Author: Natalie McGillivary

In memoriam

Natalie McGillivary

Ray Kelly

11.08.65–18.04.22

Ray Kelly was a kind, quiet and decent man who had committed over 20 years to the Performing Arts faculty at the school. He played a vitally important role within the music department in particular, directing the big band, arranging music for various ensembles and supporting hundreds of individual students over the years as an instrumental teacher, music technician and an accompanist. In recent years, his exceptional musical talent was showcased in the school productions, particularly Les Miserables and West Side Story, events which could not have taken place without Ray’s skills and expertise. Outside of school, Ray was well known within the Lymm community and beyond for his wonderful piano playing and his passion for live performances; he was a quintessential jazz musician, always taking life in his stride and it is probably fair to say that Ray was at his happiest when playing as part of a jazz ensemble.

Rearranged Theatre Trip

Natalie McGillivary

We are happy to confirm that we have rearranged the theatre trip for Thursday 21st April for those students whose trip was cancelled. Apologies for this late notice, the theatre has only just got back to us.

Students must bring a packed lunch to school that they will eat during Period 4.

We will leave school at approximately 1pm for the performance at 2pm. Students will return to school between 5.30pm and 6pm but will be able to call or message parents on their way home.

Food at the theatre is limited so we advise students to bring their own snacks and a drink to enjoy during the performance.

Lunchtime Career talks

Natalie McGillivary

The week after next, we are hosting a series of lunchtime career talks. Students can bring sandwiches to eat during the events, which are planned to last 30 minutes (1.30-2pm) in the Leisure Centre Studio. The talks will be as follows:

  • Tuesday 3rd May: Careers in Tech
  • Wednesday 4th May: The Engineering industry, roles/apprenticeships, and transferable skills needed for the world of work
  • Thursday 5th May: Digital Careers
  • Friday 6th May: Careers in Engineering

We hope lots of students will join us!

Lunchtime Career Talks

Natalie McGillivary

Next week we are hosting a series of lunchtime career talks for students in Years 7 and 8. Students can bring sandwiches to eat during the events, which are planned to last 30 minutes (1.30-2pm) in the Leisure Centre Studio. The talks will be as follows:

  • Monday 25th April: Careers in the NHS
  • Tuesday 26th April: Careers in Finance
  • Wednesday 27th April: Careers in Engineering
  • Thursday 28th April: Careers in health and social care

We hope lots of students will join us!

Apprentify talk

Natalie McGillivary

All  students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 are invited to attend a drop-in session with Scott Austin, Head of Talent at Apprentify. He will be joining us at lunchtime on Thursday 21st April 1.30–2pm in The Studio, upstairs in the Leisure Centre.

Apprentify pride themselves on offering a unique approach to finding, recruiting and training the best digital and technical apprentices for roles such as Digital Marketing, Junior Content Producer, Data Analyst and Software Developer.

They currently work with companies such as JD Sports, Pets at Home, Manchester Airport Group and Liverpool Football Club.

Please come along to meet Scott and find out more about what Apprentify can offer.

You can visit their website https://www.apprentify.com/ or YouTube channel Apprentify – YouTube for more of an insight.

Covid-19 latest guidance

Natalie McGillivary

Dear parents and carers

I hope you are well and have been enjoying the Easter holiday. Apologies for interrupting the break, but I am writing with a quick update on the latest guidance relating to Covid-19 and what actions to take if staff or students are unwell.

You may be aware that, as of April 1st, the government published its Living with Covid strategy. This means that there is no longer a requirement for students or staff to test regularly and that the universal/free testing has now finished.

The following guidance is now in place if students or staff are unwell with Covid-19 symptoms:

  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school when they no longer have a high temperature, and they feel well enough to attend.
  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.
  • In the event that a Covid-19 test is taken, adults with a positive test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice is 3 days.
  • There is no longer a requirement for students or staff to return a negative test before returning to school once they have remained at home for the recommended period of time.

Remote learning via our ‘window into lessons’ will remain available for confirmed Covid cases for the time being, so please make sure you let us know if this is the case for your child.

As ever, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions. Otherwise, enjoy the rest of the day and I look forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow.

Kind regards

Gwyn Williams