This week in our school community: 30 January 2026

"...I was so proud to hear them speak so eloquently and passionately..."

 

Holocaust Education is more important than ever with the shocking number of antisemitic crimes in the UK on the rise. In some countries young people are sadly not educated about the horrors of the Holocaust but fortunately all our Year 9 students study this important period of history. Miss Thomas Stone delivered a powerful and poignant collective worship assembly with Year 12 History Ambassadors to inform everyone in our community why we must never forget what happened to the millions of Jewish people who were persecuted and sentenced to death.

On Tuesday, Julia B and Ava M in Year 13 were invited to speak at The Guildhall to the Mayor and other esteemed guests about their experiences of travelling to Auschwitz last year with the Holocaust Education Trust. I was so proud to hear them speak so eloquently and passionately about what they took from seeing the concentration camp first hand, an experience they will never forget.

Our sixth formers have continued to impress this week, with Mr Burn and I interviewing all Year 12 applicants for our 1719 Society student leadership team. Sixth formers spoke about their love of the New Sixth and St Gregory's. They had excellent ideas about how to make a difference in the community and are keen to be the next aspirational leaders of tomorrow. Our new 1719 Society is as follows:

Co-heads Luca G and Nora K

Academic Lead Zachary D with Deputy Jo J

Personal Lead Freya E with Deputy Julia S

Spiritual Lead Claire D  with Deputy Harriet H

House Captain Bakhita Lisa N

House Captain Romero Kamara S

House Captain Francis Alicja S

House Captain Stein Leo S

Congratulations to all; I know you will be excellent young leaders and inspirational role models. Thank you to the outgoing 1719 Society for their hard work, dedication and impact while in role. It is now time for Year 13 to focus on their A level exams and pass on the leadership baton.

Year 11 Scholarship applications are open to all aspirational Year 11 students who plan to take up a place at The New Sixth this September. See the website for more details and how to apply. The deadline for expressions of interest is Saturday 31 January so get applying now if you haven't already.

We have welcomed a group of Italian visiting students this week and they have enjoyed attending lessons and making new friends with their International Buddies. They have also displayed their skills on the football pitch and basketball courts at lunchtime! On Thursday Madam Lemée-Wright arranged for our Year 9 students of French to meet their pen pals at long last. Forty-five students from Toulouse arrived and spent the day at St Gregory's, engaging in fun activities with their English counterparts. It's been a truly international week.

Year 11 Scientists enjoyed a trip to The Forum, Bath, this week to hear from an array of scientific specialists to broaden horizons and perspectives in the field. Thank you to Mrs Kestell for organising this opportunity.

Please join Mr Robinson and I in our Chapel on Tuesday 2 February at 8am for a short Parent/Carer prayer session. You can see the plans for how our chapel is being transformed by budding creatives in our school as well as start your day with some quiet reflection. All most welcome.

Finally I received a letter from The Education Secretary on Monday regarding the government's strengthened guidance on mobile phones in school. The message is clear, phones are not allowed to be seen in any UK school and policies must reflect this. Our policy already states that students' phones must be switched off and stored in bags, lockers or the inside blazer pocket for the duration of the day. It is very rare for us to confiscate a mobile phone during the day but if they are seen they will be taken and sanctions given. I have spoken to all year groups at assembly this week so everyone is clear on our school's position on mobile phones.

Please help us support your child by deciding as a family if they really need to take a phone into school at all. If you need to contact your child during the day you should call the school office who will pass on a message or help you speak to your child, depending on the circumstance. You should not try to text or call your child during school hours.  If your child does require a phone please reinforce the message that it is to be turned off throughout the day and not seen or heard. We appreciate your co-operation and support with this. 

Have a wonderful weekend when it comes.

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher