WEEKLY BULLETIN

8 December 2023

Welcome from the Headteacher

Bright Handdrawn Christmas Frame

Dear Parents and Guardians,


I hope this message finds you well in our final few days of term. I want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who attended our spectacular Winter Concert. The musical performances showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our students. It was a delight to witness the exceptional contributions from each participant. I must express my immense appreciation for the debut performances of our newly established ensembles, Big Noise and Harmonious Voices. These ensembles have been made possible through the generous support of the SMV Endowment fund.

A special round of applause goes to Ms. Keen, Ms. Walton, Ms. Ibrahim, and the Year 7 Tutors for their unwavering commitment and effort in making the Winter Concert a resounding success. Your dedication is truly commendable, and your hard work has not gone unnoticed. Many thanks, also, to Mr Shorrock for adding light to the occasion and the PTA for supporting the event by providing refreshments with a smile.

Ending the week on a positive note, I want to acknowledge the excellent execution of our recent lockdown drill. Thanks all round to all the students and staff members for their cooperation and participation. Remarkably, one class conducted the drill so seamlessly that their presence went unnoticed - a remarkable achievement led by Ms. Wade!

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead.



Vanetta Spence

Headteacher

Messages for Parents

DATES TO REMEMBER


8 December - Y9 Christmas/Winter Disco

11 December - Y7 Christmas Party

11 December - Deadline for V6 Applications

12 December - End of Term 2

3 January - Students Return to School for Term 3

2 January - Staff Development Inset Day

12 January - Y11 Trip to Hampton Court

18 January - Y11 Parents Evening

25 January - PSHE Drop Down Day

25 January - Y9 Options Evening


For further calendar dates please click here.


ATTENDANCE

Thank you for your continued support and communication with your child's attendance. You will receive an attendance letter during the first week of Term 3 in January which will inform you of your child's attendance since September.


We will be continuing with our new safeguarding measure whereby you will receive a home visit by 2 members of the pastoral team if your child has been absent for 3 days and they have not returned on the 4th day. If you would like any support with attendance, please email mhs-attendance@montpschool.org or your child's Head of Year. If you have any general attendance questions, please contact me at rachael.jones@montpschool.org.


Please note, in line with our Attendance Policy we are not able to authorise absence for family holidays during term time. We have an extended winter break from 13 December until 3 January and will not be able to authorise extended absences beyond that date.


I wish you all a pleasant Christmas holiday,


Rachael Jones


Y11 PARENTS/CARERS - DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO V6 SIXTH FORM IS MONDAY 11 DECEMBER

We have been delighted to receive numerous applications already for V6 Sixth Form. If you wish to make an application for your child and have not yet done so, a polite reminder that the deadline for applications is Monday 11 December. Applications can be made online here via our website or a hard copy application is available on request.


SKI TRIP 2024

We have had a further cancellation on the Easter ski trip, opening up an additional space. If you would like more information, you can read about the trip here. Please contact Sally Thorne if you are interested in taking up the place.












FAREWELL TO MS SHIPTON - SCIENCE

As you start this new journey, we're feeling a mix of emotions saying goodbye. Your time here has left a big impact on everyone lucky enough to learn from you or work alongside you.


Your passion for Biology and leadership as Head of Department has been truly inspiring. Your creative teaching style made learning exciting for so many students. Your dedication and innovative approach will always be remembered.


But it's not just your teaching that stands out. Your kindness and support made you more than a teacher – you've been a mentor and friend to many. Your guidance and patience for new teachers, like myself, have been invaluable. You've made us better educators.


Your classroom was a place of both learning and fun, thanks to your mix of professionalism and your infectious spirit. Your commitment to nurturing young minds truly showed your love for teaching.


As you move forward, please know your impact will stay with us. Your legacy lives on in what you've taught us and how you've inspired us.


Wishing you endless joy and success in your new adventures. We'll miss you, but your teachings and the memories we've made will stay close to our hearts.


FAREWELL TO MR GANGOTRA - RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Unfortunately, I announce the departure of Mr. Gangotra from our school community. Mr. Gangotra has been an valuable member of our staff, contributing significantly to our school's growth and fostering a positive environment. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Gangotra for his commitment to supporting our school as both a teacher and a tutor.


Moreover, we want to acknowledge and express our appreciation for Mr. Gangotra's initiative in establishing the Equalities Group. His efforts in promoting equality and inclusivity within our school community have laid a strong foundation, and we are committed to continuing the important work he initiated.


While it is saddening to bid farewell to such a valued member of our team, we are immensely grateful for the time and expertise Mr. Gangotra has shared with us. His presence will be deeply missed, but we are thankful for the positive influence he has had on our school. We wish Mr. Gangotra success and fulfilment in his future endeavours, and we hope that the skills and values instilled during his time at our school will continue to guide him.










LIBRARY BOOKS

Please can you check at home for any books that your child may have borrowed but forgotten to return to the school library. Please don’t worry if they are late (even if by a long time). Do ask your child to check in their bags, lockers etc for anything they might have had out for a while, and put any returns into the box in the library.

Book, books, piledbooks

SHAPING BRISTOL‘S HARBOUR


Our school community, students, teachers and parents are invited to an exhibition at the M Shed from 5 - 17 December 2023.


DK-CM have been appointed by Bristol City Council to assist in the research and delivery of the Bristol Harbour Place Shaping Strategy. The strategy will work to describe the harvour envisioned for Bristol and will be shaped and guided by people across the city and beyond.


Now in the second stage, the exhibition will take visitors through what we learnt from stage 1, allowing them the opportunities to respond to this through postcards. The exhibition will also display ideas for the role that Bristol’s Harbour should be fulfilling in the future and will ask visitors to agree or disagree and offer responses to questions set out on the walls.


Please come along and find out more.


KoothTalks are running a webinar on 14 December from 6 - 7 pm giving advice to parents and carers on how to support young people experiencing anxiety or stress this winter; for further information please click here.


The session is designed for parents and carers and will provide the following:


  • Stress and Anxiety in young people
  • Talking about mental health
  • Activities and Resources!
  • How Kooth can help


For general enquiries, please email mhs-info@montpschool.org telephone 0117 942 4328

For attendance, please email mhs-attendance@montpschool.org telephone 0117 942 4328 option 1

For safeguarding, please email mhs-safeguarding@montpschool.org or telephone 0117 942 4328

For SEND, please email mhs-senco@montpschool.org or telephone 0117 942 4328

For wellbeing support when school is closed, please email mhs-safeguarding@montpschool.org

If you believe you or someone else is in danger call the Police – 999