Regents Review Summer 21-22

The Regents Review Summer 2022

WELCOME Headteacher’s Welcome did save some of the shots! I have loved the summer term at Regents Park. Yes, it has been busy and towards the end very very hot but, WOW, what we have all achieved is just superb.

July 2019 was the last time we could formally welcome our new students to transition day so it was very special to have this event return this year. Full of excitement and some nerves Year 6, soon to be Year 7, thoroughly enjoyed their very first experience of the school community supported by our Year 9 ambassadors. As we all know all of these events make RPCC a very special place to be and none of it happens without all of the staff supporting and making it happen. I am sure you will join me in thanking them for all their hard work this year. The end of the year always means some changes as members of our school community move on. This year we say goodbye to Mr Strange who has worked at Regents Park since September 2008 with his most recent role being the Director of Inclusion. Mr Strange will be leaving to move to Qatar with his family where he will be taking up the post of Deputy Head in an international school. He has given a huge amount to Regents Park over the years and his knowledge and commitment to the students and staff will be missed, we wish him and his family the very best as they take on a very exciting adventure. Miss Grassie will also be leaving us to move to Australia, a lifelong dream that we know she will love. Miss Grassie was instrumental in Year 11 leaving in such a positive way and over the years she has inspired many children through her love of English. We wish her a sunny farewell. We also wish Miss Murphy all the best as she starts a new career working to support a charity. Finally, we wish Mrs Osborne, Miss Mills and Miss Gammon good luck as they start their teacher training and Ms Greenwood and Mrs Barlow best wishes as they move to pastures new. As Regents Park grows and improves we also have new members of staff joining our community: Miss Khan and Mr McIntyre – Science Miss Brookes and Mrs Kilbey – Creative Arts Miss King – Social Sciences Mrs Bourne – School Counsellor They are all looking forward to joining our wonderful school. Thank you to our students, thank you to our staff and thank you to you, our parents, for all your support. Wishing you a safe and restful summer.

We had missed the events that fill our corridors, playgrounds and spill out into our community and it has been the best feeling to have them back this term. I am so proud of our Year 11 students and how they dealt with the challenges of the exams. Despite the added nerves they all entered the exam hall to try and do their very best. Additionally, every single member of staff played an essential part of supporting them: tutors started the day with calmness and positivity, teachers giving them last minute tips and staff added messages of encouragement along the exam corridor to keep the morale up. Year 11 Regents Park students then took over the Botley Park Hotel to celebrate their educational journey and once the sports cars, motorbikes and many other interesting transport methods disappeared the dancing started. Moments later the shoes had been replaced by trainers and the jackets were hung over the back of chairs. They danced and danced until ’Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush ended the evening - a night to remember for everyone. We have had many events this term as you will see from this addition of The Regents Review. Some of the main highlights for me were: Regents Park’s Got Talent when King Edward Avenue was filled with the cheers and claps for all of the brave and wonderful students that stepped onto the stage to perform to a totally packed hall. Sports Day also returned and the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre was filled with students wearing our PE Kit enjoying learning and competing in their chosen sport. Whilst back at school students enjoyed other activities that had been requested with board games, swimming and dance to name a few. However, the main message was about being together and having fun and every student I asked said ‘I love it’. Then the announcement came in that Regents Park had been chosen to host the Woman’s Euro cup for the day, the only school in the city. A once in a lifetime opportunity that every student needed to see. Whilst two security guards watched over the priceless trophy (£250,000), students took photos to show family and friends. Then we had the penalty shoot out, I put on my goalie gloves and prepared for some tricky shots, I am not in a position to play for the Lionesses but I

Sam Barnes Headteacher

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