A great start to our Year 11 and Year 13 exams this term. Fantastic attendance, punctuality and effort. Well done to you all and we hope you find a good balance between revision and rest this half term. Enjoy the sunshine!

We would like to let you know about important changes to Free School Meals (FSM) that will come into effect from September 2026. From September 2026, all students from households receiving Universal Credit will be able to receive a free school meal, regardless of household income. This means many more families may now qualify. Currently, families receiving Universal Credit only qualify if their annual earnings are below £7,400. This income threshold will be removed from September 2026. Wiltshire Council is introducing a targeted autoenrolment programme for Free School Meals (FSM). This will help identify children who may be entitled to FSM but are not currently registered. If your child is identified, the council may contact you directly. Only families identified through these checks will receive a letter. If you receive a letter, read it carefully and follow the instructions. If you believe your child may be eligible and you are not contacted, apply using the normal link below or contact us and we will support you with this: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/schools-learning-free-school-meals Wiltshire Free school meals team: Email: fsm@wiltshire.gov.uk Phone: 01225 713780 Families are encouraged to apply even if they have previously been refused, as the rules are changing significantly.

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Attendance matters. Every day missed is 5 lessons of lost learning. 97% attendance is the expectation and allows for up to 5 days of sickness in addition to the 13 weeks of school holidays and 5 TD days.

Around the World in a Bite! Our Year 10 Food Preparation and Nutrition students recently took on the Tunnock's Teacake Challenge! Using just one teacake, they were challenged to design and present a creative idea inspired by the theme 'Around the World in a Bite'. The results were incredible, showcasing imagination, creativity, and fantastic presentation skills throughout.

Our green-fingered students have been hard at work in the Learn & Grow garden this year, with fantastic support from Mrs Magee and the results are already showing! Jack has harvested an impressive bumper crop of radishes already Gardening is a brilliant way for young people to learn new skills, build confidence and enjoy time outdoors. It also supports wellbeing, encourages teamwork and teaches patience and responsibility all while having fun and connecting with nature. We're so proud of everything our students are growing, both in the garden and beyond!

Theme for Friday: "Recharge & Reset" As we come to the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, this weekend is a good opportunity to slow down, recharge and take care of yourself. After a busy week, even small things can help improve our wellbeing: Spend time outdoors Take a break from screens Listen to music you enjoy Catch up on rest Spend time with family and friends Talk to someone if something is worrying you Remember looking after your mental health is important all year round, not just during Mental Health Awareness Week. If you or someone you know needs support, advice or someone to talk to, these organisations offer excellent help and resources for young people and families: Parent Zone YoungMinds Mind UK Childline Wishing everyone a restful and positive weekend. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #Wellbeing #RechargeAndReset #MentalHealthMatters

"Laughter, Kindness & Connection" As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, today's reminder is that sometimes the best medicine is a smile, a laugh, or simply spending time with people who make you feel good. A funny conversation, sharing a joke with friends, listening to your favourite music, or even laughing at a silly meme can all help brighten someone's day including your own! So today, we challenge everyone to: Make someone smile Say something kind Check in with a friend Do one thing that makes you happy You never know how much a small moment of kindness or laughter could mean to someone else. For more wellbeing support and advice for families and young people, visit Parent Zone #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ChooseKindness #Wellbeing #ItsGoodToTalk

Our Year 7 students have been exploring oxidation reactions in Science by carrying out an exciting experiment with magnesium! As the magnesium burned, students observed a chemical reaction taking place, producing a bright white flame and forming magnesium oxide. Alongside learning about oxidation, they also developed essential laboratory safety skills including handling equipment safely, wearing protective goggles, and following scientific procedures carefully. Experiments like this help students understand how chemistry connects to the real world. Oxidation reactions are used every day in industries such as engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, firefighting, and even space technology. From preventing rust on bridges and cars to creating fireworks and developing new materials, chemistry plays a vital role in many careers and everyday life. A fantastic lesson combining practical science, teamwork, curiosity, and safety awareness!

As Mental Health Awareness Week continues, today we're focusing on the small everyday habits that can help improve our wellbeing. Looking after your mental health doesn't always mean making big changes sometimes the little things can make the biggest difference: Get enough sleep Spend time outdoors and stay active Take breaks from screens and social media Talk to someone you trust Make time for things you enjoy Be kind to yourself and others Remember, wellbeing is something we all need to look after every day, just like our physical health. For more support and advice for young people and families, visit Parent Zone #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #Wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #SmallStepsBigDifference

Year 7 became real-life scientists during their "Rainbow Fizz" practical ! Students explored neutralisation by mixing hydrochloric acid with sodium carbonate to create a neutral solution discovering how chemistry is used in the real world, from treating acidic soil on farms to making everyday products safer to use. Lots of fizz, colour, and hands-on learning!

As Mental Health Awareness Week continues, today's reminder is simple: It's OK not to be OK. Everyone has difficult days sometimes whether it's stress about schoolwork, friendships, exams, home life, or just feeling overwhelmed. Talking to someone you trust can really help. Remember: You do not have to face things alone Asking for help is a sign of strength Small acts of kindness can make a big difference Let's continue to look out for one another and help make our school a place where everyone feels safe, supported and listened to. If you would like support or advice, families and students can also find helpful resources at Parent Zone #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #BeKind #SchoolCommunity

Last week in Chemistry, students were learning how to carry out a titration an important practical skill used in chemistry to measure and mix chemicals accurately. They practised setting up the equipment safely and carefully, using pipettes to measure sodium hydroxide and burettes to add sulfuric acid in controlled amounts. Some students also completed their first practice ("rough") titrations. Over the next week, students will repeat the process several times to improve their accuracy and calculate exactly how much acid is needed to neutralise the solution. Learning these skills helps students develop accuracy, patience, problem-solving and confidence when carrying out investigations all important skills used in science, medicine, engineering, environmental testing and many everyday industries.

As we begin Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to take a moment to remind our whole school community students, parents, carers and staff of the importance of looking after our mental wellbeing. School life, work, friendships, family life and everyday pressures can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it's important that everyone knows they are not alone. Taking time to talk, listen and support one another can make a real difference. We encourage anyone who may need advice, guidance or support to explore the resources available through Parent Zone which offers helpful information for families and young people navigating life online and supporting wellbeing. https://parentzone.org.uk/ #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthMatters #SchoolCommunity