End of the Summer Term

Monday 25 July 2011

This term our pupils have demonstrated all that Deer Park stands for by achieving more than they first thought possible in our annual Enrichment Week. You can read about the challenges they faced and enjoyment they had. In particular, I congratulate our pupils in our ‘new’ Year 11, who impressed local employers with their resilience, resourcefulness, confidence, skills and readiness to take on responsibility. They were definitely a credit to the school and their parents.

Pupils in our ‘new’ Year 7, joined us on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 July and like those already well established within the school, followed their actual timetables for September and met with their teachers. As a year group, our new pupils certainly made a good first impression and we have every confidence this will continue. Our staff enjoyed working with them and our local MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who coincidentally visited the school on Friday 15 July, commented specifically on the calm and purposeful atmosphere within the school and the high levels of engagement in all year groups.

Sadly, this year, we say goodbye to a number of colleagues who have made a significant contribution to the school, including Mrs Greenaway who started at Deer Park in 1979 and has taught Science, Maths, Health and Social Care and Life Skills. She is also a very experienced tutor and former Head of Year. We wish her every happiness in the future. Similarly, receptionist Carol Radway is retiring after 24 years. Mrs Radway had provided excellent service ‘front of house’ and, in addition, she has an excellent rapport with our pupils and provided support for colleagues, many of whom have shown their appreciation this week. She has been inundated with gifts and leaves us with very fond memories.

Deputy Head, Tim Connole, has been seconded for one year to work for Adfecto, the training arm of the Gloucestershire Association of Headteachers. I am pleased to congratulate Caroline Skerten, on her appointment to the post of Temporary Assistant Head at Deer Park and advise you that Cath Brace, currently Assistant Head of Key Stage 4, will be leading our Key Stage 3 Pastoral Team from 1 September. We wish David Clarke every success in his new role as Assistant Head at Hardenhuish School and confirm that James Johnson, our Citizenship and PSHEe Co-ordinator, will temporarily fulfil the role of Head of Key Stage 4 from 1 September. Both Miss Brace and Mr Johnson are looking forward to taking up their new posts and working more closely with pupils and their parents. Information about other staff leavers in included in our Summer Newsletter (see below).

We are looking forward to seeing the ‘Class of 2011’ again on Thursday 25 August and sharing their examination results with them. I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable break over the holiday period and remind you that school starts for all pupils on Monday 5 September as normal. Please ensure pupils are equipped for learning and in our correct school uniform!

Thank you for your co-operation and support.

Chiquita Henson
Head

Related Links:

• Summer 2011 Newsletter