Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

This week, much news coverage has focused on the green agenda, prompted by the arrival in the UK of the world’s leading teenage climate change protester, Greta Thunberg. It has been intriguing to follow the impact Greta has made since her arrival here; she has challenged and impressed, some commentators and politicians have been frightened by the strength of her arguments, many more have been fawning over her. Whatever your views, the impact of her leadership has been phenomenal, inspiring young people across the globe to seize the green initiative from their elders.

We are challenging ourselves in school, working with staff and students to improve GSAL’s green credentials and to become far more environmentally aware and friendly than we are now. We have undertaken some larger scale changes ‘behind the scenes’ in recent years, but changing every day practice and culture is a crucial next step. Rose Court has already been leading the way, doubling its recycling collections and halving its general waste. Across the estate, we have also been improving our environmental commitment in terms of lighting, heating etc. However, there is much more to do, so please watch this space and support your children when they report back on new initiatives being introduced over the coming weeks and months.

However, a further thought about Greta, if I may? Many people have been talking about how informed and articulate she is ‘for a sixteen year old’. They clearly don’t work with young people! Yet I think there’s more than this to note. Firstly, she is fluent and engaging in a language that is not her mother tongue, reinforcing the power of language learning and its potential impact. Secondly, she has been very open about the ways that her Asperger’s has helped her to see things more clearly and tackle things more directly. We already know that language learning is on the decline in the UK; too often, individual educational needs are also pushed under the carpet. Yet Greta proves to us that even in challenging circumstances of a Davos symposium, a large scale rally or a parliamentary meeting, nothing needs to prevent a young person from being assured about what they believe and expressing that with respect, fluency and conviction. In short, Greta tells the world what I say every week; young people are impressive and inspiring to work with. However, perhaps even more importantly, she tells us that any perceived obstacle is only as high as we allow it to be – if you work with diligence and belief, anything can be possible.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

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Whole school notices

Early closure due to Tour de Yorkshire

Friday 3 May

Further to Mrs Woodroofe’s email on Wednesday, we summarise the departure arrangements for Senior School pupils next Friday as follows:

-Senior School will close at 13:40.
-School buses will depart at 13:45, following the standard after school routes normally run at 16:10.
-Pupils must attend a form tutor session at 12:50 to be signed out, and may leave school at 13:00. Parents may collect senior pupils at any time between 13:00 to 13:40.
-Pupils may have lunch before leaving; the lunch service will run until 13:35.
-Please discuss with your child their arrangements for leaving school; form tutors will ask pupils whether they will be staying for lunch to allow us to cater accordingly and ensure pupils’ safety at all times.
-The Alwoodley Gates campus will close at 14:00.

Additionally, Alwoodley Gates cannot be accessed between 09:15 and 11:45 whilst Harrogate Road is closed for the earlier races.

Spring Concert 2019

Thursday 2 May at 19:00 in the assembly hall

This concert is open to all and no tickets are required to attend. As in previous years the concert will celebrate our departing Y13 musicians who will give their own special performance.

In addition to the Y13 leavers’ item the following ensembles will be performing in the concert: Symphony Orchestra, Men Only, Jazz Ensemble, Advanced Flutes, Chamber Choir, Advanced Strings, School Choir, Big Band and other chamber ensembles.

GSAL fun run

Saturday 4 May, 08:45 registration

The GSAL fun run is open to all GSAL families and friends. Please register at the pavilion by 08:45 for a 09:00 start. There will be an option of running a 2km course (one lap) or 4km. All abilities and ages welcome. Children under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is available in the staff car park.

Parents’ sports club

Please note there will be no parents’ sports club for the remainder of this academic year due to exams in the sports hall. The club will start again in September.

Charity update

At the end of last term the Friday charity collection raised £485 for St Gemma’s Hospice. Today we have been collecting for Winston’s Wish, and on Friday 3 May the collection will be on behalf of Otley & The Dales Riding for the Disabled. Thank you to everyone for your continued support for the weekly charity collections.

Year 8 notices

Y8 subject teacher consultation evening

Girls: Monday 29 April 17:00-20:00
Boys: Wednesday 8 May 17:00-20:00

Please see the attached letter from Mrs R Purcell, head of Y8, for further details. Bookings for girls have closed; parents of boys can make appointments with teachers via the online booking system until 16:00 on Monday 6 May.

Year 9 notices

Senior School ski trip

Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 February 2020

The Senior School ski trip for pupils currently in Y9 to Y12 will take place next February half term to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites. Please see attached letter from Mrs A Walker, ski trip leader, for more information and all necessary links to book a place for your child. The deadline for booking is Friday 3 May.

Year 10 notices

Senior School ski trip

Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 February 2020

The Senior School ski trip for pupils currently in Y9 to Y12 will take place next February half term to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites. Please see attached letter from Mrs A Walker, ski trip leader, for more information and all necessary links to book a place for your child. The deadline for booking is Friday 3 May.

Morrish music scholarship for girls

Girls in Y10 and above who play an instrument to approximately Grade 6 minimum standard are invited to apply for this scholarship which assists with payment for music lessons and costs associated with music exams. Download further information and the application form. The deadline is Friday 10 May.

Year 11 notices

Senior School ski trip

Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 February 2020

The Senior School ski trip for pupils currently in Y9 to Y12 will take place next February half term to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites. Please see attached letter from Mrs A Walker, ski trip leader, for more information and all necessary links to book a place for your child. The deadline for booking is Friday 3 May.

Morrish music scholarship for girls

Girls in Y10 and above who play an instrument to approximately Grade 6 minimum standard are invited to apply for this scholarship which assists with payment for music lessons and costs associated with music exams. Download further information and the application form. The deadline is Friday 10 May.

Year 12 notices

Senior School ski trip

Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 February 2020

The Senior School ski trip for pupils currently in Y9 to Y12 will take place next February half term to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites. Please see attached letter from Mrs A Walker, ski trip leader, for more information and all necessary links to book a place for your child. The deadline for booking is Friday 3 May.

Morrish music scholarship for girls

Girls in Y10 and above who play an instrument to approximately Grade 6 minimum standard are invited to apply for this scholarship which assists with payment for music lessons and costs associated with music exams. Download further information and the application form. The deadline is Friday 10 May.