Dear Parents and Carers
As we enter a fourth week of term, the wider life of our school is also back in full swing. Rehearsals for Peter Pan have recommenced, Extra Time clubs resume tonight, our German exchange has come and gone, and we have already won two sporting competitions (see end of letter). Meanwhile, I hope you all received the start of term letters, depending on your child’s year group. We have been grateful for the feedback on these so far and plan to provide you with something very similar each half term, so that we can look ahead to each new term.
Meet The Tutor Evenings: 4:30pm till 7:30pm, Tuesday to Thursday
I hope that you have secured an appointment to meet or speak to your children’s tutors next week. It is really helpful to provide you with an initial impression of how the year has begun, and for you to share any information that will help the tutors or teachers support your children as well.
Open Evening Preparations: Thursday 3 October 2024, from 5pm till 8pm
Our annual open evening is under two weeks’ away. You will be aware that we shall close early on that day, at 12:30pm. All of the school bus services are aware and will leave just after 12:40pm. If it helps you, then please liaise with your child’s tutor if you would like them to stay with us that afternoon, till 3:15pm.
Furthermore, the school is also closed to all students on Friday 4 October, owing to our INSET day.
Given that all students will enjoy an early finish on the Thursday, followed by a day at home on the Friday, we hope this will encourage as many of our students as possible to volunteer to support the open evening. It is your children, in person, that visitors wish to see ‘in action’ so that they can learn about life at CNS.
We shall again ask students in years 8, 11 and sixth form to work in small mixed age groups to act as guides. Meanwhile, we ask that students in years 7, 9 and 10 support teachers and departments in classrooms, workshops, studios, laboratories and all of our sports zones.
Please look out for more information on volunteering that will be shared with students and families at the start of next week. This will include a link to a simple Google Form that enables you to give your permission for your child to be here on the open evening.
Year 11 Mocks
Every September, following every new set of GCSE, BTEC and A level results, we sit down and analyse each department’s results with the subject leader. Heads of department skilfully look at groups of students and individuals and not only reflect on their final grade, or even each paper they sat, but drill down to the cohort’s responses to individual questions. This enables us to learn more and more each year about how to prepare your children.
One of the biggest shifts we have undertaken for year 11s in recent years is to try and secure really successful mock exam results and experiences for all of our students. Some schools like to use mocks to scare students into working harder for ‘the real thing’. We know this philosophy is nonsense because we see that when students experience success in their mocks, they are significantly more likely to continue making leaps and bounds in the final months of their courses.
Whilst year 10 and 11 attendance is the foundation of all examination success, there is also a pattern of students who do well in their mocks also doing really well in their final exams – and vice versa. With the start of the Year 11 mocks just four weeks’ away, we shall be in touch with families (and students) to show them how to maximise success and to secure a broad smile on that mocks results day that will motivate them to go the extra mile in 2025.
Chippy Skatepark Update from Joe, Isaac and Joe…
Progress towards the skatepark continues and the boys have asked me to share this message from Chipping Norton Town Council – and invite us all to take part in a simple survey.
“Great news for all skaters in Chipping Norton! The skatepark project has officially taken a huge step forward, and things are getting real! The Town Council is super excited to share that Maverick Skateparks, one of the best skatepark builders in the UK, has been picked to bring our skatepark to life.
Maverick Skateparks is known for creating amazing, fun places to skate, and they totally understand what skaters want. They’ve built cool skateparks all over the country, and now they’re ready to work their magic right here in Chippy!
The new skatepark at New Street play area is going to be awesome for everyone—whether you’re just starting out or already have some sweet tricks up your sleeve. Maverick Skateparks want to make sure the design is perfect, and that’s where YOU come in. They’re asking local people to share their ideas in a quick survey, so the park is exactly what you want.
Get involved, and help create a skatepark that’s fun, challenging, and looks amazing! This is your chance to have your say!
Please take the time to complete the survey here: https://www.maverickskateparks.co.uk/chippingnorton”
We will share the link to the survey on Satchel One as well.
And finally…
Yesterday we waved our German exchange visitors off as they began their journey back to the beautiful town of Nördlingen, in Bavaria. It is a shame that they missed the local mop fair in town, but we know they have had a wonderful time in the UK. My thanks to Miss Richmond and the MFL team for organising the 56th exchange, and all of our families who have been so generous with their time to ensure our visitors had a few days to remember.
As for those early sporting triumphs, our current Year 8s won the Year 7 County League with a rain-soaked victory over Burford School. Just before we broke up, our current Year 9s also won the Year 8 County League Cup Final , beating Wheatley Park School. Congratulations to all of the boys and Mr Thomas, Head of PE.
Yours faithfully
Barry Doherty
Headteacher
