Noadswood Termly Newsletter July 2025

• Also, I would like to congratulate Year 11 leaver, Olly, on his success representing us and England at the recent Schools’ International Athletics Board Championships, securing a silver medal. His swansong event as a Noadswood student went so well, despite tricky, wet conditions. We wish him, and all our Y11 students, every success, and look forward to seeing them on Results Day.

• Finally, I would like to share a photo from the very first production here at Noadswood, that Noadswood Alumni, Eddie Holtham, has been so kind as to share with me. As well as noting our stage looks remarkably like it did in 1960, it also reminds me of what a legacy of creativity and success we build on and to view that with respect. Lovely to see.

With a view to September and the year ahead, a reminder of our key dates:

INSET 1- Wednesday 3rd September 2025

INSET 2- Friday 26th September 2025

INSET 3- Monday 8th December 2025

INSET 4- Friday 13th February 2026

INSET 5- Monday 9th March 2026

INSET 6- Tuesday 5th May 2026

• Wednesday 3rd September- INSET day (School closed to all students)

• Thursday 4th September- Year 7 only

• Friday 5th September- All year groups in school

Open Events:

Noadswood will close early on Thursday 25/09/2025 to allow for preparation of the Open Evening. Students will leave site by around 12.30pm. More details about the specific logistics will be released closer to the time. Friday 26th September will be an INSET day and school is closed to all students.

Whatever you are doing over the break, we wish everyone a very restful summer – if you need us during the holiday, please contact info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk and mark your email URGENT.

Now, over to the rest of the school for just some of the best of this half term from their perspectives.

Best wishes,

Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team

Uniform Expectations – September 2025

As we look ahead to the start of the new academic year in September, we’d like to remind all families of our uniform expectations. We’re proud of how our students represent the school, and wearing uniform correctly is a key part of that pride.

From September, we return to full winter uniform, and we expect all students to follow the policy consistently from day one.

🔹 Key Expectations:

Ties must be worn at all times

Blazers or school jumpers must be worn – unless permission is given to remove them in very hot weather

No false nails – including acrylics, gels, or extensions

Footwear must be black leather-style – no trainers or canvas shoes

Facial piercings – if students are planning piercings over the summer, these should be done early enough to allow for a clear retainer by September and absolutely no metal piercings

🔹 Summer Uniform – A Final Trial

We want to continue offering flexibility in the future – but this depends on students meeting expectations when winter uniform is required.

If students return in September without ties, correct footwear, or uniform, we will be forced to review and potentially withdraw the summer uniform option going forward.

We’re grateful for your continued support in helping your child arrive at school each day smart, prepared, and ready to learn.

Pastoral News – Year 7

Bude Trip

At the end of June, 156 excited Year 7 pupils set off on a much-anticipated residential trip to Bude, Cornwall; a week that turned out to be action-packed, unforgettable and blessed with incredible weather throughout.

The adventure began with a 4½ hour coach journey down to the Cornish coast. We arrived on Sunday evening, met our enthusiastic instructors and settled in just in time for dinner. The first night proved to be “interesting”, with slightly less sleep than pupils probably needed, but excitement was running high for the week ahead.

Every morning kicked off energetically with either a brisk morning run or a refreshing swim in Bude’s unique sea water pool; the perfect start to days filled with challenging activities. The pupils showed real determination and courage, whether balancing on mountain boards, squeezing through dark, narrow caves, or pushing themselves to reach the top of the climbing wall.

The glorious sunshine meant that shorts and t-shirts were the order of the week and spirits remained high throughout. On the canal, pupils impressed us all with their kayaking and canoeing skills, though quite a few ended up spending as much time in the water as on it! Down at Bude’s beautiful beach, surfing and bodyboarding sessions proved to be a real highlight, with many staff members joining in to try to catch some waves themselves.

While a few pupils did become unwell in the second half of the week, with a very small number having to head home early, everyone else showed fantastic resilience, making the most of every moment.

