Letters

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that this letter finds you all well. 

Year 11 Assessments

I am writing to you at the end of the week when our Year 11 students have been sitting assessments in a formal setting for the first time since they have been in secondary school. They should all be complemented for the mature and sensible way in which they have engaged in this. 

Vaccinations

You will be aware that the COVID-19 vaccinations have taken place on the school site this week for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Our thanks to the Kernow Health Immunisation Team who conducted the vaccinations who have been involved in the rollout to schools from September.

Here is a reminder of the vaccinations for the next few weeks:

COVID-19 Vaccination for Children Aged 12 to 15 Years of Age

Years 10 & 11              Tuesday 23 November 2021

Secondary School-Age Nasal Vaccination

All Year groups            Friday 10 December 2021

Cover

Whist the weather has been mild for this time of the year, we have experienced a period of illness which is evident in both student and staff absence. COVID-19 has also affected us. As a result, we have had to engage a greater number of supply staff to ensure that all lessons are covered, preferably by subject specialists whenever they are available. I fully realise that we are not alone in managing the situation as professional colleagues across the country face the same challenges. 

I would like to reassure you that we are making every effort to fully staff every lesson with a subject specialist whenever possible so that there is continuity in your child’s learning. You may be aware that there are some schools in Cornwall who have had to close some year groups because of staffing shortages. I am very grateful to all colleagues at Falmouth School who have once again this week stepped in, often at short notice, to cover for absent colleagues.

Social Media

It has been brought to my attention that Tik Tok has been used to create false accounts where inappropriate content has been posted that seeks to cause harm to schools and to teachers. This has caused distress and upset, in equal measure to staff who have been affected by it. 

It is particularly at times like this that I would ask you to check your child’s social media accounts so that we can all be reassured that they are acting with both kindness and responsibility.

There will be serious consequences for those responsible for creating content and making unpleasant comments on line about any members of our community. 

Bike Track

I am delighted to inform you that planning permission to build a bike track at Falmouth School has been approved. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Benney and The Roseland Multi Academy Trust for all of their work to ensure that this wonderful facility is created for our students and the community in and surrounding Falmouth.  

School Uniform

School uniform provides a sense of identity and community for children and young people, and should be a real source of pride. We have received updated guidance from the Government on rules to make school uniform affordable for all. In the coming weeks we will be working with our school uniform suppliers and parents to ensure our uniform meets the new guidelines ready for the new academic year. 

Year 7 Rugby Team

It gives me great pleasure to announce that earlier this week, our Year 7 Rugby team became the West Cornwall champions beating the likes of Penryn, Mounts Bay, Penair, Newquay Trettherras and Truro School. Huge congratulations to all of those who played and to the staff who have taken them to fixtures and given their time to train the team.

And finally…our gorgeous cedar tree which stands proudly in the front of school will need to be felled in the very near future. Students will have recently seen a broken branch on the front lawn and on closer inspection the trunk was discovered to be too decayed to be left in situ. The tree surgeons will shred what they can and create bark to be used on the site. 

Thank you, as always for your support and have a lovely weekend.