Shipston High School has had another active year, with students and staff involved in a varied range of activities. As the school community enjoys the summer break, it is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the year.
In August 2018 the school celebrated a really successful set of GCSE results for our Year 11 students. Individual grades were really pleasing, allowing many students to fulfil their ambitions for the next stage of their education. Results day was especially hot, as was the whole of last summer, and the school enjoyed favourable local press coverage as we celebrated in the sunshine. We are already looking forward to this years’ results being announced.
In November the whole school joined with the British Legion to commemorate Remembrance Day in the school and the community. This year students wrote personal messages on our own wall of poppies; a very moving installation. Remembrance was also a focus for Year 9 students on our history department’s trip to the battlefields of World War I, where students laid a wreath at the Menin Gate and researched local and family connections.
Student participation in the extracurricular opportunities at the school is always impressive. Students show real enjoyment of these activities, and attend regularly. Even when winter weather may deter some, Shipston students are still to be found on the playing fields after school. There are many activities to list across a range of disciplines but students should be proud of their participation. Public speaking continues to be a strength of the school, with impressive involvement and extremely high standards. Thank you to everyone who makes these activities so successful.
Creative arts thrive in the school, and The Shipston Proms concert at the school was, as always, well attended. It was our pleasure to welcome visitors from the Prom committee and wider community. Students of all ages played a rich variety of music in what was a hugely entertaining evening. The musicians also perform in local venues across the Proms season, and I am sure many people across the community share our pride in these young talents. I am grateful to our music team for the work they do with the students and community performances throughout the year.
Students enjoyed working with a range of visitors this years, including authors, artists, and Olympic athletes. Students also engaged with numerous charity events, raising money for good causes including Macmillan Cancer Support and Warwickshire Air Ambulance.
The final day of the school year was an opportunity to celebrate success, including presenting our Shipston/Pixl Edge award. This national programme enables students to demonstrate their independence, maturity and resilience across a range of criteria. I am grateful for the continued support of the Rotary Club for our awards programme.
All of us should be very proud of the work of the whole school community this year, and of the continued achievement of our young people; well done to everyone involved. Shipston High School’s reputation is strong, and is built on the achievements of the young people who make the school such a positive place to be. I wish everyone a relaxing and refreshing summer.