It has been a busy week on the recruitment front at Hessle High School this week. Following a minor restructuring of our safeguarding team, I was delighted to appoint Melanie Lambert to the post of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) on a permanent basis. Mel has been carrying out this role on a temporary basis for nearly two years and has, along with Laura Kelsey, done fantastic work in supporting some of our most vulnerable young people, and their families. The world in which our youngsters grow up now is increasingly complex and challenging and these colleagues play such an important role in ensuring that our students stay safe and supporting them during difficult times in their lives. Mel is a great team player and it is fantastic to have her with us permanently. 

On Thursday, we also added a new member of staff to our PE Department. After finishing his training as a PE teacher, Nathan Parkin has been with us for the past year as a Cover Supervisor (covering lessons when colleagues are absent). But in addition to this role, he has given great support to the PE department with their lessons as well as running sports clubs and fixtures after school. Nathan has now been employed as a full-time PE teacher and we will support him through his Early Career training. We know that he will go onto enjoy a long and successful career at Hessle, when he starts his new role in September. 

Also on Thursday, we were pleased to make an external appointment in the form of Danielle Davies to join us as a Pastoral Officer, working in our Pastoral Centre. She will join another recent appointment, Clare Lancaster, who starts as our Inclusion Manager on Monday. Together, they will provide intensive support for some of our students who don’t always get it right and who need additional support to manage behaviour in school. These vacancies arose from the departures of Karen Maulgue and Stuart Crooks. Karen departed a few weeks ago for a new and exciting position in the NHS, while Stuart is taking up a senior position in the Riverview Trust, working in their Alternative Provision setting. Stuart’s last day is today and he leaves with our grateful best wishes after twelve years of service to the school.  

Turnover of staff at Hessle is generally low which is a good indication that colleagues feel valued and trusted to do their work here. This stability benefits everyone, especially the students. However, it is always nice to have new faces join the team as their enthusiasm and energy can revitalise us and keep us moving forward. We look forward to working with Nathan and Mel for longer, and also seeing what Claire and Danielle can bring to our school.  

Well done to Isabelle Allen (Y9) and Lily Dannatt (Y11) who once again have achieved great success in their dancing careers. After winning British titles before Christmas, they have repeated this success in the European Dancing Championships just before Easter and now hold GOLD in the Ladies Latin Dancing Category as well SILVER in the Ladies Ballroom Category. These are adult competitions and our girls were the youngest by some distance in the event. They have both received a lot of media coverage recently and you may have seen them on Look North at the start of the Easter break. We are very proud of both girls. 

As Friday ends, we are now just nineteen school days away from Year 11’s first exam paper, which is on Monday 13th May. The year group are doing really well at the moment to complete various courseworks and other practical exams in a multitude of subjects. Thank you to all families of Year 11 students for coming them healthy, focused and working hard. I am sure this will bear fruit in the summer, when results are published. 

The first weekend of a new term is always one that I like to keep fairly clear of activity, in order to make sure I’m rested for the long term ahead. Aside from a few work tasks, we have set aside Saturday afternoon for some family cooking. After our trip to Spain over Easter, we’re inspired to make our own tapas. We’ve also saved the first episode of the new series of ‘Race Across The World’ which we all love, especially the kids, so the plan is to sit down on Saturday evening with a range of ‘picky-bits’ and enjoy the show.  

Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope the weather stays dry and warm and you enjoy a relaxing few days. 

Mr Groak

Headteacher