Odd Sock Day!

It was wonderful to see our whole school community coming together to support the work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance this November. The enthusiasm across the school was fantastic, and it was clear that everyone was eager to show their commitment to kindness, respect and standing up for others.

Our Odd Socks Day was a real highlight, with pupils and staff proudly wearing their most colourful, creative and quirky socks to celebrate individuality and remind each other that being different is something to be embraced. Here are just a few of the brilliant Odd Socks that were on display!

In PSHE, our Year 7 pupils have also been learning all about our online reporting system, understanding how to use it safely and responsibly to seek help, raise concerns and support each other. These lessons play an important part in ensuring that all students feel confident in knowing where to turn if they ever need advice or reassurance.

A huge well done to everyone involved, your support helps create a school environment where every student feels valued, included and safe.

KS4 - Collaborative Project with Hampshire Police

We are excited to inform you that our KS4 pupils will be working with Paul Richards from Hampshire Police this half term within their PSHE lessons.

As a school, we are proud to work in partnership with a range of amazing charities and organisations across Southampton to enhance the delivery of our PSHE curriculum. These partnerships help our students become familiar with the support available to them, build confidence in accessing local services, and provide valuable employer encounters to develop their understanding of potential careers.

All sessions will adhere to the NEW PSHE Statutory Guidance (effective from July 2025) and will include the below learning outcomes:

·        I understand the concepts and laws relating to harms which are exploitative including criminal exploitation.

·        I understand the risks and signs of grooming or exploitation, and how to seek help where there is a concern.

·        I understand the laws relating to violent or threatening behaviour.

·        I understand how to increase personal safety in public spaces, including when socialising with friends, family, the wider community or strangers.

·        I understand ways of seeking help when needed and how to report harmful behaviour.

·        I understand that there are strategies which can be used to increase safety, and that this does not mean you will be blamed if you are a victim of harmful behaviour.

·        I understand the importance of trusting instincts when something doesn’t feel right, and understand that in some situations a person might appear trustworthy but have harmful intentions.

·        I can recognise and manage peer influence in relation to risk-taking behaviour and personal safety, including peer influence online and social media.

·        I understand how to develop key social and emotional skills that will increase safety from involvement in conflict and violence.

·        I understand the law as it relates to knives and violence.

·        I can take part in a First Aid skills session and understand how to contact support and services in an emergency situation.

During our first session on Tuesday 18th November, we will be joined by two additional members of the Educational First Aid Team. Students will receive an introduction to the project and team, explore seized knives, and discuss some of the key objectives around knife crime and personal safety. The session will also include essential first aid training, supported by the use of prosthetic materials to enable a hands-on, practical learning experience.

We are delighted to be able to offer our students this valuable opportunity to learn from local professionals, supporting their personal development and preparing them for life beyond school. Please check back in with the blog each week for updates and photos from the sessions, we can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to!

Anti-Bullying Week 2025!

As a school, we are proud to be taking part in Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on Monday 10th November. This year’s national theme, chosen by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, is “Power for Good.” 

To launch the week, Miss Ifould will be introducing the theme during her assembly on Friday 7th November. The focus encourages everyone, students and staff alike to use their power for good: to speak out, support others, and help build a school community where kindness and respect always win. 

We will begin Anti-Bullying Week with our annual Odd Socks Day! 
This is a fun way to celebrate that we are all unique and to highlight the importance of accepting and valuing our differences.

We can’t wait to see lots of bright and colourful socks around school on the day! 

We take all forms of bullying very seriously and are committed to supporting Southampton City Council in promoting Anti-Bullying Week across the city. 

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as: 

“The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or through cyberspace.” 

This is how we explain and define bullying to our students in school. 

Through PSHE, Citizenship, and ICT lessons, pupils explore how to recognise, respond to, and prevent bullying. Year 7 pupils, for example, have already discussed these topics in PSHE during Autumn 1 and learned how to use our online bullying report form, which can be found on the school website. Please take a moment to visit our website to familiarise yourself with this page and to learn more about the local agencies we work with to support our students. 

If you have any questions or concerns about bullying or the support available, please don’t hesitate to: 

• * Discuss it during your weekly tutor phone call 

• * Email the school directly 

• * Contact Mrs Foster (PSHE Lead) or a member of the Senior Leadership Team by phone 

We are always happy to talk through any issues or provide advice and support. 

Thank you for your continued support in helping us make our school a safe, welcoming place for every student. We look forward to celebrating Odd Socks Day and seeing our students show their Power for Good! 

A Lesson With Spencer!

 Last week one of our pupils took over the lesson and taught the group about bread (the Spencer way!).

We particularly liked that he had a learning objective and was discussing bread making whilst inputting on the smart board. Thanks for the lesson Spencer!

Year 7 Micro:bit

 Year 7 ICT - Micro:bit

In Year 7 this half term pupils have been learning how to use, and code, Micro:bits. These are small devices that have an LED light board, sensors to light and sound and various input buttons.

Pupils have learnt how to code them to play 20 Questions and Rock, Paper, Scissors (as seen below) and we will be using them next to send messages over radio frequencies.

As you can see, the pupils have really enjoyed this topic and are learning a great new set of skills. 

Year 7 Micro:bit

 

Year 7 Micro:bit

This half term the Year 7 pupils have been working with Micro:bits in ICT. This has included using coding to programme their Micro:bits to be light sensors, step counters and play games like teleporting ducks and rock, paper, scissors.

This week the pupils used code to produce music through their Micro:bits using the chips, crocodile clips and headphones.

We had some interesting sounds and all managed to make their Micro:bits sing. Well done boys.

KS4 Maths

 KS4 Math's

This term in KS4 math's we have been learning about different charts, diagrams and graphs. 

The pupils had to learn how to use a compass and protractor to create the diagrams. This means measuring carefully and accurately to ensure that their pie charts are correct.

The boys have made a variety of different charts including stem and leaf, pie charts, scatter graphs, bar charts, pictograms and venn diagrams.

the pupils have enjoyed interacting with the Smart board technology to further their understanding of the topic.

 

KS4 ICT

Since September KS4 boys have all been taking part in IDEA, The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, an international award winning program that helps in developing digital, enterprise and employability skills. Through completing a series of online badges they will gain an industry recognised award after gaining a certain amount of points. 

Some pupils have already achieved their IDEA Bronze award certificate and are now working towards Silver and Gold. 

          

ICT and CDT cross-curricular designs

 ICT and CDT cross-curricular design

In Year 8 ICT pupils have been designing a website for a fictional company "Smoothie World". As part of this process the needed to use a programme to design and make a company logo.

In CDT pupils have been doing product design for a chocolate bar. They have been looking a designing the wrapper and the intended customers to market to.

Pupils have shared skills across both subjects and created some excellent logos and product packaging.