As we venture into a new model and arrangement of Bethany year groups, it is an exciting adventure to have Year 8 and 9 pupils teaming up for the first time.

Miss King, the new Head of Year 8 and 9, explains all…

I would like to start this article by thanking all pupils, parents and staff for their support so far this year.

It has been a busy period with a vast array of events and accomplishments. Early September saw numerous Year 8 and 9 pupils participating in our annual Sports Afternoon. This was closely fought with pupils competing for their houses, Roberts, Speakers and Kiplings.

Mid-September brought about our annual Charity Walk event where Year 8 walked 6.5 miles around Bewl reservoir and Year 9 walked 10 miles across Rye. Both walks were very successful with their own merits and both groups received comments from the public about how wonderfully behaved and polite they were which made Mr Evans (Assistant Head of Year 8 & 9) and I very proud. One member of the public even rang the school to donate to the pupils chosen charity as they were so impressed!

Pupils had full autonomy over which charity we raised money for, by researching, presenting and voting for their charity. The winner was Cancer Research, and we raised a healthy £1,220.00 for this very worthy cause.

At the end of September, Year 9 took part in an excellent and well attended English and Religious Studies trip to the Imperial War Museum. I would like to thank Mrs Shapland and Mr Allsopp for organising and taking the trip which enabled our pupils to learn outside the classroom, sparking historical inquiry and helped to develop an understanding of causes and consequences, chronology and areas of historical significance.

I was privileged and honoured to be at the opening of the Pengelly Performance Centre and was very proud to see so many of our talented Year 8 & 9 pupils performing. Jack S and Rollo J performed brilliantly in Blood Brothers, and Keelan S in his dance portrayal of Edward Scissorhands was outstanding. He was then joined by other Year 8 and 9 dancers Bea K, Nelly A, Florrie D, Isabella G, Holly S and Dasha H in Edwards Scissorhands and Jamie, and they were ‘fabulous’! Both the interval and end of the evening concluded with scenes from the whole school production where all of the above, plus many other talented Year 8 & 9’s, performed fantastically well: Prudence S, Holly E, Mia C, Isobel A, Lauren B, Jessica M-C, Alfie B, Fletcher C, Ines C, Axelle D, Millicent F, Oliver M, Immy M, Izzy R, Joshua R, Fifi S and Betsy S: well done to you all!

It is incredibly rewarding to see our pupils develop and mature into caring, diligent and successful young people; this is why I think it is so important to celebrate their success. One way we do this is through our Pupil of the Week trophy. This is awarded for pupils who are not only achieving and progressing but also for those pupils who are our unsung heroes and can sometimes fly under the radar. Recipients of this so far in Year 8 are Freddy C, Oliver M, Izzy R, Immy M, Isabelle H, Stephen K, Will S, Raff M.; and in Year 9 Rory O, Alfie M, Jamie S, Keelan S, Karson L, Holly S, Florrie D and Didi P.

As we move into the second half of term, Year 9 have started on preparations for choosing their GCSE options, with talks in assemblies delivered by Heads of Department explaining the content of their course at GCSE level and what this entails. These talks will support them in making an informed decision after Christmas when initial options will be selected. Year 8 assemblies will continue to run in the usual format, addressing current and relevant topics delivered by staff and pupils alike.

It certainly promises to be another busy half term!

Miss King
Head of Year 8 and 9