Friday 19 March 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

There is a subtle, but definite, air of something special in school this week as all settle back into school and enjoy the opportunity to reconnect on a human level and to share space, albeit in a socially-distanced way.

Much as we made the most of Guided Home Learning, there is nothing quite like being together: staff have commented on the joy of being able to connect with colleagues and pupils in person, and students have enjoyed having the time for quiet conversations, moments to catch up with friends and opportunities to share thoughts and ideas in lessons.

We continue to live in strange times but there is a tangible air of optimism now, and it perhaps not a coincidence that Miss Buxton’s Book of the Week is the simply delightful ‘The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain Children in Lockdown’.

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown, when we all packed our bags and emptied our lockers to embark on a new way of working and of learning. We have learnt so much over this period – about ourselves, technology, relationships and far, far more.

We will take the best of this learning as we move forwards, but with the hope that we will never need to work in such a way again.

Have a lovely weekend and, as always, do stay safe.

Caroline Petryszak
Headmistress

'Happy Nowruz' - a presentation by Tara E

We are delighted to share with you this wonderful presentation completed by one of our students to celebrate Nowruz.

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, is celebrated across the world, and this fantastic presentation has been completed by L4N student Tara E. In the presentation, Tara took the time to explain some of the traditional practices and foods. We really enjoyed the videos she shared with us and were grateful for this insight into how the celebrations are conducted.

We wish everyone a ‘Happy Nowruz’ and hope the celebrations are enjoyed by all on Saturday (20 March), and to view Tara’s beautiful presentation, please click here.

Miss Robinson
Head of Theology & Philosophy

British Sign Language Seminar

Book of the Week

The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain Edited by Katherine Rundell

‘I asked them to write something very short, fiction or non-fiction, or draw something that would make the young people reading it feel like possibility-ists: something that would make them laugh or wonder or snort or smile. The response was magnificent, which shouldn’t have surprised me, because young people’s writers and illustrators  are professional hunters of hope . I hope that the imagination can be a place of shelter and that The Book of Hopes might be useful in that, even if only a little.’

This collection, packed with short stories, poems and pictures from the very best young people’s authors and illustrators, aims to provide just that.

Contributors include Anthony Horowitz, Axel Scheffler, Catherine Johnson, Jacqueline Wilson, Katherine Rundell, Lauren Child, Michael Morpurgo and Onjali Q. Raúf.

Miss Buxton
School Librarian

6.2 Biologists study Gel Electrophoresis!

Northampton High Research Project: Consent Form Reminder

As you will have seen in a SchoolComms message earlier in the month, staff here at Northampton High School are conducting a research study to examine student attitudes to their learning and the progress made throughout two periods of Guided Home Learning. We will survey students in Years 8, 10 and 12, and staff to gather information.

In the SchoolComms letter, we wrote to parents of students in the specified year groups seeking consent for pupils to participate in this research. Staff involved in the research project will then analyse the responses and draw up a plan for our next steps. At that point we may ask a number of pupils to take part in a further discussion with a small number of their peers to seek further information.

If you or your daughter choose not to participate, this is absolutely fine. Pupil participation is totally voluntary and she is free to withdraw at any point in the process. The results of the research study will be shared within the school community and possibly within the GDST. Findings may also be published in an educational journal. No pupil names will be used; data collected will be kept confidential and will be stored safely. Please access the consent form here. 

If you have any questions about this study or your daughters potential participation in this, please feel free to get in touch at d.hill@nhs.gdst.net

Mrs Hill
GDST Trust Consultant Teacher for Educational Research

GDST Talks: The Psychology of Sleep

On Wednesday 24 March, we are looking forward to continuing our GDST Talks series by welcoming Dr Sinéad Devine-French to Northampton High, who will talk on the subject of ‘The Psychology of Sleep’.

Sleep allows for essential emotional and physical maintenance and regulation, and has a direct impact on our capacity to learn, perform, interact and thrive. The proliferation of screens, be they for zoom meetings, home learning or lockdown boxsets – combined with pandemic-related worry, has understandably taken its toll on our ability to drift off. Since our sleep patterns and needs change across our life span, it’s safe to say that everyone – children, teens, parents and grandparents – would benefit from better sleep habits.

Dr Devine-French will be explaining what good sleep looks like, sharing a toolkit to encourage parents to help themselves and their children to achieve healthier bedtime routines for more robust wellbeing.

This event is suitable for parents with children in Years 3-13, and to book your place, please click here. As always, we would also welcome your feedback on the topics you’d be interested in seeing covered by future GDST Talks.

Mr Nash
Marketing & Communications Officer

Uniform Reminder

During the last week of term I have asked staff to be extra vigilant about school uniform.  Unfortunately, since returning from the lockdown period, there has been some slippage. Please could parents check uniform over the weekend and ensure that all pupils have the correct items, that the fit properly and are in good repair.  Form Tutors will be doing daily checks next week. As a reminder:

For Upper Third to Lower Fifth inclusive:

• All pupils should be wearing the correct uniform (blazer optional) including the correct school jumper (navy V-neck sleeveless or long-sleeved) from School Blazer
• No hoodies or alternative jumpers are allowed
• Skirts should not be rolled over or too short – more than 2 inches or so above the knee is not acceptable (for those who remember skirt lengths being measured in schools, I note that we will not be returning to this practice but will use good judgement)
• Trousers should be official school ones from School Blazer.
• If extra warmth is needed in school at the moment, the official PE jumper or jacket may be added but no other outside coat, jumper or hoodie should be worn
• Socks should be either ankle or knee length in navy or white
• Tights should be navy or black and plain, without holes
• Shoes should be sensible black or navy and ideally leather or similar.  Pumps, trainers, ballet shoes, canvas shoes and high heels are not acceptable
• Only one set of earrings in the lobe may be worn. These should be studs or very small sleepers. No other piercings are acceptable
• No nail varnish should be worn.  Please keep gel and acrylic nails to the school holiday periods unless they are clear in colour.
• No make up should be worn by pupils below Sixth Form.
• Hair should be of a natural colour

Upper Fifth can wear either school uniform as above OR the Sixth Form dress code.  They may not take a mix and match approach.

We are proud of our uniform and when worn properly, our students look smart and efficient. The students are representing the school when they are in the building and travelling to and from school – we require them to be mindful of this.

Staff will challenge incorrect uniform, require any nail varnish or excess jewellery to be removed and problems with uniform items to be fixed within 24 hours. Should there be an ongoing problem parents will be informed.

I thank you very much in advance for helping to support our uniform policy.

Mrs O’Doherty
Deputy Head Pastoral

360° Virtual Tour Experience

It was fantastic to meet so many lovely families as part of our Open Events earlier this month

As part of the virtual events, we were delighted to launch our new 360° Virtual Tour Experience. This function gives you the opportunity to explore our entire 27-acre bespoke site, taking a look at everything from the classrooms, Sports Centre, Forest School and everything in between!

To take a look for yourself, please click here, and for information on our upcoming Open Event on Friday 7 May, please click here

Mr Nash
Marketing & Communications Officer

Sport Spring Term Extra-Curricular Timetable

Car Park Safety Notice

This is a gentle reminder that the speed limit while driving within the school premises is 5mph.

When approaching the Junior School car park, the cars coming out of the Junior School car park have right of way.

May we please ask for your full support in making the school site safe for all; thank you, as ever, for your cooperation.

Mrs Chiano
Director of Finance and Operations

Term Dates 20/21

Term Dates 21/22

Northampton High School
Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone Northampton NN4 6UU
T: 01604 765765 nhsadmin@nhs.Gdst.Net