Headteacher's Letters

Dear Parents & Carers,

We have had a positive start back after half term.

Catholic Life and Mission

On Wednesday, 5th November 2025, Father Kenny led us in a beautiful and heartfelt service to remember much-loved family members and friends who have gone before us. Through prayers and moments of quiet reflection, we honoured their memory and entrusted them to God’s loving care. As we continue through the Month of the Holy Souls, we hold them close in our hearts. May they rest in peace.

Service of Remembrance

On Tuesday 11th November 2025, the whole school observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day. Our uniformed Cadets led us in prayer, and Year 7 gathered outdoors to attend a short but meaningful service. Mrs Cardwell played the ‘Last Post’ in a poignant tribute to those who gave their lives in service of others.

Exam weeks

The countdown is on to our first exam week which will start in a week’s time. Year 7 & Year 8 students will sit their formal examinations week commencing 24^th November 2025 and Year 11 exams will start on Monday 1^st December 2025. Year 9 & 10 exams will start on Monday 12^th January 2026. Students should now have a well-planned revision schedule and be setting time aside to do some learning each day.

INSET Day

Our next INSET Day will take place on Friday 28th November 2025. School will be closed to students on this day and will re-open as normal on Monday 1st December 2025.

Attendance

I am delighted to share that we have seen a very encouraging rise in attendance over the past two weeks. Nearly 600 students had 100% attendance last week, Attendance on Fridays has also shown a noticeable increase. We are grateful to our students and families for working together to ensure that children are in school, learning and making the most of the support available to them. If you require any support in helping your child attend school regularly, please do not hesitate to contact the attendance team. Please remember to check your child’s attendance and punctuality via ClassCharts regularly.

Parental Contact Details

From time to time, parents and carers may experience changes in personal circumstances, such as a new phone number, new job or a change of address. If this happens, please make sure you update the school with your most recent details as soon as possible. Having accurate contact information is essential, especially in the event of an emergency. This also applies to anyone listed as a second or third emergency contact on our system. If you are unavailable during the school day, please ensure alternative emergency contacts are up to date and able to respond if needed. Thank you for helping us keep every child safe.

Year 10 French Cinema Visit

On 13th November 2025, the annual French Film Festival UK returned to Bolton for its latest run. Mrs Bouhassoun took a group of Year 10 students to see The Most Precious Cargoes. The trip offered a fantastic introduction to French cinema, allowing students to experience a film in the French language with English subtitles. It also provided a valuable opportunity for them to practise their GCSE listening and reading skills in a real-life context.

Compass Bloom Information Evening

As part of the Student Wellbeing Award questionnaire, parents expressed a desire for more information about mental health. In response, on Monday 10th November 2025, Compass Bloom delivered an Information Evening focused on understanding and managing anxiety. The session provided parents with the opportunity to share experiences, explore a range of strategies for supporting young people, and learn techniques to help build resilience. Thank you to the parents / carers who attended the evening. Another Information Evening will be planned for the Spring term.

Parent Working Party – Mental Health and Wellbeing

Thank you to the three parents who have already put themselves forward for the Parent Working Party focused on mental health and wellbeing. This group will help us explore ways to further support our students and promote positive wellbeing across our school community. If you are interested in being involved, please get in touch. We would particularly welcome parents and carers who either have professional expertise in mental health and wellbeing, or have a personal interest in supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing, including parents/carers of children with special educational needs.

Lockdown Drill

On the afternoon of Friday 14th November, following year group assemblies and time in form to prepare students, our Lockdown Drill took place as planned. Senior leaders checked different areas of the school while students remained in class and followed staff instructions calmly and responsibly. I am pleased to say that they demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of this safety procedure.

Parents’ Evenings

Year 11 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 20th Nov 2025

This week, we will be holding Y11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 20^th November 2025. We look forward to welcoming you and discussing your child’s progress in the run up to the mock exams. The Parents’ Evening will run from 4pm to 6.30pm.

Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Thank you to all our Year 8 parents and carers who attended Parents’ Evening a couple of weeks ago. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share so many positive conversations about students’ progress, achievements and personal development. We truly value the strong partnership between home and school, and your support plays a vital role in helping our young people to thrive. We look forward to continuing to work together throughout the year to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

Ketamine – Information for Parents and Carers

There is growing concern across the country about young people using ketamine. Parents and carers are encouraged to be alert to any changes in their child’s behaviour. Ketamine is unfortunately widely available and often easy to obtain at a low cost in many communities. Staying informed and having open conversations with your child is vital to keeping them safe.

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in human and veterinary medicine, but it is also misused recreationally. Ketamine is an illegal, Class B drug. Possession carries a five-year prison sentence. Dealing carries a 14-year sentence. It has many side effects and can cause a sense of detachment from reality (dissociation), hallucinations, distorted perception, and loss of coordination or feeling in the limbs. Long-term use may lead to serious health issues, including abdominal pain, bladder problems, kidney and liver damage, and mental health effects such as depression, psychotic symptoms, flashbacks, and difficulties with memory and concentration.

Recreational ketamine is most often found as a white powder that can be snorted or swallowed, but it may also appear as a liquid or tablet. Common street names include “ket”, “K”, “special K” and “super K”.

We urge parents to talk to their children about the risks of substance misuse and help them make safe, informed choices. Please click on the following link for further information: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4htJklhks8fptGz3s298xjw/ketamine-what-parents-need-to-know

Rewards - Updated ClassCharts Points System promoting Positive Behaviour

We have made changes to the ClassCharts points system to ensure greater consistency and clarity. Each student can now earn up to 30 points per lesson, directly linked to our School Expectations: ABC – Attendance, Behaviour & Curriculum. Points are awarded as follows:

• 10 points for attendance and being properly equipped for the lesson
• 10 points for positive behaviour in the lesson
• 10 points for working hard

If a student does not achieve the full 30 points, it is because they have not met the criteria in one or more areas of the ABC. Students can also earn additional points for being named ‘Student of the Lesson’, producing exceptional work, or completing homework. This revised system helps recognise effort, achievement, and consistent adherence to our expectations.

Sports Update

Thank you to Mr Evans for his most recent updates and to all our students who have represented school in a range of sports competitions.

Dates for your diary

PARENTS’ EVENINGS (Thursdays 4-6.30pm)

20^th November 2025                        Year 11

22^nd January 2026                             Year 7

5^th February 2026                             Year 9

26^th February 2026                           Year 10

INSET DAYS (School is closed)

INSET 4 - Friday 28th November 2025
INSET 5 - Monday 20th July 2026

Holiday Dates

Full term dates for this academic year 2025/26 and next academic year are available on our website Term Dates | Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Engineering College

Thank you for your ongoing support at the start of this term.

Kind regards

Mrs M. Henshaw

Headteacher