Dear Parents,

New Year

I have been delighted to welcome all the students back this week looking refreshed and ready for the new term. This is a very important term for all students which includes learning many new topics as well as focussing carefully on learning work already done and preparing for examinations later in the year. Thank you for your support with uniform and Sixth Form dress code. I have asked tutors and heads of year to contact parents where there are any uniform issues. In this cold weather, students should have a coat if needed. A reminder that hooded tops are not coats and should not be worn to school.

At the start of this new year there have been some changes to staffing that I would like to make you aware of. I will be Head of School following in the successful footsteps of Mr Carney who we send our best wishes to as he starts at his new school. Also I am sure you will join me in congratulating Mr Cajkler, Interim Vice Principal and Mrs Singh, Interim Assistant Principal.

Thank you for students’ maturity during the testing on 5th January. This has helped us avoid any further disruption to the start of term.

Lateral Flow Testing – please can students continue to test twice a week – we have sent self-testing kits home with students.

Face coverings/masks

Following Government announcements, face coverings/masks must be worn in classrooms and in the school building. Students should wear a plain mask with no logos or pictures. It can be cloth or disposable.

Advent Charity Fund Raising – thank you

During Advent we raised £1389.85 for the following charities: CAFOD, City of Sanctuary, Rainbows and Keep the Beat. A very big thank you to all members of the school for taking part so well in our Advent fundraising. A further £370 was raised for LOROS from the sale of desk calendars designed by Mrs Ross and Mr Chambers.

Safety

At the start of term may I ask you to remind your child to keep safe whilst travelling to and from school. Where possible, they should not walk alone, especially in unlit or quiet areas; they should not talk to strangers and should report any concerns they have to home, police or school.

Seasonal ‘Bugs’ – a reminder to wash hands

Catch it – Germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

Bin it – Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.

Kill it – Hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.

The NHS reminds us that school communities are particularly susceptible to infections which increase over the winter months, such as seasonal influenza (flu) and stomach infections (such as norovirus). The spread of these illnesses can be limited by infection control practices by all of us. Therefore, I would like to remind everyone about the need for regular washing of hands and good respiratory hygiene.

Parents’ Consultation Meetings – these will be held online

This half term we are holding the crucially important Parents’ Consultation meetings for Years 11 and 10. These are booked using the online system. To book your appointment go to http:// www.parents-booking.co.uk/emcs. To begin you will simply need your child’s legal first name and legal surname and your child’s date of birth. More detailed instructions are issued by letter in advance of each Parents’ Meeting.

Please note that these will take place online unless otherwise stated.

Year 11 – Thursday 13th January 2022, 3.30 – 6.00pm

Year 10x (Alban, Campion, Clitheroe, Fisher) – Thursday 20th January 2022, 3.30 – 6.00pm

Year 10Y (Line, More, Sherwin, Ward) – Thursday 27th January 2022, 3.30 – 6.00pm

Parking

Please can I remind parents who are collecting their children to park with consideration and avoid blocking our neighbours’ drives.

Severe Weather

In the event that the school were to be closed due to winter weather there would be an announcement on the school’s website, and via BBC Radio Leicester 104.9 FM. Clearly we hope to operate school as usual every day. Unless an announcement is made, please assume the school is open.

School Show Mary Poppins Jr – June 2022 – Change of Date

Students are performing ‘Mary Poppins Jr’ on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th June 2022, which promises to be an excellent night out – tickets are priced at £10 – Adult, £5 – Concession and Family – £20. Tickets are available from the School Shop. Students attending the show should be accompanied by an adult.

School Photographs

Year 7 – 13 Individual school photographs will be taken on Tuesday 25th January 2022 and Year 11, 12 and 13 group photographs will be taken on Thursday 27th January.

Term dates 2022 – 2023

Please find attached the Term Dates for 2022 – 2023.

May I wish everyone health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

Yours sincerely,

M Calen

Head of School