I do hope that everyone enjoyed the festive season and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.
This week the school community has been supporting one another as we feel the loss of our colleague, teacher and friend, Ms Callaghan. There is to be a very small funeral service on Monday with representatives of the school community in attendance; whilst those of us in school will continue to support those most affected at her passing. In time, we will hold a service of memorial to celebrate the inspiration that she was to so many.
It is hard to believe that this time last year we had set up our Covid testing centres in schools and the word Omicron entered the English language. Whilst we may not have the same situation this January, we did have many students and members of staff off ill before and across Christmas. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole community for the incredible team effort at the end of term - who enabled the school to continue running as far as was possible in the circumstances.
We had fantastic attendance last night at the Year 9 Options Evening. It was a delight to be able to speak face-to-face to a number of parents and students about the plans, hopes and dreams for their futures. Please do take the time to read the options' booklet carefully and look at the website for further help and advice.
A highlight has been today, seeing half of Year 7 enjoying the 1066 living history day. It is great that all Year 7 students are having this opportunity, and not a select few. Literally bringing history to life! The rest of the Year group will have the same experience next Friday.
Please do take care out there, especially with flooded roads and snow forecast.
Year 7, 8 & 9 Flu Immunisations - Monday 16th January 2023 - Gloucester Hall
Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils are due to have their Flu Nasal Immunisation on Monday. If you have consented to this immunisation please let your child/ren know the time. They will be sent at the appropriate tutor group time by their teachers.
9.30am
7A & 7B
9.45am
7C & 7D
10.00am
7E & 7F
10.15am
7G & 7H
10.30am
7I
10.45am
8A & 8B
BREAK
11.25am
8C & 8D
11.45am
8E & 8F
12.00pm
8G & 8H
12.15pm
9A & 9B
12.30pm
9C & 9D
12.45pm
9E & 9F
1.00pm
9G & 9H & 9I
LUNCH
2pm
Chase non-arrivals
Yr9 options
Yr9 students have now participated in our KS4 subject familiarisation event and had the opportunity to discuss, in greater detail, their choices with subject leaders with their family members at the options evening.
Every student should have an options' booklet that holds all the information they require regarding timelines, courses and how to make their choices through our on-line options platform. An invitational email was sent today steering them to their own options page. Please ensure they follow the crib sheets in the back of the options' booklet, in particular the last page that details how they can re-enter their own page on multiple occasions.
Please refer to our website to access the electronic options' booklet, our subject pages and our very informative subject videos created by each faculty.
Deadline for options is Thursday 2nd February.
Please seek advice from the YR9 team, our careers advisors or me, Mr Rhodes. All details are in the options' booklet and on our website.
Ed Hill in 7E competed in the Southwest intercounty XC representing Wiltshire this weekend (7/1/23) and ran 2.75km!
He enjoyed it, but said it was hard, but a great experience, and made lots of new friends.????
He came 40th out of 50, but this was running with years 7 and 8 boys.
He came 7th out of the Wiltshire runners taking part.
Well done Ed, we look forward to hearing how your next race goes.
Ten Tors Training in a Winter Wonderland
The most recent Ten Tors training hike took place on Saturday 17th December and was one of the most beautiful Wiltshire walks I've ever done.
22 students set off on a 15-mile hike around Avebury and Fyfield Down amid sub-zero temperatures and glinting early-morning sunshine. The entire area was covered in frost (and up higher, snow) and it gave the landscape a mystical, magical feel. We hiked through the frozen fields and treacherous frozen roads past a variety of stunning Neolithic sites - Adam & Eve standing stones, Avebury Stone circle, along The Avenue (an ancient corridor of menhirs, and then the man-made Silbury Hill. We had an intriguing coffee-break at West Kennet Long Barrow before heading across the 60-million year-old Sarsen stones of Fyfield Down, deposited there by a glacier during an ice-age over 25,000 years ago where, in a similar primitive vein, an enjoyable snowball fight broke out between the 45 / 55-mile team and the younger 35-mile team.
The entire group were treated to a gorgeous sunset as we dropped back down into Avebury having had a gorgeous start to our holidays - I also ended up with some glorious photos of this wonderful part of the world!
Many thanks to all the students involved, and to volunteers Xavier Lord and Iain Richards and also Mrs Brooks - this couldn't happen without you!
For a large selection of photographs please click here.
I believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo
A tale of the transformative power of stories, told by British Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo and award-winning illustrator Gary Blythe.
Eight-year-old Tomas hates reading. He would much rather be clambering around his beloved mountains. But when his mother forces him to visit the library, he can't help but listen to the enchanting tales the librarian spins as she sits on a lifelike wooden unicorn. When war comes to their village, it is Tomas's newfound love of books that helps save the library's holdings from destruction.
I realised I have never had a Michael Morpurgo book as book of the week so I had to chose one. As one of the most prolific and loved author of books for young people there are many to choose from. I landed on one of may favourite ones. It is one I often have to ‘sell’ to a student before I show them the cover or the title. Set against a backdrop of encroaching war, I Believe In Unicorns is an eloquent reminder of the power of storytelling to alter our lives. This book is short but beautifully written and the illustrations are a perfect accompaniment.
Happy Reading!
Mrs Bruton
Announcing a new after-school club on Tuesdays called “The Island” held at the Holy Trinity Church Centre on the island roundabout near Trowbridge railway station.
It’s for Years 7-11 between 3pm and 4.45pm where you can get free drinks and snacks, play games including table tennis, on Xbox and board games.
It’s a place where you can just chat with friends or shelter from horrid weather before going home. See the above for more details and how to register. Also, speak to Mr Heard in DT if you want more information.
Ed Hill in 7E competed in the Southwest intercounty XC representing Wiltshire this weekend (7/1/23) and ran 2.75km!
chose one. As one of the most prolific and loved author of books for young people there are many to choose from. I landed on one of may favourite ones. It is one I often have to ‘sell’ to a student before I show them the cover or the title. Set against a backdrop of encroaching war, I Believe In Unicorns is an eloquent reminder of the power of storytelling to alter our lives. This book is short but beautifully written and the illustrations are a perfect accompaniment. 
