Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

It finally seems like the weather might look up to allow the junior and senior sports days to take place next week, after cancellations at Rose Court. During next week, parents will also see the graduation marquee coming to life on the edge of the cricket pitch as we gear up to a very special ceremony and ball for our departing Year 13s, followed by the PFA summer fête and Big Bash cricket the following day – do come and join us for the last Sunday of the school year to share in the family fun.

But of course, every head is bound to say to any assembled throng that the hard work continues and no one should start preparing for their holidays just yet! This week, we’ve seen a super promenade performance of The Comedy of Errors by our talented younger thespians, our annual Courtyard Shakespeare; Year 10 drama students have produced some stunning examination pieces; we have also enjoyed Year 6’s production The Rocky Monster Show and still have the Year 2 shows to look forward to, with rehearsals in full swing.

But if we tell our students of the importance of learning right up to the end of the academic year, we need to walk the talk. Tomorrow, we will host our annual Teaching and Learning Conference which attracts almost 400 delegates from across the country, teachers and TAs who still have the energy to be inspired by headline speakers in their field and to share good practice in practical workshops to consider how we can keep improving in the classroom. It’s impressive stuff, so if the campus is even busier than a usual Saturday tomorrow, you’ll know why!

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

School transport 2019-20

The 2019-20 bus routes and booking form are now available on the travel pages of our website. Please complete and submit your booking form by Friday 5 July to enable us to plan resources appropriately. Please note all bus users must complete a new form each year.

GSAL park run

Saturday 29 June, 08:45 registration

The last GSAL fun run of the year 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.

Sports Day

Friday 28 June at 13:30

Parents of all year groups are welcome to attend the afternoon of Sports Day. This will be a wonderful chance to watch your son or daughter representing their house in athletics. Please come prepared for all weather scenarios. Students are allowed to wear their PE kit with house top to school on Friday morning. If Sports Day is rained off, pupils must wear normal uniform on Friday.

Monkhouse – uniform sales

Monkhouse will be selling GSAL uniform and sports kit on the following dates from 11:00-17:00 in the Year 7 common room. Stock will be available for students to try for size. Please enter school via main reception.
Thursday 11 July
Friday 12 July
Friday 2 August
Friday 30 August
Saturday 31 August

2Kit uniform sales

The PFA will be running their nearly new uniform shop 2Kit on the same dates as the Monkhouse pop up shops, from 10:00 till 12:00 in the theatre foyer.

Charity update

Last Friday the charity collection raised £155 for PICU at LGI (paediatric care). Today’s collection was be on behalf of The Market Place, Leeds. The collection on Friday 28 June will be on behalf of Vision Romania. Thank you to everyone for your continued support for the weekly charity collections.

Year 7 notices

Year 7 prize-giving

Thursday 4 July 09:00 to 10:00, assembly hall

Parents are warmly invited to the presentation of prizes, to include a summary of the year, a presentation of awards and musical and dramatic interludes by pupils in the year group. Refreshments will be available before and after the event in the theatre foyer.

Year 8 notices

Year 8 prize-giving

Wednesday 3 July 09:00 to 10:00, assembly hall

Parents are warmly invited to the presentation of prizes, to include a summary of the year, a presentation of awards and musical and dramatic interludes by pupils in the year group. Refreshments will be available before and after the event in the theatre foyer.

Year 9 notices

Year 9 prize-giving

Thursday 4 July 11:30 to 12:30, assembly hall

Parents are warmly invited to the presentation of prizes, to include a summary of the year, a presentation of awards and musical and dramatic interludes by pupils in the year group. Refreshments will be available before and after the event in the theatre foyer.

Spanish Exchange 2019-2020

The Spanish department is organising a Spanish exchange visit with Mendebaldea School in Vitoria in the Basque Country. The exchange visit is being offered to next year’s Year 10 and Year 12 Hispanists. Visit GSAL World for further details and the application form. Places are limited and therefore if your son/daughter would like to take part in this opportunity please return the completed application form electronically by Friday 28 June.