Evenings were equally busy and entertaining, featuring a lively disco, a fiercely contested football tournament, karaoke sessions and a fancy dress night. Pupils put in tremendous effort with their costumes, from Batman and the Joker to inflatable dinosaurs, traffic cones, bananas, and colourful tutus – creativity certainly wasn’t in short supply!

A special thank you goes to the 17 dedicated members of staff who accompanied the trip. Their enthusiasm, support and willingness to get stuck into every activity, made it possible for pupils to have such a memorable and enjoyable week.

By Friday, everyone was understandably tired after an action-packed week. The coaches home were far quieter than on the way down, and although two coaches were slightly delayed, everyone arrived back safe and sound, ready for a well-deserved rest in their own beds.

All in all, our Year 7 residential to Bude was a fantastic success, full of sunshine, action, new experiences and achievements that pupils will remember for years to come!

Pastoral News Year 8

Year 8 Shine in a Spectacular Term of Achievements

As we wrap up a vibrant and successful term, it’s impossible not to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our Year 8 students, who have shown excellence, leadership and enthusiasm across a wide range of activities.

We were thrilled and so proud of Year 8’s fantastic performance in the recent Athletics competition, where their determination, teamwork and sportsmanship stood out on the track and field. We had some excellent personal results in the track and field events but overall, the teamwork really shone through.

In the academic sphere, our mathematicians have truly excelled. A huge congratulations to all who took part in the Maths Olympiad, and a special mention must go to Sam A, who achieved results that placed him in the top 1% in the country—an exceptional accomplishment that speaks volumes about his dedication and aptitude.

History came alive during the Chalke Valley History Festival enrichment trip, where students engaged with living history and inspiring talks. Their curiosity and impeccable behaviour were noticed and praised by staff and event organisers alike.

Beyond competitions, Year 8 have stepped up as leaders across the school community. Many pupils volunteered as helpers on Arts Days and Moving Up Days, providing guidance, enthusiasm and friendly support to younger students and visitors. Their contributions were greatly appreciated and helped ensure these events ran smoothly.

We’re proud of our Year 8 Travel Ambassadors who successfully organised and promoted a brilliant Scoot/Cycle to School Week alongside the wonderful Mrs Wyse, encouraging sustainable travel and raising awareness around road safety and environmental impact.

Leadership was further recognised with the appointment of 54 top-quality Junior Prefects—a testament to the strength of character, reliability, and maturity demonstrated by so many in the year group.

Finally, the highlight for many has been the incredible Activity Week during which Year 8s represented the school with pride and positivity on various trips, in class sessions and while engaging with external visitors. From high-energy thrill seeking to creative workshops, they embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and respect. It was one of my favourite weeks of the entire year – I got to spend so much time having fun with Year 8.

This term has been a true celebration of all that makes Year 8 special. We look forward to even more achievements as they prepare for the exciting challenges that Year 9 will bring!

Pastoral News – Year 9

A Term Full of Achievements and Adventures!

As we come to the end of an exciting and successful academic year, we are incredibly proud of so many things Year 9 have accomplished this term. It’s been a time full of learning, creativity, teamwork and memorable experiences across all subjects.

Activity Week was a highlight for many, with students enjoying a fantastic trip to Paultons Park, where they had fun on so many rides in the glorious sunshine. Back in school, the week was packed with enriching experiences, including a brilliant STEM Challenge that brought science and problem-solving to life, and a thought-provoking session with the History Squad WW1 re-enactor, giving students a vivid insight into the lives of soldiers during the Great War. In English, students took part in engaging Lego Challenges, exploring the concept of instructions in imaginative ways. The Media and Humanities Projects showcased their analytical and creative talents, producing thoughtful and dynamic work that reflected the broad skills developed over the year.

Back in June, we saw Year 9 complete their end of year assessments under exam conditions; an important step in preparing for Key Stage 4. We were delighted by their mature attitude and the excellent feedback we received from invigilators, praising their focus, conduct and respect throughout the process.

