The Importance of Literacy and Oracy
As we looked back on the events of this week, our annual Mock Interview Day stood out as a powerful reminder of how important it had been for our pupils to develop the character, confidence and communication skills that enabled them to shine. Each interview became more than a set of questions. It was an opportunity for pupils to present themselves with integrity, curiosity and resilience. These qualities not only supported them in their future applications but also helped shape them into young adults who were ready to contribute positively to the world.
This week we also marked World Book Day, which served as a wonderful celebration of the value of reading. Books opened doors to imagination, understanding and knowledge. Regular reading proved to be one of the most effective ways for children to strengthen vocabulary, deepen comprehension and improve examination outcomes. Children who read widely, read often and read for pleasure gave themselves the strongest possible foundation for learning.
In all of this, we were guided by the wisdom of Scripture: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you,” from the First Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verse fourteen.
Whether preparing for an interview or embracing a new book, our pupils continued to discover and nurture their unique gifts. I remained very proud of all they achieved.
Have a lovely weekend.
The Little Big Sleep: Raising Money for Alabaré
As a school, we support Alabaré’s Big Sleep every year as we believe it is a great way for our pupils to empathise and raise money for such a worthy cause. This year we are hosting the Big Sleep at school and are calling it The Little Big Sleep!
All the money raised will go to support Alabaré who help the homeless in our community and in the South West region.
If you can, we would welcome any donations that you can offer. Please click here to donate to our JustGiving page.
Many thanks for your support!
On Monday, the Science and History departments took a group of 12 gifted and talented pupils to the “Railway 200 – Inspiration Train” exhibition. There was the opportunity to explore the history of the railways, different careers within National Rail and hands on experience of bridge building, designing railways, being a train guard and designing wheels. Pupils enjoyed the hands on experiences and being able to explore how design impacts railways.
To see more updates and pictures throughout the week, make sure to follow us on social media.
Spring Term 1
MARCH
- 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 at School
- 17th – Year 8 HPV Immunisations
- 17th – Y11 BTEC Creative Media
- 20th – Y7 Longleat Trip
- 23rd – Legal and Illegal Drugs Awareness Parent/Carer session from Sarah Boyle of the Talk About Trust
- 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
- Year 8 Academic Review Week
ASSEMBLIES
- Women’s History Month (Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday)
MONDAY 9th MARCH
- AM Reg: Salisbury Schools’ Book Awards book club, room 9
- Lunch: Cricket Club (all years in the hall)
- Science Week Lunchtime Activity: Bath Bombs, Room 8
TUESDAY 10th MARCH
- Assembly Yr9&10 – International Women’s Day in the Hall
- Reading Intervention – Yr7
- Lunch: Basketball Club (KS4), Rugby Club (KS3), SolidWorks Club (Rm30), History Club (Rm4), KS3 Maths Games Club (Rm14)
- School nurse drop-ins
- After School: Street and Break Dance Club, Girls Football, HW Club (Rm28)
- Year 10 football vs Stonehenge (H)
- Year 10 rugby @ Swanage 11-4.30pm
WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH
- Reading Intervention – Yr9
- Assembly Yr7 & 8 – International Women’s Day in the Hall
- Lunch: Chaplaincy Team (Rm25), Racquet Sports (Hall), Environmental and Gardening Club (Rm8)
- After School: Netball
THURSDAY 12th MARCH
- Reading Intervention – Yr10
- Lunch: Rugby (KS4), Vocal Ensemble (Rm27), Inclusivity Alliance (Rm23), Rm21 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/Modelling Club (Rm27)
- Chaplaincy Team to St Osmund’s
- Science Week Lunchtime Activity: How do birds build their nests? Room 7
FRIDAY 13th MARCH
- Non-Uniform Day for The Little Big Sleep (payable via School Gateway)
- Assembly Yr11 – International Women’s Day
- Reading Intervention – Yr8
- Lunchtime: House Comp
- Science Week Lunchtime Activity: Making Bioplastic. Room 6 RIN
For our current programme of weekly co-curricular clubs, click the button below to go to our Co-curricular page.
