Hello. I hope you are refreshed!
The end of last term saw some stunning work and results as a result of the team effort that everyone put in. The amazing Rock gig, the Strings concert, outstanding Trinity results, AB exams (no results yet..) and more. It is credit to all involved that what was achieved, was achieved and to such a high standard. At the end of term. Wow. The AS recitals in the holidays were very well received, with Huw praising the standard. I hope his marking reflects this.... The day was very busy, with so many staff in teaching, marking or supporting.
This term we have the Wind and Brass concert on 28th, Rock school exams and then we are in to the exams season. The focus for Danny, Natalie and myself is GCSE, with our Year 11 musicians under great pressure to achieve their target grades.
Years 11, 12 and 13 are now firmly focused on their exams. Therefore, I need you to continually check each week that they can make their next lesson, or problems occur. Yes, it is the responsibility of the student, but Year 11 in particular will fail to remember which way up is and will need help. Assume nothing!
As we start the new financial year, I have been working with some to develop how we work, and how everyone is supported. More details will follow next week when I have finalised the changes. Where there are gaps in support, I am working to ensure they are sorted. I also want to channel decisions through team leaders, so that there is structure to what is done. I will be having weekly meetings with some to ensure that the structure works, and there is less happening at the xth hour. Some decisions will not be instant any more, so that we are avoiding clashes and problems! More next week.
Year 10 GCSE will soon be our focus. They are very driven, and can achieve a great deal. I will be insisting that all have a solo and and ensemble completed this term, with recordings emailed to me. Please can you plan for this with them. They will have module exams after half term, so the best time to get them done is before the end of May. My request for Year 11 recordings in the Autumn term was not stuck to by all, so I will have to be ruthless this time, to ensure they are done. If you need support, ask. More recordings next year, but I do not want the performance to be the weak link in the GCSE submission. Ask me to record exam pieces, use your laptop. It is expected of everyone please and should not take any extra time from lessons. It is often easier to allocate a week to record everyone. Equipment is ready, recordings done. Use the occasion to record others as well!
Next week I will also provide reminders of dates, including the 3:2 split coming up.
Have a great week.
Mark
