Wow! What a week. We have so many things to celebrate this week that I have focused on a few highlights.

Last weekend we had Rose and Poppy from Year 9 attend the Ball Cup at Eton Dorney, representing Shanklin and Sandown Rowing Club (a national British Rowing event) and won second place overall. Well done to them!

We have also seen amazing success with our Young Enterprise Company which we jointly entered with Carisbrooke College. Wild Wax Melts, which includes Archie from Year 10, were awarded overall winners at the Young Enterprise Company of the Year Hampshire and Isle of Wight Final! This is the first time in many years that a team from the Island has won at this level. They will now progress on to the South East Regional Final in London.

On Wednesday we had a visit from Ashley Whittacker who is part of the new education and social care team at the Local Authority. I accompanied Ashley for a tour round the school and he was deeply impressed with how the students conducted themselves inside of lessons and during the Geography field work out on the school playing fields. Well done to all students and staff for being such great ambassadors for our community.

Next week, we continue with Year 11 exams. I have been really impressed with the way that students have conducted themselves and the way that they are coping with the exams. If any students are feeling stressed, please remind them to talk to a member of staff and perhaps share this useful article with them that was sent to us by a parent: Seven Tips for Coping  with Revision Stress. Breakfast is also available on exam days for Year 11 with staff on hand to support them. A letter with further information regarding exams was sent out earlier in the term, a copy of it can be found here. 

Hopefully, weather permitting, a Year 11 group photo will be taken after the English exam on Monday. On Friday, we have a ‘sponge the teacher’ event at lunch (I can’t wait to get soaked haha!) to raise money for the Prom. Next Friday is also the last day of this half term before we break for a week.

Sadly, today we say goodbye to Sophie Tait, our Family Liaison Officer, as she embarks on new adventures. We wish her well in her new role and thank her for everything she has done for our students.

Finally, I would like to sign off by saying congratulations to our Hot Chocolate Friday winners, who obtained their golden ticket for either having 100% attendance in the last week or are top achievement point winners for their year group. Well done: Riley, Thea, Imogen, Oliver, Alfie, Kalli, Darcy and Melody.

Have a lovely weekend!

Mr Pearce-Jones

Head of School – Medina College