Dear all,

Last weekend, four HP students set off to Dartmoor for the Ten Tors practice trip. Despite it constantly raining, high speed wind and with bogs and sludge everywhere they managed to conquer ten of the tors, walking approximately 12 miles over the two days and reaching an elevation of around 450 metres. Not only did they do that, but they built tents in the pouring rain and cooked on gas stoves in blistering wind all with smiles on their faces. They worked well as a team and always checked on each other, supported each other and made sure they got through it together. Finlay, William, Charlie and Nathan represented HP to the highest possible standard and achieved something they should be very proud of. A huge thank you as well to all the staff who supported them over the weekend.

Today we have had our Easter celebration assemblies for Years 7, 8, 9 and 11. The Sixth Form had theirs on Wednesday and Year 10 will have theirs when they return from work experience after the holidays.

Congratulations to all of the students who received awards today as we commemorated their achievements, but also how they are living out our values of working hard, being kind and taking responsibility.

My reflection, which I delivered to students, is below. I took the opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic events and activities that have happened at HP since Christmas. I also reflected on how Easter is a time of hope, of new beginnings and of second chances as we move into the summer term.

I wish you all a lovely Easter,

Mr Hudson
Headteacher

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Easter 2024 Headteacher reflection

Good morning and welcome to your Easter celebration assembly.

We have an amazing school, with so many amazing events and activities going on every week. I want to share some of these that have happened since Christmas with you. 

January:

We launched the first HP Activities Week, which will happen towards the end of the summer term. Year 7 to 10 students will come off their normal timetable and take part in a series of themed extracurricular activities that are able to go beyond our normal taught curriculum. Years 7 to 10 will also have a day of physical activity planned into the week with students able to choose between a range of exciting and varied events in school or to go on a trip.

We took part in our first ever debating competition. Students were given a statement to argue with only a short time to prepare, before they were into the competition and debating against other schools. We were the only state school from the region to take part and are extremely proud of our students who were an absolute credit to us all.

We also launched Prep which replaces Detention. This has been really important. We have brought Chrome books for every student who attends and it means that any time you are set a Prep, there is no homework that you cannot complete. This homework helps you to learn more, which is why it is so important. 

February:

We had our Sixth Form interviews for all of our Year 11 students who are looking towards this as the next step in their educational journey. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of these interviews, and one of the most enjoyable questions to hear the answer to is “what will you bring to the Sixth Form”. It has been fantastic to listen to mature young people tell me this week how they want to be role models to our younger students and play active roles in our student leadership opportunities, such as our School Council and our newly formed Eco Council.

Rehearsals for Matilda have been in full swing and we are very much looking forward to the performances in July. Tickets will be available to buy later in the year and we are hoping for full houses every night.

March:

We had our inaugural Battlefields Trip. It was incredible to see so many students sign up to the trip and take an avid interest in the First World War. We had frequent comments about the compassion and behaviour of our students from museum staff, restaurants and members of the public.

We took our top forty house point achievers for a free afternoon at Ninja Warrior in Gloucester. They had a fantastic time racing through the courses, challenging themselves and competing with their friends. This group received their house points for various reasons; working exceptionally hard in lessons, taking responsibility around the school and for demonstrating kindness to others.

Our Year 11 and 13 worked incredibly both preparing for, and then taking, their second set of mock exams. They are all doing so well and we look forward to seeing the brilliant results we know they will achieve this summer.

We have had our Ten Tors practice expeditions. The Ten Tors Challenge is attempted by over 2,000 teenagers in teams of six. The teams navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles, depending on age, over Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors, or check points, in under two days. Teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely.

Moving into the Summer term:

A huge well done and congratulations to all of you who committed yourself so fully to everything we do at HP over the past term - and lived out our values of working hard, being kind and taking responsibility.

However, for all of us, Easter is a time of hope, of new beginnings and of second chances. Every single one of you has talents, gifts and abilities that we are incredibly proud of. I want all of you to reflect over Easter on what you have been most proud of since Christmas and also to come back to school after the holidays with one single positive action that you are going to do to become an even better version of yourself. I hope you all have a lovely Easter holiday and enjoy the rest of your assembly.