This week in Chaplaincy we were delighted to begin our CAFOD Lent Walk, an initiative that invites our pupils to take part in a sponsored walk throughout the season of Lent. The aim of this project is to support the work organised through CAFOD, focusing on helping to reduce global poverty and supporting communities most in need.
To begin our journey, a group of chaplains and pupils who wished to take part collected sponsorship forms and joined me for our very first walk. Accompanied by Mrs Griffiths, we walked around the school grounds near the cross-country field. I had the pleasure of taking 24 pupils, who enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in the beautiful sunshine during their lunchtime after they had eaten their lunches. It was a fantastic start to our Lenten challenge and a lovely opportunity for the pupils to spend time together outdoors.
The group enjoyed it so much that we agreed, weather permitting, to try to walk every day next week, adding more kilometres to our total as we continue our Lent Walk. Our goal is simple: to walk as many kilometres as we can throughout Lent while raising funds to support CAFOD’s important work.
A poster has been placed outside the school to promote the initiative. If parents would like to support our pupils by sponsoring them, sponsorship forms are available, and any contribution—no matter how small—will be greatly appreciated. At the end of our Lenten journey, the collected donations will be sent to CAFOD.
We would also like to encourage continued support for our Food Bank donations. After half term, we will be collecting items for Salisbury Food Bank in preparation for Easter. A donation box has now been set up in school. Please see Mrs Pearson in the Medical Room, who will gladly accept donations and record pupils’ names for recognition awards.
We kindly ask for non-perishable food items, such as:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Sugar
- Tinned foods
Even a single item can make a real difference to families in need. Before Easter, we hope to take our chaplains to the Food Bank to help pack boxes with the donations collected.
Looking ahead to next week, we are also preparing for our Kintbury Retreat for Year 7 and some Year 8 pupils. There are still a few spaces available, so families who are interested are encouraged to sign up before the weekend using the link available online. The retreat will offer pupils a special day away filled with fun activities, games, group bonding, as well as time for prayer and reflection. It promises to be a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all involved.
We are also pleased to share some exciting news connected with our Laudato Si’ initiative. Thanks to the wonderful work of Mrs O’Grady, the school has received a number of trees which will soon be planted on our grounds. Pupils involved in Chaplaincy and the Laudato Si’ group will be helping to develop a garden area within the school, and there will be opportunities for more pupils to get involved in planting the trees
Further information will be shared next week about how pupils can participate in this project. It will be a wonderful opportunity to live out Catholic Social Teaching in action, particularly through stewardship and care for our common home, as encouraged in Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis. We would like to thank Mrs O’Grady for the fantastic work she is doing to support this important initiative.
As we continue our journey through Lent, we encourage everyone in our school community to reflect on the values of prayer, charity, and almsgiving, and to take this time as an opportunity to strengthen our faith and support those in need.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Wishing you all a blessed and meaningful Lent.
The second half of term continues with great momentum, and it has been wonderful to see pupils across all year groups engaging so positively with their learning and wider school experiences.
Year 11 Science & Maths Mocks – A Well‑Deserved Pat on the Back
A huge well done to Year 11, who approached their Science and Maths mock exams yesterday with real maturity and determination. Staff have been impressed by the focus, resilience and calm approach shown in revision sessions and during exams themselves. This attitude will serve you incredibly well as we move into the final stretch before the summer.
Year 10 Mock Interview Day – Congratulations!
Congratulations to Year 10 on their highly successful Mock Interview Day. Pupils presented themselves with confidence, professionalism and thoughtful preparation. Feedback from visiting employers was extremely positive, recognising how well students articulated their strengths and future ambitions. This was a fantastic culmination of the careers work completed in PSHE. A big thank you to Miss Gale and her team for organising such a great day!
