We were disappointed to have to cancel sports day today. As it turned out it was the right decision with heavy rain from 11am. Failand is a difficult area with no shelter and grass is very slippery when wet! We usually have a reserve date but this term the calendar has been very full with concerts, trips and visits. I was very much looking forward to the staff relay. Grateful perhaps that the rain may have saved me from serious injury.

We have had a wonderful week in school and out. I was pleased to visit the year seven camp on Wednesday and enjoyed the talent show football and rounders. I also enjoyed seeing the students achieving beyond their expectations. It was wonderful, as was the weather. My thanks again to all the staff who make it all happen.

 
Tonight is a special evening with year 11 the class of 14 arriving in their finery for the end of year prom. The Cresswell looked fantastic and this year we have a live band. My thanks to the PTA for all their work and for making this such a memorable event. The students were fantastic a wonderful year group who I am sure will have a terrific summer now that the examinations are over. Mr Bailey and Gospel Choir are performing at the Primary School prom at the Colston Hall again this evening but it will be a challenge without year 11. Many students are also on the D of E bronze expedition as well!

 
At assembly this morning we celebrated my money week and I spoke about the importance of appropriate language at all times on the school site.


In school today we interviewed for the senior prefects and Head Student positions. The students were remarkable and it really does demonstrate what a remarkable year group this is. I very much look forward to working with them next year. Decisions will be announced early next week.

 

This week we have held open events for new parents and students in year seven and in reception. Student ambassadors and sixth formers were on hand to help and talk to the new arrivals. They were all brilliant and a large number of parents came to speak to me to congratulate them. I gave my thanks on the evening and in assembly this morning.

We have e mailed parents this week about avoiding high caffeine drinks. We have asked that staff in local Tesco stores refuse to serve our students specific drinks not suitable for children. Please do support us with this.

I continue to enjoy cycling in to work and occasionally running from the park and ride in Long Ashton. Sustrans are promoting an alternative travel promotion beginning on the 16th June called "The Big Commute" I am encouraging staff and students to explore other ways of getting into school over the remaining three weeks of term and beyond.

Staff are beginning to prepare resources for students to access over the holidays. It will be important that all students engage in wider reading over the holidays. Please do look at the VLE for updates.

Teaching and Learning Forum

Over the half term teachers have been contributing to an online forum discussing the future of teaching and how as a school we should respond. Increasingly we are using the VLE to communicate and I am anxious to involve students as much as possible. Mrs Cox has asked interested students to become involved and we will look to see how they can contribute to debating a number of issues online in the new term.

Thank you to all of those parents who joined us for the year 13 leaver service on Friday. It is a great way of marking an end to compulsory education and for many, seven years here at BCCS. Mrs Boyland made a wonderful speech and the Dean added some real words of wisdom, some reflections of his experience in the higher education. (Dean at a Cambridge College)

For year 13 the A level examinations are just beginning but for many in year 11 the end is almost in sight with many already complete. Maths is one of the last and I know that teachers will be running revision sessions right up to the end. Please do remind your children to take the most of all these opportunities. I hope that everyone has a good half term it looks like the weather will be suitable for revision!

I attended two wonderful music performances last week. The Parent Evensong on Tuesday and the Next Generation Concert on Wednesday. My thanks to all staff who organise the fantastic events and of course, congratulations to the students who performed so wonderfully.

The GCSE and A1 examinations continue this week. Good luck everyone.

Thank you to parents and students who came to the parent evensong tonight. I am sorry that we did not remind parents or publicise enough. Clearly the timing, at the beginning of the examination season and before the next music concert tomorrow evening was not ideal!  It was a very uplifting event nonetheless and we must not forget that do have a world class choir who perform brilliantly every week, please do make a point of coming to hear them whenever you can. Evensong begins at 5:15 and last for approximately 45 minutes.