Dear Families
As the academic year comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and collaboration throughout the year. It has been a year of growth, learning, and numerous achievements, all of which were made possible through our collective efforts.
As we come to the last week of term, we look forward to embarking on our two experience days. I would like to remind students and parents that exemplary behaviour and conduct is required during these two days, especially pupils who are representing our college when on trips. Attendance over the remaining week of school is compulsory and non-attendance could result in an Education Penalty Notice (EPN).
Last week we welcomed the newest members of our SJP community when our Year 7 2024 class came to spend the day with us. In the same week, we said goodbye to the oldest members of our SJP community at the Year 13 Leavers Dinner.
School will close for the summer on Friday 19 July at 12 noon. Brunch will be available for all pupils on the day. Please be aware that school buses will not be available in the afternoon.
There is so much to celebrate this year and we look forward to sharing everything with you in our end of term Newsletter.
I would like to share with you some key information below:
Results Days
For those awaiting exam results this summer, I wish you the very best of luck. I am confident that your hard work and commitment will be rewarded. Please remember that no matter the outcome, there are always opportunities and paths to success.
A level results day is Thursday 15th August 2024. Students can collect their results from the College between 08:00 and 10:00. This will take place in our new build Geography block.
GCSE results day is Thursday 22nd August 2024. Students can collect their results from the College Hall between 09:00 and 11:00. Following receipt of results, students who are returning to SJP Sixth Form will receive notification via email, if they have achieved the grades required to study their chosen L3 subjects. Should there be a concern; a member of the Sixth Form team will also contact you directly.
September 2024 - Return to school
We are starting the new school year with a staff development day on Monday 2nd September 2024 (A day on which only staff attend).
Tuesday 3rd September
Year 7, 12 and 13 will return at 08:30 and remain in school.
Wednesday 4th September
Year 8 & 9 will return at 08:30
Year 10 will arrive at school at 09:40
Year 11 will arrive at school at 10:00
We begin by inviting Year 7 initially to allow them to have some time in school before the other year groups join them.
Attendance
Attendance has the greatest impact on achievement. If your child is absent through illness, please notify the school on the first day of absence by telephoning school early in the morning. I must remind you that holidays should not be taken during term time and these will not be authorised. Taking children out of school during term time could result in an Education Penalty Notice being issued. The government has identified attendance as a key focus for schools. It is therefore vital that students have high levels of attendance and good punctuality to both school and lessons. Failure to do this may result in an Education Penalty Notice being issued.
Medical appointments should be made outside school hours whenever possible, please inform school in advance of any medical appointments that cannot be scheduled out of school time. Pupils should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment and are expected to attend school before and/or after the appointment. For absence to be authorised as a medical absence, we will require evidence.
Uniform
We look forward to welcoming our students back in September, refreshed and ready for a new academic year. As we return, please be reminded of our commitment to maintaining high standards, particularly concerning our school uniform policy. There will be strict uniform checks to ensure that all students adhere to the school’s guidelines, fostering a sense of pride and unity within our community.
The uniform also clearly outlines expectations on footwear, which must be plain black shoes of a material that can be polished and with no sports logos. A reminder of our uniform list and PE kit list can be found here. Students must wear their jumper/tank top and blazer. A suitable coat can be worn but must be removed in the building. Sports tops, hoodies etc are not permitted and will be confiscated. Skirts must be knee length.
Following student voice feedback through our Junior Leadership Team, we recognise and understand that young people want to wear some make-up: it shows they are taking pride in their appearance. For students in Years 7, 8 and 9, make-up is not permitted.
For Students in Year 10 onwards, discreet and business-like, natural looking make-up is permissible. However, eye shadow, eyeliner, false eyelashes, lipstick, nail varnish and acrylic nails are not permitted. Excessive or inappropriate make-up is not acceptable. The school will insist that make-up is removed if it is felt that this privilege is being abused.
We all want and expect a common sense and mature approach on this issue. Students who do not conform to the College uniform and appearance policy will be sanctioned in line with our Behaviour Policy.
Due to health and safety issues on busy corridors, along with practical subjects, piercings are not permitted. Should your child wish to have a piercing we would ask this be done in time before they return to school so that they are able to remove it during the school day. We will not accept the argument that jewellery has to be kept in on medical grounds. Our advice is that the pierced hole can remain open during the school day without any adverse effects.
Any children who do not have the correct uniform including shoes, knee length skirt, blazer, jumper and SJP school bag on the first day back will result in parents being asked to come to school to meet with a member of the leadership team. Non-compliance will be dealt with through our school Behaviour Policy. If you have any issues with the affordability of the uniform please do not hesitate to contact your child’s year team for more information and support. Thank you for your support in ensuring that our high standards of uniform and appearance are maintained and allow us to remove barriers to learning.
Summer School
In order to support a successful transition for the newest members of our college community, we run a transition summer school for our new Y7 students from 19th August until 23rd August.
Summer schools play an important role in supporting young people’s learning, building new relationships and supporting young people’s wellbeing. Our summer school has a clear focus on literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and fun! We hope that every child makes many happy memories and enjoys new experiences. We have had a fantastic uptake, with over 200 pupils registering their interest to attend and we are looking forward to welcoming them into our community during the summer. I am delighted that we will have a number of Sixth Form pupils supporting the running of our summer school, who will work with our younger pupils to ease their transition.
Staff Departures
The end of the school year we are seeing some incredibly valued staff members leaving SJP to pursue the next step of their careers. I am sure you join me in thanking staff for their service to our SJP community and in wishing them well as they move on.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. Have a joyful, safe and restful summer, and we look forward to seeing you in September.
Mr P McLoughlin
Headteacher