Head's Welcome
Dear Families and Friends, Welcome to this week’s newsletter! Our older students have been busy with their Year 11 mock exams. These sessions are so much more than just a test of knowledge; they are vital practice for the summer, helping students get used to the formal atmosphere and the specific rules of the exams. We are very proud of the maturity they have shown so far. It was also wonderful to see the feedback from this week's Year 8 Progress Evening. Partnership with home is everything in a school like ours. If you didn’t get a chance to ask something or if a new question has popped up since, please do reach out to your child’s Form Tutor, they are always your first port of call and happy to support. As we head into next week, things will feel a little different! We have a large group of students and staff heading off on the Ski Trip. While the school site might feel a bit quieter, we wish everyone going a safe and exciting adventure. Important Reminders for next week: Room Changes - Due to the trip, there will be several lesson and room changes. Where to check - Please remind your child to check the notice board outside the Spanish room if they are unsure where their lesson is being held. I hope you have a restful and enjoyable weekend. Warm regards, Mrs Rich
In this week's newsletter
Head's Welcome Students of the Week Dates for the Diary What we've been up to Student Corner Other news and updates, including lost property
Students of the Week
Dates for the Diary
- W/C 2nd March: Ski Trip
- Monday 2nd March: Y7 and Y9 to wear PE kit
- Thursday 5th March: World Book Day - costumes/comfy clothes day
- W/C 16th March: Year 10 Work Experience Week
- Thursday 19th March - 4.45-7.05pm: Exam parent presentation and Yr 11 Progress check evening (in person)
- Friday 20th March - midday: End of term
- Monday 13th April: Inset Day
- Tuesday 14th April: Term starts
- Monday 20th April - 4-5.30pm: Careers Fayre at Canbury
Updated Club Timetable - Sewing Club (from 3rd March) and Pride Pals
What we've been up to
Canbury Belonging
Reenie held our next Canbury Belonging Session this week - thank you to Soren, Rory, Nina Y8, Lucas, Carl, Ethan and Sam 6F for taking part. Below is our word cloud on what performing arts, singing and music means to us.
Exam Break
Year 11 took advantage of a gap in their timetable and made the most of the BEAUTIFUL weather on Wednesday and headed into Richmond Park for their Games session. This was a great opportunity to step away from exams for a bit and remember that there needs to be a fair balance between working hard and recharging so they are ready for the next one. Photos of the sun (yes, really!) below.....
Symbolism in the Studio: From Ancient Roots to Personal Stories
What makes a skull more than just a bone? Our Year 7 students have been answering that question through their latest sculptural project. By exploring the concept of symbolism, students have been challenged to move beyond literal representation and instead use clay to express abstract ideas. A key focus of their research has been the study of Celtic iconography. Pupils have been deconstructing the meanings behind ancient spirals and intricate knots, learning how these ancestors used patterns to represent concepts like eternity, nature, and strength. However, the creativity didn’t stop with history. Each student was also tasked with designing their own unique symbols, distilling their personal hobbies, values, and identities into original visual marks. This project has not only developed their fine motor skills and spatial awareness but has also encouraged deep thinking about how art can communicate complex narratives across different eras. The results are a powerful mix of ancient tradition and modern self-expression.
Lego Sorters
We had a team of happy helpers in Wellbeing recently, working through the large tub of Lego and sorting into colours. It is then being housed in a donated set of drawers, which is very exciting! Thank you everyone :)
Furniture Movers
We had even more helpers this week, as we helped Mr Fairbrass organised the hall after lunch - thank you again to our students!
Science Week Assembly
Our Year 7 class presented assembly today, focusing on British Science Week which runs from 6 - 15 March. The theme this year is "Curiosity: what's your question" and so our students treated us to a quiz to guess the curious scientist and their curious ideas! We learnt about Newton, Telsa, Lovelace and Democritus alongside different areas of science that spark curiosity such as space, technology, medicine and nature. We then loved hearing what some of the Y7 key questions were: Why do people sleep walk, how is it possible? How many particles or atoms make up the universe ? Why do dolphins not sleep for the first few months? Is it possible to time travel? How long does it take for plastic to disintegrate and break down? Why is the sky blue? Are cyborgs possible? Would it ever be possible to travel to another star? Well done for a brilliant assembly and we are looking forward to the science competition launching!
