Starting with the End in Mind
Starting with the end in mind, a phrase made well known by Stephen Covey, reminds us that every journey begins with a clear sense of purpose. As we enter the season of Lent, this message gains even deeper meaning. Lent invites us to pause, reflect and consider the direction of our lives, encouraging us to look ahead with intention, faith and hope. In the same way, when the School, families and pupils work closely together, we can guide each young person to make thoughtful choices that keep doors open, build excitement for future careers and give every opportunity for dreams to flourish.
Our recent GCSE Options Evening was a resounding success. It provided families with the chance to explore subjects in depth and begin shaping a pathway that reflects enthusiasm and ambition. The Year 9 Parents Evening will offer further clarity and help secure the three choices that will form the next stage of each pupils learning journey.
Many career opportunities are planned for the months ahead, including mock interviews, work experience and enrichment activities. These experiences are designed to widen horizons and help pupils think more broadly about the future they want to build, encouraging them to step forward with confidence and hope. This journey of exploration reminds us that each young person is moving toward a purpose greater than they may yet see. We are reminded of the guidance and reassurance that comes from our heavenly Father. Jeremiah 29 verse 11 shares this promise with us: ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.’
As our Year 11 pupils prepare for the final stage of their GCSE courses, with revision sessions and focused study, we remind them that time passes quickly and every moment matters. We wish them strength and encouragement as they push toward Easter.
Have a wonderful half term break and we return on Monday 23rd February at 9:00am, ready to excel.
Raising Standards
It is important that all pupils follow the School’s Uniform Standards so that they can take pride in wearing their School Uniform. Next term, the Pupil Parliament will be working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and the PE Department to help shape our Uniform Policy and to contribute to the design of our new PE tops. Further information can be found here: Uniform
We ask that parents continue to support the School by ensuring that their child is fully prepared for the first day back on Monday 23rd February, with full and correct uniform. Blazers are compulsory and must be worn to school each day.
We recognise that a small number of pupils have agreed adjustments to their uniform due to personal circumstances. These arrangements remain supported by the School. All other pupils are expected to meet the uniform requirements in full.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain high standards.
To see more updates and pictures throughout the week, make sure to follow us on social media.
Spring Term 1
FEBRUARY
- 26th – Year 9 Parents’ Evening, 4:30pm
MARCH
- 3rd – Year 10 Mock Interview Day
- 5th – World Book Day
- 10th & 11th – Year 11 Food NEA
- 11th – Year 8 & 9 Trip to Portsmouth Aquarium
- 12th – Y11 & Team photographs
- 13th – Non-Uniform Day & The Big Sleep
- 17th – Year 8 HPV Immunisations
- 17th – Y11 BTEC Creative Media
- 20th – Y7 Longleat Trip
- 24th – Y11 Trip to see ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’
- 25th – Year 9 & 11 Trip to see ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
- 26th – Salisbury Schools’ Book Awards at BWS
- 27th – Margaret House Day & Y11 Dance Off
In School Next Week
- Yr11 Academic Review Week
- Yr7 & 8 Progress Reports out
ASSEMBLIES
- CAFOD Family Fast Day (Chaplaincy, Monday, Year 7 & 8)
- World Thinking Day (Wednesday & Thursday)
- Wiltshire College (Year 9 Tuesday & Year 11 Friday)
MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY
- CAFOD Assembly 7&8 (with input on World Thinking Day)
- Lunch: Cricket Club (all years in the hall)
- A group of G+T Science/History Club students are visiting the Railway 200 event at Salisbury Station
TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY
- Assembly Wiltshire College – Yr9
- Lunch: KS4 Basketball Club, KS3 Rugby Club, SolidWorks Club (Rm30), History Club (Rm4), KS3 Maths Games Club (Rm14)
- After School: Street and Break Dance Club, Girls Football, HW Club (Rm28)
- HW Club (Rm28)
WEDNESDAY 25th FEBRUARY
- Assembly World Thinking Day (Yr9&10)
- School nurse drop-ins
- Lunch: Chaplaincy Team (Rm25), Racquet Sports (Hall), Environmental and Gardening Club (Rm8) Netball
- Years 9–11 combined Basketball match vs Harrow Way Community School (A)
THURSDAY 26th FEBRUARY
- World Thinking Day (Yr11)
- Chaplaincy Team – St Osmund’s
- Lunch: KS4 Rugby, All years Racquet Sports, Vocal Ensemble/Choir (Rm27), Inclusivity Alliance (Rm23), Room 21 will be open if any students have their own embroidery/cross stitch/crochet/knitting project that they want to bring along
- After School: DSTL Lego Spike Club (Rm30), Trampolining (Hall), Warhammer/Painting/Games club (Rm27)
- Area Board Council Meeting – Pupil Parliament Representatives & Mr McGuinness, 6pm-8pm
- Year 7 Girls football, 12 – 3pm
FRIDAY 27th FEBRUARY
- Assembly Wiltshire College – Yr11
- Lunchtime: House Comp
For our current programme of weekly co-curricular clubs, click the button below to go to our Co-curricular page.
I am writing to share a chaplaincy report and to express how impressed I have been with the commitment, maturity and engagement shown by our chaplains throughout the whole term.
