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It may have been the final week of this half term, but it has certainly been one of the busiest. On Monday, we were thrilled to welcome back Miss Priestman, now fully recovered following her operation in December. I know students have greatly enjoyed being back in her lessons.

Our Year 11 students have been working diligently through the second — and final — week of their PPEs. We are immensely proud of their conscientious approach and determination to make the most of every minute. Many have shared how tiring these examination weeks can be; when we talk about preparing for exams, we also emphasise the importance of wellbeing and pacing — a message that has clearly resonated. Taking time to rest, eat well and sleep sufficiently is a vital part of being exam-ready. I am confident that the experience of the past two weeks, alongside the feedback students receive, will set them up well for the summer.

There was further cause for celebration this week as our students participated in a regional heat of Dance Live on Tuesday at Portsmouth Guildhall. Competing against other schools and colleges, our talented team achieved an impressive third place, as well as winning awards for Best Costume and Best Video Journey. The students represented the school superbly, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and remarkable commitment throughout. This success is also a testament to the dedication and passion of Miss Bryant, who choreographed the routine, spent hours sewing lights into costumes, prepared students thoroughly, and led the trip. I am thrilled to see our young people given opportunities to shine in this way — warmest congratulations to everyone involved on a well-deserved achievement.

As it is Careers Month, Mr Fluellen arranged for Lloyds Bank to support our Year 9 students on Thursday with mock interviews. Students prepared responses to five typical interview questions before attending their scheduled appointment. Some rather nervous students arrived in the hall, but thanks to the skill and encouragement of our visitors, they quickly grew in confidence and left beaming with pride. These formative experiences are invaluable, helping students overcome the natural anxiety of meeting unfamiliar people while setting them up for future success.

For families living near Harrow Way, you may recently have received notice from Hampshire Highways regarding roadworks scheduled over the next two weeks in Upper Drove and Eardley Avenue. One of these weeks falls during half term, which will help to minimise disruption; however, there may still be some impact on Harrow Way itself, particularly at the start and end of the school day.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that decisions relating to local roads, parking restrictions and traffic management sit with the local council rather than the school. We have no influence on these decisions. While we were very disappointed when the bus service from Roman Way was withdrawn, this too was outside of our control.

As always, the safety of our students and consideration for our neighbours remain our priorities. We are grateful to the many families who park responsibly, avoiding nearby residential roads where possible, and encouraging their children to walk or cycle when it is safe to do so. Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone in our community.

I wish all our students and families a wonderful half term break.
Mrs Dawn German

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

Assembly
This week in assemblies Mr Fluellen has been looking at Apprenticeships as this week is National Apprenticeship Week. 

Year 9 had a visiting speaker, Pete Thompson, as part of our Careers month. Pete spoke about how planning, people and having a purpose, helped him overcome his mental health battles and gave him the resilience to run 44 marathons in 44 European countries in 44 consecutive days.

Year 10 assembly was delivered by Gloria from Pathway CTM looking at the range of different apprenticeships on offer from AWE. AWE’s purpose is to protect the UK through nuclear science and technology by designing and manufacturing warheads and provide nuclear services to meet the needs of defence.

Year 7 Pizza Party
The top 20 Year 7 students who achieved excellence for their effort and attitude on their latest progress reports were celebrated this week by having a pizza party with their Year Leader, Mrs Roberts.

Parent and Carer Survey
Thank you to the many parents and carers who have already taken the time to complete our Parent and Carer Survey. I am grateful for the responses we have received so far. Your views matter to me because they help us to remain outward-looking and responsive, ensuring that our school continues to grow in ways that best support our students and families.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to respond, I encourage you to do so. We are particularly keen to understand what you value most about our school so that we can protect and build upon the things we are getting right. We also welcome constructive feedback that will help us shape our next steps and continue to improve. You can view the survey here.

Unlock Andover
There will be an ‘Unlock Andover’ event at the Chantry Centre, Andover on Saturday 14th Feb 12:00 – 15:00hrs.

This is for the young people of Andover to show them what activities there are in the town but also to divert them away from anti-social behaviour.  Police, Community Wardens, Willow Team, Yellow Brick Road and other agencies are attending and we will have some great activities for the young people such as self-defence classes and of course free snacks!

Students Feeling Unwell in School
Students should not contact home directly if they feel unwell. They must report to the Medical Room (Student Reception), where staff will assess them and contact parents/carers if necessary.

If you choose to send your child to school while they are feeling under the weather, we will assume that you have determined they are well enough to attend, and we will uphold that decision unless their condition deteriorates during the day. In the first instance, appropriate medication will be offered in line with school procedures. Should this not improve their condition, a call home will be made. Further medical information and the student welfare policy can be viewed on our website.

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

This week you can learn how to create a podcast through a two-day virtual work experience with Talk2Dan media agency, taking place during the Easter holidays (apply by 10th March).

Students interested in languages might like to enter the University of Oxford's Flash Fiction Competition - with a chance to win £100!

If students are in Year 10 and are still searching for a work experience placement, then please watch MYPATH's short video to help you with ideas for different ways to approach organisations.

Our LMI (Local Market Information) spotlight is all about law, and studying law at university.  Finally, find out what's coming up after half-term as part of our ongoing Careers Month.