In our recent fire evacuation drill, Year 9 again proved themselves to be outstanding role models. They followed the process quickly and sensibly, demonstrating responsibility and leadership in a moment that tested everyone’s awareness and readiness.

Beyond the classroom, Year 9 have shone in extracurricular activities. Our students took part in the school’s spectacular Beauty and the Beast production, wowing audiences with their talent and commitment. This week, the talent in the Summer Concert was amazing. On the sports field, Year 9 athletes gave fantastic performances at athletics competitions and have shown amazing spirit and sportsmanship during this week’s Sports Day events.

We are incredibly proud of Year 9’s achievements this term and throughout the year. Their enthusiasm, resilience and sense of community have laid strong foundations for the challenges and opportunities of Year 10. Well done to all!

The Year 9 team will be changing over the summer. We would like to wish Year 9 tutor, Mrs Guppy, all the best in her new job at a school in Winchester. Mr Thickbroom will be 9W2’s new tutor from September. Mrs Lavetiviti will remain with the Key Stage 3 team and will be Assistant Year Leader for Year 8 and 9. A huge thank you to Mrs Lavetiviti for all her support to the year group over the last 18 months. As we approach Year 10, I will remain with the year group moving forward and we will be joined by Miss Fitzgerald as Assistant Year Leader for Year 10 and 11.

Wishing everyone a lovely summer.

Pastoral News – Year 10

As Year 10’s penultimate year at Noadswood draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on what has been an eventful and enriching term, as well as a pivotal year in the students’ journey.

This term, we welcomed our new cohort of prefects, who have embraced their roles with great maturity and enthusiasm. Their contributions as tutor buddies to our Year 7 groups, their commitment to duties and the way they have conducted themselves as role models, have been exemplary. We look forward to continuing to work with them as they step into Year 11.

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate every student on completing their mock exams. The preparation and effort they demonstrated in the lead up to these assessments was commendable. We are incredibly proud of the focus, resilience and determination that many of them displayed throughout the process. These exams represent a vital step in preparing for next year and they should be proud of what they have achieved. For those who may feel their performance didn’t reflect their potential, this is not a setback, but a starting point. Together, we will use this experience as a platform to grow and progress.

One of the highlights of this term has been the Year 10 work experience placements; a valuable opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom. Whether they spent time in offices, workshops, schools, the outdoors, or other settings, most of our students engaged with enthusiasm and professionalism. The feedback we received from employers was overwhelmingly positive and we hope your child has shared their experiences with you at home.

We were also delighted to welcome back the students and staff from the Rwanda trip; a truly unforgettable experience that will stay with them for a lifetime. As we bask in these warm summer days, it’s easy to forget just how much has been packed into this academic year. From international trips to Iceland and Rwanda, to adventures at Thorpe Park, musical and dramatic performances, prefect interviews, work experience, mock exams, and even a roast potato competition, it has been a year rich with learning, challenge, and joy. Highlights also include visits to Esso and Fort Nelson, careers and safety days, sporting successes across teams and individuals, sports champions, and the ever-popular festive lunch (yes, I may have had two Christmas roasts in 30 minutes!)

Finally, it was a bittersweet day on Sports Day. The year group got stuck in supporting each other and celebrating the best of Noadswood. It was wonderful to witness so many participate in sports and races one final time for their houses and cheering on their friends and peers. This was their final sports day and heralds the beginning of “Noadswood lasts” for this cohort. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all, but especially 13 students who volunteered, in the heat of summer, to represent their houses as mascots. Thank you, Keira, Dan, Charlie, Mason, Lewis, Alissa, Cam, Luca, Alfie, Harry, Euan, Logan and Harley! A special shoutout to my Photography helpers too.

Looking ahead to September, Year 11 awaits. As the senior year group, students will step into greater responsibility, leadership and, of course, the final phase of preparation for their GCSEs. We have every confidence they will rise to the challenge with the same spirit they have shown throughout this year.

