Noadswood News

  Events coming up 22nd June                     Chalke History Festival trip with Year 8 students 23rd June                      Transition Information Evening 24th June                      Rwanda meeting for parents 24th June                      This is Me Choir singing at Carpathia Grange Care Home 24th June                      Vaccinations   NoadsFest – Saturday 18th July 2026 from 2-8.30pm. Early Bird tickets on sale until 30th June and then from 1st July, prices will increase. Please check out our Events page on the website: NoadsFest! | Noadswood school

Message from the Leadership Team

Dear Noadswood families, As another busy week draws to a close, as usual I would like to share some of the fantastic things happening across our school community – we all need some upbeat moments on a Friday! Firstly, a huge thank you to our History team for organising and leading a superb trip to Ironbridge. Students had an incredible experience bringing their classroom learning to life, and we are extremely grateful to the staff who made the visit possible. Your young people did us so proud. We are already looking forward to next week’s visit to the Chalke History Festival, which promises to be another great opportunity for our young historians. This week, we also said a genuinely fond farewell to our Year 11 students. They have been a year group whose character, resilience and contribution to school life have left a lasting impression and legacy with us. When I got up to speak to them in their assembly, to thank them, and the indomitable Mr Wilkinson and Miss Fitzgerald, the emotion I felt was real, and was about how much I will miss them. My word of the year in school has been ‘adventure’ and no one has embodied that more than Year 11 – an adventure is sometimes hazardous, things go wrong and people show up in a host of ways along the narrative. But at the end, when all is achieved and so many memories are made, everyone feels proud and glad they hung in there throughout. I signed shirts and yearbooks and had pictures with young people who’ve been a joy through to those who have had me tear my hair out – they have all made it and have continued to matter to me. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved during their time at Noadswood and wish them every success and happiness as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. They will always remain an important part of the Noadswood family. We hope to see them again whether it’s at Prom or Results Day or at our celebration of their achievements in the Autumn Term. But the last time all together in the hall has happened – bravo to the class of 2026, their Tutors and Year Leaders. Thank you also to all the families who attended our Year 7 Progress Event. It was wonderful to meet so many parents and carers and to have such positive conversations about how well your children are settling into secondary school life and thriving at Noadswood. We are chuffed with all they have achieved so far this year and do not underestimate the challenge it can be for them and indeed for you. Think again about those Year 11s I just mentioned – your children will ‘get there’, and how they get there will vary person to person but get there they will. Congratulations to so many already. We are excited to be welcoming Year 5 pupils from schools across the Waterside for our upcoming Arts Week. Students will have the opportunity to take part in a range of music, dance and drama workshops, and we look forward to showcasing the creativity and talent that makes our arts provision so special. Staying with the performing arts, the junior This is Me Choir will be out with me to Carpathia Care Home next week to sing some football bangers with the folks there and then we will visit Westcliffe Hall the week after, to share what’s becoming our anthem this year, Neverending Story, plus some Pink and Justin Bieber. An eclectic catalogue! They, and the senior This is Me Choir look forward to singing them all and more for you from the stage at NoadsFest on Saturday July 18th. Your young people are a joy to work with – watching some of them teach the rest some moves for Sweet Caroline on Wednesday was a real highlight. We managed most of ‘em! Year 6 transition is now well underway, and we have thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of our future students. We cannot wait to welcome Year 6 families to our Moving Up Evening on Tuesday 23rd June, an important milestone as students prepare for the exciting next stage of their educational journey. My thanks in advance to the Year 7 students and Head Students joining us to speak to our new Year 6 families. A reminder as it gets to that time of year where new uniform is needed:   Skool Kit will be offering 10% OFF in-store for all Noadswood students from 20th–25th July. We also have our PSA Pre-Loved Uniform Sale: 📅 Tuesday 23rd June ⏰ 5:30pm – 8:00pm 📍 Under the small canopy Voluntary donations welcome. For our Year 9 and Year 10 students, their mock examinations are now underway. We wish them the very best of luck over the coming weeks. These assessments provide an excellent opportunity to practise examination skills, identify strengths, areas for development and build confidence for the future. They are approaching the challenge with determination and positivity but please remind them: this is an opportunity to experience the formality of the exams and to learn about successes and ways to gain more ground. They are not opportunities to define or label anyone. They must take deep breaths, make sure they take time to relax and feel proud of giving things their best shot as of now. Thank you, as always, for your continued support, challenge and partnership. We hope everyone enjoys the weekend – with a heat wave coming up next week, please ensure children bring an extra water bottle, some sunscreen, a hat or cap for when they are outside and a wise mind to seek shade whenever they can. Best wishes, Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team

Wellbeing Update

We are pleased to announce that the school has achieved a Bronze pathway award for the work we are doing on trauma informed and attachment aware approaches in school from the Attachment Research Community. We will continue working on the elements identified in our development plan over the next few months and hope to work towards a Silver Award next academic year.

Safeguarding Advice

This information guide explores the potential risks involved in vaping – a habit which is increasing in popularity among under 18s.

Year 9 Mock Exams

Year 9 have made an excellent start to their first set of mock examinations in the hall, and I could not be more impressed with the way they have approached this important milestone. Their attitude towards wanting to do well has been extremely positive, with students showing maturity, focus and determination throughout. It has been particularly pleasing to hear such favourable feedback from the invigilators, who have commented on the calm, respectful and purposeful way Year 9 have conducted themselves. They should be very proud of the way they have risen to the challenge, and it has certainly been a moment of real pride to see them demonstrate such strong commitment to their learning. Miss Ebblewhite

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare – Flu Vaccine Advice

We have been asked to include the following information by local healthcare providers: The NHS School Age Immunisation Service are planning the roll out of the 2026 Winter Flu Vaccination Programme to all year groups.  The service offers the flu vaccine between September and December. You will receive an email, with details on how to complete the online form, for your child to receive the vaccine in school. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children and young people. High vaccine uptake reduces the risk of flu spreading rapidly in school settings. This helps ensure they remain well, do not miss school days and continue to learn. Vaccinating children also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant and older people. The vaccine is given as a painless nasal spray. An alternative porcine free injection is offered to those who cannot have the nasal spray.