We were delighted to welcome Chip Colquhoun from Epic Tales to our school for truly inspiring 2 days of storytelling, creativity and imagination. Visiting for a special assembly and a series of workshops with Year 7, Chip brought stories to life in a way that captivated students from the very first moment.

Chip began with a whole-school assembly focused on the importance of stories. He explained how storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful ways humans connect, share ideas and understand the world. Through humour, dramatic voices and expressive gestures, he demonstrated how stories can shape our thinking, build empathy and spark creativity.

Chip also worked with each Year 7 form in workshop sessions. He briefly revisited the story from the assembly, helping students to think more deeply about its themes.

The highlight of the workshops was an interactive storytelling activity. Chip invited students to contribute ideas, find solutions and think of different paths the story can take.

A key focus of the workshop was imagination — what it is, why it matters and how we can make it stronger. Chip explained that imagination works like a muscle: the more we use it, the stronger it becomes.

To close the session, Chip told one final engaging story. Once again, the room was completely absorbed. Gasps, laughter and wide-eyed anticipation showed just how deeply the students were involved. It was the perfect ending to a day dedicated to the magic of storytelling.

Chip Colquhoun’s visit was both entertaining and educational. Year 7 left the workshops not only with memorable stories, but with a renewed appreciation for the power of imagination and the confidence to create their own. It was a fantastic experience that we will be talking about for a long time to come.

Year 10 pupils with an interest in automotive careers attended a workshop at Arnold Clark, giving them a taste of the different apprenticeships available, such as mechanic, parts and customer service. 

A series of interactive tasks taught pupils how to change a tyre, identify the parts of an engine and repair bodywork. They also had a tour of the facilities. 

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Year 10 pupils with a keen interest in finding out more about this pathways visited Walsall College. As well as discovering the benefits of learning on the job, directly from the experts, and earning while you learn, pupils now have a better understanding of the roles colleges play in training them for the workplace. 

Following an information session, pupils then had the chance to meet lots of current apprenticeship students to learn about their experiences. They also had the opportunity to talk to T Level students and learn about other technical pathways that can be a great alternative to traditional A levels for some pupils. 

What is a T Level?:

https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students

Learn more about apprenticeships:

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships

The Wellbeing Ambassadors prepared a bake sale and cake decorating competition for Children's Mental Health Week, with the theme 'My Happy Place', which successfully raised £136.90 for PAPYRUS. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated to the sale. A huge well done to our winners:  

1st Place: Abigail, Year 9, Elysia, Year 9, Jessica, Year 9, Leila, Year 7, Aoife, Year 7 

2nd Place: Hollie, Year 11 

3rd Place: Flynn, Year 7

Recently, 40 year 12 and 13 students took part in a webchat to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27^th January.  Survivor Paul Sved and his son, Richard, recalled Paul's experiences in Hungary during World War 2 as a young Jewish boy.  Paul emphasised the importance of education about the Holocaust and the lessons that can be learned in fostering a spirit of optimism for the future.

Head of History Mrs Selby has led this week's assembly for Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme this year is "Bridging Generations" and pupils were told the story of Leon Greenman, he ​was born in London​.

Leon and his family were arrested by the Nazis on the 8th October 1942 for the 'crime' of being a Jew.  ​

The Greenman’ suddenly felt very scared and uncertain about what lay ahead…they were taken ​

from Rotterdam to Westerbork, a holding camp for Dutch Jews.

His story represents the impact of the Holocaust on Leon's generation but the way that this continues to effect future generations and how important it is to remember and not hide from what has happened. This is how humans will ensure it never happens again.

On 5^th February, we once again welcomed Nicky Salt from the Anne Frank foundation. Helping pupils to understand Anne Frank's part in the Anti-Racist movement, Nicky explored ideas around racism in 2026.

This meant understanding the suffering of Anne Frank at the hands of the racist ideology of the Nazis but thinking about the impact words and actions still have now. Using examples such as racism in football, the groups in Year 8 considered the wide impact of racism, prejudice and discrimination and their own part in preventing this.

We would like to congratulate six of our Year 7 pupils who have qualified for members to the Mensa Society this year! Pupils had to achieve a score on the assessment which demonstrates that they have an IQ in the top 2%. Pupils will be receiving a special badge to proudly wear on their blazer alongside free membership to Mensa. Well done to the 22 pupils who participated in the assessment!

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Year 7 – 9 will be able to access work set by their class teachers through Class Charts. Pupils should follow their timetable. There is no requirement for pupils to submit their work through Class Charts. Teaching staff will not be available to respond to questions in a ‘live’ capacity due to supporting Key Stage 4 and 5. 

Key Stage 4 & 5

Teachers are planning to deliver a ‘live’ lesson to their classes. There is a pupil guide for how to access their lesson via this link (insert link: https://bit.ly/4qOXf4x) . Teachers will be present and will utilise the Chat/Q&A feature on teams to interact with pupils. There may be some instances where a teacher is unavailable, if this is the case work will be set on Class Charts.  

The Year 12 Biology Mock which was scheduled for 9am will now not go ahead. The Year 12 Law and Year 13 Health and Social Care at 1pm will go ahead as planned. Students should enter via sports hall gate and be on site no later than 1pm. 

We will update you regarding arrangements for Monday by Sunday evening.