6th February 2023
Dear Parent/Carer,
I wanted to get in touch again at the start of a new week as I know how important it is that you feel connected to our school and involved in what we are doing.
Last Sunday two of our senior students represented Ballakermeen with great dignity at the solemn Holocaust Memorial Service. This is such an important event that serves as a reminder of how we should treat each other, how we should hold each other to account for acting in the right way and how we must learn from previous experiences. Thank you to Mika Chen and Josh Kewley for representing us.
Our Sixth Form were also involved in Emotional First Aid training last week. This is a fabulous program that supports young people in understanding themselves and their own emotional wellbeing whilst alerting them and equipping them to be able to look out for others. A big thank you to Mrs Cummins who arranged the training and to Ali Vondy who provided it. Ali also asked that I pass on how impressed she was with the attitude and contribution of the Sixth Form participants. I look forward to seeing the impact of this training.
Continuing the theme of doing things for others, I was delighted to receive thanks from Crossroads Carers and Hospice IOM, recognising the charitable donation that was given from monies raised by the Year 11 prom committee. In addition, we were able to make a contribution from a staff collection which was taken at Christmas rather than exchanging individual Christmas cards. We were delighted to help these amazing charities just a little bit.
During last week Year 8 had the opportunity to participate in a drop-down day that focused on protecting them from exploitation of all kinds. Feedback from students was very positive and the important messages appear to have been very well picked up. Once again our visitors who were delivering the program could not praise our students highly enough for their attitude, participation and behaviour. Well done to Year 8 and we hope that the lessons learned will help to keep you safe online and in the physical world.
For Year 9, as you know, the options process has begun and there is a wealth of resource online via the school website. This will support well considered choices however please feel free to get in touch if you have any additional questions. I know that some parents and carers have asked why we do not have a face-to-face options night however, even without the ongoing industrial action, we have found that the online resources are the most effective and efficient way of getting the choices right.
Finally, as I hinted at last week, I want to start a new initiative to link with parents and carers. I am calling this a Parent Café, and my intent is to provide the opportunity for parents to come into school to have some light refreshment and I will be able to outline our vision for Ballakermeen and what we are trying to do. In addition, however, I anticipate that the parents and carers present will have time to discuss what is important to them and then we will begin the process of finding solutions together. I hope this will further contribute to an increasing togetherness between families and school. In the first instance we will be a little limited in terms of capacity however, if you would like to get involved, please click here to register your interest.
So as we start a new week, I look forward to seeing our youngsters make the very best of the opportunities available to them and I hope that all of us get most things right and if things go wrong that we are able to address any issues while supporting our school values of kindness, honesty, and particularly respect.
Take care,
Mr Graeme Corrin, Headteacher