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After a relaxing half term break, it has been a real pleasure to welcome everyone back to school. The extended holiday clearly did us all good — there has been such a positive atmosphere around school this week.

On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome our linked inspector from the local authority, who gave glowing feedback about what she saw. She spoke highly of the purposeful and engaging lessons taking place across the school, but what stood out most was how welcoming our students were and how enthusiastically they spoke about their learning. She remarked, “Your school has so much to celebrate” which the governors and I were thrilled to hear.

Recognition and reward are essential elements of wellbeing, and that’s why we are continually reviewing and developing our reward systems. Our daily stamp system remains central to this, but we are also keen to celebrate a wider range of achievements. You may have noticed that we are now adding positive points on the MCAS app to recognise students’ efforts, work and contributions, a system we are expanding gradually to ensure rewards are both meaningful and motivating.

Alongside stamps, house points, certificates and postcards home, we also love to celebrate our young people for their accomplishments both in and beyond school. Before half term, I was delighted to host two Rewards Breakfasts — one for Year 7 and one for Year 8 — to recognise students who exemplify our school values every single day.

This week, I have also had the privilege of speaking to three students whose achievements deserve to be shared widely.

Jas Jolliffe in Year 10 was recently nominated for the Pride of Andover Awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Girlguiding. As a Young Leader, she supports Rainbow, Brownie and Guide units each week, ensuring activities are inclusive and adapted for girls with additional needs. She also assists on residential trips. At the awards ceremony on 22nd October, Jas was presented with a trophy and certificate for being Highly Commended in the Education category — a wonderful recognition of her service to others.

Noah Regan in Year 7 achieved remarkable success at the World Kickboxing Championships in Swansea, competing in the under 50kg category and bringing home three medals — bronze in the solo event, silver in the boxing event, and gold in the team kickboxing event. A fantastic accomplishment and one of which we are immensely proud.

Callum Bell, our Head Boy, exemplifies this year’s Remembrance theme of Service before Self. His squadron was invited to a prestigious Remembrance ceremony at the communal cemetery in Achiet-Le-Grand in France next week and Callum was selected as a representative  — an incredible honour.

Both Jas and Noah have also been added to our Harrow Way Heroes display in Student Reception, and all three students have received a Headteacher’s Commendation in recognition of their achievements.

This week, Mrs Swanton, our Head of History, has been leading assemblies on the importance of Remembrance and helping students reflect on the sacrifices made by others so that we may live freely. I wrote to parents and carers on Wednesday outlining our plans for next Tuesday’s Act of Remembrance, and we are proud that our Head Prefects and I will also be representing Harrow Way at the town parade this Sunday. I know that many of our students will be participating too, either marching in uniform or joining their families as spectators — I look forward to seeing them there.

I wish you all an enjoyable weekend.
Mrs Dawn German

All key dates for 2025-26 are also available on the website.

Assembly - Remembrance
This week, our students gathered for a Remembrance Assembly where they were told stories of courage and sacrifice from the First World War.

The assembly focused on individuals who demonstrated exceptional dedication and bravery, going above and beyond the call of duty during one of history's most challenging periods.

The assembly focused on individuals who demonstrated exceptional dedication and bravery, going above and beyond the call of duty during one of history's most challenging periods.

As we approach Remembrance Day, it was fitting to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. The stories shared served as a poignant reminder of the values we continue to honour today: courage in the face of adversity, dedication to others, and the concept of putting others before your own needs.

The respectful attention and thoughtful engagement from our students throughout the assembly demonstrated their understanding of why we remember.

Kit Malthouse MP
Today we were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Kit Malthouse who spoke in assembly to our Year 7 students about his career and politics in the UK.

Mobile Phones and Young People’s Wellbeing - Parent Survey
We are increasingly aware of the impact that mobile phones and social media can have on young people’s wellbeing. Many of the challenges our students face today — from tiredness and distraction to online pressures — are linked to their use of technology.

Locally, all our partner primary schools have taken the step to become smartphone-free, and as a secondary school, we are beginning to explore how we might take a similar approach that best supports our students. Before any changes are made, we’d like to hear from parents and carers to understand your views and experiences.

Please take a couple of minutes to complete our short survey — your feedback will help shape our next steps. Parent Survey: Mobile Phones Together, we can ensure our approach reflects what matters most: helping young people stay safe, happy, and focused on their learning and wellbeing.