Until then, we wish all our students and families a restful and enjoyable summer break. I look forward to welcoming Year 11 back in September, refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

Warm regards,

Stuart Wilkinson and Louise Fitzgerald

Year Leader, Year 10 Assistant Year Leader

Pastoral News – Year 11

This term saw Year 11 completing their GCSEs and I would like to congratulate them on a job well done. The exam season can be a testing and difficult time with lots of added pressure and stress, but students handled it all brilliantly. Their positive and mature attitude was wonderful to see and will have played to their advantage. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how they have all done on results day in August.

The end of the exams is always celebrated with students through our Leavers’ events. Leavers’ day was filled with all the usual tradition of shirt signing and saying goodbyes followed by a special Leavers’ assembly where we reminisced about years gone by and I shared some of my favourite memories of the year group.

Then came the much-anticipated Leavers’ Prom. This is one of my absolute favourite Noadswood events and it is even more special when it’s your own year group. I am always impressed with how stunning everyone looks all dressed up and love watching the arrivals. The evening was a great success with students and staff dancing the night away.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Class of 2025 all the best for their results in August and for their next steps whatever they may be. It has been my absolute pleasure to have been their Year Leader for the last 3 years.

REDWOOD

We have had a busy and exciting half term. Our year 10s started the half term completing Functional Skills exams followed by the year 10 and 9 mock exams. All students were fantastic and have earned a well-deserved rest over the summer!

Our half term has broadened the pupils' experiences and learning opportunities with trips on the Alison Macgregor with the Solent Dolphin crew around Southampton Docks. The pupils were challenged to organise and order their own lunch at local food outlets and to catch the bus back to school.

During the Year 6 transition event days, we had the delight of welcoming our soon to be year 7s! They enjoyed participating in lessons, Redwood sessions and we look forward to welcoming them back again in September.

Activities Week was also incredibly busy with some of our students joining in with Superstar Sports and trips to Paultons Park and Marwell Zoo. We also went on a trip to the Tree House Centre in Beaulieu, where the students pushed their boundaries with orienteering and den building tasks. The latter part of the week incorporated an afternoon at Crazy Creatures where students cared for miniature horses and learnt about different reptiles and insects.

The Redwood pupils have ended their school year with a residential trip to Calshot Activity Centre where they have taken part in sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, rifle shooting, archery and so much more.

We are wishing all the students a restful summer break and look forward to welcoming them all back in September.

Fundraising - Student Voice

The student voice group continue to raise funds for an outdoor library which we started half way through this year. This will give students a quiet area that also has a roof over the top to keep them dry whilst still getting some fresh air. We have started adding to the pot though our Wear Something Different Days, so thank you to all of the contributions you have been making. Next year, we will continue with the Wear Something Different Days along with other fundraising events like the Christmas Themed Craft Fayre. Students are able to let their student voice rep know if they have any fundraising ideas.

Wear Something Different Day Survey – the Results

We have had some really positive data received from the survey our Student Voice reps conducted through a hands-ups survey and online survey from all students at Noadswood regarding the Wear Something Different Days.

You Said We Did

• We will reduce the number of days from 5 to 3 throughout the academic year, meaning we will now only have one in each full term.

• There will not be any themed days going forward

• We will continue to advertise what the funds will be used for – currently an outdoor library project giving a quiet outdoor space that will have a roof over it.

Christmas- themed Craft Fayre – Save the date

By popular demand, it is back for it’s second year. The event will be held on Saturday 29th November 2025 from 11am – 1.30pm. We aim to build on last year and have more stalls and crafts available on the day. The day will not go by without the amazing Miss Marshall’s Choir in their full glory.

If you would like to be a stall holder, please click on this link: Christmas Craft Fayre 2025 to book your place. General entry to the event will be advertised in early October for you to purchase tickets.

Cycle Safety

Through Student Voice and the Active Travel Ambassadors, we will be working in ideas to promote cycle safety to and from school. All students should have a road worthy bike and be wearing a helmet at all times whether cycling on the road or pavement. Students should not be cycling on site, they need to get off of their bikes at the gate and walk their bike to the cycle shelter, and do the same at the end of the day. More on this when we come back in September.

