7 minute read
SENIOR SCHOOL
from The Luctonian
by Chris Knight
This was a year that was challenging for all, but our students carried on valiantly. They continued to work hard and take part in events, where possible, with some real highlights along the way.
Perhaps the biggest highlight came from our Year 11 students, who had the particularly demanding proposition of completing their GCSE studies amidst a national pandemic. However, despite the uncertainty and change of routine, they all demonstrated the ‘Lucton Spirit’ with determination and endeavour. This paid off with some wonderful exam results and examples of individual excellence, with getting on for half of all entries achieving a grade 7 or above.
The year started positively and we welcomed our new Options team, who were a wonderful addition to the smooth running of the school. In addition to this, we were delighted to introduce the opportunity for our Year 11 students to enjoy a warm drink and biscuit at morning break, which was an enjoyable social time for all concerned.
Throughout the year, the students worked very hard and there are wonderful examples of both academic and extra-curricular achievements across the year groups. The number of merits awarded increased and many students achieved awards for their contributions to school life.
We also worked hard to support our students’ wellbeing during such a difficult year, offering mental health support through an innovative BACP accredited app, KOOTH. The free online service offered free, safe online support and counselling for young people in Herefordshire. Students also received support through the pastoral system and weekly Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)
lessons, and it was wonderful to see how well they supported each other too.
This was especially important during lockdown, which was a steep learning curve for all concerned. Students and parents received support for online safety and we delivered a new acceptable user agreement. Students, parents and staff worked really well together, overcoming a range of challenges including having access to computers, sharing devices with siblings and other family members, adjusting to a remote timetable and technical issues. We were very proud of the students and staff who turned this difficult time into a positive learning experience. Having said this, we were relieved and delighted when we were able to get back into school and see each other again, and resume face to face teaching.
Year 11 pupils ended the year with a super afternoon tea where awards were given out, followed by our first ever formal leaving event designed by the students and supported by the Friends. It was a beautiful and memorable occasion for all the pupils and staff.
Mrs Goode Head of Senior School
Students in the Middle and Senior School received a special assembly to hear about a new service commissioned by Herefordshire Council for young people in the county. Kooth supports all aspects of wellbeing and is available free of charge for students to create and manage their own account. They can take part in number of activities and forums designed to support young people. This assembly coincided with ‘Hello Yellow’, a proactive campaign to support Young Minds in Herefordshire.
Kudos
Year 9 and Year 10 students started to focus on future careers using the software platform Kudos. Kudos gives students all the information they need to make important decisions about future careers and what subject, courses and training they can do to reach a particular career destination. The system gave students ideas based on what they like and dislike, to discover what careers their current subjects could lead to in the future. As we entered our second lockdown, we moved back to remote learning from home. Senior School students and parents adjusted brilliantly to the new systems, showing flexibility and patience as we navigated online lessons and using Teams as our virtual classroom. Students continued to register online every day at 9am, were ready to learn, behaved appropriately and showed maturity to the situation.
Year 9 Drama
Year 9 students performed some fantastic pieces, having started their planning in lockdown. Their brief was to create of piece of verbatim theatre, which is a theatre performance taken from real-life conversations and interviews. Students stuck to the subject matter they knew best at the time – Covid! In lockdown, students began interviewing parents, friends and family on their experiences during the turbulent year, and then began the process of turning those interviews into performances. It was incredible to see the thoughtful, touching and, at times, comedic work that they produced.
New Options
We welcomed Maureen, Rachel and Zoe as the three new Options team members. The Options Team is invaluable to the school in carrying out duties and ensuring that the school is well-organised and a happy place to be and to learn.
Charity Food Bank
With advent fast approaching, the Senior School arranged their own version of the Prep School’s successful Reverse Advent. Bringing in donations of nonperishable items, Senior School students amassed an impressive box of tinned items, tea and coffee, cereals, chocolates, juices, sauces, pasta and rice, as well as Christmas goods. The generosity of students and parents was incredible, and the students enjoyed learning the sentiment of giving.
In May, a film company, Affixxius, finally joined us to produce a brand-new promotional video for the School; keen to capture what makes Lucton so special and focussing on the concept of “Quiet Confidence”. The filming was originally scheduled for October; however, various lockdowns and timetabling issues meant that the production had to be rescheduled several times. Nevertheless, when they finally arrived we were prepped and ready!
Featuring a crew of four, in addition to Mr Norton and Mrs Rogers, the filming was a source of great curiosity for the students, many of whom were able to flex their acting abilities in front of the camera too.
Whether front and centre or off to the side, on the sports field, in the classroom, or around the CCF campfire, all of the students gained something from being able to experience the creative process first-hand- perhaps we’ll have a few future film makers in the years to come.
The Year 10 students took to the stock market. The $100,000 may have been virtual, but the annual Virtual Stock Exchange game was played with real figures in real companies. After studying the stock exchange in their Economics lessons, they had the chance to trade online in a league against one another. Familiarising themselves with terminology such as floatation, acquisition, portfolio and share index, whilst simultaneously reading financial data to plot their next investment, the students demonstrated great understanding and flare. Sameer racked up an impressive $101,686.85 on an investment in just one day.
Achievement Awards
Throughout the year, we were delighted to award a number of high achievement certificates to three students – Nathan, Fremah and Lois - along with students who received a substantial amount of merits. These included Harry, Catherine, Malachy, Elodie, Dolly, Georgia, Katie, Alice, Ryan and Libby.
Duke of Edinburgh
Towards the end of the year, the majority of Year 10 wandered across the Herefordshire countryside for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh award. To achieve their award, students had to complete the four sections of the programme – volunteering, physical activity, skills and expedition. Well done to all involved.
The Year 11’s Celebration Evening and Prom was a lavish and spectacular end to the year. All students dressed to impress, and got creative with their arrival carriages. With horses, motorbikes and even a tractor, students arrived with a statement, and the evening followed suit. The dining team provided a super evening dinner for students and staff to enjoy. The Friends of Lucton provided the decorations, which our fantastic Maintenance team put up. Mrs Yates, Mrs Shepherd and Mrs Hall made a huge contribution to the success of the evening. But the stars of the show really were the students, who after completing their assessments, partied the night away in the Queen Anne Dining Room.
