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Dance Performance
This year's BTEC Dance production of Narnia has been performed to sell out audiences so far this week and tonight's performance looks to be the same. The show was comprised of close to 100 students studying BTEC Dance at Harrow Way and choreographed and directed by our Curriculum Leader for Dance, Miss Walker. Dance is an integral part of the Performing Arts Department. Students relish dance and in lessons have spent a great deal of time choreographing the routines and practising for this amazing performance. There was also a Matinee Performance for primary pupils on Wednesday morning. Despite the torrential rain, hardy Portway Year 5 pupils walked down to us - I hope they enjoyed the performance despite getting more than a little wet.
The Secondary School League Tables
The secondary schools league tables have just been published, featuring the results of the first students to sit the new, tougher GCSEs in English and maths. We were delighted to see our Attainment 8 Score and % of students getting a grade 4+ and grade 5+ in English and Maths were all above the National Average and the highest in the Andover area.
Assemblies
This week the theme for assembly has been the Holocaust. Holocaust Memorial Day is on Saturday 27th January. This is when we remember the 6 million Jewish people brutally murdered by the Nazis during World War 2. This year the theme for the memorial day is the Power of Words. During assembly we looked at how our words can be used for both good and evil. Some members of 8CAB helped out telling the story of Henry Wermuth who was a survivor of the Holocaust. Overall the message of the assembly was to ensure we are considerate of others and make sure that examples of persecution and discrimination in our society are challenged. You can read Henry Wermuth's story, along with many others at http://hmd.org.uk/resources/life-stories.
During this week's Year 7 Assembly, students were treated to an sample Science lesson delivered at Icknield School. The entrancing topic based Alice in Wonderland lesson focused on the effect of force on Alice as she fell down the hole into Wonderland.
At Harrow Way we are very proud of our links with Icknield School. Icknield is a local Special School for children and young people with severe learning difficulties. Our links have given pupils from both schools excellent opportunities to develop understanding, kindness and enthusiasm for helping others. Some Year 7 pupils, as a part of the Harrow Way Guarantee, have already visited the Icknield School. We have future plans for more visits and an in-school fundraising obstacle course activity which last Year raised over £1600 for Icknield. This money is used to support life opportunities for their pupils.
School visits
School visits to the Museum of Computing for ICT and Southampton for Geography fieldwork have taken place this week. You can read about the activities on our Twitter feed.
Safeguarding
At Harrow Way we place the safeguarding of our community at the top of our priorities and as such we regularly discuss relevant issues with our students. In an increasingly complex world it is essential that students have the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe both online and out and about within the community. We would ask that parents continue to take an active part in this by regularly talking to their children about the risks they encounter in their lives and the safeguarding measures they can use to stay safe. We are refreshing the message about not arranging to meet anyone in person who you have only been in contact with via social media. Although this is a concern which has been around for a while now, it remains a concern that students may not recognise the potential for them to be groomed online and the potential risk of meeting someone in person. Please take a moment to refresh this message with your child. Advice about keeping your children safe online and talking to your child about this topic can be found at https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
NSPCC Number Day - Non-uniform
I have agreed to a non-uniform day to support the NSPCC Number Day on Friday 2nd February. The cost will be £1 as usual and students may wear number-related clothing if they wish. Year 7's will also enjoy some extra Maths activities in the afternoon.
Year 11 Mocks
These will run from Friday 26th January for two weeks. This link to the timetable will help you and your child plan their revision work.
Year 9 Parents Evening
My thanks to the very many parents who attended the Parents Evening on Monday. There were some really positive discussions and we look forward to welcoming you all to the Curriculum Evening on Monday 19th March at 6.00 pm when you and your child can discuss their final subject choices for Year 10 and 11.
Year 10 Work Experience
A reminder that the deadline for Placement Year 10 parents is Friday 13th February. Parents have been sent an e-mail with a link to an explanatory letter giving dates and details of next Summer's Work Experience Week for Year 10 students.
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