SUBJECT NEWS

English

This half term, Year 8 have been reading Stone Cold. We have been so impressed with how well students have responded to the book. It deals with some challenging issues like homelessness and neglect, and the work produced by students has been mature and thought-provoking.

It's been a busy term in English for Year 10. They have completed a Language and a Literature mock, spoken language presentations and been working hard to finish their Literature texts. September will be here very soon, so please make sure you have purchased your own copy of either Lord of The Flies or An Inspector Calls. Your class teacher will have told you which text you need.

Maths

🎉 Celebrating Mathematical Excellence! 🎉

We are thrilled to share that Sam A has been awarded a Certificate of Merit in the National Junior Olympiad in Maths! Out of 1,200 pupils invited to participate nationwide, Sam’s outstanding performance placed him in the top 500 across the UK. With approximately 830,000 Year 8 students in the country, this remarkable achievement puts Sam in the top 0.06%—a truly exceptional result. Huge congratulations, Sam!

Continuing our celebration of mathematical talent, four of our Year 8 pupils took part in the Junior Kangaroo, the follow-on round of the Junior Maths Challenge, earning the following accolades:

🏅 Annabelle D – Certificate of Participation

🏅 Harry K – Certificate of Participation

🥉 Daniel K – Bronze Certificate

🥉 Josh K – Bronze Certificate

Well done to each of these students for advancing to this level of the competition and representing our school with such pride!

Geography

As the school year ends, we would like to take a moment to wish all our students and their families a restful and enjoyable summer break. It has been a pleasure to watch our young Geographers grow in their knowledge and passion for the world around them, and we look forward to continuing this journey in the next academic year.

We would love to hear about any exciting holidays or travels your child embarks on during the break. Whether it’s exploring new countries, visiting landmarks, or just discovering the beauty of the local environment, geography comes to life in these real-world experiences! If your child has an interesting trip planned, please do share their adventures with us—we would love to hear about them!

Stay engaged with Geography over the summer!

To help your child keep their geography skills sharp during the summer, we are excited to highlight two fun and educational competitions:

• The Royal Geographical Society Young Geographer of the Year Competition this summer is all about 'understanding islands'. Open to KS2-5 pupils the society is inviting students to create a poster to explore islands and highlight geographical themes, challenges and solutions that make islands unique. Closing date is October. Find out more here: https://www.rgs.org/schools/competitions/young-geographer-of-the-year/2025-competition?utm_source=Non-members&utm_campaign=38fa5b317c-tne_nonmem_comp_18_06_2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e23ca48125-38fa5b317c-191012148
• Another competition for the summer is the physical geography photography event by the GA. This year’s theme of ‘earth shapes’ here: https://geography.org.uk/get-connected/get-involved-1-student-activities/physical-geography-student-photo-competition/

We hope these activities inspire your child to continue exploring the fascinating world of geography over the summer months.

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe summer break!

Best regards,

The Geography Department

Science

Congratulations, Janette, on being awarded your Science Leader badge! Janette completed the science leader handbook, which included tasks such as attending Science Club and volunteering to help run a practical at Open Evening. Well done!

History

Year 8 Explore the Past at Chalke Valley History Festival

Our Year 8 pupils recently had the unforgettable opportunity to immerse themselves in the past at the Chalke Valley History Festival, and they were an absolute credit to Noadswood throughout the entire trip.

The day was packed with incredible learning moments; beginning with engaging talks from leading historians covering a rich span of topics, from the brutal world of Roman Gladiators to the dynastic struggles of the Wars of the Roses and the turning points of World War II. Each speaker brought history to life in a way that was both educational and inspiring.

As we wandered through the festival’s vibrant historical villages, our pupils were transported across centuries. They engaged with interactive booths and reenactments, delving into the fight for women's suffrage, exploring the world of Ancient History methods of making rugs and clothing, and experiencing the English Civil War through a dramatic display of machinery and cannon demonstrations that quite literally shook the ground.

The hands-on experiences and compelling stories on display gave our students a unique perspective on the past, sparking curiosity and thoughtful questions throughout the day.

