Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

Over the last couple of decades, the third Monday in January has become known as Blue Monday and is regarded as the most difficult day of the year. To counteract this, the Samaritans have introduced Brew Monday, an encouragement to use this date to ‘reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people you care about’ and I commend this to you.

Sadly, I can’t invite you all into school for a cuppa – especially in COVID times. I only wish I could, because every day of the year, from the vantage point of my office, I see and hear laughter and squeals of delight from the children on the other side of the windows at break and lunchtimes, I witness the good humoured chatter up and down every corridor and then, in particularly special moments, I have the opportunity to see and hear our pupils perform, from music to sport and everything in between.

There is good humour and good spirits to be found everywhere when you work with young people and I hope that, as you look at what your children are doing over the coming week and you reflect on the joy that they bring to all of our lives, you will be very far from blue on Monday.

Have a lovely weekend.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

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Whole school notices

COVID

COVID-19 vaccinations
Tue 1 Feb

The NHS Leeds School Immunisation Service will be vaccinating pupils aged 12-15 on Tuesday 1 February 2022. Please read this letter for information about the vaccination programme which includes details of how to give or refuse your consent. If you have any questions please contact leedsschoolcovidvaccinations@nhs.net.

Changes to the self-isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19

From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to school on day 6.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.

If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.

Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available.

Can you help the PFA?

We are looking for parents to help strengthen the senior school parent community – could you help?  The aim is to foster friendships and a sense of community in the senior school through social events and clubs.

What we need are ideas and participation in clubs and activities such as:

• Parent sports events: 5-a-side football matches, netball nights, summer cricket events, running or walking/dog walking clubs etc
• Parent choir/singing/music group, book club etc
• Parent social evening out, prom night out for parents, parents’ ball, International Food Festival and any more you can think of!

We know you have many more ideas and experience to contribute and if you would like to add or take part, then please email GSALPFA@gsal.org.uk. We would like to welcome any parents from senior school to create a fun and inclusive community spirit.

Sport update

Please see the attached update from Mr O’Brien, Director of Sport.

Year 7 notices

Parents’ evening

Tue 25 Jan & Wed 2 Feb

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

Year 7 language options

Please see the attached letter for Y7 language options.