Hello to all our year 7 students and their families, 

I start again with a positive comment of how wonderful it is to lead such a fantastic year group. They are rapidly adopting our core values and understanding our expectations and norms. 

This week I met with representatives from each tutor group and heard how they are all feeling as we approach the end of our first term; the comments were wonderful and have once again left me smiling from ear to ear. Students said they find the routines at the start of the day prepare them for what lies ahead. They enjoy the weekly current affairs quiz, like hearing the news and learning about what is going on beyond our community.  When learning about global conflict and wars, this is teaching them empathy, resilience, and appreciation for what they have. 

In tutor rooms their small community is established, and they are holding raffles, doing ‘Secret Santa’, decorating their bases and sharing traditions that are shared. We have also had conversations about Diwali and Hanukkah.  

Christmas is a magical time of year. It's a special time to show others you care. Families come together and show one another love and how they value each other. Coming from a large family, I recall the words ‘can you play a game with me?’, ‘can you help me build this?’ or the one which made my dad’s heart stop; ’Do we have the right batteries for this?’. I then recall the mayhem of trying to fit the turkey in the oven, screams when someone stood on Lego, and calls to get the cat off the Christmas tree (I now have dogs who are not remotely interested.) These memories are built upon family relationships, friendships, and finding time to value those around us and make more memories to treasure in our hearts. This Christmas I will be mostly hibernating at home with my husband, my parents, and using various methods of Facetime to connect with family who live too far away to share a hug; I will also be eating, drinking, and watching movies. Why? Because this is the time of year when I make sure I can. So - from me to you - please do the same, spend time with your children talking, playing games, watching movies. Enjoy every moment; enjoy opening your gifts and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.  

Poem About Christmas With Family  

That cheerful feeling  

In the air  

With a bit of love  

All around  

 

The food is on the table  

And the presents under the tree Dinner is ready  

So come on, let's eat  

 

Everyone is at the table  

Eating their Christmas meals  

Because it's the most  

Wonderful time of the year  

 

Look out your window  

Thank God for letting it snow  

It's the best time of the year  

To spend with family  

 

The night has passed  

And the day has come  

There are presents to open  

And more fun to come  

 

But it's not about presents  

It's not about food  

It's about family time  

That's Christmas time 

 

Stay safe and take care, 

Mrs Todd

Head of Year 7