Dear families of The Deepings School,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

Festivities have been well underway at school this week with a focus on community.

It was wonderful for the school to host over 60 senior citizens for a festive afternoon tea earlier this week. A number of students from the sixth form transformed into waiters for the afternoon, with visitors enjoying a musical accompaniment by our student pop choir and a variety of instrumental soloists. One of the year 7 tutor groups also joined the party to give out handmade Christmas cards - an initiative they had come up with themselves. After a game of bingo and raffle, our visitors, supported by Deepings Age UK, headed home with a festive treat made by our food technologists.

On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of attending the school Christmas concert. Throughout this wonderful event I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at the talent and confidence showcased. Our students were fantastic, performing a variety of different festive tunes. There was also an alternative ‘Christmas Carol’ performed by the drama club. Our talented head of performing arts, Mr Hawes penned his own variation of Dickens’ famous seasonal novel, giving it a very up to date twist.

Assemblies this week have focussed on success. Groups, along with individual students have been recognised for their excellent contribution to school this term. This is through their positive approach to learning, contribution to wider school life and attendance. Heads of Year were asked to nominate students who had really stood out this term in terms of their representation of our school values, Kindness, Respect and Ambition.  Those nominated have joined me for an early morning hot chocolate and it has been a real pleasure to chat with students about school and their plans for the Christmas holiday. 

As promised in last week’s newsletter, I have included a summary of progress made to date in terms of the Areas for Improvement Ofsted identified back in September.  A link to this article can be found in the news section of our website, and as a link in the email sent to you.

In January, you can expect to see further developments as we strive to become an excellent school.  There has been some concern over the number of substitute teachers at the school, which I am pleased to share we have addressed.  We have made several teacher appointments for a January start which will prevent the high number of cover lessons which have been necessary this term.  I will be welcoming staff and introducing them to you via the newsletter at the start of term.  In addition, students and parents can expect to see a much more robust approach to home learning, with specific tasks and activities which relate to their age.  In response to student feedback our rewards system is set to be much more bountiful.  Our reading strategy will also be fully implemented, along with a new science curriculum.  Further detail will be shared in January regarding each initiative in line with expectations for their year group and reading age.  

I wish you all a pleasant weekend and despite us almost being at the end of term, please continue to promote excellent attendance attitudes and uniform up until we close for Christmas on Wednesday at 12.20pm.

Kind regards

Ms  Johnson

Headteacher

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This week's news:

News - The Deepings School (anthemtrust.uk)

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Calendar - The Deepings School (anthemtrust.uk)

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