Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

We live in interesting times. There has been much in the headlines over recent weeks regarding the independent school sector, which can make us feel that everything we try to achieve and celebrate is under attack. Schools like GSAL have been in existence in the major cities in the UK for centuries, founded on a principle that an academic, educational opportunity should be available to young scholars who can benefit from it, regardless of ability to pay.

Schools like ours are popular with parents who are making huge sacrifices to prioritise their children’s education. We do not take that responsibility lightly. Similarly, the generosity of our ancient benefactors and current donors enables us to be truly inclusive, supporting pupils whose family background alone would have denied them a place at GSAL. This year our new pupils joined us from more than 160 schools across Yorkshire and further afield, coming from more than a dozen different countries.

When you add to that the extent of our partnership projects with other local schools, sharing our facilities and activities whenever we can, it feels like the right time to underline that we take our responsibility for social mobility, for offering the best opportunities we can to the greatest number of young people that we can, very seriously indeed.

And I wonder what our politicians would think if they visited schools like GSAL on an average day. Laughter and energy from engaged and curious pupils. A sense of purpose, of friendship, of reaching out to each other. And of course, underpinning the academic ambition, a structure that provides for and supports the whole child and prioritises their wellbeing. A strong and diverse education sector benefits us all. So let’s work together in the best interests of children everywhere, rather than playing politics with their futures.

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

World cycling championships and travelling to school

Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 September

School will remain open throughout the championships, however the event may have an impact on families travelling to school from the Harrogate area.

Monday to Thursday
We will run the GSAL bus service for Harrogate as normal in the morning, after school and evening (17:45 late bus service). Please bear in mind the service may be subject to some disruption or delay due to road closures and increased traffic levels.

Friday
Roads leading in and out of Harrogate will be partially closed from 15:15 to 20:30. The following arrangements are in place:

• The Harrogate bus will follow the usual route in the morning
• The afternoon bus will leave school at the usual time and will terminate at Pannal, where pupils can take the train to Harrogate or be met by a parent
• There will be no late bus to Harrogate

Alternatively, parents may collect their children from school early on Friday. Please inform your child’s class teacher or form tutor as we cannot allow any child to leave school without prior parental permission.

Head lice

Unfortunately we have had reports of cases of head lice in school and request that parents inspect their child’s hair.

More information on head lice can be found on the internet. The NHS website is a good source of information and your local pharmacist will also provide further guidance.

Open Morning

Saturday 12 October 09:00 to 12:00

We require all Senior School students to be in school to represent GSAL at our annual Open Morning. We expect a high number of visitors therefore the only exception is for those students who will be participating in school sports fixtures, either home or away.

In the coming weeks staff will inform students about the ways they can get involved and what time they are needed in school. Students may be acting as tour guides, running activities in classrooms, or taking part in sports activities, drama rehearsals or music performances. Thank you for your support.

If you know of any family or friends who are interested in a GSAL education for their child please let them know that bookings are now open via the school website.

GSAL park run

Saturday 5 October, 08:45 registration

The GSAL fun run is open to all GSAL families and friends. Please register at the pavilion by 08:45 for a 09:00 start. There will be an option of running a 2km course (one lap) or 4km. All abilities and ages welcome. Children under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is available in the staff car park.

The event will take place on the first Saturday of the month (avoiding holidays) throughout the year. Future dates for this term are Saturdays 9 November and 7 December.

Charity update

The charity collection on Friday 13 September supported the survivors of Hurricane Dorian which devastated The Bahamas recently. Approximately £400 was raised. The collection today was on behalf of C-R-Y (Cardiac risk in the young).

On Friday 27 September the collection is on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Care. Thank you for your continued support.

Year 8 notices

Y8 parents’ presentation evening

Thursday 26 September 17:00

We invite parents to a presentation evening to introduce you to aspects of academic and pastoral life in Y8 and Y9. Please read the attached letter from Mrs C Heatley, head of Y8, for further details and booking information.

Please book an appointment with your child’s form tutor using the online booking system, which will close on Wednesday 25 September at 16:00.

Y8 French language tour

Friday 3 April to Tuesday 7 April 2020, Saint-Omer

The French department is planning a school tour to Saint-Omer, France, to support curriculum plans for French language pupils in Y8. The attached letter from Mr C Belcher, deputy head of French, provides full details. Please give permission and pay the deposit via the sQuid listing, which will be live from 18:00 tonight, no later than 10:00 on Tuesday 1 October.

Year 10 notices

Malawi tour 2021

Friday 9 July to Sunday 1 August 2021 (provisional)

We propose to take a group of girls and boys on a three-week tour of Malawi at the end of the summer term 2021. The aim of this expedition is to generate a greater understanding of the people, culture, geography and problems of a developing country as well as develop further links with our partnership school Kamuzu Academy.

The attached letter from Mr B Brindley, Malawi coordinator, gives full details. Please return initial request forms to Mrs O Weaver no later than 16:00 on Friday 27 September 2019.

Y10 presentation evening

Thank you for attending this week’s Y10 presentation evening for parents. The main and pastoral presentations can all be found in the Y10 area of GSAL World. To help us improve future events we would be very grateful if you could please complete this short survey. The survey will close at 23:30 tonight.

Year 11 notices

Malawi tour 2021

Friday 9 July to Sunday 1 August 2021 (provisional)

We propose to take a group of girls and boys on a three-week tour of Malawi at the end of the summer term 2021. The aim of this expedition is to generate a greater understanding of the people, culture, geography and problems of a developing country as well as develop further links with our partnership school Kamuzu Academy.

The attached letter from Mr B Brindley, Malawi coordinator, gives full details. Please return initial request forms to Mrs O Weaver no later than 16:00 on Friday 27 September 2019.

Year 12 notices

Malawi tour 2021

Friday 9 July to Sunday 1 August 2021 (provisional)

We propose to take a group of girls and boys on a three-week tour of Malawi at the end of the summer term 2021. The aim of this expedition is to generate a greater understanding of the people, culture, geography and problems of a developing country as well as develop further links with our partnership school Kamuzu Academy.

The attached letter from Mr B Brindley, Malawi coordinator, gives full details. Please return initial request forms to Mrs O Weaver no later than 16:00 on Friday 27 September 2019.

Student lanyards

Please would parents reinforce with their son/daughter the importance of wearing their lanyard with school ID card when they are in school. For safeguarding purposes we must be able to identify readily who is a member of the school community on site.

Year 13 notices

Student lanyards

Please would parents reinforce with their son/daughter the importance of wearing their lanyard with school ID card when they are in school. For safeguarding purposes we must be able to identify readily who is a member of the school community on site.