End of Week Newsletter
July 3rd 2026
A Message from the Principal
It was an absolute pleasure to attend our Formal Awards Evening on Thursday evening.
I was immensely proud to be present to see all of the award winners recognised and celebrated. I was also delighted to be able to issue my first Principal’s award. Well done to Oliver from year 9. As I said at the event, the winners did not simply stumble on these awards by accident. Through weeks of hard work and determination they have been able to demonstrate a clear indication of their commitment to Integrity, Community and Excellence and I am exceptionally proud of them. I would like all students to strive to be there next year.
We are now moving into the final two weeks of term but the learning does not stop and nor do the experiences. Our final day of term sees the return of our culture festival and after experiencing this last year, it is something that I am thoroughly looking forward to.
Year Group Leadership Structure Changes
Since being in post as Principal, I am always thinking of ways to improve the school, the structure and ultimately make the experience for your child the best it can be.
I have made the decision to change the structure of our year group leadership. I have made this decision in an attempt to increase the capacity of the pastoral support team. I have an abundance of staff here with a significant amount of experience and expertise and this can only be viewed as a positive move. Therefore, from September, we will be moving to a model of Heads of Year. The Heads of Year are teaching members of staff and they will be supported by a learning mentor (support member of staff). The year teams for next year will be:
Year 7 HOY – Mr Cordice-Berry
Year 7 LM – Ms G Turner
Year 8 HOY – Mr Hardy
Year 8 LM – Ms Drury
Year 9 HOY – Ms Tricker
Year 9 LM – Ms Jay
Year 10 HOY – Mr Tyrrell
Year 10 LM – Ms Cullum
Year 11 HOY – Mr Forbes
Year 11 LM – Ms Brader
From September, our current inclusion officers will now oversee particular areas. This will be as follows:
Safeguarding Officer – Ms Smith (already in post)
Safeguarding Officer – Ms Gissing
Attendance and Behaviour Officer – Ms Thorrington
Attendance and Behaviour Officer – Mr Hammond
Additionally, Mrs Daynes will remain teaching Health and Social Care and resume duties outside of these times as a member of support staff as a learning mentor. Mrs D Turner will also be on hand to provide additional support as a learning mentor without being attached to a specific year group.
Each key stage; key stage three (years 7-9) and key stage four (years 10-11), will have an Assistant Principal overseeing them as the Director of Key Stage. Mr Pitcock will become Director of Key Stage 4 and our new Assistant Principal from September, Ms Brownsell, will become Director of Key Stage 3. They will have oversight of the relevant year groups and year group leadership.
This is a significant change but it is one that I feel is necessary and is only going to benefit the school in the long term. I thank you in advance for your support.
Suffolk Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme Summer 2026
Suffolk HAF programme is now live for bookings for the summer holidays.
HAF provides activities for families who are eligible for means tested Free School Meals (FSM), or other support needs upon referral. All sessions include a healthy meal.
To view listings and book your sessions visit the Eequ website.
We have some provision for children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or require support but are not eligible for FSM (with a referral form). Please contact us on HAFenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk if you would like to know more details.
Get ready for the school discos in July!
We are excited to announce our upcoming school discos, and we want to see as many students there as possible!
To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our school community, we are offering a significant discount on ticket prices for students who consistently demonstrate excellence in their daily routines.
How to secure a discount
Students can qualify for a reduced ticket price by meeting the following criteria:
- Perfect attendance and punctuality: attending school every day and arriving at all lessons on time.
- Positive learning behaviour: consistently showing a great attitude and high engagement during lessons.
We want to reward those who show up and give their best effort every single day. Let’s make these events really memorable!
Useful Tips for Parents/Carers
Safeguarding
Look for Relationship Trouble:
If your child seems upset about a relationship, it’s important to check in with them. Listen carefully and offer your support. Let your child’s year team know if they need extra guidance.
Attendance
Talk About Attendance Targets:
Explain the school’s attendance expectations and how regular attendance is linked to their success. Share any school reports with your child to show their attendance progress.
Reading/Literacy
Talk About What They Read:
After your child finishes a book or a chapter, ask them to summarise it or share their thoughts. This helps with comprehension and teaches them to reflect on what they’ve read.