We couldn’t be prouder of how our pupils represented Noadswood—with enthusiasm, respect, and a genuine love of learning. A huge thank you to Chalke Valley History Festival for putting on such a remarkable educational experience. We’re already looking forward to next year!

MFL

This term, our fabulous Year 11 linguists sat their speaking exams (a nerve-wracking experience!), followed by their written papers. We celebrated them finishing with cake! It was so lovely to see them all again on Leavers Day and then all dressed up at the Prom. We wish them well with their results and look forward to celebrating with them on Results Day.

Our Year 10 linguists have been hard at work following the new GCSE course. Recently, they sat exams in listening, reading, and writing to get a feel for the exams, ready for next year.

Year 9 have been finding out about festivals in French, German or Spanish speaking countries and doing some related work. During Activities Week, they participated in an escape room activity.

Years 7, 8 and 9 have been practising the language they are learning via online games through Blooket. There is always some healthy competition, as well as some frustration when they lose money to someone else in the Gold Quest game!

Lastly, it was so lovely to hear from Dr Shaw that some of the pupils who went on the Rwanda trip had actively used their French in real life circumstances. Well done to those pupils!

We hope everyone has a lovely, relaxing summer holiday.

Bonnes vacances!

Gute Ferien!

Buenas vacaciones!

Media Studies

Year 10 have been working on their coursework over the past few weeks. It's been amazing to see how students are growing increasingly confident with Affinity Photo and helping one another in class to make their magazines as advanced a professional as possible. Well done! I look forward to seeing some high-quality photographs from the summer holidays, ready to finish them off.

A special shout out to Erin and Lacey for their outstanding exam responses in Media Studies. Superb work!

DT

We have had another brilliant set of final outcomes from KS3 pupils in T15 this half term!

In year 7 and 8, pupils have all worked so hard, both independently and collaboratively, to produce some outstanding flat pack creatures using Affinity Designer. Many pupils have themed their outcomes to create sets of characters. This has required them to demonstrate excellent communication skills whilst learning new software, with a focus on developing design ideas and challenging themselves to create detail on their characters.

Meanwhile, Year 9 have worked with determination and patience to design, and make, their recycled bottle top coasters. May more chose to design vinyl stickers on 2D Design which are cut out using a Stika machine. Lots of pupils have been able to make multiple coasters for their family members, and some have even utilised scraps and offcuts for dog tags and keyrings to minimise our plastic waste even further!

These vibrant products are only possible thanks to donations of used bottle tops from the local community, and we are sad that the most exciting colours are now in short supply at Noadswood. Please consider collecting all plastic bottle tops for us over the summer holiday and ask your child to bring to Miss McNab in T15 (or drop into reception) when we return in September. This will enable our new Year 9s to enjoy this much anticipated project. Thanks so much in advance for your support and contributions

Art

As we wrap up another vibrant term in the Art Department, we're thrilled to celebrate the creativity and dedication shown across all year groups. It's been a colourful journey filled with experimentation, expression, and exciting projects!

Year 7 students worked hard on their Day of the Dead paintings, exploring the rich traditions of this cultural celebration. Their use of bold colours and symbolic imagery brought the classroom to life, and it was inspiring to see their confidence grow during their painting project.

Meanwhile, Year 8 took inspiration from the iconic British artist David Hockney, creating stunning landscapes that reflect both imagination and skill. Their use of perspective, pattern, and vibrant colour was a joy to behold—Hockney himself would be impressed!

Year 9 students have worked hard on their photography and textiles phase. Lots of creative and inspiring artwork has been produced!

Check out some of these amazing portrait drawings from Year 9 students.

Year 10 GCSE Fine Art and Photography students continue to work hard and develop their ideas in their coursework. Photography Students have been manipulating and distorting photographs. Their theme is portraits. Great skill and creativity from Year 10. Well done!

Check out the GCSE Fine Art landscape paintings! They have created stunning landscapes that reflect their skill. Well done Year 10.

