential to be a great place for us all. Following focus groups, feedback sessions and some work behind the scenes, the PFA (Parents and Friends Association) is growing and there are exciting plans under way.

We are inviting you all to join in – however and whenever you are able. To start with, there is interest in activities around music and the arts, and sports, as well as a dedicated team for primary parents, and one for senior school parents. Want to find out more? Send us an email (GSALPFA@gsal.org.uk) and we’ll give you the zoom links to the first meet up in the first week after half term. Have a great break in the meantime!

House Choirs evening

22 March 6.15pm, Assembly Hall

The culmination of the House music competition featuring all eight houses. Ticketing details to follow.

Spring Concert

31 March 6.30pm

Spring concert showcasing all our choirs, as well as chamber orchestra, senior soundwaves, clarinet and flute choirs, saxophone and brass groups, jazz groups, and guitar and folk ensembles. Ticketing details to follow.

Beanie hats 

Please help support raising awareness of testicular cancer by buying and wearing a GSAL Oddballs beanie. 

Sport update

Please find Mr O’Brien’s weekly sports update here.

Year 7 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Mr Gibbin, Head of Y7.

Year 8 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Mr Rushworth, Head of Y8.

Year 9 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Mrs Purcell, Head of Y9.

Leeds Playhouse – Macbeth

26 February – 19 March

Y9 students are currently studying Macbeth and it would be of real benefit to them to see the play in performance should you be looking for a family theatre trip opportunity.

There are further resources available via the English GSAL World homepage, including our new subscription to Drama Online where the National Theatre’s productions of both ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (a second GCSE text) also currently being studied can be viewed in full. For further information please contact Mrs Kerry Kurczij (Head of English) klk@gsal.org.uk

Year 10 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached letter from Mrs M Collins, Head of Y10.

Leeds Playhouse – Macbeth

26 February – 19 March

Many students in Y10 are studying Macbeth and it would be of real benefit to them to see the play in performance should you be looking for a family theatre trip opportunity.

There are further resources available via the English GSAL World homepage, including our new subscription to Drama Online where the National Theatre’s productions of both ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (a second GCSE text) also currently being studied can be viewed in full. For further information please contact Mrs Kerry Kurczij (Head of English) klk@gsal.org.uk

Year 11 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached letter from Mr J Veitch, Head of Y11.

Leeds Playhouse – Macbeth

26 February – 19 March

Many students in Y11 are studying Macbeth and it would be of real benefit to them to see the play in performance should you be looking for a family theatre trip opportunity.

There are further resources available via the English GSAL World homepage, including our new subscription to Drama Online where the National Theatre’s productions of both ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (a second GCSE text) also currently being studied can be viewed in full. For further information please contact Mrs Kerry Kurczij (Head of English) klk@gsal.org.uk

Year 12 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Miss Stead, Head of Y12.

Y12 Outdoor Leadership course  

Parents and pupils are requested to read the attached letter relating to the Y12 Outdoor Leadership course, which starts again on 28 Feb and also the document regarding COVID precautions which will be in place for the duration of the residential. 

Year 13 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Mrs Pratt, Head of Y13.