February Newsletter 2016

Welcome
As the half term draws to a close I would just like to update
you with news of what has been happening in school and to
also update you with regards to forthcoming events.
PTA
Once again I would like to express my gratitude to the PTA for
their hard work regarding their fundraising events. The Family
Quiz Night, Bag2School and Funky Photo Day have already been a
huge success and now we look forward to the forthcoming Ladies’
Night in March. All proceeds from these events and the Trainers to
School will go towards funding resources for the Duke of Edinburgh
Award which Year 10 and Year 12 students compete on an annual
basis.
Duke of Edinburgh
Over the Autumn term, Miss Weston ran a number of sessions for
parents and students for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
which we have re-launched in Year 10. Over ninety students have
committed to this annual award and I am delighted to see how
well they have engaged with the early stages. The Award
commences with two treks in the summer where we hope parents
will be able to provide some support in marshalling our students
through the backwaters of Cheshire.
Library Week 29 th February – 7 th March
I would also like to provide parents with advance warning
regarding Library Week. Our fantastic Librarian, Mrs. Sanchez-
Gonzalez will be hosting a myriad of different events during the
course of the week including 500 words, 2016 World Book Day, a
Book Design Master Class, a creative writing workshop and a Q and
A session with published author Jon Mayhew, writer of the famous
Matlock series.
National Holocaust Memorial Day
Ms Conlin and students ran a number of moving assemblies during
the last week of January where we not only paused to remember
the tragic events of the Holocaust but also reflected on the
atrocities since. I would like to thank Ms Conlin and the students
for their work in putting together these excellent assemblies for the
younger years.
Football
Parents of Year 7 and Year 9 may
have been watching carefully the
progress of their child in the Daily Mail
Schools’ Cup competition. Sadly the
Year 7 team were defeated narrowly
by The Grange School, Northwich.
However, the Year 9 students have
progressed to the semi-final of the cup
after an impressive 4-0 victory over
Bishop Barrington. Goals from Ahmed
Isaack and a hatrick from Che Boothe
ensured the boys progressed to the
next stage where they will meet either
Manchester Health Academy or
Humphrey Perkin High School.
Exam Success
I am delighted to report that yet again
the current data report from the
Department for Education confirms
the excellent standards our students
have been reaching in external
examinations. Based on the current
data for the school we continue to be
one of the top performing schools in
the North West for attainment and
progress. Progress in Maths and
English are very strong and the
school’s overall progress places it in
the 75 th percentile nationally. These
are excellent statistics for the school
and reflect the positive relationships in
school between staff and students and
the wonderful parental support that
we receive. The current Year 11 look
on track to surpass these standards
and we wish them well for the
summer.
Important Information - Entrance
Examination
Over the last term we have been
working in partnership with Altrincham
Grammar School, Sale Grammar
School, and Urmston Grammar to

Trips and Visits
Students over the last half term have also experienced a number of
enrichment opportunities with Forensic Investigation visits to the
Nowgen Centre, the Martin Poliakoff talk, Philosophy trips to
Liverpool and also a number of in-school visits for Year 9 regarding
a skills day and a science day. However, this week we also say
Bon Voyage to the Krakow trip (run by Ms Conlin and supported by
Ms Alderson and Mr. Broome) and also the Iceland trip (run by
Miss Eeles and supported by Mr. Crowley, Ms Yeomans and Ms
King). We hope both trips provide an educationally enriching
experience for all concerned.
House News
The term has concluded with the Wall of Love competition run by
Wolfendale, Pankhurst, Dakin and Ashwell. At present it is a tight
race with the best performing house looking to secure a place on
the end of year trip. All commendations, charitable contributions
and inter-form sporting activities go towards the final outcomes
and Heads of House, Ms Alderson, Dr. Quipp, Mr. Crowley and Mr.
Hillary continue to drive forward each house as they compete for
the winners’ flag.
review the testing arrangements for
entrance to Stretford Grammar
School. In September 2016 we are
proposing to change our testing
arrangements from GL Assessment to
Durham CEM, the same test that Sale
Grammar School and Altrincham
Grammar School for Girls ran this
year. Students will only be required to
sit one entrance examination for
entry to the above schools but scores
are standardised for each individual
school for a different cohort of
applicants and hence individuals may
qualify for some schools and not
others. E.g. AGGS only standardises
for girls. We hope that the changes
will help to alleviate much of the
stress that is associated with the
testing arrangements. If you have
any concerns regarding this change of
arrangements please do not hesitate
in contacting me at school.
Finally, I would like to thank parents for their support regarding
uniform. Our students are always great adverts regarding
behaviour to and from school and I am delighted to see the pride
in which they have for the school uniform. Unfortunately, we do
seem to have black trainers and converse trainers appearing and
whilst I accept that parents have provided a significant outlay for
these types of footwear, I would request that they are replaced as
soon as is reasonably possible or when they have worn through, by
shoes.
Key Dates for your diary this term
INSET DAY (closed to students) Monday 22 nd February 2016
School re-opens Tuesday 23 rd February 2016
Year 9 Parents’ Evening Thursday 25 th February 2016
Year 12 Battlefields trip Friday 26 th – Monday 29 th February 2016
BBC School News Report Day Thursday 10 th March 2016
PTA Ladies’ Night Friday 18 th March 2016
Year 7 Parents’ Evening Tuesday 22 nd March 2016
Good Friday (school closed) Friday 25 th March 2016
Easter Monday (school closed) Monday 28 th March 2016
End of Term Friday 1 st April 2016

Term Dates 2016-17
Open
Close
All Students Return
Autumn Term 2016
Monday 5 th September 2016 Friday 21 st October 2016
HALF TERM
All Students Return
Monday 31 st October 2016 Friday 16 th December 2016
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
All Students Return
Spring Term 2017
Tuesday 3 rd January 2017 Friday 10 th February 2017
HALF TERM
All Students Return
Tuesday 21 st February 2017 Friday 31 st March 2017
All Students Return
Summer Term 2017
Tuesday 18 th April 2017 Friday 26 th May 2017
HALF TERM
All Students Return
Monday 5 th June 2017 Wednesday 19 th July 2017
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
DAYS OF CLOSURE/INSET DAYS
Please note school will be closed to students on the following dates: -
INSET Day – Thursday 1 st September 2016
Student Induction Day Year 7 and Sixth Form only – Friday 2 nd September 2016
Entrance Exam – Tuesday 13 th September 2016
INSET Day – Friday 14 th October 2016
INSET Day – Monday 20 th February 2017
Good Friday - Friday 14 th April 2017
Easter Monday – Monday 17 th April 2017
BANK HOLIDAY – Monday 1 st May 2017
INSET Day – Wednesday 5 th July 2017 (tbc)