Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

It has been such an encouragement this week to experience a glimmer of normality, even in a COVID-secure way, to watch the joyous year 6 productions, the hilarious Courtyard Shakespeare production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the beauty of the performances for the Tebb Piano competition; indeed it reminded me what a Head’s life is usually like, and why it’s so wonderful!

But of course this year has been anything but usual, and so I did not want National Thank a Teacher Day on Wednesday to pass by without noting here the fabulous GSAL staff team – teachers and support staff – who have given so much to keep inspiring and supporting the students over this past year. It is not the experience any of us would have wanted in so many ways, yet this amazing GSAL team continues to give its best, showing flexibility and commitment beyond anything I have seen before, to keep the pupils first and centre of everything that we have done. That we can reflect on our online learning, but also a myriad of other lovely online events, including the creative way that the co-curricular programme has adapted to respect COVID protocols, I could not be more grateful to this incredible team. They are consummate professionals, dedicated to GSAL and its pupils and it is a privilege to work alongside them every day.

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

Pride Week

Starting Monday 28 June

June is Pride month, a month globally dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities. GSAL will be hosting its own Pride Week commencing next week. This year will see a focus on ‘call it out’; a theme that was looked at by all year groups in their PSHE conferences. Our celebrations supporting members of our LGBTQ+ community, their friends and family will continue in a socially distanced way with displays around school and on classroom doors including a rotunda takeover, year group assemblies, a spotlight on LGBTQ+ icons in academic departments, and a special outdoor event with a giant jigsaw keeping our community connected and celebrating. At senior school sports day on Friday 2 July many of our community will be wearing rainbow laces to show their allyship.

Sparkleshark

Wed 30 June 5pm

The Y9 Drama Club performance of Sparkleshark by Philip Ridley will be taking place in the theatre courtyard on Wed 30 June at 5pm. Please click on the date above to reserve your free tickets for this feel-good story of a group of teens from all walks of life who congregate on the top of an inner-city tower block to bond over a shared love of storytelling.

Senior School House Day

Friday 2 July

Senior school sports day is a little different this year! Because of continued restrictions, the day has been transformed into a day of house competitions and activities for Y7-10. Things on offer include the traditional athletics events, alongside an alternative Olympics, social sport, cooking, languages and maths challenges, drama and quizzes, and much more. Many students have signed up for activities already, but it’s not too late to get involved. Information for each year group is available on their house team, and their head of house will help them sign up for activities right up until the start of the day.

Students will need to come in PE kit, with a refillable water bottle and should be prepared for any type of weather. An  ice cream van will be visiting during the day, which will be cash only. Laptops will only be needed for Y7-10 if they are taking part in an activity which has specifically requested it.

Regrettably, parents are unable to spectate this year, but please keep an eye on GSAL’s social media channels for updates throughout the day.

Y12 will be having their own sports day next week in their Wednesday afternoon activities slot, and will spend House Day supporting and leading younger students and taking part in their own activities preparing them for Y13.

Sound of the Summer Concert

Wednesday 7 July 5pm

Students, parents and staff are invited to the area outside the theatre foyer for our summer term performance, highlights will include:

• Mass performance of ‘Juba Dance’ by trailblazing African-American composer Florence Price (1887-1953), who was largely unheralded in her lifetime, but whose work is gradually being rediscovered.
• Premiere of Let’s Talk, a short choral work commissioned by GSAL music, from Yorkshire composer Emily Levy. With support from Mrs Kurczij, Emily has interpreted GSAL senior students answers to the question: ‘What’s On Your Mind?’ collated from the thought wall created at the end of the spring term.

Please save the date, tickets will be required and the Eventbrite booking form which will be released shortly.

GSAL World Update

In September 2021 we will be launching a new, cloud based version of GSAL World which will make use of the latest technology. In the meantime, we are doing some live testing in different parts of GSAL World to test the system, and next week the current GSAL World homepage will be replaced with a cloud based version. The transition will be seamless and everyone should notice improved functionality and new design.

Next academic year we will be making further improvements with the implementation of a new parent email system, and a dedicated portal which will host key information and processes in one place. The aim of these improvements are to provide parents with the information they need, when they need it, and in a user-friendly way. We will share more information with you next term.

Year 10 notices

Head of Year message

Please see the attached message from Mr J Veitch, Head of Y10.

Year 12 notices

Year 12 Widening Perspectives conference

Monday 28 June

All Y12 students will take part in the Widening Perspectives (PSHE) conference on Monday 28 June. The day will allow students to explore a range of issues around their safety, health and wellbeing. For further information and the timetable please click here. After the conference we would encourage you to talk to your child about their experience and what they have learnt.