Principal’s Weekly Post – Week 32

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reach the end of another incredibly busy and productive half-term, I want to take a moment to thank our entire York High School community.

To our students, thank you for your hard work, resilience, and daily enthusiasm. To our staff, thank you for your tireless dedication and support in ensuring every student can thrive. And to our parents and carers, thank you for your continued partnership and support from home. It has been a deeply rewarding few weeks for all of us.

A special mention must also go to our Year 11 students. They have particularly impressed us with their exceptional focus and maturity as they navigate their GCSE examinations. Their dedication during this period has been exemplary, and they are a true credit to themselves and the school. We are incredibly proud of them.

York High’s Special Guest

We were absolutely delighted to welcome a very special guest to York High School this week. Martin Rowley, the Lord Mayor of York visited us and spent time meeting with staff and students across the school. I am incredibly proud to share that he was completely blown away by York High, commenting on the wonderful atmosphere, the dedication of our staff, and the excellent conduct of our pupils. It was a brilliant opportunity to showcase the very best of York High School, and our students were an absolute credit to us.

Thank you all once again for a fantastic half-term. I hope you have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for the final stretch of the academic year.

Warmly,

Gavin Kumar
Principal

Prize Draws

There was much excitement this morning, as today was our Blue Ticket Prize Draw, plus we had three Prom Tickets to give away to our fantastic Year 11s in their special Platinum Draw!

Throughout this half term, students have been earning tickets in lessons for their hard work and achievements, which they have then used to enter the prize draws.

During our live stream in form time, Mr Kumar and Miss Scaum presented the winners with their vouchers, and shared their wins with the school.

Congratulations to our winners:

• One 4 All vouchers
  • £20 – Olly
  • £30 – Hannah
  • £50 – Millie
• Amazon vouchers
  • £20 – Terry
  • £30 – Brooke
  • £50 – Ed
• JustEat
  • £20 – Emily
  • £30 – Millie
  • £50 – Khalil
• Prom tickets
  • Tadisa
  • Allaina
  • Brooke

Summer uniform update

On our return from half term, our summer uniform will begin. All students are permitted to wear tailored shorts (not sportswear) but must wear plain black ankle/trainer socks along with black trainers/footwear. School jumpers are no longer necessary after this date.

While we welcome these summer adjustments, our standards remain high. We still have the following expectations:

• Top button of shirt fastened.
• Shirts tucked in.
• Knee length skirts with no tights.
• No rings, bracelets or necklaces.
• No false nails or nail varnish.
• Clear plastic retainers permitted in the nose.
• One earring in each ear, no bigger than the ear lobe.
• Trousers must have a front fastening zip or button.

Excellence Every Day

This half term has been a busy one for our Excellence Every Day Awards, with Mr Kumar and Mr Hardy welcoming students to the library to talk about their work, and collect a reward of their choice.

Congratulations to: Maisie, Izzy, Harrison, Hayla, Sophie, Ellie, Ella, Anitah, Jane, Sunny, Sophie G, Vinny, Lucy, Ethan, Yun, Naman, Ben, Arthur, David, Isaac, Jake, Riley, Willow, Annie, Grace, Marcia, Lucy, and everyone else that has come to celebrate their work.

Here is a small selection of the photographs from our Excellence Every Day sessions.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Students who attended the DofE meeting on Friday 22 May after school should have received a letter. A digital copy is available on the Google Classroom for the Duke of Edinburgh Award or students can pick up a copy from Mrs Lancaster. Emails have also been sent home. This letter details all the information for the assessed expedition weekend on 13-14 June.

There will be two Google Meets for parents on Thursday 4 June at 3:15pm and 6:15pm for further information. Links for these will be on the Google Classroom and emailed home.

Please encourage your child to start thinking about completing their physical, skill and volunteering sections and sending off to the relevant assessors for their report.

We are really looking forward to the assessed expedition weekend.

YHS @ Pride

We are pleased to announce that York High School will once again be joining the York Pride Parade.

On Saturday 30 May we would like to invite our students, ex-students and their families to join the fantastic parade through York, in the dedicated Schools Section.

School participants will be meeting up at 11:15am outside St Sampson’s Social Centre on Church St (near the market).

The parade sets off at 12:00pm, arriving at the Knavesmire around 1:30pm

Please be aware, this is a public event not a school organised activity.

If you would like more information please email Miss Linsey j.linsey@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk

Mexican Day

The school canteen had a Mexican Day this week, and Mr Hardy decided to really get into the spirit of the event!

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.