Principals Weekly Update

Welcome to 2026: A Hopeful Start to the New Term

We are delighted to welcome our school community to the first vlog of 2026. As we begin a new calendar year, this week’s focus centres on three key themes: the start of the new year, managing the winter weather, and the launch of our new enrichment cycle for the term.

A New Year Built on Hope and Progress

As we move into 2026, the message shared with students has been one of hope, aspiration and continuous improvement. Rather than focusing on the idea of becoming a “new” person, assemblies this week have encouraged students to reflect on how they can work towards becoming the very best version of themselves. Small, incremental gains in attitude, effort and behaviour can make a significant difference over time.

A key theme from the assembly, delivered by Mr Scaife, was goal setting. Students were encouraged to think carefully about realistic targets, both academically and personally, and how consistency plays a vital role in achieving them. Attendance was highlighted as one area firmly within our control as a school community. Research consistently shows that attendance of 96% or above has a positive impact on achievement and we are grateful to parents for their ongoing support in reinforcing this message.

Attendance, Routines and a Strong Start

As always, our priority is to ensure our school remains a safe, structured and enjoyable environment for all students. Clear routines and expectations help young people feel confident and supported throughout the school day. Thank you to families for continuing to work closely with us to ensure students arrive on time, ready to learn and fully equipped.

Winter Weather Reminders

While London has only seen a light snow so far, there has been more severe winter weather across other parts of the country, with further snow forecast, families are reminded to assume the school is open as normal unless otherwise stated. Any updates will always be shared via the school website.

We also ask parents to ensure students are dressed appropriately for the colder conditions. Coats, including waterproof options, are essential at this time of year. Please note that hoodies are not permitted as part of school uniform.

Launching the New Enrichment Cycle

This week also marked the start of our new enrichment cycle. Enrichment has now been running for over a year and continues to go from strength to strength. Each term, students take part in a new cycle, allowing them to build stronger connections with staff and peers while developing a deeper engagement with their chosen activity.

The focus this term is on life skills. Enrichment offers students valuable opportunities beyond the formal curriculum, helping them develop personal qualities such as teamwork, communication, resilience and leadership. While academic success opens doors, it is often these wider skills that help young people stand out and thrive in future careers.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about their new enrichment activities, what they are enjoying, and the skills they are developing that may support them beyond school.

 

Looking Ahead

As we begin this new year together, we wish every member of our school community a hopeful and successful 2026. Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We now hand over to our Year 9 students, who shared an inspiring message in assembly about setting goals and starting the term with positivity.

We look forward to seeing you again next week, same time, same place.