Spring Term 1 – February 2023
Dear Parents/Carers,
This half term sees the start of the spring term and it has begun in earnest with the Year 11 mock examinations where students will be receiving their results next half term in much the same way as they will in the summer. We also saw a full return to face to face parents evening (Year 10 and Year 8) in January following on from a successful onsite Year 11 parent evening in the autumn term. It was really positive to see the parent community in school having those informative and encouraging conversations in a natural environment. Attendance was very good as full advantage was taken by parents and carers for the opportunity to meet teachers on these evenings.
The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are difficult to comprehend and devastating for members of our community who may be directly or indirectly affected. Our thoughts are with students and their families and friends at this extremely difficult time. We have encouraged students who may feel sad and upset to speak to any adult they trust in school, call or text AMSI Safeguarding on 07507623505 or use the Safeguarding form on the website to request support.
We have also supported the humanitarian response to this crisis through collecting donations from holding a non-uniform day on the last day of this half term and sharing a link with parents and carers on Parentpay to do the same. The proceeds collected on the day were a significant £663.47 and this will be donated to the British Red Cross’s appeal, which is liaising with the Turkish Red Cross to provide medical support and help the rescue effort.
Attendance and Punctuality
As ever, we want to work with you to ensure the young people attend school regularly and punctually. As the mornings become lighter, we hope that it will be easier for the students to get out of bed and into school on-time. It may be tempting to give in to persistent requests for a day off, but being in school really is the best place for our young people – it is here where they forge social friendships and connections, which are the basis of good mental wellbeing. Long periods of absence can make returning to school daunting, so please reach out to us as we can support a successful transition back to school.
Year 11 Mock Exams
In January, our Year 11 students sat their final mock examinations in preparation for the Summer examinations. Students were generally well prepared and many worked together prior to the examinations and these study groups have continued. As a result of these informal study groups, some students have made revision groups on social media to hold each other to account. We have written to our Year 11 parents separately about the next steps, but for those parents of children in earlier years it is never too early to begin with good study habits so that the final stress of examinations is effective in bringing out your child’s full potential.
Interventions
This term, we began our second round of tutoring from City University. This is initially taking place online but will eventually include face to face tutoring as well. Selected students from Years 8 -10 are being tutored in English and Maths every week, with pleasing engagement so far.
Year 9 Options
This year we have developed a new way of selecting the KS4 options for our Year 9 cohort. Students have already had two assemblies where the process has been explained to them and during the second one, Heads of Subject have presented an overview of their GCSE course. Students have been allocated on different pathways to support the best possible outcomes that support next steps in their education. They will have an assigned mentor who they will meet during the first couple of weeks on our return.
To select their KS4 Options, students have received an email with a login for SIMS which they will need to follow the directions given in order to complete their subject selections. Please take time to discuss with your child what might be the most suitable options for them when thinking about their future aspirations.
Student Voice
Clothing donations from parents, staff and students were gratefully received at the local Crisis Store on Stroud Green Road in Finsbury Park. The School Council delivered the many bags of clothing and completed the experience of raising clothing donations and taking it to the store themselves where they were able to ask further questions about the work Crisis carries out. The initiative was such a success that we have decided to repeat the event in the Spring Term 2023.
The Year 11 School Council representatives are planning their school prom; these decisions will be based on consultation with the rest of the year group to ensure that everybody has a say and, through the British Value of Democracy, students will vote on key ideas to ensure that it is a fair process and all can enjoy their final social event as AMSI students.
The School Council has been consulted and provided feedback on the achievement and behaviour policy and the senior leadership will give these suggestions consideration for change, if it is required, or provide the student community with reasons for specific decisions.
AMSI Musician of the Week (MoTW) Live Event
We eventually were able to present this event on the 6th January and it really was worth the wait. Students performed in a very polished manner and were a credit to themselves and the school. It was an exciting evening filled with great performances. Thank you, as always, to all the featured students for their resilience in investing hours of practice and dedication in perfecting their incredible performances and to our fantastic instrumental tutors for supporting and mentoring our aspiring musicians. The Chair of Governors attended the event and said “It was really excellent; very impressive!” Well done to everyone involved.
Valentine’s Radio Show
This is the third production of our themed radio shows for this academic year. Relax and listen as we recognise that significant time of the year that celebrates love.
Danish Cultural Exchange
It was an absolute pleasure to see 33 of my students across Year 7 – 10 buzzing with excitement as they organised themselves to depart for the Danish Cultural Exchange which covers 7th – 11th February. They will stay with host families for the duration and link with an Independent school Ugelbølle Friskole (picture below) in Rønde, Denmark, to share creative practice. I look forward to hearing about their experience on their return.
As always, we continue to share the student bulletin directly with the students via the school email system and on the school website. February half-term bulletins can be found here:
Reminders:
- 20th February – School re-opens for the second half of the Spring term.
- The school door opens at 8.30am every morning.
- Students are required to bring their chromebooks fully charged to school every day.
- Our Spring 2 behaviour focus will be on being safe e.g. we will be reminding students to go home straight after school.
Key Dates:
- 23rd February 2023 – Year 9 Options Evening 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
- 2nd March 2023 – Proposed NEU strike date.
- 6th March 2023 – Year 11 Parents’ Evening.
- 15th – 16th March – Proposed NEU strike dates.
- 20th March – Year 9 Parents Evening 4.30pm – 6pm.
- 21st March – Year 10 Work Experience Preparation Day.
- Week beginning 27th March 2023 – Year 10 Work Experience.
- 31st March 2023 (half day) – End of Spring Term.
Have a safe and enjoyable half term break till Monday 20th February 2023 when school reopens at the usual time.
Kind regards
Susan Service
Head teacher