Dear HP families,

I hope this message finds you well. I am delighted to share with you the highlights of what has been a very positive week here at HP.

Our number one priority this year is attendance. We expect all students to achieve an attendance rate of 95% or higher for this academic year, as we know this is a strong predictor of both happiness and success. Regular attendance helps students get the most out of their education, and it's an important attribute for life beyond HP. For the majority of our students, 95% attendance is a completely achievable goal. Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance via the MCAS app and encourage discussions at home about the importance of regular attendance. If you require any assistance or have concerns, please contact your child’s Head of Year.

This week, we held an incredible Open Evening, with an overwhelming turnout from local families and prospective students. The Main Hall was filled to capacity even before the official start time, and there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the evening. I would like to extend a special thank you to our student helpers, who did an outstanding job representing HP. Their enthusiasm and dedication truly reflect the positive spirit of our school.

We were also pleased to host 80 trainee teachers from the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership for three days of in-school training. These trainees are preparing to take up teaching positions across secondary schools in the county, and we wish them all the best as they begin their teaching careers. It was a pleasure to support them at the start of this important journey.

On Thursday, we were visited by Izzy Ambrose, the Director of Secondary Education for the Greenshaw Learning Trust. She was thoroughly impressed by how quickly our students have settled into their routines and praised the “calm and warm” atmosphere across HP. This feedback is a testament to the strong relationships between students and staff, which is something that was recognised by Ofsted last year.

Another exciting development is the completion of our new canteen and servery, which will open on Monday. The space is now larger, more modern, and designed to better serve our students. While our kitchen staff get used to the new facilities, we will initially operate with a more limited menu, but we will quickly get to speed with our new surroundings and it is going to make such a difference to break and lunch times.

This week also saw students submitting their first house point hauls during tutor time. House points are an essential way for us to reward positive behaviour, hard work, and conduct. As a reminder, students will have the opportunity to use these points as a “buy back” option to join the HP Hero Club later in the year.

Finally, I would like to reiterate the importance of respecting our local residents when parking on public roads around HP during drop-off and pick-up times. I understand that these times can be busy, but your consideration for our neighbours is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support.

I wish you all a lovely weekend,

Mr Hudson
Headteacher