All,
I wanted to get in touch with you following the death of Queen Elizabeth II to confirm arrangements as we proceed through this term. This email will cover the following:
* Bank Holiday – Monday 19 September
* Related Teaching in School
* Bereavement Support
* Year 11 Reminders / Messages
Bank Holiday – Monday 19 September
Following the decision to make this date a Bank Holiday, to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, our school will be closed for the day.
If you wish for your child to step out of the TV coverage, then there are HLAs and other work set via Satchel One / Show My Homework.
Related Teaching in School
We are taking the opportunity to educate your child about the life and death of Queen Elizabeth II. The blanket TV coverage does make us question if they need more, but on balance we take the view that talking it through and expanding things is the best route.
Our teaching involves tutor time activities, posters, further displays and links via our social media accounts.
Bereavement Support
One of the reasons why many of us have been touched by the death of Queen Elizabeth II is because it reminds us of losses we have suffered in our lives. We are very sensitive to our students who may well be feeling a personal sense of loss at this time.
We are reminding students that we offer bereavement guidance via Student Support – both from internally trained counsellors and external specialist providers.
If at any point you believe your child may benefit from, this then please let us know via office@friary.greywoodmst.co.uk.
Year 11 Reminders / Messages
There are key days for your diary throughout the year – and whilst the full school calendar can be views at https://www.friaryschool.co.uk/calendar/ – some key dates for you are:
Mon 3 Oct 2022 – Y11 Report 1:
Report 1 via EduLink – with your child applying or post-16 places these predicted graders will play a major part in deciding whether Sixth Forms, colleges, apprenticeship providers offer them a place. Hard work now is obviously critical.
W/B 31 October – Y11 Mock Week 1:
The first week of mock exams take place. These grades will inform exam entries, references, and teachers on how they can help your child cover gaps and errors. It is vital you get your child to revise and attend extra sessions we put on in the evenings and at weekends.
W/B 7 November – Y11 Mock Week 2:
The second week of the first batch of mock exams.
Tues 8 November – Sixth Form Open Evening:
This event will be staged in school and all students seeking to access our Sixth Form – which performs extremely well – will come into school during the evening – with you – to meet with teachers, review courses, and identify the courses they plan to take in Year 12.
Mon 28 November – Y11 Report 2:
This report will take in the Mock Exam results as well and certainly be the key driver for references that will be going off at this time.
Thurs 17 January – Y11 Parents Evening:
This will give you the chance to talk to your child’s teachers via Teams to identify what they need to do in their final weeks in school.
W/B Mon 23 January – Y11 Written Report:
For around half of you this will be your child’s final school report and it will give you the information to encourage, cajole and direct your child where to focus in the weeks ahead.
W/B 27 February – Y11 Mock Exam Week 3:
The first week of the second batch of mock exams – these are critical in helping students and teachers identify what needs going over and improving.
Mon 6 March – Y11 Mock Week 2:
The second week of the second batch of mock exams.
W/B Mon 15 May – Formal Exam Week 1:
This week sees the exams kick off in earnest – though various practical and vocational exams will have taken place earlier. Students will remain in school for the first few exams.
W/B 22 May – Formal Exam Week 2:
This is the second week of the formal exams. Study leave will begin sometime this week – when students work at home and only come in for their exams. We will confirm the date of this once we have the exam schedule rom the Exam Boards.
W/B 29 May – May Half-Term Week:
This is a half-term holiday but it must be revision, revision and revision.
W/B 5 June – Formal Exam Week 3:
This is the third week of the formal exams.
W/B 12 June – Formal Exam Week 4:
This is the fourth week of the formal exams.
W/B 19 June – Formal Exam Week 5:
This is the fifth week of the formal exams – though there is normally only one or two exams this week.
Mon 26 June – Y11 Leavers Assembly:
This is a celebration assembly after the exams for all Year 11s to come back and mark off the end of their time at school. The event is invitation only.
Mon 4 July – Y11 Prom:
This is fantastic event gets rave reviews from students and is staged at Branston Golf Club. Tickets can be purchased later in the year though attendance depends on conduct in school and through the exams so the invitations to come along can – in very rare occasions – be withdrawn and ticket payments (though not dress, suit or limo payments) refunded.
You are blessed in that your child is in a very talented Year group with some amazing students who have the ability to do fantastically well. We have reminded them that if they buy-in, follow teachers’ guidance, and give it their all then they will be successful.
We look forward to working with you through this school year as we head towards Results Day on Thursday 24 August.
