Head’s News 13 Sept 2019
FEED 2019 – Supporting our community
As part of the school’s educational role, we aim to help pupils think about important community and social issues. This wider education is vital in helping young men and women to become successful members of society.
To start the term, we decided to look at an issue which was both local and accessible to all pupils. Food poverty is an increasing problem in the UK and research shows a significant rise in demand with more than a million people being supported by food banks.
St. Albans is fortunate enough to benefit from a well organised and supported programme known as The Feed Project. Each local secondary school supports this food bank for 1 month of the year. Verulam sponsors September and due to the generosity of parents and enthusiasm of students we hold the record for the largest number of donations. With an uncertain national picture, this year could be our most important yet and we hope to collect 7000 items. I would be very grateful if parents would consider supporting this very worthy charity
A list of items that can be donated can be seen below:
- Coffee, tea, sugar, longlife milk, fruit juice/squash
- Tinned meat/vegetables
- Rice, pasta, noodles, cooking sauces
- Tinned puddings, custard, jam/spreads
- Cereals, cereal bars, biscuits
- Shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, sanitary products
- Washing up liquid/powder, toilet rolls
- Nappies
Students should bring their donations to school in the morning and leave them in the dining hall from 8.15am and during registration where they are counted and sent off to the Feed project. Items can be sent in from Monday 16th to Friday 27th September
Open Day – Saturday 28 September 2019
I would like to remind parents that school finishes early on Friday 27th September at 12.45pm in order to allow staff to prepare the school for Open Day. Mr Hall will be writing to students shortly to invite them to participate on the day. The students’ contribution is central to the success of Open Day as they play vital roles in organising car parking, distributing the prospectus, acting as guides and being fantastic ambassadors within faculties. I would like to see as many students as possible involved this year to show
what a great school Verulam is. I would be grateful if parents could encourage their sons or daughters to participate.
Open Day Parent Ambassadors
This year I am also seeking a small number of parental volunteers to act as roving ambassadors on Open Day. We feel that parents can make an
invaluable contribution by talking to prospective parents and students about their experiences of the school.
If you are interested in volunteering as a parental ambassador on the day, please contact my PA Ms K Bonass on kelly.bonass@verulam.herts.sch.uk.
Uniform congratulations
I would like to congratulate all students on their smart appearance this term. A local resident also commented on this improvement this week. It is particularly noticeable that shoes are currently very shiny. It would be marvellous if parents could encourage students to polish their shoes on a weekly basis so this can continue!
Fresher’s Fayre
I am looking forward to meeting Year 7 parents at next week’s Fresher’s Fayre on 19th September at 7pm. You will have the chance to meet your son’s Head of Year, Ms McInally, form tutors and also meet other key staff.
Mr Freakley and Mr Flack, my Deputy Headteachers, will be giving presentations on Teaching and Learning The Verulam Way and Character
Development and the 7 Year Journey
Headmaster’s commendations
This week’s commendations go to Kai Brookes and Joey Blakeson for obtaining a level 8 in one of their Computer Science exam papers.
Also to Emir Johnston Year 13, and Archie
Daintree Year 10, who have both won their age group category in the Maltings Art Prize competition. They have made it to the finals for the over all winner. Both went to the presentation on Thursday evening at St Albans gallery to receive a trophy.
Well done boys.
P A Ramsey
