Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

It was wonderful this week to experience the enthusiasm on the astro pitches with the return to Year 7 house football. A great atmosphere, cheering staff, happy children – and everyone who remembered that this used to be the norm!

Although what a week for sport all round, with fixtures in full swing, successful England and regional selections in netball, cricket, golf and hockey – very proud Principal moments!

But amidst the wonderful competition and high performance, we also want to use this moment to get all of our children out, enjoying physical exercise, setting up good habits for life and pulling together – and nowhere was this better in evidence than in a Year 8 hockey cup match last week. With GSAL storming ahead by half time, the result was assured, so the coaches agreed to mix up the two teams and play the second half as a friendly. The way that the players worked together with their new teammates was a delight; lots of laughter, mutual respect and support, it reminded everyone on the touchline about what really matters and that there is more that unites than divides us. The very best of learning in school, the very best of school sport.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

Accessing links in the bulletin
Please be aware that in order to access GSAL World you will need to login with your GSAL email address and password, if you have forgotten these details please email your year group administrator.

Whole school notices

Music news

It is with great sadness that we pass on the news to you that on Tuesday morning this week, Mr Robert Tebb, who has been a long standing, faithful supporter of the music department passed away. We have a number of Tebb Scholars who received financial support for their musical studies. Others have won competitions, such as The Robert Tebb Piano Competition, or the Individual Music Competition classes, where the prizes were provided by him and of course many, many students will have rehearsed and performed in the Tebb Room; a room so named due to his generosity to the school at the time when LGS moved from Headingley to Alwoodley. Bob Tebb was a great supporter of the music department and as such, enjoyed many happy hours here listening to GSAL students perform and enjoy music. We are very saddened by his loss, but look forward to an opportunity later on to recognise his most generous contributions to the department.

Black History Month

1 Oct – 15 Oct

We have a full and varied programme to celebrate Black History Month starting next week until half term. For full details of everything that is happening please click here.

COVID-19 vaccinations

Tuesday 28 September

The NHS Leeds School Immunisation Service will be vaccinating pupils aged 12-15 next Tuesday. 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

Mary’s Meals

We are inviting all GSAL students to support the Mary’s Meals backpack project, helping students in parts of the world where access to the most basic educational resources is not guaranteed. We would be so grateful for your help and participation in the next few weeks. Please click here for all of the specific practical details.

Music rehearsals and performances

We are pleased to see that singers and instrumentalists are beginning to return to ensemble rehearsals after the disruption of the last 18 months. You can find our weekly co-curricular music timetable here, an explanation of which opportunities are available to your child here, and music performance dates for the school year here.

Sport update

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

School tie request

2kit run by the PFA have received many requests for senior school ties, particularly for Y7 pupils and new starters. They would be grateful for the donation of GSAL school ties which can be left in the 2Kit donation bank in the visitor car park.

Year 7 notices

Important information regarding Y7 outdoor learning

Please see attached letter from Mr M Scott, Head of Outdoor Learning.

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 8 notices

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 9 notices

DTP and meningitis ACWY

In Y9 your child is routinely offered two vaccinations. These are the meningitis ACWY vaccine which helps to protect against meningitis and septicaemia, and the DTP (teenage booster) which helps to protect against diptheria, tetanus and polio. If your child is in Y9 and you would like them to have the above vaccine in school please click here to complete an online consent from as soon as possible. Should you have any queries, please DO NOT contact school as we will be unable to help, please contact the Leeds School Immunisation Team on 0113 843 3101.

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 10 notices

Parents’ presentation evening

Tue 28 September  

Please see the attached letter from Mrs M Collins, Head of Y10.  

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 11 notices

Head of Year message  

Please see the attached letter from Mr J Veitch, Head of Y11.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Thu 14 October 5.00pm-8.00pm

An opportunity for current Y11 GSAL families to meet our sixth form team and gain information about the sixth form, the A-levels available to study and subject entry requirements for September 2022. Full information and registration details here.

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 12 notices

Key dates for sixth form

Please find here key dates for sixth form, which will be updated throughout the year.

Parents’ presentation

Links are available here to the main presentation and two pastoral presentations from the Y12 evening held on 16 September.

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!

Year 13 notices

Key dates for sixth form

Please find here key dates for sixth form, which will be updated throughout the year.

UCAS Evening

Thursday 30 September

An invitation from Mrs C Jagger, Head of Student Development and Higher Education, inviting Y13 parents to an informative evening around UCAS with form tutors can be found on GSAL World here.

Co-curricular notice

We are delighted that the co-curricular programme – including clubs, drama, music, outdoor learning, sports, trips and visits – has returned with the very real benefit and excitement that all this brings. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the potential impact that a resurgence of COVID-related cases could bring. Please bear in mind that it is possible that the programme could be curtailed as a result of circumstances beyond our control. Of course, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible if activities need to be re-arranged or even cancelled. In the case of trips and visits we will make clear our expectations and procedures if a child develops whilst they are away from school, but, in the meantime, let’s look forward to a full programme!