Year 10 BTEC Art have been exploring and practicing new art skills ready for Year 11! Year 10 had a great time print making. Their theme was animals.

It was great to see so many of the year 7s and 8s enjoying the Art session during Activities Week. Their canvases were filled with bold and vibrant designs inspired by pop art.

Thank you and well done to all our budding artists for your energy and enthusiasm. Here's to more creativity in September. We wish everyone a lovely and restful summer holiday!

— The Art Department

Team Food - A delicious year in review

As the school year draws to a close, Team Food would like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful students, staff, parents and carers for another fantastic year of healthy and delicious dishes. It's been a pleasure working with our students, and we're so proud of all we've achieved together.

Highlights from the Kitchen

This year, we've continued focus on developing students’ food knowledge, practical skills and independence. Here are some of our favourite moments:

• Most Popular Dishes: in Year 7 - from knife skills to pizza pinwheels. Year 8 -from pineapple upside down cake to egg fried rice. Year 9 - focaccia, pasta, and delicious sticky toffee pudding. Year 10 have been building up their skills and confidence with a whole lot of work in practicals, including chicken butchery, millionaire shortbread, meringue and lasagne.

• It is not all about the practical: in Year 7, students explore healthy eating. In Year 8, students explore seasonality and farm to fork. In Year 9, students investigate key nutrients, the role of sugar in baking and the health implications of having too much sugar.

• Special moments: include the World Record with Jamie Oliver, Activities Week pizza, the Year 10 Christmas meal and Mrs Western’s Healthy Eating assembly.

A big thank you

A huge round of applause for our incredible Technician, Mrs Corps, for all her hard work, dedication, and passion to ensure that the department runs smoothly.

Healthy Habits for the Summer Holidays

Here are a few tips for a nutritious summer:

• Stay Hydrated: Encourage plenty of water throughout the day, especially on warm days.

• Fruity Fun: Make fruit easily accessible for snacks. Get creative with fruit skewers or smoothies!

• Get Cooking Together: Involve your children in preparing meals. It's a great way to teach them about food and healthy eating.

• Explore Local Produce: Visit local markets or pick-your-own farms for fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Thank You

Thank you again for your continued support. We wish you all a wonderful, safe, and healthy summer break.

See you in September for more delicious creativity.

Warm regards,

Team Food

PE

On the 12th-16th of June 2025, four star athletes (Freya N, Findley N, Willow J and Ruby H) travelled to Barcelona. They competed in the Euro Youth Basketball Cup to represent their country! Playing against a variety of different countries such as USA, Sweden, France, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Lithuania. They played extremely well and should be very proud of themselves.

Flexible learning

This year, we have built on Flexible Learning with our partnerships with Petlake Alpacas and Carpathia Grange Care home. We were fortunate enough to receive a grant from The Waterside Fire Engine (supporting them at Christmas with their selection packs is a highlight) and purchased gardening equipment and a lawnmower. AQAs have been introduced, and these have proven successful around a variety of skills including wreath making, cooking, sewing and life skills. Our Salon has now been operational for the school year and students can work towards accredited certificates and students throughout school have a six-week bespoke Noadswood course.

We have a local History project, 'Love where you Live', which has taken students around historical Southampton, out to the New Forest and down to the D Day memorial at Lepe. This has proven successful in giving our students a sense of belonging and we will extend this as they have found it engaging.

We are excited for next year, building on our partnerships and looking at pathways for our students.

Paris 2025 Year 9 Residential

Our recent school trip to Paris was nothing short of unforgettable! Over five action-packed days, a group of our students embraced the culture, excitement and magic of one of Europe’s most iconic cities. They were an absolute credit to Noadswood throughout the entire adventure.

Whilst we kicked off our Parisian journey with a very early start on Monday morning, we arrived in the afternoon to our PGL site for the week with some fun and energetic team challenges, giving everyone a chance to bond, laugh and set the tone for the week ahead. These activities not only brought students together but also showcased their fantastic teamwork and problem-solving skills right from the start.

