Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

In a week that has marked National Teachers’ Day on Tuesday, I want to pay tribute to the amazing group of colleagues at GSAL with whom it is my privilege to work – and extend that gratitude to those supporting our work in every department. The challenges of running a school in this pandemic are not diminishing and yet the capacity and willingness of staff to keep digging deep, covering for absent colleagues, giving their very best to the children in every way that they can, has been remarkable. I want to thank everyone who works at GSAL from the bottom of my heart for all that they do for our pupils and one another every day.

Sadly, these next few days resonate in school with a deep sense of pain as we remember the loss of Naina, one year ago. On Monday, her year 13 friends have organised for everyone in senior school to wear something purple to remember her and raise money for her family’s favourite charity. Purple was also the favourite colour of Hoshi, who would now be in year 12 but whom we lost when she was in year 8, and now the purple benches that both sets of friends painted in the same colour, a few years apart, sit side by side in the remembrance garden at school; beautiful testaments to enduring friendships.

So in a week that also marked national poetry day, perhaps it is fitting to close this week with the words of Separation by W.S. Merwin:

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its colour.

May our lives always be stitched with the colour of those we love and those we have lost.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

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Whole school notices

Open Morning – now online

Open Morning has been moved online. Students and staff are not required to be in school on Saturday 9 October 2021. If you know of any family or friends who are interested in applying to GSAL in September 2022 they are welcome to attend a live virtual event at 9.30am tomorrow, which they can join here and we would encourage them to visit us in person and book on one of our Open Doors events here.

Non-uniform day fundraiser

Monday 11 October

Y13 students are organising a non-uniform day in memory of the passing of their friend Naina Krishna. All students and staff are encouraged to wear ‘purple themed’ home clothes on Monday 11 October. There will be a £1 minimum donation to support the Educate the Kids charity which was very close to Naina and her family’s heart.

Sport update

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

Operational challenges

The school is facing a number of operational challenges due to temporary support staff shortages and the difficulty in securing the supply of a range of goods. As many of our services are delivered in-house, and because of our strong relationships with suppliers, we have been able to minimise any disruption to the smooth running of the school. We will continue to closely monitor and manage the situation, and where we do have to make changes, our aim will be to impact as few pupils and families as possible.

Uniform update

Monkhouse are still experiencing delays in getting stock. As soon as items arrive at their warehouse they are being dispatched to parents. If you have questions about your order please contact web@monkhouse.com. Please be reassured that it’s acceptable for your child to continue to wear suitable alternative clothing until your uniform order arrives.

2Kit are holding a uniform sale after half term. Donations of clean uniform in good condition can be left in the 2Kit bins in the visitors’ car park.

Year 11 notices

Sixth Form Open Evening

NEW DATE – Wednesday 24 November 5.00pm – 8.00pm

This event will now take place in person at GSAL at the later date of Wed 24 November. The event on Thursday 14 October is therefore cancelled. All other details remain the same. If you booked for the event on the previous date you do not need to do anything. If you haven’t booked yet please register here.