Events coming up 1st June HPV Vaccinations 2nd June Paris 2026 Information evening 3rd June Geography fieldwork – 10R1 3rd – 16th June Year 9 Exams – Students will be given a timetable for their exams 4th June Geography fieldwork – 10R3 5th June Geography fieldwork – 10R4 9th June Geography fieldwork – 10R2 9th June Bude Information evening 10th – 12th June Ironbridge Residential 18th June – 2nd July Year 10 Exams – Students will be given a timetable 18th July NoadsFest! - Please see poster further down
Message from the Leadership Team
Dear Noadswood families, As we reach the end of another busy half term, with the sun beaming on us, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our entire school family for their continued hard work, commitment and support, including everyone looking at this newsletter. All participation and connection is appreciated very much. A special thank you goes to all our colleagues and our Year 11 students for their dedication throughout the exam season so far. In the Year 11 newsletter to go out today, I have reminded them tricky papers don’t define them any more than ones that went really well – we are proud of the effort, the stickability, the commitment and all the fun we are having with so many of them around the exams. I really hope they take some much-needed breathers around revision and take very best care of themselves. We are also looking forward to welcoming students who are coming in to school for our Revision Day on Tuesday 26th May. There is still time to sign up — please email erollett@noadswood.hants.sch.uk if you would like to attend. We would like to give a big shout out to the Art Department, Miss Mansbridge and Mrs Brown especially, for the promotion of Art enrichment in our community as well as within school. Once again, we have students’ work showcased at the summer Furzey Gardens trail, this time on the theme of all things Galactic. This made this would-be astronaut particularly happy last evening when a group of us went along to see the work in situ. Above all, though, bravo to Maya and Harriet for their fantastic work. I found it, with Miss Rawlinson’s help, and felt so proud, as I have each year, we have had work selected. I would recommend a visit during this week, if that sort of thing appeals – the gardens look absolutely beautiful too.
To my three weekly highlights then: I was privileged to be part of a range of Year 11 and 10 History lessons this week, some of which alongside one of our Board of Trustees, Co-Chair Gary O’Flaherty. The students did themselves, you and us proud with their commitment and engagement with all the complex knowledge they were grappling with; the teachers demonstrated such enthusiasm and clarity to help them navigate a way through it all. A second highlight was when two Year 8s came to try out the songs they’d like to sing at NoadsFest with me – their voices are terrific, and I am excited to hear them in the event. We would love to see you there! I have also had a chat with a colleague in one of our neighbour schools – we are excitedly planning a mass choir to sing some genuine ‘bangers’ at the event, their choir with mine. Other local singers will also be welcome! The cast of Oliver Jr are busy sorting out which parts of our production they can showcase at the event. The rock band is warming up for it and auditions for students to perform are in the week after the break with Mr Burton and Mr Warkins. It’s all happening! After half term, we will share more with you about stalls, food, drink, other performers, as well as about the beautiful weather we have ordered for the day! Please see poster at the bottom of this Newsletter. My third highlight has been today: all the children I have seen who have told me about their terrific accomplishments in and out of school alike. I have chatted to superbly talented sportsmen in football and basketball, and to a group of our students who are part of the team off to Rwanda in the summer with St Andrews Church. They have fundraised handsomely for this trip, and I know it will be one of a lifetime for them, judging by how our students who went last summer felt on their return. I saw a note a child had left on a teacher’s desk, thanking them for support. I chatted to children excited for the break, whether they’re just going to chill, catch up with family near and far or jet off on holiday. It’s just been so lovely to speak with so many of your brilliant children today – I am thankful for the privilege it is to work with them all. We wish everyone a restful and enjoyable half term break. Should you need to share anything during this time, please email info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk and mark your message as “Urgent”. Otherwise, we look forward to being together again on Monday 1st June. Thank you once again for your continued support, partnership and challenge, and we wish all the students a really good, safe, happy week. Best wishes, Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team
SAFEGUARDING ADVICE
As we all know, in today’s digital world, children and young people are more connected than ever before. While the internet offers such valuable opportunities for learning, creativity and socialising, it also brings risks that we all need to be aware of. One of the most serious of these risks is online grooming. Online grooming occurs when an individual builds a relationship with a child or young person through the internet with the intention of manipulating, exploiting or abusing them. Groomers often use games, social media, messaging apps and other online platforms to gain trust, sometimes pretending to be someone the child’s age or offering attention and gifts. This week’s poster is designed to help the adults around our young people to recognise the warning signs of online grooming, understand how it happens, and learn practical steps to protect their children. By staying informed and maintaining open, supportive communication, we can play a vital role in keeping your child safe online.
Digital Detox Update
Following our recent communications about the “Digital Detox,” we are introducing the next phase in which all students, unless exempt, must place their phones into the lockers each morning. This builds on the strong engagement already shown and supports a calm, focused, phone-free school day. While the rule that phones cannot be used during school hours remains unchanged, students will no longer be allowed to keep phones in their bags. Good choices will continue to be rewarded, but non-adherence to this expectation will result in graduated consequences now, including confiscation and potential parental/carer collection. From Monday 1st June 2026, when we return from half term, all students, other than those exempt as we say, must lock their phones away on arrival and collect them at 2.50pm. Please ensure your child has a padlock and understands the importance of this and let us know if we can help. Thank you for your continued support. The Year Leader Team, Mrs Pearce, Assistant Head and Mr Rowling, Assistant Head.
AWESOME ALUMNI Janet Blake nee Gilbert 1974-1979
After leaving Noadswood, I became a Bank Clerk for a few years before having my children. Looking after my children inspired me to become a Child-Minder. Since 1996 I started working in a school and became a School Admin Officer/Maths Specialist/IT Tech. Encouraging my love and skill for maths, I took my O level a year early. CSE Parent Craft was the single most useful course that I took. I learned and remembered so much.
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Created with an image by anetlanda - "Summer hat on coast and camper rv camp on beach in distance"