3️⃣ Week 3 - Small Steps, Big Progress

Hello Year 11 families!

We’re now three weeks into the term and it’s been brilliant to see the consistency students are building. Routines are becoming second nature, lessons are purposeful and there’s a real sense of focus across the year group. Teachers have been full of praise for the way Year 11 have approached the start of term - the mantra “hard now, easy later” is beginning to shine through in the classroom and beyond.

Thought for the Week:

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

🎤 Assemblies & Post-16 Pathways

This week we welcomed Mina Peroni from Brockenhurst College, who spoke to students about the wide range of post-16 opportunities available. She encouraged applications by Christmas and reminded students to use this half term to attend open evenings and have honest conversations at home about choices.

📅 Brockenhurst College Open Events

• Saturday 27th September, 9.30am–2.00pm
• Saturday 18th October, 9.30am–2.00pm

Applications opened on Monday 15th September and close on 6th February. 

Next Tuesday we’ll be joined by Rockley College, a specialist sixth form college in Poole. Please support us by helping students to be punctual - seated in the hall by 8.30am for an 8.40am start.

📚 Academic Focus

🍽️ Working Lunch

Study Room 1 has been buzzing at lunchtimes with students taking the opportunity to complete homework, discuss NEA projects and get support from staff. It’s wonderful to see Year 11 taking ownership of their learning in such a positive way.

📕✏️ Period 6 Support Information from Mr Price & Mr Remmer

From Wednesday 24th September (Maths) and Thursday 25th September (English), selected Year 11 students will begin Period 6 sessions to provide extra support in key subjects.

These sessions, led by experienced teachers, focus on essential skills to help students build confidence, strengthen understanding and improve their outcomes. Students have been selected based on mock exam results and teacher recommendations - parents and students have been informed via letter.

Attendance is expected, and sessions will appear on timetables. This targeted support has been shown to make a real difference in student progress, helping those “nearly there” to secure key GCSE grades. Our message to students remains: preparation, not pressure.

➕📐Further Maths GCSE

A Further Maths GCSE group is launching for high-achieving mathematicians:

• Sessions begin Friday 18th September, 3.20–4.20pm in Room 24.

• Students predicted a Grade 7+ in Maths and who attended last summer’s sessions have been invited and must sign up via Arbor.

If your child is aiming for a 7+ and did not attend over the summer but would like to join, please contact Mr Price.

🌍 Geography Field Trip – Important Information from Mr Bishop

Students should arrive at school at the normal time (08:40) on Monday (22/09) and register with their class teacher in the quad between the Main Block and the PE changing rooms.

• What to wear: sensible clothes and closed-toe shoes (such as hiking boots or trainers). Please ensure your child also brings a waterproof jacket and warm layers, as they will be outdoors for much of the day.

• What to bring: plenty of food and drink to stay energised throughout the trip.

• Expectations: students should be prepared to listen carefully and apply their excellent fieldwork skills.

The group will return to school by 15:15, in time for any scheduled Period 6 sessions or extra-curricular activities.

🌟 Supporting Success Evening

We’re delighted to invite all Year 11 parents and carers to our Supporting Success Evening on Monday 29th September, 5.45pm–7.30pm. This is a key event in the Year 11 calendar and an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the year ahead.

During the evening, you will:

• Explore the Year 11 journey: Understand key milestones, assessments and deadlines so you know what your child is working towards.

• Learn strategies to support learning at home: Practical tips to help your child build strong study habits, manage workload, and stay motivated.

• Meet the pastoral and academic teams: Get to know the staff who support your child day-to-day and ask any questions you might have about wellbeing, progress, or exams.

• Hear about core support and interventions: Find out how tutoring, Working Lunch, and Period 6 sessions are designed to help students succeed.

This evening is valuable for all families, even if you have older children who have already completed Year 11, as there are always new strategies, resources and updates to share.

Please book your place via Arbor, invitation to follow via email. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible for what promises to be an informative and inspiring session.

🛠️ Practical Notices

🔒 Lockers

All Year 11 students will be assigned a locker on Wednesday morning. Please ensure your child brings a small combination padlock (not a key lock, as keys cannot be taken into exam rooms). There is no payment or deposit required. Lockers will be particularly useful during exam season to store bags and unauthorised materials securely.

🚲 Cycle Safety

Please help us reinforce safe cycling habits at home. We expect all students cycling to and from school to wear a helmet. Staff will challenge unsafe cycling, and parents will be informed if a student is seen without a helmet.

👟 PE Reminder

All GCSE PE students that they will need their full kit for lessons on Monday period 3. Students have already been emailed with kit requirements.

💉 Immunisations

A reminder that the deadline to complete the online flu vaccination form is Monday 23rd September. Parents must complete the form whether you are accepting or declining the offer. The NHS immunisation team will be in school on Friday 26th September to deliver the flu vaccine.

So far, we have received 84 responses for Year 11. It’s important that all families complete the form, regardless of choice. The vaccine can play an important role in helping protect vulnerable students in our community, for example, those who are immunosuppressed, so that they can access school more consistently through the winter months.

🎉 Save the Date

We’re delighted to announce that the Year 11 Prom will take place on Monday 22nd June. More details will follow later in the year, but for now, please mark this important date in your calendars!

📣 Stay Connected

It’s been another brilliant week for Year 11 - their commitment, resilience, and positivity are shining through. Thank you for everything you’re doing at home to support them.

As always, you can contact the Year 11 team directly at year11@twynhamschool.com or via the Arbor Parent Portal.

Until next week! 🌟