HARLINGTON UPPER SCHOOL WEEKLY BULLETIN

11 June 2021

Dear Parents and Carers

We have had a fantastic week enjoying the sunshine and the additional space in the building. Year 9 have finally got to experience their school properly and have managed not to get lost too often!

Students have been responding really well to our expectations of uniform and are looking very smart. As it is due to be very warm at the beginning of next week, students have permission to come to school without their blazer on Monday and Tuesday only. If students choose not to wear their blazer on Monday and Tuesday, they need to wear a white shirt only, no jumpers please.

A few girls have been asking about the change to the school skirt next year and I wanted to clarify our reasoning and expectations to parents. It is currently the case that the straight black skirt is being worn very tight and very short by a number of students. This is inappropriate for school and cannot continue. As such we are discontinuing the straight skirt from September and students have a choice of either the pleated skirt or trousers. Although it is our preference for all students to wear either trousers or the pleated skirt, we recognise that this is potentially an unexpected cost. Therefore, current students may continue to wear their existing skirt providing it meets the uniform requirements, in other words it must be knee length. Where a student has grown, and their skirt is not knee length it must be replaced with trousers or a pleated skirt.

As you know, we have had a number of positive Covid cases over the last couple of weeks. It is essential that students continue to test twice per week in order to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent further disruption to their education. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the very brief survey that was sent to you on Wednesday: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QQNS2SD

Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell and if anyone in your family has any illness at all, please take a PCR test at the earliest opportunity.

Covid continues to cause some disruption to school life. We are no longer able to proceed with the Year 10 and 12 exams in the traditional way and these assessments will now take place in classrooms. It is also possible that we will not be able to run the Year 8 induction day as we would like but we will confirm this next week.

We are very much looking forward to meeting both our internal and external Year 12 students on Monday as they come in for their induction to the sixth Form; I know they are going to make us proud.

I wish you all a very enjoyable, sunny weekend.

Yours sincerely

Helen Harris Headteacher

Keep up to date with all the great extra-curricular activities and events at Harlington using facebook and twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/HarlingtonUpperSchool https://twitter.com/harlingtonupper

Harlington Upper School, Harlington, Dunstable, , LU5 6NX website: www.harlington.org Dates For Your Diary

Monday 14th June Year 11—12 Induction Day

Monday 14th June - Friday 9th July Year 11—12 Transition

Thursday 24th June Year 8 - 9 Induction Day

Thursday 24th June New Intake Parents’ Evening

Friday 25th June Year 12 Geography Field Trip to London Docklands

Friday 2nd July Year 10 Geography Field Trip

Monday 5th July Year 10 Geography Field Trip

Wednesday 14th July Year 13 Ball

Thursday 22nd July Term Ends

Governor Vacancy

We are seeking new governors to join the Harlington Upper School Local Governing Body.

We welcome applications from those in the local community. This is an important role, with significant responsibility for the school delegated from the Trust. This is not a Parent Governor position, although it does not preclude a parent or carer from applying.

In particular, we wish to attract those with skills and experience in safeguarding, finance and HR or those with a working knowledge of the education system.

Governors do not need to be education experts, as we are seeking those with a wide range of skills and experience from the local community. Being a governor is a rewarding way of making a voluntary contribution to the lives of local young people. Governors operate at a strategic level, and are not involved in the day to day running of the school. They are responsible for setting the school’s vision and ensuring its high standards are maintained.

5 or 6 Local Governing Body Board Meetings are held each year, during the evening. There may also be occasions where Governors visit the school for monitoring visits, or to be part of a panel.

If you would like to apply or would like to chat informally, I would be very happy to talk to you. Please contact me on [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you.

Richard Holland HUS Governing Body Ex-Student Wins A BAFTA

We were very proud to hear that ex-student, Alice Goodyear, won a BAFTA, with her team, for the program ‘Long Lost Family—Born without Trace’ on which she was the Producer Director.

An amazing achievement!

Hayfever

As it is now hayfever season, can we remind parents to ensure their child has taken any hayfever medication before coming in to school. We are unable to hold general supplies of allergy medication in First Aid and so cannot provide this for children who have forgotten to take it in the morning. Children should be reminded to drink plenty of water, wear sunglasses and even put a little Vaseline around their nostrils to trap pollen if they want to spend their breaktimes outside. Face Masks As you know, it is still a requirement for students to wear face masks in school at the moment, but we are getting an increasing number of requests from students for a face mask as they have forgotten theirs. They should, of course, be wearing them on the school bus in the morning, so could you please ensure your child has a mask and spare, held in a sealed bag, every day. Lost Property

We have a mountain of lost property in Student Support, mainly winter coats but also other items. If your child has lost anything, please ask them to come and have a look during their break or lunch time. We will have to dispose of any items not claimed by the end of the month. Fundraising

Over the past few weeks you may have become aware of a fundraising campaign in support of a Year 7 pupil at Arnold .

Just a few short weeks ago, George Fox was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumour and his parents are desperately trying to raise funds to seek treatment not available on the NHS.

In an effort to raise funds for treatment, a fundraising page was set up and the response has been exceptional. We would like to support this campaign as a school and share the details with you in case you would like to make personal donations.

If you would like more information or want to make a personal donation, here is the link to the fundraising page. Thank you in anticipation of your kindness. PE Extra-curricular programme - Summer Term 2

Please note that PE kit must be worn when participating in extra-curricular clubs; students will change in the PE Changing Rooms before and after each session.

For lunchtime clubs it is advised that students either eat at breaktime or bring a packed lunch on the day of their club.

We strongly encourage and welcome all students of all abilities to involve themselves in our range of physical activity clubs.

Cricketing Success

Our Year 9 cricket team were in action against Icknield on Tuesday. It was a fantastic day for some cricket and it was a pleasure to see some fixtures being played again.

Harlington won by 7 wickets. Captain Jonah Wilson elected to bowl first. The whole team bowled very consistently, with Josh Allen picking up the bowling honours with 2 wickets for 11 runs, including a wicket maiden. With the tight bowling from the team it meant that they only had to chase 83 runs in total. Our opening batsman, Rishi Roopchand, picked up the batting honours when he had to retire on 33, this included 5 fours and 1 six.

The team now progress into the next round of the U14 County Cup and play . Music Scholarship Opportunity Tennis Open Day

The choir at All Saints Church in Leighton Buzzard is and Ampthill Tennis Club will be holding once again looking for Pulford Choral Scholars and an open day between 11am and 2pm on 26th one Organ Scholar. These are available to young June for anyone who would like to try out tennis. people under the age of 24. It’s completely free of charge and all age groups Choral scholarships are for all voices (SATB) up to a and abilities are welcome. maximum of £1,200 for the academic year 2021/22 starting September 2021. All equipment will be provided and there will be games and free coaching, for adults and children The Organ Scholarship is up to £1,200 and might be alike, with refreshments available. appropriate for a good keyboard player wishing to start to learn to play the organ.

For an application form and a copy of the terms and conditions, please see Mrs Carroll, Head of Music.