Following great packed lunch making skills, and a continental breakfast with lots of croissants and pain au chocolate consumed, we headed for the local town of Brie Comte Robert. There was a treasure hunt around the town to explore and a visit to the market. The teachers enjoyed the bakery and cheese shop in particular. We then headed into central Paris and visited the stunning Sacré-Cœur, soaking in the beauty and history of this sacred landmark. This was followed by a stroll through the artistic streets of Montmartre where students got a real taste of Parisian culture and creativity.

Wednesday took us straight into the heart of the magic at Disneyland Paris. From thrilling rides and spectacular shows to meeting beloved characters, students made memories they’ll cherish forever. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and their behaviour impeccable; representing Noadswood with pride in every queue and photo op! We stayed into the evening to see the fireworks, drones and musical shows over the Disney castle. It was spectacular!

No visit to Paris would be complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower, although the feet and knees were a little sore following 14 hours at Disney the day before. Students marvelled at the panoramic views of the city, capturing breath taking photos from the top. In the afternoon, the group enjoyed a boat trip on the River Seine in the glorious sunshine, seeing all the main sights. The group enjoyed a silent disco and celebrated Katie’s birthday with cake on the final evening. Before heading home on Friday, we gathered to reflect on the week’s highlights. The trip not only offered incredible experiences, but also brought out the best in our students — kindness, resilience, curiosity, and community spirit.

Throughout the trip, our students consistently showed respect, maturity and enthusiasm. They were praised by PGL staff, our coach driver and members of the public — a true testament to the Noadswood spirit. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

Here's to more adventures, more learning and more unforgettable memories!

Active Travel Ambassadors

Back in January 2022, we started on a journey with Modeshift, to make a commitment with them that showed we were engaging with our parents and students in actively travelling to and from school on a daily basis. Modeshift grade us on our efforts and initiatives each year and over a rolling 3 year cycle. This year, we have really upped our game with encouraging students to either walk or cycle to school by running competitions with prizes available for all students. This year, we collaborated with Orchard Infant and Junior school to run a Clean Air Project which was really successful. We are really pleased with our progress, although there is much more we need/can do. So far, we have smashed both the Bronze and Silver gradings and not far from Gold/Platinum. The school has been supported by Angela Manore, from Modeshift, and by Ben Webster, Councillor for Hythe East, to help progress our initiatives, and help students and parents in our local community keep the air clean around school. Also to support students in becoming more active on their way to and from school.

Military Youth Forum

For D Day this year, the members of our Military Youth Forum decided they wanted to gain a greater understanding of the Armed Forces and their families’ role in it, from past to present. As a group, our students applied to VIVO's Community Fund, asking for funding for a trip to Bovington Tank Museum. The students took ownership of the application, pricing up the trip, filling in the application and helping to create a risk assessment. The trip was a huge success, and our students said they felt they had increased their knowledge of the Armed Forces, especially when learning the stories of individuals and the sacrifices they made.

Wimbledon 2025

Wimbledon 2025 served up a treat!

On the hottest day of the tournament, we were lucky enough to witness an incredible day of tennis as Sinner, Fritz and Draper all advanced to the next round. Eight of our enthusiastic young tennis players had an unforgettable experience watching some of the best athletes in the world compete at the highest level.

Mr Page's DT "Designers of the Term";

This term, Years 7, 8 and 9s were tasked with designing, and building, a robust and practical bird feeder or bird nesting box.

The overall winner was Hunter S, in Year 7, who created a simple, elegant and fully functional 2 x layer bird box. The task required students to learn, and use, the 2D Design software, so the pieces of the box could be neatly joined and glued. Hunter's final piece, before it went for laser cutting, was precisely measured and prototyped to ensure it met detailed specifications. His end product is a wonderful piece that joined perfectly, easily and securely.

Well done, Hunter. Two golden tickets have been awarded to you for a brilliant effort. Might you have found a career waiting for you?

Runners up, each winning a golden ticket, include:

Lola M - Year 8

Gloria C - Year 9