Posted Nov 29 - 2024Headteacher's Newsletter
what's happening at Chesham Grammar
Posted on: January 31st 2020
Head's Blog
Dear Parent,
Two days this week have been tied up with the recruitment process for a new Assistant Headteacher. We had around forty applicants and shortlisted a very strong field of five. The candidates were put through their paces, facing several interview panels (including a staff and a student one) as well as written tasks and presentations across the two days. As always, the students were particularly astute in their observations. One of those shortlisted was an internal candidate, Mr Jonny Stoddern, our Subject Leader for Maths. The final deliberations at the end of the process continued for some time but I am delighted to tell you that we made what I think will be a superb appointment with Mr Stoddern being offered the role for September. I am sure you will join me in offering him my warmest congratulations and in wishing him well in the role. This of course means that we will now need to recruit a Subject Leader for Maths to replace him and we are already working on this process.
Last night we met with Year 9 parents and outlined the GCSE options process, doing the same with the students this morning. A reminder that options forms, which have been given to the students, should be retuned by Friday, 14th February. If you do have any questions about your child's options or would like to discuss anything relating to this, please let us know. On Wednesday, we welcomed author and journalist Charlotte Seager who spoke to students in Years 8 and 9 about the impact of social media on mental health which is the subject of her latest book, 'Follow Me, Like Me'. Thank you to the English Department who organised this. The previous day, we welcomed Sir John Holman, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of York. Sir John is also Senior Adviser in Education at the Wellcome Trust and the Gatsby Foundation and was an adviser to the government as National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Director from 2006 until September 2010. Sir John was knighted in 2010 for services to education. He is actually no stranger to CGS or to the local area. His children attended CGS and his son, William, who is now in his 30s, was in the Sixth Form when I first arrived at CGS so it was good to meet Sir John again after many years and to hear about his inspiring work. Sir John is passionate about STEM and he was very impressed by what we do to support and promote this in the school. He talked to students in Year 12 as part of our lecture series and also visited science lessons, talking to students and staff. My thanks to Dr Lota who arranged his visit.
I very much enjoyed meeting with a group of students this morning and talking to them about their recent achievements. Anna in Year 8 was presented with her prize for winning the FOCGS Bake Off last term while the Year 7 winners of our National Enterprise Challenge held last week, Zayden, Grace, Christine, Maisie, Lucas and Hannah, told me all about their winning idea and about how excited they are to be going forward to the National Finals in the summer. Phoebe in Year 12 is to be congratulated on the excellent start made to her A levels as indicated by the recent data drop which placed her in the top students in her year. Zac in Year 13, one of our elite swimmers, recently became Herts County Champion in 50m Butterfly. Alicia in Year 7 is also an excellent swimmer and she took part in the Berks and South Bucks County Swimming Championships, winning the 800m Freestyle and coming second in the 200m Backstroke. She was also in the relay team which won a bronze medal. Last but not least, Aarav in Year 9 participated in the Herts Junior Badminton Association Closed Tournament recently, winning a gold medal in the doubles, a silver in the mixed doubles and a bronze in the singles so both Aarav and Alicia have a medal of each colour in their respective sport! These are superb achievements. Many congratulations to the students. Birthday teas this week took place with Audrius, Matthew, Chrissy, Luke, Elizabeth and Oscar in Year 7 who have all turned 12 this month. Happy birthday!
Next week, the students are in school for four days as Friday 7th is a training day for staff and so the school is closed to students. We look forward to welcoming parents of Year 12 students to Progress Evening on Thursday which will be the first opportunity for them to talk to staff about the start their child has made to his or her A levels.
With best wishes for a relaxing weekend,
Annmarie McNaney
Headteacher
