Dear Parents and Carers
It has been yet another busy week with lots going on to ensure that our wonderful young people end the year well.
Sports Day was absolutely fantastic last Friday and it was so nice to see the young people being so supportive of each other (and the staff!) who took part in events. Thank you to the PE and wider staff Team for everything they did to make this such a success.
Languages Week has been an opportunity for young people to experience different languages and cultural activities in their language lessons and during lunchtimes this week. Thank you to the MFL Team and our Language Ambassadors for the effort that has gone in to organising these activities and events.
We have our two induction evenings for the new Year 7 this week and I am looking forward to welcoming the young people and their parents to begin their Hardenhuish journey. This is followed by Induction Day for the new Year 7 and Year 12 on Friday (a reminder that no other young people are in school) to ensure they feel as settled as they can ahead of the summer.
We have our final non-uniform day of the year today
On Saturday morning, we have our Hardenhuish50 Open Morning when the site is open from 10-1pm to celebrate our 50th Birthday with the wider community. Please do come along and don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets for our Celebration Raffle!
To finish off a week of celebrations, I am looking forward to attending the Civic Celebrations on Sunday and supporting Mrs Auld as she collects the Civic Award for School Parliament.
I wish our Year 10 and Year 12 a wonderful WEX week and look forward to hearing all about their experiences when we return in September.
Congratulations to all of our Alumni who are currently graduating, it is lovely to hear of their successes and if you speak to any of them, please encourage them to sign up to the Alumni on the website to inspire future generations.
Have a good weekend.
Lisa Percy
Headteacher
News Items
Focus on… end of year arrangements
As we approach the end of the academic year, please find below confirmation of our arrangements for the end of term.
Our last day of school is Friday 17 July when we have Activities Day for Years 7, 8 and 9. Year 10 and 12 are on Work Experience all week.
A reminder that our first day back for new Year 7 and 12 is Wednesday 2 September and the rest of the school start back on Thursday 3 September.
Have a wonderful summer break when we get there!
Year 12 Hampton Court Trip
Some of our wonderful Year 12 Historians went to Hampton Court on Tuesday 7 July on what was a beautiful day. Seeing the palace in all its splendour was such a treat for us, and being in the Great Hall, King’s Chapel, Wolsey’s rooms as well as exhibitions on the Field of Cloth of Gold. We were also lucky this year as we were accompanied by Mr McKenzie-Rowan who used to work as a tour guide at the palace itself so having a real expert with us was such a privilege and was able to point out new details such as the guards’ graffiti on the King’s staircase – some of which was older than the United States of America. As always, the students were impeccable and were a credit to the school. It is always an opportunity to visit a site that we normally study in the classroom, and Hampton Court never fails to deliver in terms of its magnificence.
Y10 Health and Social Care Trip
The Year 10 Health and Social Care students enjoyed a wonderful trip last week to Bath City Farm and the Glenside Mental Health Hospital Museum.
Glenside Hospital Museum is an accredited museum, award-winning charity and community asset, managed and run by volunteers. It is housed in the beautifully decorated former asylum church. This heritage site offers a unique glimpse into Victorian mental health care and is a fascinating attraction for anyone interested in history.
Whilst there, the students learnt about support and care for those with mental health illnesses up to the time of the Hospital’s closure in 1994. They took part in a workshop to explore artefacts and considered the physical, intellectual, emotional and social benefits of some of the treatments the hospital offered.
Many thanks to Anwyl Cooper-Willis and Stella Mann for hosting our visit- they found their time at the museum fascinating!
Whilst at Bath City Farm the students had the chance to feed the animals and learn more about the range of therapeutic work the practitioners there facilitate and the difference this makes to the service users’ wellbeing. Situated on a beautiful 37-acre site, Bath City Farm is a working Farm, as well as a much-loved charity and a popular visitor attraction. They provide education, training and therapeutic activities to people in the local community. The learners had the chance to find out more about career routes and different roles within the health and social care sector and also took part in an experiential creative workshop; reflecting on its benefits and how best to plan an inclusive activity. This was a wonderful way to inform their next piece of coursework when they will be facilitating their own workshops and evaluating their delivery.
Many thanks to Helen and Sadie for hosting our visit, the students had a fabulous time.
Student Fundraiser
One of our wonderful Year 10 pupils, Ellie Priest, recently completed a half marathon in support of Macmillan Cancer Support and raised almost £1,400 for the charity. After being inspired by a school assembly – about a young person making a difference through a simple fundraising challenge – Ellie decided to take on a challenge of her own to see what impact she could make to the lives of others. Her determination, generosity and commitment are truly inspiring, and we are immensely proud of what she has achieved. Well done, Ellie, and thank you for making such a positive difference in our community. 👏🏃♀️💚
Vacancies – Hardenhuish School