We keep in touch with many authors and received an exciting email from Dan Freedman this week. He is looking for students to contribute to his new book Game Changers - a book about football players from around the world. Here is a link to a short video from him explaining more. Please be aware that the video opens on Youtube. Students who would like to take part should come to the Library in the LRC for more information.

We also heard from award winning author Tom Palmer who, as a result of an X post,  sent a message for one of my year 7 reading groups who loved his book, Ghost Stadium.

This week has been full of changing displays reflecting various national and international events - Safer Internet Day, International Women and Girls in Science Day, Careers Month and Children's Mental Health Week. The latter was promoted by Place2Be who complimented us on the ' great selection of books' we posted on X and Instagram. Previously, we have been praised by the School Library Service at Hampshire County Council for our carefully curated Well-Being and Mental Health collection. This reading list of dozens of books is available on Reading Cloud - via the free app or here.

Year 7 and 8 tutor groups received their World Book Day free book vouchers for use in The Works or Waterstones from tomorrow. Getting in early provides more choice! Please encourage them to make use of these either for themselves or siblings. It's been a pleasure to speak with many students this week about how they are progressing with dressing their tutor room door as a book for World Book Day - many have been in to collect art supplies! The character drawings have been wonderful - we have many talented artists.

Rain Can’t Stop Play: 24 Girls Shine at Netball Club
Torrential rain did little to deter the 24 determined girls who turned up for netball club this week, proving that a little weather can’t dampen true team spirit.

Despite the downpour, the courts were alive with energy, laughter and unwavering enthusiasm. Passing drills powered on, shooting accuracy remained impressive, and teamwork was on full display as players embraced the challenge with resilience and positivity.

Their commitment was outstanding. While the rain poured, spirits soared — a true testament to the dedication and camaraderie that make our netball club so special.

Well done to all 24 players for showing that when it comes to passion for the game, nothing stands in the way — not even torrential rain!

Year 7 & 8 Leaders Shine at Primary Cross Country Festival
Our Year 7 and 8 Cross Country Leaders demonstrated outstanding leadership and resilience as they supported the recent Primary Schools Cross Country Festival.

With conditions described as soft to very soft underfoot and heavy rain pouring throughout the event, the leaders rose to the challenge superbly. They helped marshal the course, organise runners, offer encouragement and ensure the event ran smoothly despite the testing weather.

Staff from the primary schools were full of praise for their maturity, enthusiasm and excellent organisational skills. Their calm and responsible approach made a real difference to the success of the festival and provided fantastic role models for the younger pupils.

We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented the school. They showed true leadership qualities and embodied the spirit of teamwork and service — even in the toughest of conditions. Well done to all involved!

Year 9 Rugby Match Report – Captain’s View (written by Lucas Owen)
Our Year 9 rivalry match took place in heavy rain, turning the pitch into a real test of determination and teamwork. The away side adapted quickly to the slippery conditions and built an early lead, but as captain I was proud of how we stayed focused, kept communicating, and refused to let the weather or the scoreline affect our attitude. It was my first game as captain, and I really enjoyed the challenge of balancing responsibility with keeping team morale high. Driving forward, hitting tackles, clearing rucks at pace, and creating opportunities for my teammates felt like a privilege, and I was especially proud of those who were new to the game and showed brilliant spirit throughout.

The second half was where our determination truly came through. Gabriel, Seb and I both crossed the line after sustained pressure, and Monty delivered some excellent kicking—finding touch at key moments and helping shape one of our scoring opportunities. We built phase after phase in the pouring rain, and relentless pressure eventually pushed us over again. Although the final score finished 17–42, the fight, teamwork, and resilience we showed in that period were outstanding.

There are still areas we’ll keep working on, especially our tackling- staying low, strong, and committed in every contact. One of the best parts of the day was seeing the “town” players, even though on separate sides, showing great sportsmanship and respect throughout the match. A huge thank you goes to our two coaches: one who refereed the game brilliantly in tough conditions, and the other who supported us from the touchline with constant encouragement. And a special thanks to Ethan, who ran the line in that awful weather. We really appreciate your support and are looking forward to having you back on the team soon. Also thanks to the Year 8s who stepped up on the day to help Year 9s.  Despite the result, this match showed our character, our progress, and the potential we’ll keep building on.

Netball Match Report – 7A vs Wellington Academy

On Wednesday, the Year 7A netball team faced tough opposition in their match against Wellington Academy. The girls made a strong start, with a competitive and closely contested first quarter that saw Wellington leading by just two goals.

Although Wellington Academy went on to dominate the middle half of the game, the team continued to work hard and showed great determination throughout. Harrow Way refused to give up and demonstrated resilience and teamwork in the final quarter.

The final quarter was particularly impressive, with some excellent centre pass routines from Chloe, Lizzie and Alicia. The ball was transitioned smoothly up the court, allowing the shooters to receive clean passes and convert their opportunities with confidence. Their efforts paid off as the girls won the final quarter 3–2, finishing the match on a real high.

Despite the 15–4 final score, the team showed fantastic perseverance and spirit, especially in their positive finish to the game. Well done to all players for their effort and commitment.

Player of the Match - Chloe.

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