Student Corner by Remi Yr8
Five Facts About Millipedes
- They have very poor eyesight and use their antennae instead of sight. Their vision is just a mixture of light and dark splotches of light
- They can live for usually around 7-10 years but if cared for well can live for 15 or more years
- Their diet consists of decaying matter such as oak leaves,rotting bark/ wood and fresh fruit and veg (NO CITRUS FRUITS!)
- The theory that millipedes have 1 thousand legs (hence the name milli (1000) pede (legs) is actually incorrect as they usually have around 200-400 (sometimes 500) depending on species
- Millipedes and centipedes are not the same! Millipedes are the calm omnivores, they're slow and gentle. Centipedes on the other hand are skilled hunters with fangs filled with venom designed to take out small animals/ mammals such as small frogs, mice, shrews etc
Book Recommendations
- Heartstopper - is a book collection as well as series on Netflix, it's about a boy called Charlie who's gay and his friends. He meets a guy in school called Nick who he becomes friends with, as they grow closer Nick comes out as bi (the whole time Nick and Charlie have basically been crushing on each other) they then become boyfriends and become friends with Tara (lesbian), Darcy (lesbian), Tao (he's just a British ally), Elle (trans girl) and Isaac (aeroace). Season 1 (1st book) is about Nick coming out as bi and him and Charlie being in a relationship. Book 2 sort of just extends from that and their class go to France as a school trip (either book 2 or 3). Book 3 Charlie discovers he has an eating disorder and is severely struggling with mental health, he gets put in a mental hospital but Nick is there with him every step of the way. All of his friends make him a video telling him what they've been up to and that they miss him a lot. Eventually Charlie gets out of the hospital and returns to his friends. That's a basic summary of it but the books are really good!
- IT - this book is more for older teens (15-18) the book as about a killer clown called Pennywize, every 27 years he wakes up to feast on children in a place called Derry, he lives in the drains and lures you in with your favourite things, he then feasts off your fear. The main characters are Pennywise, Beverly, Ben, Richie, Bill, Eddie and Stan. They're all on a mission to defeat Pennywise.
- The Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) book series. It starts with a book called “into the pit” which is basically about a little kid who discovers a magical ball bit that can teleport you to an abandoned pizza place.
Drawings
Other News & Updates
World Book Day - Thursday 5th March
World Book Day is approaching! If students have already sorted fancy dress, then they are welcome to wear it on World Book Day - either that or comfy clothes to promote 'Curling up with a good book'. They may want to all thinking about a book-inspired lunch for their lunch boxes next Thursday - marmalade sandwiches like Paddington, or some veggie sticks like Peter Rabbit, perhaps? Get creative! We also have the below digital book token but all students will be sent home with their physical token to use as well.
Winter Olympics
What a brilliant Winter Olympics, and the best ever medal haul for Team GB! We hope you enjoyed supporting the event and learning about different sports, athletes and countries. Attention now turns to the Winter Paralympic Games which runs from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th March 2026.
Research Study Volunteer Request
Fit Partnership Offer
At The FIT Partnership cam transform your health with evidence-based protocols and advanced technology. Measurable improvements in strength, recovery, and longevity. No guesswork, just proven results. We have been given an offer of 10% off for all Canbury School families and staff. Use code: CANBURY10
Easter holiday 2026 touch typing courses for 7 – 16s
Ultimate Activity Camps this Easter
Kooth Mental Wellbeing Webinars
Careers - Volunteers Needed
Thank you so much to those who have come forward already - the new page on our website is looking great and watch this space for our first few case studies! We are always looking for more volunteers who might be willing to showcase their careers in the following ways:
- Short case study for the careers board and school website
- Being present at our careers fayre on 20th April 2026
Please email Mrs Milestone if you would like to take part and she can discuss this in more detail with you.
Local activities and clubs for children and young people
Credits:
Created with an image by lucid_dream - "Charity Money Jar"