Headteacher's Newsletter

what's happening at Chesham Grammar

Posted on: April 1st 2022

Head's Blog

Dear parent

COUNTY CUP FINALS THIS WEEK

CUP FINAL Apologies for the late arrival of my newsletter this week. At my usual time of writing, I was watching our U16 girls play football v Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in the final of the County Cup at Arbor Stadium in Slough. We dominated the second half of the match, but at full time, it was 1-1 which meant the game went to penalties. Sadly we lost the shoot out 5-4. A penalty shootout is a brutal way to lose a game but the team showed resilience and fortitude and I felt very proud of the way in which they conducted themselves and supported each other.

We are still U15 County Champions, though, as on Wednesday, the U15 team were at Arbor Park for their Cup final which they won 1-0, beating Great Marlow School. This is the third successive victory for CGS in the U15 County Cup! The girls have also had a successful season and I am delighted for them and their coach, Miss Cowley. Many congratulations to everyone involved.

OTHER SPORTS RESULTS THIS WEEK

Year 8 hockey Our U13 hockey team won all their games at the District Tournament. Well done to them and to Dr Lota, their coach. While our year 7 A and B hockey teams lost v DCHS, they played well. On Tuesday, our U13 girls played in a rugby tournament at Aylesbury RFC, winning every game without conceding a point. In their matches this season, they have scored 36 tries and have conceded none. Very well done to everyone involved and to their Coach, Neil Aves, from Chesham Stags. It has been good to see so many students turning up for cricket trials this week, ahead of the cricket season next term. Next week’s fixtures can be found here.

CHANGES TO COVID-19 GUIDANCE

As you will be aware, April brings more changes to Covid guidance. Please note the following:

Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people where they can. They can go back to school when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend
It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional
If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
Children and young people who usually go to school and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal

YEAR 10 ASPIRATION DAY

Every year, we invite members of our recent alumni back to CGS to talk to students in year 10. We know from experience that hearing about life beyond CGS from those who were in year 10 themselves not long ago is both powerful and inspiring. Year 10 Aspiration Day takes place this coming Wednesday. During the morning, year 10 students will attend a workshop on university and degree apprenticeships (which are becoming increasingly popular with our students) and will then hear from alumni who have gone on to undergraduate study or a degree apprenticeship, in some cases after a gap year. These sessions will be in small groups so that the students have the opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting. Lessons will take place as normal for the rest of the day.

75TH ANNIVERSARY

75th Concert Chesham Grammar School is 75 this month and we start our birthday celebrations with a 75th Anniversary Concert on Monday evening at 6pm. We will be treated to music from across the decades the school has been open and I look forward to seeing many of you there. Huge thanks to the Music Department for organising this and for inspiring the students.

RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY

Recently, two of our students in year 13, Rosie and Karl, have set up a Social Action Club and this week, they have been selling Easter eggs, raising £420 pounds for the British Red Cross in aid of the Ukraine crisis. This was undertaken entirely on their own initiative. Well done, Rosie and Karl.

WELL DONE TO...

Ethan flight Well done to Jack and James in year 10, both of whom have recently passed exams with distinction. In Jack's case, this was grade 5 LAMDA while James took his grade 8 violin. Shaurav in year 7 has passed grade one electric guitar, also with distinction while Ethan in year 12 has recently taken his first solo flight having passed his Air Law exam. Well done! Willow in year 9 took part in a siblings group at MacIntyre school, helping to create a wonderful mural capturing thoughts about being a sibling of someone with a disability. Well done, Willow. Finally, Leo and James in year 12 and Ben in year 10 have been working hard at lunchtimes to make a planter for the Gardening Club which is now in the pond area on the field and which will, before long, be full of plants adding some colour to the area. Thank you!

Planter

BIRTHDAY TEAS

Congratulations to Leo, Evie and Aidan in year 13 with whom I met this week to celebrate their 18th birthday and happy 12th birthday to Tali, Joshua and Alex in year 7 who also met with me during the week.

ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK

Aidan had a busy week! Not only did he turn 18, he also led our assemblies, some of which took place in person, others virtually. It was a privilege to listen as he addressed our students, with poise and confidence, using his personal experiences to outline what Autism Acceptance Week means to him. Well done, Aidan.

FREE ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR KS3 PARENTS

Bucks Family Learning Mr Bradbury has asked me to let you know that the Buckinghamshire Family Learning Service is running a series of different well-being workshops for parents of children in years 7, 8 and 9. These are focused around building confidence and resilience, coping with anxiety and stress and building positive relationships. Further information about these can be found here.

INVIGILATORS INVITED!

After Easter, we have internal and external exams taking place which will run until the end of June. Running the GCSE and A levels for just under 400 students is a very complex process and we are always looking to increase our team of invigilators. If there are any parents who would be interested in joining this team, details are available here.