21st May 2021
Dear Parents,
I hope this email finds you well.
Happy Pentecost! We have had a whole-school assembly this morning in which Bishop Egan's letter to the schools in our diocese has been read out to the school community. It exhorts us all to take better care of the world God has given us, our common home:
"As God’s children, we call on the Spirit to ‘renew the face of the Earth’, and as His children, we are called for the good of all that brings life. Our world, God’s creation, is a precious gift to us. It is our common home entrusted to each generation. Consider this: how have we used this gift? How do we honour this precious gift? Are we really demonstrating love, care and respect for our common home?"
The full letter is attached to this update for you to read at home if you wish.
Our year 11s and 13s are nearing the end of their assessments and we have been so very impressed with all in both year groups, and our staff too, as they have dealt with the pressure that has come from the cancellation of the summer exam season. We are nearly there!
Eid Mubarak!
We'd like to wish a heartfelt Eid Mubarak to all in our school community who celebrated last week. We hope you had a great time celebrating, despite the COVID restrictions. I wanted to say that I was particularly impressed by our students in year 11 and 13 who observed the fast during Ramadan while also taking on assessments over the last half term, and how so many of them came in for assessments on the day of Eid itself before heading off for their celebrations. This shows dedication to both their faith and their studies. They are a credit to their families, their faith, their community and our school. Well done!
COVID Arrangements
As the country unlocks, we know that it is starting to feel different out and about. However, the system of controls that schools have to follow have remained unchanged, with the national exception of face coverings. Within St Anne's, nothing is changing, including keeping face coverings for now, which we are continuing with as a precaution due to the slightly elevated levels of cases in the city compared to nationally. I shared the current data with students this morning, and you may like to see it too. It can be found at: https://data.southampton.gov.uk/health/disease-disability/covid-19/covid-19-updates/. The case we had in year 8 last week was a reminder that we need to remain vigilant, and that testing works, so do keep using the LFD testing at home. We have yet to hear about the resumption of saliva testing.
Head Girls for 2021-2022
We’ve been busy this last few weeks with the election of our new Head Girls for 2021-2022. The quality of the candidates this year has been amazing, and the final six all possessed the qualities required of a head girl at St Anne’s. It was a hard decision, but based on their letters of application, their videos to students, the voting results from staff and students, and the final interviews with Mr Fakhoury and myself, we have decided this year on three rather than the usual two.
I am pleased to announce that our head girls for the next academic year are Megan Parker, Janet Benson and Kushwant Roath! Well done to everyone who stood, and well done to our new head girls for the next year!
Independent Learning and Revision
The teachers of St Anne’s have put together a comprehensive collection of recommended websites and apps to support our learners’ revision and independent learning as they progress through our curriculum. It will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure pupils are signposted to effective, high-quality resources which complement what is being taught and practised in lessons.
Mr Murphy, lead practitioner and 2nd in English, has also put together a short guide "Use STAR to revise effectively" to explain the most effective approach to revision applicable to all subjects and is happy to offer additional guidance or answer any further questions on this. It is attached to this update. For more subject-specific guidance, pupils should speak with their teachers.
How to work effectively on Teams
The Wellbeing Team have produced infographics to help support teachers, parents and pupils when learning is happening remotely. They have been put on the Teams pages for all pupils and on our website, and I attach them to this update for you too.
Kooth - online support
We would like to highlight the wellbeing support available to your young person via Kooth.com.
Kooth.com is a free, anonymous, online counselling and emotional wellbeing service commissioned by NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight available to young people aged 11-25 years (up to 26th birthday)
With no waiting lists, young people can access counselling from our qualified therapists up to 10pm every night, 365 days a year, as well as accessing other key features of support such as an online interactive magazine, peer support, live forums and journaling. All content is age appropriate, clinically approved and fully moderated.
Kooth has no referrals or thresholds and young people can register independently at www.kooth.com.
You can view a short video about the service here: Kooth Video.
Want to support the improvement of policing in the region?
We have been informed of an opportunity for St Anne’s girls to make a positive difference to policing in the region:
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary, are looking for young people aged 14-25 years old from a range of diverse backgrounds, to join the new Strategic Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This is an exciting opportunity for young people to discuss in a safe environment their views and experiences of policing.
The purpose of the Strategic YIAG is to create a two-way dialogue between police and young people on their views and experiences of specific policing matters, and give an opportunity for them to scrutinise areas of police work, contribute to strategic planning and gain an understanding of policing.
Young people will;
Applications are now open, please find attached a poster and further information on the role. The closing date is May 31st. We are keen to ensure every district and city is represented.
More information can be found at https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/youth-iag.
SUN Virtual Festival of Industries
The Southern Universities Network have launched their Virtual Festival of Industries which showcases a wide range of industries in the local area; from radio and digital broadcasting, to maritime and aviation engineering, and the NHS. The festival gives students and their families a chance to find out more about jobs and career information, take part in challenges and even win tickets to Victorious Festival!
Take a look here: https://www.sunoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/VFOI-Festival-Map.pdf
As we start to pick up our lives after what we hope is the end of the worst of this pandemic in the UK, I have found this quote from Carl Jung helpful in thinking about where we go from here:
"I am not what has happened to me, I am what I choose to become."
Have a good weekend and God Bless
James Rouse
Headteacher