Across our Thursday and Friday chaplaincy groups, including students from St Osmund’s and Exeter House, the chaplains have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility, thoughtful reflection and genuine care for others. In particular, I was delighted with the excellent work on St Vincent de Paul during our last meeting. The chaplains showed a clear and developing understanding of service, reflecting maturely on how practical action, generosity and compassion can make a real difference in the lives of others. Their discussions were insightful and showed how well they grasp the importance of serving those in need.
I would also like to highlight how impressed both the Headmaster and I were with the recent Chaplaincy Assembly on Lent. The assembly was well delivered and clearly resonated with students across all year groups. The chaplains prepared carefully and worked collaboratively on the PowerPoint presentation. Edward deserves special mention for starting the presentation so confidently and completely independently, which was wonderful to see, before others contributed their ideas and content so effectively. Elsie, Noel, Oliver and Mason worked closely with him during this preparation, showing excellent teamwork and focus.
During the assembly itself, Ruby, Riley, Oliver, Mason, Stefan, Theo and Imogen read out their parts with confidence and clarity in front of their peers. They explained the importance of Lent thoughtfully and articulately, helping the wider school community to understand its meaning and purpose. This was a real credit to them all.
We also shared with the students that, on our return after half term, we will begin our Lenten food collection, as we do each year. I will be writing to parents and carers after half term with further details, including our specific Salisbury Food Bank donation focus for this year.
Overall, I could not be more pleased with the chaplains’ attitude, behaviour and contribution this term. They have represented the school with integrity and compassion, and it has been a pleasure to work with them.
Thank you for your continued support and I would like to wish you a great start of Lent next Wednesday which will be marked as Ash Wednesday and officially start our 40 days of preparation for Easter.
Year 11 February Half Term Revision Clinics & Revised WIN and Interventions
- This week, you will have received your child’s grades from their recent mock examinations. In this report, there are also indicators of what we believe will be their most likely grade (MLGs) – these are the grades that you can should use for applications when asked about predicted grades.
- The programme for February Half Term Revision Clinics is below. To reserve a place on the sessions please click here: February Half Term Revision Clinic – Fill in form
Year 11 parents, please do not forget that there are 5 videos that you can watch on our website to help you throughout this year and in particular with your knowledge of revision strategies and how to help – these can be found on our Resources page.
The final summer GCSE exam timetable can also be found here.
Year 9 Options Process & Parents Evening
It was great to welcome Year 9 and their families to school this week for our Yr 9 Options Evening. There was a lovely buzz in the hall and some great conversations happening! It was wonderful to see our teachers sharing their passion for their subject areas and igniting the next generation of learners in their subjects!
We’re asking pupils to give a first indication of their preferences for options by completing this form:
On the first Thursday after half term, we will also be hosting the Year 9 parents evening – this evening will be an excellent opportunity to have final discussions about subjects that your child is considering for GCSE before making their final decisions.
The actual options form for submitting final choices will be made available after the parents evening on Thursday 26th February.
To book appointments for parents’ evening please click here.
Year 7 & 8 Reports
Year 7 & 8 progress reports, will be distributed in the first week back after the February half term. They will include:
- An age-related expectations grade
- A progress grade (how the child is performing against their target grades)
- An attitude to learning grade (their effort, application and focus)
We’re very much looking forward to sharing these new look reports with you and are confident that they will give you valuable updates on how your child is progressing at school.
Academic Review Weeks Coming up
Following the success of the Year 9 Academic Review week earlier this half term, after the half term break, we will be running three Academic Review weeks for Yr11, Yr7 and Yr 8.
- Yr11 will be 2nd (week commencing 23rd Feb – after their mock results are collated)
- Yr7 3rd (week commencing 2nd March – one week after AP1 reports sent home)
- Yr8 4th (week commencing 9th March – two weeks after AP1 reports sent home)
As part of these weeks, each child in the year group having a 10 minute one-to-one meeting held by Form Tutor, Head of Year, SENCO or member of SLT to discuss recent reports sent home, school involvement and target setting.
The rationale for these meetings is simple, they provide:
- Opportunities to build relationships and have one-to-one sessions with each pupil based on their school attainment and experiences
- Opportunities to discuss academic achievement and progress and set targets for the year ahead
- Opportunities for pupil voice and exploring what works / what doesn’t work for individual pupils – an opportunity to gain awareness of barriers to learning and also extra-curricular activities
End of Term Safeguarding Update
As we approach the end of term, we would like to thank you for your continued support and partnership in keeping all our pupils safe and well. While school will be closed during the holiday period, safeguarding remains our highest priority, and we want to ensure you know how to access help should you need it.
Safeguarding Support During the Break
Although staff will not be available on site, there are a number of services you can contact if you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child:
- If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
- Local Children’s Services (Social Care)
- Wiltshire Integrated Front door: 0300 456 0108
- Out of hours: 0300 456 0100
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
- For advice or to report a concern about a child.
- Childline (for children and young people): 0800 1111
- Free, confidential support 24/7.
- Samaritans: 116 123
- If anyone in the family is struggling and needs to talk.
Online Safety
Holidays often mean more online time. If your child uses social media, games, or messaging apps, this can be a good opportunity to check privacy settings, discuss safe online behaviour, and remind them about speaking up if something makes them uncomfortable.
Useful resources:
- Thinkuknow: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
- Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org
We’re Here to Support You
If you have a non-urgent safeguarding concern you would like to share with school, you can email our safeguarding team at safeguarding@sjcs.org.uk. Emails will be monitored periodically, though not daily.
We wish all our families a restful, safe, and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming pupils back in the new term.