Year 9 Options – A Reminder
A reminder to Year 9 pupils and families that Options choices form is ready for completion. These decisions are important steps in shaping the next stage of learning, so please ensure the electronic form is completed promptly – the deadline is March 20th. If any final questions arise, do get in touch.
Year 9 GCSE Options 2026 Final Choices – Fill in form
Year 8 Academic Review Week Next Week
Next week is Year 8 Academic Review Week, an important opportunity for pupils to reflect on their progress, celebrate successes and set clear goals for the term ahead. These structured conversations continue to strengthen the partnership between form tutor and pupil and ensure that your child’s individual voice is heard!
Congratulations to Year 7 – Academic Reviews Completed
Well done to Year 7, who have now completed their Academic Review Week. Tutors have spoken highly of pupils’ thoughtful reflections and their eagerness to discuss targets and next steps. A fantastic start to Key Stage 3.
Assemblies – Literacy & World Book Day
This week’s assemblies have focused on Literacy and the joy of reading as part of our World Book Day celebrations. It has been wonderful to recognise our Sparx Readers leaderboard, celebrating pupils showing exceptional commitment to independent reading, as well as those whose reading ages have increased significantly thanks to their engagement with literacy interventions. Their hard work is truly paying off. A massive thank you to Miss McFarlane for all of her work in ensuring the literacy levels of our pupils continue to progress!
World Book Day – A Colourful Celebration
World Book Day brought a vibrant splash of colour and creativity across the school, with a fantastic array of costumes from pupils and staff alike. It was a joyful opportunity to share favourite books, celebrate the characters who inspire us, and enjoy a moment of fun together in the midst of a busy term.
Next Week – Science Week
We look forward to Science Week beginning next week, which will include a range of lunchtime activities for pupils across all year groups. Curiosity, experimentation and hands‑on learning will be at the heart of the celebrations.
As part of the programme, pupils will also be heading out on our Portsmouth Aquarium Trip, giving them the chance to explore marine science in a real‑world setting and deepen their understanding of ecosystems, conservation and the natural world.
Year 11 WIN programme is here:
In this week’s Careers Newsletter…
- Free online learning & skills development: Courses from Preparing for Your Future, TechSheCan live/on‑demand lessons, and LinkedIn Learning to build confidence and career-ready skills.
- Work experience & career exploration: Young Apprentices Network placements, ERIC creative‑industry contacts, Springpod’s Skills for Life programmes, and multiple career insight videos and podcasts (e.g., 40 Minute Mentor, Squiggly Careers).
- Events & national initiatives: British Science Week activity packs, Empathy Week festival, and the new Small Business Summer campaign from Amazing Apprenticeships.
- Industry and university spotlights: Information on careers at Marriott and an introduction to the University of Gloucestershire for those exploring future study options.
You won’t know ’til you ask (DSIT)
The UK government has launched the ‘Kids Online Safety’ campaign to help parents and carers support their children to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
The campaign brings together practical, trusted guidance on how to start meaningful conversations about online life, understand the types of content children may encounter, and build critical thinking skills so young people can question what they see and make safer choices.
It also offers advice on using tools such as parental controls, recognising potential risks, and knowing where to seek help or report concerns. The overall aim is to make online safety an ongoing, open dialogue within families rather than a one-off conversation, helping children feel supported as they explore apps, games and social media.
You can find the resources here:
- Help your child stay safe online
- How to start talking to your child about being safe online
- What should you trust online?
- Parental controls
- Find out where to get support
- Know where to report something online
Children and Phone Safety – NSPCC
The NSPCC’s guidance on children, mobile phones and online safety is a useful resource. It addresses one of the most common questions schools are asked: when is a child ready for a phone, and how can families manage the risks?
The guide offers balanced, practical advice on readiness, boundary-setting, parental controls, and ongoing conversations about safe and responsible use. Including or signposting this resource in a parent newsletter can help reinforce consistent messages between home and school, reduce anxiety, and support a shared approach to online safety.
