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 13 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 12 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:

Thurs 6 October – Y12 Partnership Evening:
A quickfire 1hr parent event in school to hear how Year 10 will pan out, how you can help, and what you can do to support your child in the years ahead.

Mon 28 Nov – Y12 Report 1:
Report 1 via EduLink – with your child applying or post-school  places at the start of Year 13 these predicted graders will play a major part in deciding whether universities, colleges, apprenticeship providers, etc, offer them a place. Hard work now is obviously critical.

Mon 20 March – Y12 Report 2:
This will see us collect in grades on your child and we will share them with you via EduLink in the next week or so.

Thurs 23 March – Y12 Parents Evening:
This will give you the chance to talk to your child’s teachers via Teams to identify what they need to do to improve in their studies.

W/B 17 April – Y12 Mock Exam Week:
These exams are critical as they are fundamental in getting progression into Year 13 and they play a big role as our internal UCAS exams in informing predicted grades for university, apprenticeship and job applications which usually roll through from September. Revision over Easter is absolutely vital – in many ways these exams are as important as the real thing.

W/B 17 July – Work Experience Week:
This experience needs to be largely set up independently – though we will offer support – and the right work placement, or wider experience, can be a wonderful addition to UCAS, apprenticeship and job applications. Conversely, a ‘filler’ week adds little and is a missed opportunity in a competitive field.

W/B 10 July – End of Year Report:
This will be the third and final report of the year and will be distributed via EduLink.

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. Really, the Summer grades look stunning. We have reminded them that Sixth Form is a big step up – much bigger than that from say Sixth Form to university – but 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 15 August 2024.