This term our literacy focus is vocabulary lists. Staff have been asked to make and share lists of key terms for units and for revision activities to help students not only learn the content but be able to explain the concepts in more detail.

I encourage you to ask to see them and have conversations with your kids about what they're learning. Conversations at home are a great way to help solidify learning and improve memory and recall of topics. 

What we're reading: Over the break I watched The Summer I Turned Pretty. I'd seen positive things about it online and it was a light-hearted watch. I didn't realise it was based on a book until I was at the public library and saw it on display. I usually like to read things first before I watch them! I was encouraged in period one on Monday to arrive at school to an excited year 10 telling me they had read two books in the holidays. When I asked what she read, she mentioned this book, telling me in was a TV show. I picked it up off my desk and asked, "You mean this book?" and there's a very good chance I was the next person to issue the book after her. It was a lovely reminder of the power of books to connect us and the value of our libraries! I encourage everyone to get to the school or public library and get some books out!  - Katherine Beaumont HOD English.