Headteacher's Letters

Dear Parents & Carers

We have had a busy two weeks. All Year 10 examinations are now complete. We now look forward to students getting feedback. Year 11 have really impressed staff by their high levels of attendance at revision sessions and their hard work in lessons. Keep up the good efforts!

Catholic Life and Mission

We look forward to our assemblies this week being led by different form groups on the theme of The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are Jesus’ guide to real happiness, teaching us that God blesses people who are humble, kind, merciful, and who try to do what is right. They remind us that loving others, even when it is hard, matters more than popularity, power, or success. Jesus promises that when we live this way, we grow closer to God and help build His Kingdom. The Beatitudes describe the attitudes that shape saints and lead believers toward holiness and eternal life. They offer rich guidance and invite our whole school community to reflect on how we live out Christ’s call each day.

Matthew 5: 2-12a

We are sending home regular attendance updates for each child, and we hope you find these helpful. Our attendance target is 97%, and we were extremely proud of Year 7 for achieving this as a year group last Thursday. We are proud of all students whose attendance is above 97% in all year groups. These new attendance updates will help you understand the impact that missing even one day of school can have on learning.

During the last week, attendance was disappointing for some students. Absence from school creates gaps in learning and can have a detrimental effect on students’ mental health. Evidence shows that children who experience mental health challenges benefit greatly from structure and routine. While teachers do everything possible to support students returning after an absence, many can feel anxious or overwhelmed, having missed both learning and valuable social interaction with their peers.

By improving attendance, students make a positive choice that supports both their academic progress and personal development. We understand that there may be genuine circumstances that affect attendance, and if you are experiencing ongoing challenges in supporting your child to attend school regularly, please contact your child’s pastoral team. We are always keen to work in partnership with families to ensure every student is fully supported to succeed.

Being ready for learning

We are very grateful to parents and carers for the many students who arrive at school on time, in full and correct uniform, fully equipped and ready to learn. These students engage positively in school life, including extra-curricular activities, and are in the best possible position to thrive and achieve their full potential.

However, we are seeing an increasing number of students—particularly on Mondays—who arrive late and unprepared for learning, missing items of uniform, without a school bag, and appearing tired and unsettled. Through conversations with students, we have learned that some have been using gaming consoles or electronic devices late into the night, sometimes until 2 or 3am, without families being aware. This lack of sleep significantly affects their wellbeing, concentration, and ability to participate fully in lessons.

We kindly ask parents and carers to consider establishing evening routines that include time away from screens. Ideally, devices could be handed to parents or carers overnight to support healthy sleep habits. This would help ensure students get sufficient rest and arrive at school feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to learn.

Year 10 Visit to Krakow, Poland

Our Year 10 students were fortunate to spend time in Krakow during a week that included Holocaust Memorial Day, marked annually on 27 January. On their first day in Poland, students were incredibly privileged to hear from a Holocaust survivor who shared a truly moving testimony—harrowing, inspiring, and unforgettable. They also visited the Galicia Jewish Museum and took part in a guided tour of the Jewish District, before ending the day together at the Hard Rock Café. On the second day, students visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, a deeply moving and significant experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended. This visit powerfully reinforced the responsibility we all share to remember the past and to actively oppose discrimination, prejudice, and hatred in all its forms. During their time in Krakow, students also visited the Schindler Factory Museum, where they reflected on history, courage, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Parents and carers of students in Year 9 are warmly invited to attend the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 5th February 2026, from 4.00–6.30pm. No appointments are necessary. This is a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, discuss how they have settled into secondary school, and receive an update on their progress and next steps. Your involvement is vital in supporting your child’s learning, and we strongly encourage all families to attend.

Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards

We are proud to celebrate some more of our Year 10 students who received their Duke of  Edinburgh Bronze Awards last week. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award encourages students to develop independence, confidence, and valuable life skills through a balanced programme of activities. To achieve the award, participants complete four sections:

• Volunteering – One hour per week for 3 months, supporting others or the local community
• Physical – One hour per week for 3 months, improving fitness through sport or physical activity
• Skills – One hour per week for 3 months, developing a personal interest or practical skill
• Expedition – Planning, training for, and completing a 2-day, 1-night self-supported expedition as part of a small team

Many congratulations to all of our students. This is a significant achievement!

Sports Updates

Year 9 Sports Leaders were involved in running the West Lancs Primary Dodgeball Competition this week. A great opportunity to showcase their leadership skills and qualities. Well done everyone! Here are the weekly round ups from Mr Evans.

Dates for your diary

PARENTS’ EVENINGS (Thursdays 4-6.30pm)

5^th February 2026                             Year 9

26^th February 2026                           Year 10

Holiday Dates

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the term.

Yours sincerely

Mrs M. Henshaw

Headteacher