Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

What a week! We were still on cloud nine after last week’s Sunday Times award when England Rugby Head Coach, Eddie Jones, arrived yesterday. He was incredibly generous with his time; as well as the talk on his new autobiography which we hosted for Ilkley Literature Festival, he joined in a junior training session and officially opened our 3G pitch. What a great opportunity for a group of U10 and U11 rugby enthusiasts, from GSAL and local clubs, to meet him and get some coaching tips. They clearly loved every minute and so, I’m glad to say, did Eddie.

In the Q&A with the children, followed by the literary Q&A with adults later in the evening, there was so much to learn from Eddie. He covered the importance of hard work, of growing as a team and creating a positive culture; he spoke about following your passion and doing what you love. But for me, a striking theme he returned to again and again was the concept of character.

Above all, Eddie wants his players to have the right attitude, facing all situations with positivity and looking for the learning in everything. We were all encouraged to be humble enough to know there’s always more growing to do and more to understand and develop.

Eddie didn’t stop smiling throughout his visit and he certainly made us smile: it was one of those special moments in life that, I suspect, many of us will not forget.

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

GSAL fun run

Saturday 7 December, 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.

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.

House quiz

Monday 16 December at 17:00 in the assembly hall

Parents are welcome to attend the annual house quiz, when around 160 pupils from all year groups will represent their houses in this relaxed and fun competition. The coveted house quiz trophy was made for GSAL by Peter Jolly from an old school desk at the Moorland Road site of Leeds Grammar School.

No tickets are required and we expect to finish at around 19:30.

Charity update

The charity collection on Friday 22 November raised £345 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Today’s collection was in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

On Friday 6 December the collection will be on behalf of Danby Rovers FC. Thank you for your continued support.

Year 9 notices

Parental consent for Y9 DTP immunisations

Online consent is now available for all Y9 pupils for their upcoming diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) immunisations.

The Leeds Community Healthcare school immunisation team will administer the DTP vaccine to male and female students in Y9, on Thursday 27 February 2020 in school. An information letter and consent form can be found here.

Please read the information letter and follow the instructions to complete the online consent form by Friday 13 December. You will need the code for GSAL – EE108113. Even if you do not wish your child to receive the vaccination(s) it is important to complete the refusal section of the consent form so we are aware of your wishes.

Any questions can be directed to Hazel Ramsay in student support services by emailing hazel.ramsay@gsal.org.uk.

Year 11 notices

Subject teacher consultation evening

Wednesday 11 December, 17:00-20:30

We invite parents to meet with their child’s subject teachers and discuss progress, following the recent mock GCSE examinations.

Please visit the Y11 page on GSAL World for a letter from Mr J Veitch, head of Y11, giving further details. The online booking system for appointments with teachers opens today at 19:00 and closes on Monday 9 December at 16:00.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarship launch meeting

Thursday 5 December at 13:00, ADT department 

An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship offers financial support, mentoring and industry links to students who are intending to follow a career in engineering. The application process is now starting and students can only apply via Mr J Bagshaw, head of design technology. Please discuss this opportunity with your son/daughter, and encourage him/her to attend the meeting or speak to Mr Bagshaw.

Please be aware that the scholarships are highly competitive, therefore applicants must meet the following criteria:

• High predicted relevant subject grades at GCSE.
• A strong interest and involvement in design and engineering both in and out of school.
• Continued study of design/engineering based subjects at A-level including A-level maths.
• Intention to continue studying an engineering based subject at degree level.