Parent Bulletin 27th April

I have been bowled over by how quickly pupils have returned to school routines after a 2 /12 week break - it is especially important given that there are only 4 more weeks left of this term!  Thank you for supporting your child's progress by ensuring they have good sleep routines and that their uniform and equipment are all ready to support them in school.

We have had a busy first week back and I am delighted that we are nearly fully recruited for subject teachers for next academic year.  Again, we have succeeded in recruiting highly talented teachers who are not only exceptionally bright but have demonstrated great love for their subject and the pupils that they teach.  Pupils' immaculate behaviour, effort and politeness and the appreciation that you, and your children, routinely show their teachers enables us to continue to beat the odds at a time of chronic teacher shortages.

On Wednesday of this week we will have our annual "monitoring visit" in which Ark Schools will conduct an Ofsted-style inspection of the school to ensure that provision continues to be Outstanding.  I will share the outcome of that with you when it becomes available.

Please remember that next Monday (5th May) is a Bank Holiday and school will be closed.

We are expecting to enter a period of warm and settled weather this week.  Please discourage your children from bringing heavy coats to school.

I wish you an enjoyable remainder of the weekend.

Mr Neuberger

After a restful Easter break, the students had a fantastic first week back to term. Teachers across all four years were so impressed by the amount of extension the students produced over the break. Special shoutouts go to Remas in 7 Cleopatra, who completed over 7 hours worth of Sparx extension, Alisa in 9 Pericles came back with revision for every one of her Science topics, and Pelumi in 9 Ramesses, who brought in sheets and sheets of extension - what an example from these students: embodying what it means to work hard and aim high.  

The Year 10s got stuck right into their GCSE content this term with some fantastic science practicals. The students were praised for being professional, mature, and precise across the board, and Ms Mosely and Ms Taylor were hugely impressed. 

We will be hosting a GCSE information between 5-7pm on Wednesday 7th May for Year 9 students and their parents. During this evening we will share important information about the GCSE preference process over the coming weeks, and outline the content that students will study in each subject at GCSE. Your child should attend with you and must wear their school uniform to the event. There will be two sessions, one starting at 5pm and the other at 6pm. Please RSVP using the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/0UUd7F1ZQC. 

All clubs restart this week. Texts have been sent if your child has secured a place in a club. There is some availability in some clubs; if your child wishes to join one, please add them to the waiting list via MCAS - instructions for how to do so are attached. Regular attendance at clubs is vital - if your child misses two club sessions, we may remove them from the register to give opportunities to other students. 

If you need face-to-face assistance then the school office is open during term-time from 8am-4pm. So that we can deal with email enquiries promptly please see the school email addresses below:

• General Enquiries – info@arksoane.org
• Attendance - absence@arksoane.org
• Free School Meals - fsm@arksoane.org