Senior School Weekly Bulletin

Principal’s message

If anyone in Leeds has not overheard the excitement before school several mornings this week, we have welcomed the GB Triathlon team who are currently undertaking their swim training at GSAL’s pool. Of course, it has been very special to meet the Brownlee brothers, who have been so supportive and encouraging of the GSAL sportspeople they have met, but it has been a real pleasure to welcome their team mate Gordon Benson, one of our own alumni, back to the school. It helps that we have our own current triathlon champions in both senior and junior schools, who have met the GB team members and coaches and may be able to train with them in the coming weeks.

But we all know that, in a typical GSAL week, we see a myriad of sporting successes, and this week is no exception. Our U14 and U16 girls have made it through to the national netball finals, our senior hockey team to the national quarter-finals, our KS3 badminton teams both through to the national semi-finals. The U11 and U10 swimming teams put in some exceptional performances at the national HMC swimming competition and came second overall, with the U11 boys’ team securing the gold medal.

However, as we prepare to mark ‘inside out’ day on Thursday 6 February, we remember that it’s OK not to be OK, and that things are not always what they seem on the outside. It’s an important message for our pupils to hear. But equally important is teaching our children about the ways that we can improve our well-being – and sport, exercise and physical activity play a crucial part in this. We can’t always win the level of matches we are celebrating this week, but we can always help each other and ourselves. National competitions and gold medals are fantastic marks of success, but the greatest success of all is when a health and fitness programme can keep people safe on the inside, too.

Sue Woodroofe
Principal

Whole school notices

GSAL park run

Saturday 1 February, 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.

Inside Out Day for Children’s Mental Health Week

Thursday 6 February

Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week. Pupils will be talking about this theme in their forms and participating in ‘Inside Out Day’, an awareness raising day. In Senior School, staff and students will be asked to support this important topic by wearing their blazers/jackets inside out to show that you may look okay on the outside 😊 but inside you may be feeling sad or worried 😢.

This is a day to remind us to always be kind and think of others as no one knows how someone may be feeling.

2Kit – nearly new uniform shop

Saturday 8 February 10:00 to 12:00 in the theatre foyer

The PFA will be holding a sale of nearly new uniform, with good reductions on the cost of buying new. Items for Junior School and Senior School will be available, with only a select amount of Rose Court uniform. All proceeds to support PFA projects for the school.

House music – choir night

Thursday 13 February, from 18:30 in the assembly hall

We invite parents to join the audience for an evening of house choir performances, which are the grand finale to the house music competition.

There is no need to book but please be aware that space in the assembly hall is limited so we ask you to attend for the section during which your child’s house is performing. You can also watch all the performances via a live stream to the theatre foyer. The running order is as follows:

1st half: Ermystead, Ford, Lupton, Eddison (doors open at 18:20)

Interval – refreshments will be provided

2nd half: Lawson, Powell, Sheafield, Harrison (approx 19:30, commencing with a performance from the winning house ensemble)

Space permitting you may be able to stay in the assembly hall for the whole evening. We will ask Senior School pupils to wait until everyone else is seated before taking seats, whether or not they are performing.

Charity update

The charity collection on Thursday 23 January raised over £600 for Australian bushfire disaster relief charities. Today the collection was on behalf of Street Angels who support the homeless in Leeds.

The next collection on Friday 7 February will be in aid of Forever Angels, supporting orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania. Thank you for your continued support.

Schools Will Rock You

Tuesday 3 March to Thursday 5 March at 19:00 in the assembly hall

A cast and crew of over 100 senior school students will transport you into a dystopian, globalised world of the future. Through a story based on Queen’s greatest hits, you’ll join the rock rebels as they fight for freedom against the Killer Queen and embark on a search to find the unlimited power of freedom, love and ROCK!

Visit our website for further details and booking links; tickets priced adults £8, children/concessions £5.

Marching on together – celebrating 100 years of Leeds United

Thursday 19 March, 19:30 in the theatre foyer

Leeds United fans are invited to this lively panel discussion hosted by former Leeds Grammar School pupil, TalkSPORT’s Gary Bloom (OL71). Other panel members include BBC Sport’s Adam Pope, author Anthony Clavane, Andrew ‘Stats’ Dalton and fellow author Heidi Haigh.

We are hosting the event on behalf of Milim (A Festival of Words and Ideas). Visit our website for further details and a booking link.

Year 9 notices

Enrolment for bronze DofE award

Current Y9 pupils have the opportunity to enrol for the bronze DofE award. Please visit the bronze award pages on GSAL World to read the enrolment letter and DofE Handbook, and note the dates and deadlines for applications this year.

Year 11 notices

Appeals against internally marked assessments

To comply with JCQ examination regulations, we have updated our ‘Appeals against internally marked assessments policy’ for this academic year. This is relevant to A-level and GCSE candidates who are studying qualifications that include non-examined assessments.

Should any parent or student wish to discuss issues related to this policy please contact Mr T Rogerson, director of assessment, by email dtr@gsal.org.uk.

Year 12 notices

Year 12 Academic and Higher Education Evening

Monday 3 February, 18:30 – 20:00 in the assembly hall

We invite parents to a series of presentations outlining the programme of advice in school for sixth form students applying for higher education and the application process itself. Please see the attached letter for further details.

Year 13 notices

Appeals against internally marked assessments

To comply with JCQ examination regulations, we have updated our ‘Appeals against internally marked assessments policy’ for this academic year. This is relevant to A-level and GCSE candidates who are studying qualifications that include non-examined assessments.

Should any parent or student wish to discuss issues related to this policy please contact Mr T Rogerson, director of assessment, by email dtr@gsal.org.uk.