For the Year 13 students, in particular, today marks an important milestone as they prepare to leave school. There has been much laughter and some tears in the Sixth Form Common Room and in the corridors and, frankly, everywhere else, as they bid farewell to each other, to the staff and to the whole school community.
We are proud of them all.
We are impressed by all that they have achieved over the last several years and excited to think about what lies ahead: from degree apprenticeships in rural surveying, to law degrees and medical studies, from gap years to art foundation courses, paramedic science to philosophy, it seems this year group has every talent and every interest covered!
They will be missed.
At the Year 13 Leavers’ Celebration on Wednesday evening, I wanted to foreground one thing that occurred to me as I thought about their journey from school into the wider world. As an English student at university (quite some time ago…), I learned of Tzvetan Todorov’s formalist theories about folktales, which suggest a common shape to all stories: from equilibrium through disequilibrium and back to equilibrium again. Put another way, an initial state of peace and tranquility is disturbed and the hero of the story is forced to go on a journey of one kind or another. After the hero confronts and overcomes various challenges and adventures, a renewed state of calm is achieved.
The High School has been, in many ways, that initial state of equilibrium for our students, where they are supported by teachers, family, friends and the familiar routines of the school day. After their A Levels, they face the disequilibrium of a fundamental change in their way of life. They are embarking on a journey that will, by necessity, present challenges and adventures. But the key thing to remember is that they are, in fact, the heroes of their own stories. Not because it’s all only and always about themselves, but because they have gained an increasing degree of independence and have agency over their decision-making. They can choose how to embrace those coming challenges and – continuing to draw on the support of the communities in which they have grown up – to find a new space in which to thrive.
We wish them all the very best on their various journeys and we look forward to hearing about their adventures soon!
Mr Viesel
Director of Sixth Form
The week ahead
Monday 12 May
Cricket: U13A & B vs Akeley Wood School
Tuesday 13 May
Cricket: U15A vs Thornton College
Wednesday 14 May
Year 12 Physics Trip to Tenpin
Friday 16 May
Scholars Concert
Book Review: King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore – Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2025
ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9.
They’re used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he’s about but that’s the way he wants it – he’s got a reputation to live up to after all.
So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn’t really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it’s time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member.
But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton’s life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some games is the least Anton can do to repay the debt.
As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things?
Year 11 Leavers
Wednesday marked the final day for our Year 11 before going on study leave for the push in their GCSE journey. The day started with a Good Luck assembly and shirt signing – and I must congratulate Year 11 on their amazing shirts, each having a design of their name on the back.
We then had a celebration lunch with singing and dancing followed by a last photo call on the school field. I would like to give my very best wishes to all of Year 11 for their forthcoming exams. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with them over the last two years.
Mrs Down
Head of Years 10 & 11
Year 13 Leavers
Fond memories were shared Wednesday evening at the Year 13 Leavers’ Reception, a special evening with staff and parents. Today, the school transformed into an Under the Sea world for a fun-filled dress-up day and farewell assembly. To our brilliant Year 13s, congratulations on all your achievements and good luck as you embark on your new chapters!
Sports Celebration Evening
We were delighted to host our annual Sports Celebration Event on Tuesday evening. With many students in attendance from Year 3 to Year 13. Our Sports Captains did an amazing job of reading out their round ups of the sporting year and Holly and Sophia (Year 9) performed some superb dance routines. Angelie B (Year 7) inspired us with a snippet of her Scholars Celebration speech speaking about how sport builds character and the value of team work.
We were joined by Northampton Town Football Club Player – Bianca Luttman who gave an inspiring speech about her journey in football and also the importance of team work and collaboration. Mrs Blake introduced a new initiative aimed at our high achieving students called the Athlete Development Programme, which is an exciting opportunity for players to work collaboratively with teachers and parents to develop their understanding of elite sport and work together to advance their skills.
The evening ended with a selection of awards being presented including our highly prestigious Headmistress Award which hadn’t had a recipient since 2022, this year being awarded to Harriet F (Year 13). Our Junior School Team of the Year was won by the U11 Netball team. Our Senior School Team of the Year was won by the 1st XI Hockey team. Our Junior School Sports Personality of the Year was won by Evie H (Year 6) and the Senior School Sports Personality of the Year was won by Issy H (Year 13).
Thank you to all of the players and parents who supported the event and congratulations to those who received an award.
Mrs Blake
Director of Sport
Lucy G, Year 7 Runner-up story entry
A huge congratulations to Lucy in Year 7, who came second in a competition run by her local bookshop, The Snug in Olney.
Emma Carroll, a very successful writer of fiction and popular with the girls in school, judged the competition and described Lucy’s story as:
“Lucy’s story was almost flawless: beautiful writing, confident world building and a control and fluency that made it a truly stunning read.”
Well done, Lucy!
Year 8 and Year 9 Goethe Institut Trip
Year 8 and 9 students had the chance to step into Berlin’s vibrant art scene during our German Day at the Goethe-Institut in London. The day kicked off with inspiring talks from young people who had taken part in the institute’s Berlin exchange programme, where they created multimedia art in Germany’s capital. In the afternoon, students explored the rich history of Berlin graffiti and street art before getting hands-on to design their own artwork. Congratulations to Maisie T. in Year 8, whose creative design was awarded Best Artwork out of all three schools in attendance!
Follow our new STEM Instagram!
We’re excited to share the brand-new Northampton High STEM Instagram account! Please follow this page for updates from the Science, Maths and other STEM subjects throughout the school.
