The last couple of weeks has seen us in full swing for the external examination series.  Traditionally, this has always been the domain of Year 11 and Year 13 students, but let us not forget our Year 10 and Year 12 students who are sitting increasing numbers of examinations at their stage.  We send all students involved in external examinations our very best wishes for the exams.  A busy half-term holiday awaits them as they make their final preparations for the remaining exams.  Revision schedules at the ready!

Aligned to the above, we enjoyed an emotional, funny and reflective leavers’ assembly for our Year 13 students recently.  Most of these students have been part of our St Cyres community for 7 years and it was a lovely opportunity to reflect on their journey from when they arrived as 11-year olds to now leaving as 18-year olds.  They are fine ambassadors of St Cyres School.  We look forward to a similar leavers’ assembly for Year 11 after the GCSE exams have finished.

On the subject of fine ambassadors of the school, we have recently held the selection process of our Head Girl, Head Boy, Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy.  This is a very challenging selection process which involves Year 12 candidates preparing a letter of application, taking part in a ‘Question Time’ style hustings where they have to answer questions in front of an audience of Year 12 students and staff, and then a final interview in front of a panel which includes the Chair of the Governing Body, Dr Chris Lee.  Once again, the standard was exceptionally high and all who put themselves forward should be commended.  Particular praise to the 4 candidates selected to represent the student body for 2024-25 who are Jessica Jeanes (Head Girl), Lukas Thorne (Head Boy), Dinah Monickam (Deputy Head Girls) and Huw Jenkins-Welch (Deputy Head Boy).

Wishing all our pupils, staff and families a very happy and relaxing Whitsun holiday.

Can I start this month’s blog by wishing everyone a very happy Easter.  In what has been another very busy term, I hope that all of our pupils and staff have a relaxing break and that we are able to enjoy some spring weather!

A very large group of Year 7 pupils enjoyed a long weekend at the Llangrannog Urdd Centre in west Wales this month, and this was made up of lots of outdoor activities such as skiing, walking, quad bikes and archery, to name but a few.  All of this is combined with an immersive experience of the Welsh language.  I am grateful to the Welsh Department staff, and other staff across the school who supported this trip by giving up their weekend, and I know from the photographs and comments posted on ‘X’ that this was a fun and valuable experience for all involved.

At the other end of the age range in school, pupils in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been busy completing work and revising in preparation for their external exams which start in May.  The lead up to the Easter holidays is always a time for completion of the ‘Non-Examined Assessments’ and there has been great support for this from students and staff alike.  There are also many after-school revision sessions going on in many subjects, and these have been very well attended by students.  We will continue to support students in their preparations for external examination in the next few months through a careful blend of academic support as well as wellbeing support.

It may be the end of January, but I hope it is not too late to wish you all a happy new year!

I am pleased to report that the Years’ 11, 12 and 13 mock examination series that has been held in the last few weeks has been a great success.  There are lots of reasons for running mock examinations, but not least in order to give our students a genuine and authentic experience of what the real examinations series will look like.  From the timing of questions, style of papers, experience of the exam hall, as well as a real measure of performance for students and their teachers, these are all valuable experiences for our young people.  The way the students themselves approached these mocks was exemplary and we have had very positive feedback from the external invigilators regarding not only the students’ positive attitude towards the exams themselves, but also in the polite and courteous way in which they conducted themselves throughout.  Well done to all our students involved in the mocks and I hope this has given you a valuable insight into the process, as well as some targets to aim for between now and the real exams in the summer.

On a somewhat related matter, our Options Evening for pupils in Year 11 who are considering St Cyres 6^th Form runs next week on Thursday 1^st February at 6pm.  We are very proud of our post-16 offer and especially pleased that our results at A Level are excellent and are going from strength to strength.  We hope to see as many of our Year 11 pupils as possible at this important event, and we also welcome prospective Year 11 students from other local schools who are considering St Cyres 6^th Form an option to pursue their A Level studies.  All are most welcome and we look forward to seeing you.