Events Coming Up
19th Coffee & Cake Morning for Grandparents and Carers – Only a few spaces left 21st Year 10 Cooking 24th November - 5th December Year 11 Mocks 24th Ordnance Survey Trip 26th Year 11 Presentation Evening (2025 leavers) 28th Year 10 Cooking 29th Christmas Themed Craft Fayre
Message from the Leadership Team
Dear Noadswood families, Firstly, a big thank you to Miss Beales, our Military Group lead and all the students in the group, as well as to Corporal Ralph Joseph for all they did to make our Remembrance Day moments in the Remembrance Garden special and poignant. The rest of the school also marked the two minutes’ silence in their classrooms around the school. We are so thankful for all that our Service families do and for all we learn from the experience of our Service students. I hope very much that everyone enjoyed their cinema trip, those that went.
I would also like to thank all families who joined us for our Year 9 Subject Progress Event on Wednesday. It was a pleasure to discuss how our students are progressing and to share the next steps in their learning journeys. Thanks to my colleagues, too. If you have any questions or thoughts following that evening, please do contact Miss Ebblewhite, the very proud Year 9 Year Leader, or Mrs Lavetiviti, the equally proud Assistant Year Leader. They will be pleased to hear from you. As we continue to support our older students, a reminder that guidance and resources for the upcoming Year 11 mock exams can be found on our GCSE Support page here: https://www.noadswood.hants.sch.uk/school-life/gcse-support-20252026. Families can also access our Prepare for Best resources to help students feel confident and ready for their assessments, available here: https://www.noadswood.hants.sch.uk/school-life/gcse-support/prepare-best-2025 Thank you once again for your ongoing support — it makes such a difference to our students’ success.
Two other highlights this week were, firstly, presenting AQA certificates to member of Year 10 for their successfully completed units of study in various aspects of animal care and management, from small to larger! Miss Rawlinson, another proud Year Leader, Mrs Groom, their chuffed teacher and I explained to the students how valuable these accredited qualifications are for future life, differently but equally as important as all else they are studying at school. And secondly, another Hot Choc Friday breaktime with three super Year 7 superstars, nominated for how well they have settled in and are taking on all the challenges of secondary school life as well as all the opportunities. Well done to them all, and to so many of our Year 7s doing exactly the same: rising to personal challenges and new opportunities every week, even on tougher days.
Finally, my thanks in advance to Mrs Wyse and Mrs Simmons for accompanying 15 of my This is Me Choir over to the Lantern Community in Ringwood tomorrow. I can’t be there myself, but the students’ rehearsal sound with me yesterday lunchtime and afternoon was super: they will do themselves, me and us all proud. I can’t wait to hear the clips I know Mrs Wyse will take and sing with them at the Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday November 29th and at several other events before the Christmas break. Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend, Best wishes, Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team
Road Safety Awareness Week – 16th – 22nd November
Next week we will be giving tips every day on how to make your journey to and from school a safe one, and what you can do to make our roads around the school a little safer. There will also be some good tips for those of you that walk and what to be aware of. Our first tip that you may not be aware of: People crossing the road at junctions The updated code clarifies that: • when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way • if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way • people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.
For more information on updated rules on our roads, please click this link: The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022 - GOV.UK
Unfortunately, we have been out and looked at the crossroads on North Road and Water Lane and have seen that many parents do not allow student to cross the road at the junction and stop to close to the junction and on the Yello Zig Zag lines. These are the rules for the Zig Zags: Yellow zig-zag lines with the words ‘School Keep Clear’ painted on the road are found outside or near schools. You must not wait, stop, or park in the marked area, especially during pick-up and drop-off times. These road markings ensure clear visibility for children and other road users when crossing the road.
Anti-Bullying Week 2025: ‘Power for Good’
The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2025 is ‘Power for Good’. Throughout the week we will be asking students to think about how they can use their voices to support others, challenge unkind behaviour and empower one another to speak up—whether they see bullying face-to-face or online. Anti-Bullying Week is also a good opportunity to remind students and parents/carers about the importance of responsible use of social media and staying safe online. Most young people use phones and apps sensibly, but sometimes messages, group chats or shared images can be misused. A small issue can quickly escalate online, so early support and open conversations make a big difference.
How students can show ‘Power for Good’ online: • Be kind in group chats and on social media—don’t forward or share hurtful messages. • Think before you post. Once something is online it can be saved or shared. • Never join in with unkind or online comments that target someone else. • If you see bullying online, report it in the app and tell a trusted adult. • Ask for help if something makes you uncomfortable—you won’t be in trouble for speaking up.
Advice for parents and carers: • Check phones regularly and make this part of normal family routines. It’s not about catching children out—it’s about keeping them safe. • Know which apps and games your child uses, including any chat or live message features. • Encourage open conversations about online friendships and social pressures. • Use privacy settings and parental controls to limit who can contact them. • Remind children never to share personal information or passwords. If you are worried about anything your child sees online, please contact your child’s tutor, Year Leader or reach out to Mrs Loveday—we will always take concerns seriously and offer support.
Year Leaders- Festive Lunch
Our annual Year Group Festive Lunch will take place in December during Period 4 for each year group. Please order your child’s festive lunch via the Arbor Shop by 4pm on Thursday, 20th November. A letter was emailed on 3rd November with all the details, including information for those in receipt of free school meals. We are really looking forward to this much-loved annual event.
Coffee and Cake Morning for Carers and Grandparents
On Wednesday 19th November we will be holding our popular Coffee and Cake Morning for cares and grandparents featuring games of Bingo with prizes to be won. Due to the popularity of the event last year, we will be holding two sessions this year. The times are as follows: Session 1 - 9.15am - 10.45am – spaces available Session 2 - 11.30am - 1pm – only 6 places available For carers and grandparents to attend, you must book via the Shop area within Arbor. Places are limited to three people per student but without booking we will not be able to accept people turning up on the morning.
Cake Bake-Off for Year 7 and 8 Students
We are calling all Year 7 and 8 students to bake cakes for the Coffee and Cake morning on Wednesday 19th November. There is a competition running to see which tutor group can bake the most cakes and a prize for the ‘Best Decorated’. There will be an opportunity for students to purchase cakes at break and lunch time with all proceeds going to the Outdoor Library fund. All cakes need to be brought to the library by 8.45am on the morning of the 19th of November. Students can collect a blank ingredient card from the library as all cakes must come accompanied with a list of all ingredients used. NO fresh cream or nuts can be used in the baking or decorating
Christmas Themed Events
Tickets are now on sale for the Christmas Themed Craft Fayre and Wreath Making session through Arbor in the Shop area or you can email events@noadswood.hants.sch.uk for more information.
Awesome Alumni
Robert Baird A Noadswood Student 1993 – 1996
I work at the University of Southampton. I teach Culture and Communication, am involved with English-medium education internationally, and I lead summer programmes that prepare international students to study in the UK. I think the balance between encouragement and structure at Noadswood helped form positive future habits. Having a diverse friendship group who thought and behaved differently helped me become more experienced, resilient, and open minded, which proved very important for the path I took.