Y11 Leavers' Assembly

On Thursday 20 May pupils in our Year 11 joined us for their Leavers’ Assembly after their complimentary lunch served by members of staff and the all important shirt signing!

The assembly was the last occasion for the whole year group to gather together formally to reflect on their time at Deer Park. David Clarke, Head of Key Stage 4, acted as ‘Master of Ceremonies’ and introduced Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, who commended the year group, and specific individuals, on the contribution they had made to the school over the last five years. She acknowledged their influence on the revision of our school standards and their commitment to Arts and Sports events. More recently, she thanked them for parts they have played in the development of a new school brochure, our ‘mock election’ on 6 May and our Ofsted Inspection on 12 and 13 May. She invited them and their friends and families back to a reunion in ten years time!

David Clarke, also re-introduced Simon Pike, formerly Head of Key Stage 4, who reflected on the occasional unfairness of life with the aid of torchlight, and Cath Brace, Assistant Head of Key Stage 4, who returned from maternity leave with her son, Lewis, to join the year group on their special day. Cath Brace had also prepared a special powerpoint presentation which captured many pupils within the year group. These photographs triggered many memories and, with the secret aid of some parents, surprised several pupils with images from playgroup, primary schools and even those taken at birthday parties!

The assembly provided an opportunity to thank members of staff who have worked with the year group over the last five years and Alex Noyes, much to the enjoyment of our Year 11 pupils, incorporated the reflections of and good wishes from each of our Year 11 tutors into his multi-media collage.

As the assembly drew to a close and we said our final farewells, David Clarke, premiered a new video with secret footage. With the aid of many members of staff and Frank Sinatra, the year group were encouraged to reflect inclusively on how we do it our way, ‘the Deer Park way’!

Although pupils in Year 11 have now begun their study leave, many will be coming back into school to take part in revision sessions and will, of course, be coming back in to sit their examinations over the next few weeks, we are looking forward to joining them at their Leavers’ Ball on Friday 2 July and on Tuesday 24 August when they will receive their exam results. Furthermore, we will be welcoming them and their parents back to celebrate their achievements in November 2010.

We wish everyone in the class of 2010, the very best of luck in their examinations and in their lives beyond Deer Park.