Dear HP families,

Firstly, a huge well done to our Year 11 and Year 13 students who are right in the thick of exam season. We have been so impressed with their sustained effort, calm focus and determination to do themselves proud. They are showing real maturity and resilience and we know their hard work will pay off. Please continue to support them in keeping up the momentum through these final weeks.

We’ve also had a number of trips taking place this week, broadening learning beyond the classroom. Our Religious Studies students visited English Martyrs Church in Tuffley, where they had the chance to explore key features of worship and deepen their understanding of Christian practice. Meanwhile, the Photography students headed to the Bristol Dockside, capturing the vibrant and industrial character of the area through their lenses. Thank you to the staff who made these enriching opportunities possible.

Looking ahead, Activities Week is coming up quickly in the final week of term. We’re really excited about the range of trips and experiences lined up for all year groups. Mrs Sharples has already been in touch with full details. We are determined to include every student and have subsidised all trips with this aim in mind. If you haven’t yet signed your child up, please can we ask you to do so over the next few days to help us finalise plans.

Our HP Hero badges continue to be a source of pride among students. If your child has misplaced theirs, replacement badges are now available to purchase through MCAS.

As part of our cycle of continuous improvement, the Senior Leadership Team has now begun drafting the School Improvement Plan for 2025-26. Every summer, this process allows us to reflect on what’s going well and focus on how we can keep making HP even better. As part of this, we use Student, Parent and Staff Survey responses to ensure we are focussing on the right areas of the school. We’re excited about several new developments we’ll be sharing over the coming weeks, so do keep an eye out for these in upcoming letters.

This week we also welcomed Mr Conway to HP as our new Director of Performing Arts. He brings a wealth of experience and fresh ideas, so we’re delighted to have him leading Music and Drama from September. We’ve built a brilliant team around him for September and can’t wait to see Performing Arts flourish even further.

A reminder that next year’s term dates are available online at www.hphigh.co.uk/term-dates. Please do check them as you begin to plan ahead.

Finally, a word on attendance. It remains our number one priority this year and every student should aim for 95% or higher. Attendance is a key factor in long-term happiness and success. Every single day makes a difference. Please check your child’s attendance regularly on MCAS and speak to their Head of Year if you have any concerns at all.

I wish you all a lovely weekend,

Mr Hudson
Headteacher