Dear parent/carer,
I hope that this letter finds you well and that you have been able to enjoy some of the fantastic weather we have had over the past few days; I’m sure that the overwhelming majority of our school community will be hoping that this continues well into the summer holidays! As we reach the end of the school year I can confidently look back with the same sunny disposition and I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved together.
We have overcome the range of challenges and done all we can, as educators and parents, to support children in successfully returning to normal school life. I have taken great inspiration from our students in the way they have responded and it has been wonderful seeing them embrace the opportunities we have been delighted to offer again. I’m sure you will also join me in thanking the staff who have been unswerving in their commitment to the school and to your children throughout another difficult, yet undoubtedly rewarding academic year.
Looking ahead to the final week and the start of the new academic year, there are a number of updates which I need to share with you. I am aware that not all of the updates below will apply to all parents, so in order to help direct you to the most relevant sections, I have added headings to each of the sections, which I hope that you find useful.
Final day arrangements
The school will break up for the summer holidays at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 19 July. Students who would like to order a packed lunch to take away on the final day will be able to do so during form time this week. All orders must be received by the end of Friday morning’s registration period. Your child’s form tutor will inform them how to order the lunch and this will be deducted, in the usual way, from their lunch account.
Return in September
School reopens for Years 7 and 12 on Friday 2 September, and for all other year groups on Monday 5 September.
Year 11 Results Day
This year, GCSE results day is Thursday 25 August and we are very much looking forward to seeing you on this important day. Students have worked exceptionally hard towards their studies and as this is the first series of external examinations for three years, we know that it has been a very difficult period for this cohort of students. We are very proud of the resilience they have shown and would like to take this opportunity to wish them good luck for their results day.
As a result of covid restrictions, we have been required over the previous two results days to amend our systems for students to collect their results. Whilst we are no longer expected to make plans to ensure social distancing, we are keeping some of these arrangements as feedback received from students and parents was that these presented a better experience.
We are therefore asking students to pick up their results at a specified time:
11P and 11E – 8.00am
11R and 11O – 8.20am
11M and 11I – 8.40am
11N and 11G – 9.00am
11A and 11T – 9.20am
If you are not able to attend at these times, you will be able to pick up your results between 10.00 am and the early afternoon. Any students who would like to have someone else to collect their results on their behalf must send an email to arouine@haslingdenhigh.com prior to results day and this must come from their school email account.
The staggered arrival to collect results was also preferable for students looking to enrol in our sixth form as this makes the process as quick, efficient and effective as possible. If your child is sure of the courses they wish to study, there will be an ‘express enrolment’ process, however, if they require a discussion about which courses they would like to study there will be members of staff in different rooms available to help with their enrolment. We wish all our students every success, whether they move on to employment, education or training.
Year 13 Results Day
Sixth form results day is Thursday 18 August. This is a much smaller group of students than in year 11 and therefore we do not need to stagger student’s arrival. Results can be collected from 8 am onwards.
The overwhelming majority of this cohort have not sat an external exam since primary school in 2015 and have coped remarkably well given the circumstances. We have seen students working exceptionally hard to adjust and prepare for their examinations and we look forward to seeing them in school to collect their results.
Staff moving on
Whilst we are all looking forward to a summer break, the end of the year often presents mixed emotions as we say goodbye to colleagues moving onto pastures new or a well-deserved retirement. This year is no different and we would like to take the opportunity to wish the following staff the very best of luck in their next venture:
Matthew Sullivan – History
Lauren Davies – Cover Supervisor
Connor Johnson – Learning Support
Jenni Hill – Food Preparation and Nutrition
Alex Pye – Law and RS
Sarah Pilling – Learning Support
Liza Barrett – Dance
Craig Greenwood – Design Technology
Kate Sieg-Hogg – Health & Social Care and Food Preparation and Nutrition
Marie-Pierre Vouret – Languages
Also, after over 50 years of combined service to Haslingden High School and Sixth Form, Erika and Gary Wilson will be stepping back from their roles as Assistant Curriculum Leader in PE and Assistant Headteacher respectively, to return for a further year to a job share in our PE department.
Finally, all that is left to say is a genuine thank you for all your support throughout the year. Running a school is not an easy task but it is made a great deal easier through the exceptional efforts and commitment from our parents and carers and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future. In September we will be looking to elect a parent governor and also hope to extend our PTFA representatives to ensure that their invaluable input continues to positively influence the school community.
Very best wishes and wishing you a wonderful summer with your family,
Russell Clarke
Headteacher