Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

The move from the Arts Festival to Science Week has been seamless, with Rose Court leading the way as they combined World Book Day’s activities with the theme of journeys and space exploration via some wonderful painting and story-telling using QR codes! In Junior School, among other activities, the students have learnt about mechanics with a visit to our buses to be given a lesson on the engines, to understand the technology behind the power. Meanwhile, some of our senior students marked the crossover of the two weeks by creating the periodic table in cupcakes, sold off for charity to some very appreciative staff! We’ve been bringing science to the fore with pupils and staff alike, hosting a conference for science teachers across the region too. That we have ended the week with the usual excitement of red nose day feels like the icing on this week’s cupcake.

Tomorrow, we are one of only two schools in the country to have netballers represented in all three age categories of the national finals; we wish the girls every success and a great day’s competition.

However, on a contrasting note, waking up to this morning’s terrible news from New Zealand with yet another example of intolerance for different faith positions so violently expressed, it makes me feel all the more privileged to be part of the GSAL community, where all faiths are respected, not just ‘tolerated’, and where we can stand alongside each another as one community, in the saddest days and weeks, as well as the happiest ones.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

Please note that to access the downloads in this bulletin you will need to be logged into the school intranet GSAL World. Should you have any difficulty logging in please visit the GSAL World home page and follow the instructions under Password Reset Request.

Whole school notices

Charity update

Last Friday the charity collection raised over £400 for Mind. Today’s collection is in aid of Comic Relief.

Next Friday we will be collecting on behalf of Friends of Alfie Martin. Thank you to everyone for your continued support for the weekly charity collections.

Wimbledon dinner and tour

Thursday 9 May from 18:00

The Principal, Sue Woodroofe, would like to invite parents, alumni and friends of GSAL to this exclusive event at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon. The evening will comprise of a behind the scenes tour and a three course dinner in the Rolex Suite and will be co-hosted by former tennis player Michael Hann (OL56) and former Chief Executive of the All England Tennis Club and the RFU, Ian Ritchie (OL72). Visit our website for more information and the booking form.

Year 7 notices

Internet safety evening

Tuesday 26 March at 19:00 in the assembly hall

Parents of pupils in Y7, Y8 and Y9 are invited to attend an internet safety information evening. Full details can be found in the attached letter from Mrs H Stansfield, senior deputy head, pastoral.

Year 8 notices

Internet safety evening

Tuesday 26 March at 19:00 in the assembly hall

Parents of pupils in Y7, Y8 and Y9 are invited to attend an internet safety information evening. Full details can be found in the attached letter from Mrs H Stansfield, senior deputy head, pastoral.

Author visit – Steven Camden

Tuesday 26 March

Writer and performer Steven Camden will be visiting GSAL to talk to Y8 and Y9. He is the author of a number of fiction books, including Nobody Real and Tape, and a poetry collection, Everything All At Once, set over a single week in a secondary school. Steven will have copies of Everything All At Once for sale and for signing on the day – books are £6 and students are reminded to bring in money if they would like to buy one. Alternatively, you may pre-order the book on Squid now for your child to collect on the day.

Year 9 notices

Internet safety evening

Tuesday 26 March at 19:00 in the assembly hall

Parents of pupils in Y7, Y8 and Y9 are invited to attend an internet safety information evening. Full details can be found in the attached letter from Mrs H Stansfield, senior deputy head, pastoral.

Author visit – Steven Camden

Tuesday 26 March

Writer and performer Steven Camden will be visiting GSAL to talk to Y8 and Y9. He is the author of a number of fiction books, including Nobody Real and Tape, and a poetry collection, Everything All At Once, set over a single week in a secondary school. Steven will have copies of Everything All At Once for sale and for signing on the day – books are £6 and students are reminded to bring in money if they would like to buy one. Alternatively, you may pre-order the book on Squid now for your child to collect on the day.

Year 10 notices

Y10 exams and study leave

Monday 20 May to Friday 7 June

Please read the attached letter from Mr J Veitch, head of Y10, concerning the arrangements for this summer’s examinations. Students must return the study leave options form, countersigned by one of their parents, to their form tutor by Friday 22 March.

Maths revision books offer

The attached letter from Mrs J Studholme, deputy head of maths, gives details of revision books for IGCSE mathematics available at a discount through the maths department. The offer is live on sQuid until Friday 29 March.

Study abroad fair

Tuesday 26 March, 12:30 to 14:00 in the conference suite

Parents and students are invited to The Student World’s study abroad fair to find out more about higher education opportunities outside the UK.

Representatives from top international universities will be in attendance, giving students the chance to hear at first hand about courses and the application process. Full details can be found in the attached letter from The Student World team.

Year 11 notices

Y11 GCSE examinations

Please read the attached letter from Mrs M Collins, head of Y11, concerning the arrangements for the GCSE examinations and study leave in May and June. It is vital that we know every student’s whereabouts during study leave, so please discuss your plans together so that your child can complete the study leave option form accurately (pupils will do this online as directed by their form tutor).

Maths revision books offer

The attached letter from Mrs J Studholme, deputy head of maths, gives details of revision books for IGCSE mathematics available at a discount through the maths department. The offer is live on sQuid until Friday 29 March.

Study abroad fair

Tuesday 26 March, 12:30 to 14:00 in the conference suite

Parents and students are invited to The Student World’s study abroad fair to find out more about higher education opportunities outside the UK.

Representatives from top international universities will be in attendance, giving students the chance to hear at first hand about courses and the application process. Full details can be found in the attached letter from The Student World team.

Year 12 notices

Study abroad fair

Tuesday 26 March, 12:30 to 14:00 in the conference suite

Parents and students are invited to The Student World’s study abroad fair to find out more about higher education opportunities outside the UK.

Representatives from top international universities will be in attendance, giving students the chance to hear at first hand about courses and the application process. Full details can be found in the attached letter from The Student World team.

Year 13 notices

Student finance

Applications for student finance are now open, with a deadline of Saturday 25 May to guarantee payment by the start of the university term. Students and parents may need to submit various original documents, or in a few cases seek legal advice about fee status, so we advise applying as early as possible. The attached presentation gives more detail and has been shared with students.

The Student Room is a good source of guidance on the process. You must apply online via the GOV.UK website. For any further information please email Mrs A Walker on baw@gsal.org.uk

Y13 subject consultation evening

Thursday 4 April, 17:30 to 20:00

Please note the above date, which will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their subject teachers. Online booking for appointments with teachers opens on Friday 22 March, and full details will be issued in next week’s bulletin.

Study abroad fair

Tuesday 26 March, 12:30 to 14:00 in the conference suite

Parents and students are invited to The Student World’s study abroad fair to find out more about higher education opportunities outside the UK.

Representatives from top international universities will be in attendance, giving students the chance to hear at first hand about courses and the application process. Full details can be found in the attached letter from The Student World team.