Newsletters

Coventry Rocks Newsletter Easter 23

Dear Parents & Carers

As another term draws to an end I am provided with an opportunity to reflect on the many positive events that have taken place at Westwood.  This term we have been awarded the ‘Arts Mark’ in recognition of all of the exciting opportunities we provide for our students across the arts subjects.  Students regularly have opportunities to visit theatres and take part in other artistic ventures; just this week our A Level Spanish students visited London to experience a theatre experience in Spanish, along with their fellow students from Kenilworth. Also this week, some of our younger students visited the RSC to watch a production of Julius Caesar, following a creative Shakespeare workshop in school led by Miss Donachie.  Continuing with our involvement in the arts, 20 pupils recently joined professional artists to start preparing to participate in the Canley Carnival on June 10^th. Five more sessions are planned with more artists. In dance last week, 30 pupils took part in a workshop led by Lexie Garner from Ascension Dance Company.  Following on from this event every pupil involved has been especially invited to a free dance workshop in the Easter Holidays.

Earlier this month Miss Saunders and Miss Jones led the school’s first PGL netball tour.  Our year 8 and year 10 netballers spent the weekend playing netball as well as taking part in adventurous activities. The year 8 team finished 5^th out of 10 and the year 10 team finished 3^rd out of 11, coming home with a bronze medal. All of the girls were a credit to themselves and the school; both teams demonstrated some excellent netball performances and showed respect, resilience and sportsmanship throughout.  They are a truly inspiring group of young women and we congratulate them on their success.

The PE department have also been busy organising a host of events to raise money for Sports Relief.  Last week a number of students challenged teachers to different tasks such as a penalty shoot-out or a table tennis match. Well done to the students who were victorious in their challenges! Year 7 and 8 enjoyed a “Fun Run” which consisted of a series of games and tasks such as an obstacle course, dodgeball game, ‘floor is lava challenge’ and table tennis battle ships. Thank you to all those students and teachers who took part and donated to a great cause. The highlight of the week was possibly the staff versus students netball match which saw the staff securing an impressive 22-4 win!

The range of extra-curricular activities on offer at Westwood continues to grow and I challenge all of our students to try at least one experience outside of the classroom next term!  Mr Hensher has been working with community partners to improve the safety of our cyclists in school.  Dr Bike has been in school servicing students bikes free of charge and SusTrans are visiting school teaching pupils who have never had the opportunity to learn, how to ride a bike.  One of our year 8 girls in particular impressed the trainers by mastering the art of cycling in just an hour and a half!  We have also secured investment from SusTrans and donations of bicycles from West Midlands police to provide a set of 30 bikes in school.  We look forward to the better weather when we can start to make the most of this great resource.  If any of our parents are keen cyclists and would like to get involved in some cycling activities with the pupils, please get in touch.

Whilst all of these activities are inspiring, fundamentally the work we do in school is focussed on ensuring our students achieve their academic potential.  Our year 11 students, having recently experienced their final set of mocks, now begin their final weeks of revision before the summer exams begin in May.  There are Easter revision classes running and next term there will continue to be an extensive programme of intervention and revision classes around the students’ normal lessons.  It is essential that all year 11 students are attending school every day in order to benefit from the expertise of our dedicated staff; but also that they are committed to revision at home also.  I encourage any of our year 11 parents to reach out to us for support if they have any concerns or questions about their children in the run up to the exams.

Please find attached the  Easter Newsletter from Coventry Rocks. This interactive PDF includes lots of ideas for family friendly events and activities over Easter, with links to their website to find out more.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support.  This term has certainly presented us with challenges, but our commitment to providing the best school experience possible for your children is unwavering.  I wish you all a peaceful Easter break and look forward to welcoming all of the students back into school on Monday 17^th April.  Please note that next term we will be observing the additional Bank Holiday allocated for the King’s Coronation and that school will be closed to all pupils and staff on both Monday 1^st and Monday 8^th May.