Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

What a term! From the ISI excellents to The Sunday Times award, from Eddie Jones’ visit to the myriad of trips our pupils have undertaken, all crowned with festive fun in abundance over the last two weeks. As I write, I can hear the sounds of ‘Rock Up’ in the theatre foyer as our student bands close the term in style, and there are ‘stylish’ Christmas jumpers aplenty in Junior School today, with everything topped off by Rose Court’s carols by candlelight this afternoon.

Your children will be exhausted (as are the staff!) but I hope they are also happy as they reflect on all that they have achieved and all that they have learnt this term. So now it’s time to breathe – and for many families this is a special time of year in terms of their faith, too, as we are celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah next week. So to everyone in the GSAL community, may I wish you the happiest of holidays, with the blessing of family and friends around you, and a New Year full of joy and peace.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

Please note that to access the downloads in this bulletin you will need to be logged into the school intranet GSAL World. Should you have any difficulty logging in please visit the GSAL World home page and follow the instructions under Password Reset Request.

Whole school notices

2kit – nearly new uniform shop

Saturday 11 January 10:00 to 12:00 in the theatre foyer

The PFA will be holding a sale of nearly new uniform for all sections of school, with good reductions on the cost of buying new. All proceeds to support PFA projects for the school.

Islamic Society charity event

Saturday 11 January from 15:00 to 18:00 in the theatre foyer

All GSAL families are invited to this fundraising event in aid of the Kashmir Appeal. Please visit the GSAL website for further details.

Charity update

The charity collection on Friday 13 December supported Simon on the Streets, raising over £350. In the final week of term there have been several charity events but no whole school collection.

On Friday 10 January 2020 the collection will be on behalf of Prostate Cancer. Thank you for your continued support.

Year 7 notices

Y7 classics trip

Friday 19 June to Sunday 21 June 2020, Hadrian’s Wall

The classics department is arranging a weekend visit to Hadrian’s Wall in the summer term of 2020. Please read the attached letter from Mr M Gibson, head of classics, for further details.

If you would like to reserve a place for your son/daughter please provide your permission and deposit payment via the sQuid listing no later than Friday 31 January 2020. Please be aware that as spaces are limited, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Year 9 notices

Y9 subject teacher consultation evening

Boys: Thursday 9 January 2020 17:30-20:00
Girls: Tuesday 14 January 2020 17:30-20:00

We invite parents to meet with their child’s subject teachers to discuss progress to date. Please visit the Y9 pages on GSAL World for a letter from Mr M Ahern, acting head of Y9, giving further details and how to book appointments with subject teachers.

The online booking system will close for boys on Tuesday 7 January at 16:00 and for girls on Sunday 12 January at 16:00.

Year 11 notices

A-level options: Y11 subject presentations

From Wednesday 8 January to Monday 20 January 2020

Next term academic departments will run presentations to outline the nature and content of the A-level courses to Y11 students. These presentations will be extremely helpful when making important decisions about which subjects to choose at A-level. Please visit the Y11 pages on GSAL World to view the schedule of presentations.

The deadline for completion and submission of A-level options forms to form tutors is Tuesday 21 January.

Speech Day photographs

Photos taken at Speech Day of all prizewinners and GCSE certificate holders are available to view and purchase from the photographer’s online gallery until 31 January 2020. The password is prize.

Year 12 notices

Speech Day photographs

Photos taken at Speech Day of all prizewinners and GCSE certificate holders are available to view and purchase from the photographer’s online gallery until 31 January 2020. The password is prize.

Year 13 notices

Speech Day photographs

Photos taken at Speech Day of all prizewinners and GCSE certificate holders are available to view and purchase from the photographer’s online gallery until 31 January 2020. The password is prize.