Dear HP families,

This week has been one of the most positive starts to an academic year that I can remember and I am delighted to share some highlights with you.

On Wednesday evening we held our annual Open Evening and it was fantastic to see such a large turnout of prospective families. More than 100 HP students volunteered to act as tour guides and ambassadors. Their pride in HP and their helpfulness in guiding families around the site drew many complimentary comments from parents and carers. Feedback on the evening has been excellent and I want to thank every student and member of staff who played a part in showing what HP is all about.

Earlier on Wednesday we launched HP Enrichment. This marks the start of an exciting development for all students as every child now takes part in an extracurricular activity on Wednesday afternoons. The range of opportunities is broad and varied. Over seven years at HP a student could experience as many as 21 different activities. We are determined that these sessions will provide meaningful chances to develop new skills, discover interests and build friendships. The atmosphere during our launch afternoon was vibrant and it was wonderful to see so many students taking part.

A further highlight has been the engagement of Year 11 in Period 6. Attendance has been strong and we are now focused on building Champions Hour as a routine part of their studies. Champions Hour is an independent study session supported by the Year 11 team and available in the Library until 5pm every day. Independent study is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes next summer. To encourage consistent attendance we have introduced the HP Champions Hour Loyalty Card. Any Year 11 student who attends 15 sessions before 24th October will win a small prize and then be entered into a raffle for a £50 voucher. If you are a parent of a Year 11 student I encourage you to talk with them about how building the habit of attending Champions Hour now will bring real benefits later in the year.

We are also proud to announce that HP has been awarded a Green Flag with Distinction in recognition of our eco work. This is a significant achievement for our students and staff. Mrs Kingston, our HP Eco Lead, explained that the award came about through the commitment of Eco Club members, the sustainable features of our site such as solar panels and rainwater flushing in D Block and the way environmental awareness is built into our curriculum. This year our Eco Club will work towards securing our next flag and I look forward to sharing their progress.

A few reminders. Please avoid parking around the bend on Holmleigh Road by the bus stop as it poses a safety risk. Our Contact Details page on the HP website explains the best way to reach staff and I ask that you refer to it before making contact. Finally please download the MCAS app or check the MCAS website regularly so that you remain up to date with news and information.

I wish you all a lovely weekend,

Mr Hudson
Headteacher