Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you've had a good week.
We've had a productive and positive week in our academic studies and on the sports field.
Congratulations to Year 11 for completing their last set of core mock exams. We are incredibly proud of their positive attitude and resilience demonstrated this week.
We were fortunate to have our HISP Trust CEO in for a visit on Tuesday. Mrs Parry was overjoyed at the progress we've made in every area of the school. She loved our warm, welcoming culture, so much she hopes to base herself at Danebury more often. We have another Trust School Improvement Review next week. I will share headlines with you once completed.
Year 9 has continued with their options carousel in tutor time. Thank you to our Year 10 Subject Ambassadors for sharing their insights into each subject. We hope this was an informative experience for Year 9 ahead of their options choice later in the year. Options evening is on 13th March 2025.
A group of pupils from Year 10 travelled to an excellent Careers Fair in Basingstoke on Thursday, an inspiring visit which opened up the vast number of choices ahead of them.
Danebury's busy fixtures list has resulted in nearly 70% of the school taking part in a sporting event. In my whole school assembly on Monday, I asked pupils to stand up if they had represented Danebury in a sporting, musical or drama event or as an Ambassador. I was blown away, 90% of the pupils were standing by the end, a true reflection that our school values of kindness, excellence, resilience and empowerment are truly lived each day.
Congratulations to our Year 8 Netball Team for winning their match against John Hanson. Special mention to Lara for scoring all 12 goals! Congratulations to our Year 7 Netball team, Year 9 Girls Football and Year 8 Basketball teams for playing brilliantly in their tournaments. Also, congratulations to our Year 8 and Year 10 Football teams, some brilliant play, narrowly missing out on drawing the matches. Special mention to Amelia P who played up two years in goal and was amazing.
A polite reminder that we have an Inset Day on Monday. Staff are carrying out training sessions on the development of our KS3 Assessments, along with Trust wide Vision and Values. School is closed for pupils.
We are holding our first 'Danebury's Got Talent' on Thursday evening, 6:30-8:00pm. Entry is £2 on the door, our wonderful PTA are selling refreshments. Please come along and support us. It will be a fantastic evening, no doubt.
I have advertised the following trips for pupils again this week. If you haven't signed up your child already, but would like to, please go to Arbor Parent Portal to sign up.
- Six the Musical in Portsmouth 2 April 2025
- Residential Trip to Japan 27 June to 3 July 2026
We are also looking for more interest in the proposed MFL Residential Trip to Paris from 2nd to 4th May 2025. Please click on this link if you are interested in your child participating. Closing date will be Tuesday 11th February.
Many thanks to the PTA for a productive meeting this week. It was agreed that they will fund the regeneration of our allotment, polytunnel and animal enclosures. In addition, funding for more visualisers for teachers to use when modelling and scaffolding worked examples in lessons. Visualisers help reduce pupils' cognitive load and teach pupils vital metacognitive strategies, helping them move towards independence in the learning process.
Have a great weekend when it arrives.
Nicky Goodridge, Head of School
