Our calendar of events has been as full as ever. Years 7 and 9 have very much enjoyed the Phasels Wood experience. Their outward-bound activities helped in developing their teamwork, resilience, and curiosity. Our commitment to broadening the educational experience of our students this term has included our Year 12 Politics students visiting the Houses of Parliament and our A level Biology students experiencing field work first hand in their residential trip to Devon. Our now annual Year 11 History trip to the First World War battlefields in Belgium took place between 9 -11 October 2023. The students visited the Flanders Fields Museum, walked along trenches, and experienced the very emotional sound of The Last Post at the Menin Gate. Our students represented our school with great pride and professionalism.

We were delighted to welcome back Dr Martijn Van Do Spoel. A Chartered Psychologist and inspirational speaker who works nationally and internationally with Year 11 students. He helps them focus on maximising their potential this year as they plan for their exams, and into the future. Feedback from our students was resoundingly positive. Many gained insights into study and revision methods that would enhance their learning without adding additional hours to their already full lives.

It has been another busy half term on the sporting front, as our students look to emulate the phenomenal success they enjoyed last academic year. We were off to a flyer in the Badminton, Volleyball and Table Tennis competitions as all of our teams finished either top or second in their groups, after the first round of fixtures. Our Netball and Girls Football teams have started the season with some impressive wins. All of our Boys Football teams have progressed to the quarter finals of their tournaments. Our Under 16 Netball team won the first Netball tournament of the year to retain their title. Some of our successful borough sides enter county competitions and our U15 Boys Football team are safely through to the second round of the Middlesex competition, while our U16 Netball team (who were the only state school in Harrow to enter) were unable to progress they did record two notable victories against independent schools in the Middlesex regional group stage.

On Wednesday 18th October, we hosted another successful Careers Fair where students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from a range of universities and colleges. This event is an integral part of our much wider Careers Education Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) programme which runs from Year 7 to Year 13. Students tell us this is often the event that starts them thinking about what they want to do next, as they realise that the routine of school will inevitably come to an end.

After a very competitive recruitment process in the Sixth Form, we were very pleased to welcome a Student Leadership Team to assemblies in all our year groups this half term, where they set out their responsibilities in their roles, how they will work with other year groups and also their aspirations for their futures.

Thank you for your support of our fund raising for Cancer Research. The Shine Walk in September has now raised over £14,000. The staff completed the walk in memory of those in our families and community we have all lost, and for all those we know who are survivors of cancer.