June is whizzing by! Just one more week of exams and then we can deconstruct the five exam halls and all of the additional spaces we use. It will be a good feeling to see them being dismantled. The pupils have done ever so well and I am sure they too are looking forward to the end.

We are all looking forward to Midsummer Music next week—Friday 19th June. If you are new to the school, or you haven’t been before, please do come along—it is a wonderful evening. See article here if you are interested:

https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1499

On the subject of Music…this week we gathered the Girls Chamber Choir and Boys Cantabile Choir together to present them with the Youth Choirs Plate. This prestigious trophy is awarded to the youth choir with the highest marks during the two weeks of the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. It is the first time we have won the award! Well done to everyone involved - see photo above.

Safeguarding Culture at the School

On Tuesday Debbie Innes Turnhill reported to the governors on the safeguarding culture at Balcarras. Debbie is a safeguarding expert and has spent considerable time in the school over the last six months conducting research for a PHD. She agreed to feedback to the governors her thoughts on the school. I have to say I was very pleased to hear her report. She described the safeguarding culture at the school as exemplary and praised the hard work and commitment of staff. It was very reassuring to hear her give the safeguarding culture of the school such a ringing endorsement.

GLOW Maths Hub Strategic Board

On Tuesday I attended the last GLOW Maths Hub Board meeting of the year. It was also the last meeting Chaired by Richard Gilpin, who has chaired GLOW for many years. We paid tribute to Richard for all his hard work and his commitment to GLOW Maths. Richard is retiring as Head of Pittville in the summer. GLOW continues to be one of the most active Maths Hubs in the country.

Teaching School Hub Strategic Board

Hot on the heels of the GLOW Board meeting we had the Teaching School Hub Board meeting on Wednesday. Our Chair Chris Hansen, who is a governor here, couldn’t make the meeting so I chaired in his absence. We continue to meet all our Key Performance Indicators in terms of supporting Early Career Teachers across the county.

More District Athletics Success

After our success in the Year 9 event last week, it was the turn of Year 7 and Year 8 Boys. They did brilliantly and came second overall. The Year 7 Boys came third in their competition and the Year 8 Boys second in theirs. Well done to everyone involved.

Year 8 Parents Eve

My thanks to all those parents who came along on Thursday. There was a nice buzz throughout the evening.

Year 12 Biology Trip

Today the Year 12 Biologists spent the day at Dowdeswell Woods completing their Year 12 fieldwork. I understand it went very well.

New Generation of Teachers Arrive at Balcarras

This time of year, sees our teaching training arm, GITEP, swing into action inducting new trainees for next year. They organise three sessions held here at Balcarras where about 25 trainees teachers are inducted in turn. I popped in today to welcome the latest cohort and to wish them well for their upcoming training year. It is vital that we continue to encourage people to join the profession. They seemed like a really nice group.

Right that’s it…just a short update this week. I’m now going to go for a run before just possibly treating myself to a drink in the sunshine. Have a nice weekend.