Principal’s Weekly Post – Week 18

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been another productive week here at York High School. As we move further into the spring term, I want to share a few key updates and reminders to ensure our students are well-supported in their learning journeys.

A huge thank you to our Year 9 students, parents, and carers for the fantastic turnout at our Pathways Evening this week. Choosing Key Stage 4 subjects is a significant milestone, and it was wonderful to see so many of you engaging with our staff and students to gather the information needed for these important decisions. These selections lay the foundation for our students’ future successes, and we are committed to supporting every child in finding the right path for their aspirations.

We are entering a vital period of preparation for our Year 11 students as they approach their final examinations. Please take note of the following schedule for next week:

• Monday: English “Walking Talking Mock.” This is a guided session where teachers lead students through an exam paper, modelling the thought process and technique required for top marks.
• Tuesday: Formal English Mock Exam

Attendance is absolutely essential for both sessions. These mocks provide the most realistic preview of the summer exams and offer invaluable feedback for both students and teachers. Please ensure your child is well-rested and arrives on time.

I would like to take a moment to remind all families about the critical link between consistent school attendance and student achievement. Every day in the classroom is an opportunity for growth, interaction, and learning that cannot be easily replicated. Missing even a few days can create gaps in knowledge that are difficult to close. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring your child is in school every day, on time, and ready to learn.

Warmly,

Gavin Kumar
Principal

Art of Protest workshops

We have worked with Art of Protest (AoP) in previous academic years to decorate our Performing Arts corridor and practice rooms and as part of the Acomb Front Street project.

AoP have now been awarded a grant from the Vibrant High Street Fund to launch ‘Acomb Fest’. It will be a three-day festival transforming Acomb into an open-air gallery through street art. To make this possible, they are doing extensive community engagement – watch out for some community sessions at Acomb Library this weekend.

Thirty of our Year 7, 8 and 9 students took part in an hour-long workshop with Jeff and Chloe from AoP and created an A5 and A3 piece of art using spray paints and stencils. They experimented with different spray can techniques, different colours and stencils and, most importantly, had fun doing it!

RAS Achievers

Well done to last week’s RAS Achievers, Maisie, Angel, Evan and Annie, nominated by our English and Maths departments.

York SEND Youth Forum

The York SEND Youth Forum is a group for children and young people aged 7-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who live in or are connected to York. The forum gives young people a chance to:

• Share their views and ideas.
• Meet other young people with SEND.
• Help improve services and support for children and young people in York.
• Take part in fun activities, discussions, and events.

If you or your child would like to find out more or are interested in joining the SEND Youth Forum, please contact us by email: jointpartnership@york.gov.uk. 

Find out more.

Apprenticeship vacancies

York College is currently advertising a number of apprenticeship vacancies which can be seen on the attached pdf. Each vacancy has a hyperlink to the Apprenticeship Service website, where you will find full job details and where you can submit your application.

A note on closing dates: vacancies often close earlier than the stated date, so if you are interested, please make sure you apply as soon as you can.

You can also read the attached guidance on how to write a strong application to ensure the best chance of success.

Engine idling

Wherever possible we encourage students to walk to and from school. If this is not possible and driving is essential, please remember to turn off your engine when parked up, even if you are going to be waiting in the car.

Community Cupboard

Our school is committed to helping those in need through our community cupboard, ensuring that every student and family has access to essential food/household items. Donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated, as they help us continue to support the local community.

If you or someone you know needs any support, please contact Aimee a.stewart@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk or Emma e.masterman@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk, or pop into main reception.

All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.