Letters

I am writing to thank you for your support in ensuring a calm and positive start to the new school year. We have all been excited to welcome our students back to school after the summer break and I have now had the privilege of meeting all year groups in assemblies this week. The welcome that I have received as a newcomer to this beautiful county, has been exceptional; thank you to those of you who have contacted me already.

I am delighted to announce that the following members of staff have joined Falmouth School:

Mr Allen                                  MFL

Ms Binmore                            Science

Ms Holman                              English

Ms Lawless                              DT

Mr Reay                                   DT

Mr Nankivell                            History

Mrs Ratcliffe                           Psychology

Student behaviour has been exemplary during the lateral flow testing. The second test takes place on Friday 10 September for Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 with testing for Years 8, 9 and 10 taking place on Monday 13 September. I would like to thank Dr Fox who has led and managed the whole process and the staff who have assisted.

Prior to the summer break, we informed you that the NHS have now taken responsibility for tracing students who are close contacts of positive cases of Covid-19 in schools.   We would like to remind you that should your child test positive for Covid-19 on a home lateral flow test they need to remain at home and book a PCR test as soon as possible.  If this is positive they will need to self-isolate for 10 days from when they first displayed symptoms, or from the first day after a positive test - whichever comes first.   The NHS will contact you regarding the procedure for close contacts.  You will understand that we cannot share information regarding individual cases in school and would appreciate you informing the school, as you would any absence, of your situation.

Over the summer break the government has designated Cornwall as an ‘Enhanced Response Area’ (ERA) due high rates of Covid-19 infections.  As part of the efforts to help reduce infection rates, we have been asked to ensure face coverings are worn by staff and students

when moving around the building and in communal areas, but not in classrooms. These measures will be reviewed in two weeks’ time.

We have been delighted to welcome our new Year 12 students into Falmouth College. The students have settled in well and have shown enthusiasm as they embark on this new and exciting phase of their lives.  We wish them well as they begin their chosen courses of study.  

There have been some changes to the Welfare structure, formerly known as Student Services. Please note the following, should you need to contact members of staff in this team:

Mr Wallis                                Assistant Headteacher:  Welfare and Safeguarding    

Mr Hayward                            Head of Behaviour and Student Experience                

Mr Sheer                                 Key Stage 3 Learning Lead                  (Years 7, 8 and 9)         

Miss Roberts                           Key Stage 4 Learning Lead                  (Years 10 and 11)         

Mrs Holland                            Key Stage 3 Welfare Lead                   (Years 7, 8 and 9)         

Miss Macrae                           Key Stage 4 Welfare Lead                   (Years 10 and 11)       

Miss Breasley                          Pastoral Support Mentor

Ms Coles                                 Pastoral Support Mentor

 

On the whole, our students look very smart in their school uniforms and this displays our value of excellence. Thank you for your support and cooperation with this. If there are problems with obtaining the correct sizes for trousers or skirts, please do speak directly with the school outfitters who I know are always more than happy to help.

Finally, the theme for next week is Get Involved. Mrs Benney will be sharing information about the wealth of extra-curricular opportunities that we will be offering this term and we would encourage all students to sign up.

Thank you for your continued support. I hope that the late summer sunshine returns and that you all have a happy and restful weekend.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Brenda de Sousa

Headteacher