This week in our school community: 6 March 2026

'...we have just been awarded the prestigious Performing Arts Gold Award ...'

 

As a Performing Arts Specialist School we take great pleasure in announcing that we have just been awarded the prestigious Performing Arts Gold Award from the Arts Council. Huge congratulations to the team on this incredible achievement. Look out for our press release on the website for more details. The Gold Award endorses just how special our Performing Arts provision is and we are incredibly proud of all who have made this possible, staff and students alike.

To exemplify this, on Wednesday evening we were treated to a double performance of dance and drama in our studio. Students showcased their own adapted performance of Malorie Blackman's 'Cloud Busting' which is part of the National Theatre Connections project. The hard-hitting play explored the themes of bullying, being a bystander, celebrating difference and uniqueness. There weren't many dry eyes at the end of the show! Then the audience were dazzled by a moving piece of dance based on the theme 'rules'. The calibre of both performances was exceptional and huge thanks to Mrs Richards, Mrs Pearson, all the department and the talented students both on and off stage who made this possible.

In other news, the government released their Schools White Paper recently. We are digesting the proposals to ensure that all of our young people receive the very best education possible—academically, personally and spiritually. If you would like further information please see this link for a helpful summary for parents and carers. Schools white paper: What parents need to know about changes to the SEND system  – The Education Hub

'Go All In' has been this year's World Book Day theme and we certainly have gone all in here at St Greg's. The community enjoyed dressing up as literary characters this Thursday and Mr Davies has entertained, inspired and informed us with a range of stories in collective worship assemblies. Some of our sixth formers met me this week for our monthly Inspiring Minds Book Club; we had an engaging discussion on the modern classic 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini. Year 12 loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it to other young adult readers. It captures Afghanistan culture and family dynamics in a moving, redemptive novel that pulls at the heart strings but ultimately ends with hope.

Lord, thank you for World Book Day, and the

opportunity to read and share our favourite stories all

year round.

Help us to appreciate the many benefits that reading

books can bring, and share our love of books with

everyone else.

Amen

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher