Head’s News – 1st May
Dear parents, pupils and carers,
This week’s Verulam Voice will focus on pastoral care during closure and preparing Year 11 for Sixth Form work.
Due to the current school closure and issues regarding social distancing, we have decided that the Sixth Form induction will be conducted virtually this year. Mr Emsley will be writing to all Year 11 parents and external applicants with full details.
I would also like to recommend Mrs Avery’s google classroom book club. From my perspective the real benefit of this lockdown has been the opportunity to tackle some novels which I wanted to go back to. I am currently enjoying rereading a number of novels by Graham Greene and more up to date thrillers by Mick Herron. I would particularly recommend The Slough House novels. The Slough House series starts with “Slow Horses”.
Keeping in touch with students
One of the greatest challenges during this period of school closure is the lack of daily contact with friends and teachers which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is also difficult to adjust to new routines and the lack of variety and choice in our lives.
Staff at Verulam are taking a number of actions to support our students during closure:
- From the start of this term weekly assemblies are sent out on Monday via SMHW. This week the theme was Character Development, next week is on E-Safety and the following week on Mental Health. All these contain voice recordings by the presenter.
- A keeping in touch survey is sent to all students via the tutor on a weekly basis. Tutors and Heads of Year use this to respond to issues raised by students and to praise students for their accomplishments.
- Subject teachers also communicate with tutors and Heads of Year if students are persistently missing deadlines for work. This is then followed up by the tutor, Head of Year or a member of the pastoral team.
- A studentservices@verulam.herts.sch.uk email has been set up for students who would like advice or support from one of the Student Ser- vices team – please encourage your son or daughter to use this if they have concerns.
- Verulam employs a number of counsellors, mentors and family support workers who are continuing to keep in contact with students and families they were working with before the school closure.
We have been sending out a variety of emotional and physical support, advice and guidance through Veru- lam Voice. This week there is information from the Hertfordshire School Nurse service.
During these difficult times, we are trying to support the Verulam community as best we can. If you have a concern, please contact your child’s form tutor and Head of Year in the first instance. They will be able to signpost support or advice.
HM Commendations
This week’s HM commendations go to:
Oliver Bloomberg in Year 12. His Mum advised that her engineering company has been asked to make ventilator parts for the NHS and Oliver is helping on the weekends while doing his school work during the week.
Harry Brandt in 8C who ran 6km to raise money for NHS charities.
