Welcome back – I hope you all had an enjoyable and fun packed summer!

Year 8 – wow where did the last year go!

I must start by saying how excited I am about leading the year group and, following lots of conversations with Mr Rescorle, I could not be more positive about what we can achieve together this year.

Far from being the year where nothing happens, this is the year where you begin to make choices that will have an impact on the rest of your school life and on your career path beyond. It’s the year for making your GCSE options choices. We’re going to be talking alot about this over the coming months. There will be lots of help for you to pick the right subjects for you.

This year is also the year when you should take every opportunity to get involved in the wider life of the school and try new skills. Your tutors will share the new sports programme with you. I’ll be holding a special assembly next week to tell you about Manor CCF. There are loads of drama, music, design technology and food clubs that will come up throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities and take every chance you can to try something new and get involved. I know from my last year group that those students who kept themselves busy with extra-curricular activities were the ones who got the most out of school life.

Have a great year!

– Mrs E Stephens