Hockey and netball tour to South Africa in 2020

Presentation to parents Tuesday 2 July at 18:00, conference suite

We have pleasure in announcing a proposed hockey and netball tour to South Africa in October half term 2020. This trip is open to all girls currently in years 9, 10 and 11. If your daughter is interested in taking part in this opportunity please make every effort to attend the parents’ presentation.

Further information can be found in the the attached letter from Mrs Bromby and Mrs Johnson, with their contact details should you have any queries.

Year 10 notices

Y10 subject consultation evening

Thursday 27 June 17:00-20:30

Please see the attached letter from Mr J Veitch, head of Year 10, for further details. Online booking for appointments with subject teachers will close on Tuesday 25 June at 16:00.

Lockers and padlocks

Please remind your son/daughter that they need to clear their locker and take their padlock and sports bags home. Anything left in lockers will be destroyed, clothes will go to charity.

Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s award

Year 10 pupils who have completed the bronze DofE award may progress to the silver award. Please read the enrolment letter with your child to find out more.

Hockey and netball tour to South Africa in 2020

Presentation to parents Tuesday 2 July at 18:00, conference suite

We have pleasure in announcing a proposed hockey and netball tour to South Africa in October half term 2020. This trip is open to all girls currently in years 9, 10 and 11. If your daughter is interested in taking part in this opportunity please make every effort to attend the parents’ presentation.

Further information can be found in the attached letter from Mrs Bromby and Mrs Johnson, with their contact details should you have any queries.

Year 11 notices

GCSE results and arrangements for the new term

The attached letter from Mr P Rushworth, director of sixth form, contains important information for you and your child concerning GCSE results and arrangements for joining Sixth Form in September.

Please read carefully the section concerning consent for publicity around exam results, and note that students who wish to opt out of publicity should notify school no later than 17:00 on Tuesday 20 August.

Spanish Exchange 2019-2020

The Spanish department is organising a Spanish exchange visit with Mendebaldea School in Vitoria in the Basque Country. The exchange visit is being offered to next year’s Year 10 and Year 12 Hispanists. Visit GSAL World for further details and the application form. Places are limited and therefore if your son/daughter would like to take part in this opportunity please return the completed application form electronically by Friday 28 June.

Hockey and netball tour to South Africa in 2020

Presentation to parents Tuesday 2 July at 18:00, conference suite

We have pleasure in announcing a proposed hockey and netball tour to South Africa in October half term 2020. This trip is open to all girls currently in years 9, 10 and 11. If your daughter is interested in taking part in this opportunity please make every effort to attend the parents’ presentation.

Further information can be found in the attached letter from Mrs Bromby and Mrs Johnson, with their contact details should you have any queries.

Year 12 notices

Arrangements for the new term

Please read the attached letter from Mr P Rushworth, director of sixth form, with important information about the return to school in September.

Reduced price revision books (physics and biology)

CGP have published an exam practice workbook specifically for the A-level AQA physics and biology courses that we follow. They are currently available at half price when ordered through school before 16:00 on Thursday 27 June. For further information please read the attached letter.

Lockers and padlocks

Please remind your son/daughter that by Friday 5 July their locker should be completely empty. Padlocks and sports bags should be taken home. Lockers need to be left open to allow for holiday cleaning and maintenance. Anything left in lockers after Friday 5 July will be disposed of or donated to charity.

Year 13 notices

Year 13 post exam information

Please read the attached letter from Mr P Rushworth, director of sixth form, with important information for you and your child concerning A-level results and related matters.

Please read carefully the section concerning consent for publicity around exam results, and note that students who wish to opt out of publicity should notify school no later than 17:00 on Tuesday 13 August.

Year 13 prize-giving ceremony and graduation ball

Saturday 29 June 2019, from 17:15

Please see attached letter from Mr P Rushworth, director of sixth form, for a reminder of the schedule for the evening and some important additional information. Dress code for the prize-giving is smart, students may attend prize-giving in black tie ready for the graduation ball.

Year 13 whole year photograph

Parents wishing to order a copy of the recent Year 13 photograph can do so online via the Tempest website. You will need to enter the password to access the photograph on the small white box half way down the page. The password required is 570345.