Letter from the Head – Friday 20th December 2024
In this issue: Celebration Assemblies, Christmas activities, attendance update, and preparing for the Spring term.
Dear HP families,
This week, we celebrated another fantastic term at HP with Celebration Assemblies for all year groups. These assemblies recognised the incredible achievements of our students, with awards and school colours handed out to those who have truly excelled.
During my Celebration Assembly speech, I reflected on the highlights of 2024. It has been a remarkable year for our school community. Our Year 13 students achieved even better exam grades than in 2023, and our Year 11 students secured the highest-ever GCSE progress scores in HP’s history. We are immensely proud of what they have accomplished and the exciting futures they are building. However, we know that our current students have the potential to set even higher benchmarks when their time comes in Year 11 and Year 13. Additionally, I am delighted to share that our attendance this term is set to reach a record high for this time of year, which is a credit to the commitment of students and families alike.
The festive spirit has been in full swing this week. Each year group enjoyed a Christmas lunch, complete with carol singing and a festive quiz. House matches for Years 7 to 10 showcased the enthusiasm and teamwork of our students, while a group of students and staff spread holiday cheer by delivering Christmas cards and singing carols at a local care home. To reward those with exemplary attendance, students in the HP Hero Club enjoyed silent discos, a well-deserved treat for maintaining 95% or higher attendance.
As we head into the break, please take a moment to check Mrs Barrett’s message sent earlier today regarding homework due for the first week back in January. This will help ensure a smooth start to the Spring term.
Finally, a reminder of our ongoing focus on attendance. We expect all students to maintain at least 95% attendance this academic year, as this is a key indicator of happiness and success at HP. Let’s aim for a strong start to the new term by ensuring every student is present from Tuesday 7th January. Please monitor your child’s attendance regularly via MCAS and contact their Head of Year if you need support.
Thank you for your continued partnership. I wish you all a lovely Christmas with your families and a very Happy New Year.
Mr Hudson
Headteacher