Public Consultations
Transport and Post-16 Transport Policy Consultation

Resource Provision at Harrow Way School - Final Stages

Year 11 'Core' Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs)
We are very pleased to note the excellent attitudes shown by our Year 11 students this term. Their maturity, focus, and readiness to engage fully in their studies reflect a commendable sense of purpose as they commence this important stage of their education.  
As I am sure you are aware, next week, w/c 10th November, Year 11 will be undertaking their 'Core' PPEs, I have attached a timetable below.  I have no doubt that Year 11 will again meet the high expectations that they have been displaying all year.  
However, I would like to highlight the importance of their attendance next week in particular.  This is the penultimate chance pupils will have to prepare for their formal exams next summer, and there will be no practical way to facilitate 'catch-ups', as this would involve missing vital lesson time.  We understand that there can be circumstances that make it necessary for pupils to miss school, but can you please support us in ensuring that pupils are here next week.  Thank you again for your continued support.

Maths Tutor Opportunity
As a school, we are often contacted by external providers offering support for our Year 11 students. While we do not directly endorse any specific services, we believe it is helpful to make you aware of these opportunities. Over half term, we were contacted by BV Maths, who offer maths tutoring for Year 11 students. If you would like further information, please follow this link to their website.

Year 11 Additional Learning Opportunities 
We are delighted to share that there has been an excellent uptake of our Year 11 Additional Learning Opportunities, which take place each morning.  It is wonderful to see so many students engaging enthusiastically and benefiting from the additional support provided.  We would like to extend our thanks to parents and carers for their ongoing encouragement and partnership, which play such an important role in helping our pupils achieve their very best.  
Interventions, such as these, work best if they are targeted at a key group of students all working towards the same goal.  For this reason, not all students are attending every intervention.  Please be assured that further Additional Learning Opportunities are scheduled to begin over the coming months, opening this opportunity up to many more students.  After Christmas, English, Maths, Science will also be offered weekly after school sessions to ensure that all our pupils are best prepared for their GCSE examinations.

Ways Forward - our weekly newsletter for Careers, Apprenticeship, College, Work and Work Experience.

Highlights in Ways Forward this week include a potential work experience opportunity for Year 10 students interested in prosthetics and orthotics, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition, and LMI about careers in law. There are also details about BCoT's next open event.

Here is a link to a promotional youtube video from the team at Young Writers for a 100 word story writing competition. There are prizes and the chance to be published!

With toxic masculinity being much talked about recently, here is an article from the author Nathanael Lessore about using fiction to promote important conversations. He references his books and we have them in stock. On Reading Cloud there are various reading lists including one for teenage well-being where you can find several books written specifically for boys.

November is National Non-Fiction Month so we are showcasing some great information books - old and new! Our Remembrance display is also up and next week is Anti-Bullying Week. There's always lots happening!

Year 10 Football - The Clere 0 - 5 Harrow Way
Our Year 10 footballers continued their 100% record this week against The Clere, in what was a race against time with the fading light. The boys made the most of the limited game time and secured a 5-0 win in what was an assured performance.  Alan Elzanowski opened the scoring for the visitors, with a clean strike across goal after a lovely ball through from Piotr Osuch. The lead was quickly doubled, with the same two players combining and Alan getting his second of the game, showing composure in taking the ball round the keeper and slotting the ball home. Provider turned scorer, when Piotr got himself on the scoresheet, again running onto a through ball with space in behind The Clere’s defence, and finishing the ball nicely into the corner. Before the half time break, Piotr secured his hattrick of assists, and Alan secured his hattrick of goals, after Piotr took on his full back on the left hand side, and selflessly squared it across for Alan to tap home. 4-0 at half time and the boys were cruising.

Changes were made during the break and a few positional shifts were made. The flow of the game was the same though, with chances at a premium for the visiting side. After a few chances were wasted, the ball fell kindly to the feet of Cohen Joyner, who tucked it home from tight range to wrap up the game. The boys played some lovely football throughout and thoroughly deserved the win. They will now be turning their attention to next week, where they will be taking on Testbourne.

Check out the latest news, fundraising initiatives and upcoming events from the PTA here - harrowwaypta.charityhive.co.uk

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Harrow Way Community School,
Harrow Way,
Andover,
Hampshire.
SP10 3RH