Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

I am absolutely delighted to inform you today that GSAL has been named top independent secondary school in the north by The Sunday Times. This will appear in their Parent Power supplement this weekend.

Achieving such an accolade is further testament to the kind of news and celebration we share with each other week by week, yet here it is, recognised by others on a national stage. This is outstanding testimony of all that the pupils and staff do to make GSAL so special.

I have the privilege of working with people of all ages, every day, who show passion, vision and ambition to aim high and commit themselves to be the very best that they can be, rooted in an unerring sense of decency, kindness and courtesy. Sincere thanks are also due to you, the parents, for the part you play in this amazing community. What super news – just when I think I could not be more proud of this school, I find that I am!

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

IT Acceptable Use Policy

Please review the revised and updated version of the Acceptable Use Policy for pupils in Senior School. Form tutors will be going through the policy with students during form time over the next week.

Drama production – Alice

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December at 19:00 in the theatre

Students in Y10 to Y13 will be performing Alice by Laura Wade, which is a modern take on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of rabbit holes, pocket watches and talking caterpillars. Follow Alice as she escapes her Sheffield home to find adventure in a topsy-turvy world with all the key ingredients of the original Wonderland.

Suitable for children aged 10 and above. Tickets available on sQuid, price £5.00.

Winter Concert

Thursday 12 December at 19:00 in the assembly hall

All welcome to hear our senior musicians perform a variety of music including a selection of festive tunes. Ensembles taking part include Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, SoundWaves, Senior Strings, Advanced Strings, GSAL Voices, Senior Chamber Choir, Cambiata, Vocalize, Y8 and Y9 Chamber Choir, Senior Jazz Ensemble, Y11 Jazz Ensemble and Big Band.

Admission free, no need to book.

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 15 December at 18:30 in the assembly hall

GSAL families and friends are invited to attend our traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The school choir will sing at the service, augmented by parents, staff and alumni. If you would like to join the choir for this event, you would be most welcome. Please email Mrs P Sidwell pjs@gsal.org.uk to express your interest and make yourself available for rehearsals at school on Saturday 14 December from 10:00 till 16:00 and Sunday 15 December from 13:00 to 17:00 (the choir learn the music from scratch over the weekend).

Offers for help with the festive choir tea after the Sunday rehearsal are urgently required also if this lovely tradition is to continue. Please email Mrs S Mackenzie sem@gsal.org.uk if you are able to help.

Charity update

The charity collection on Friday 15 November supported Children in Need raising £560. Today’s collection was on behalf of Teenage Cancer Trust. On 29 November the collection will be on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind, and we thank you for your continued support.

Year 8 notices

Immunisations for Y8 pupils

Monday 25 November

The school immunisation team at Leeds Community Healthcare will be back in school for girls and boys in Y8 who have not yet had the first round of HPV vaccination. Time slots will be allocated per pupil via form tutors. Please ensure students wear short sleeve shirts for easy access to the upper arm.

The second vaccination for the HPV course will be administered in May 2020.

Parental consent or refusal should already have been received from all Y8 parents via the online consent form to Leeds NHS immunisation team. If you have any questions at all please contact Hazel Ramsay in student support services hazel.ramsay@gsal.org.uk

Year 11 notices

Y11 work experience

Summer 2020

We have talked to students in assembly this week about securing work experience for next summer, after the GCSE exams. Please read the World of Work letter from Mr J Veitch, head of Y11, in the Y11 Work Experience folder on GSAL World for further information.