Report an absence: 01904 806599

Principal’s Weekly Post – Week 3

The Principal’s Weekly Post

Week 3: 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

Welcome back!

Dear Parents and Carers,

I want to take a moment to thank all of our students for their hard work and positive start to the academic year. It has been a pleasure to see so many of them engaged and demonstrating a strong commitment to their learning. This week, it was especially wonderful to see so many students receive an Excellence Every Day award. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and we are proud of your efforts.

Please be aware that York High School will have an early closure at 1:45pm on Thursday 25 September. This is to allow our staff to prepare the school for our annual Open Evening. 

Next week, we’ll be sharing some exciting news about an upcoming attendance rewards event to celebrate our students’ commitment to being in school and on time. Please keep an eye on your inboxes and our school social media platforms for more details.

We appreciate your continued support and partnership. Have a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards

Gavin Kumar
Principal

Diary dates

Thursday 25 September

School will close at 1.45pm to allow us to prepare for our Open Evening


Thursday 25 September, 6.00-8.00pm

Open Evening for Year 6 students and their families


Wednesday 22 October

School closes for half-term break


Monday 3 November

School reopens after half-term break


 

Enrichment at York High

We’ve loved seeing how engaged students have been with our extra-curricular activities this week! It has been great to see so many students take up the many opportunities on offer – thank you for your support.

A Google Form will be emailed to your child’s school email next week, for signing up to the next round of clubs, which will start on Monday 6 October. We will contact you to let you know that this form has been sent – this can be completed at home.

Careers assemblies

It has been a privilege to deliver this week’s assemblies focused on our Careers provision at York High. This is something that we’re really passionate about, and we’re looking forward to showing the fantastic opportunities available to our students this year.

From Year 7, we have expanded our programme, looking at skills and behaviours needed for the workplace. We’ve also developed workshops delivered by Aviva colleagues through our link with The Place, which will start next month, and we’re working on workplace experience visits for students in Years 8-10.
 
We’re currently updating our Careers Plan on our website, but for now, we have information about how you can support your child with thinking about Careers here.
 
If you have any questions about Careers, or would like to know more at this point, please contact me on v.bettney@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk.
 
Miss Bettney
 

Careers Fair and Mock Interviews

We’re looking for employers, employees and training providers for our Careers Fair and mock interviews in January 2026. 

If you might be able to participate, please fill in this form – please also forward to any contacts who might be able to help.

Miss Bettney

 

Lecture at Bootham School

On Friday 10 October, at 7.00-8.00pm, Bootham School is hosting a lecture by Roger Camrass – a pioneer of technology-driven change – who will be speaking about ‘Living and thriving in an AI world’.

With over 50 years shaping the digital world alongside some of the globe’s biggest organisations, Roger now serves as Research Director at CIONET International, Europe’s largest network of digital leaders.

Tickets can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/69586

The lecture is the first in a series to honour the legacy of Bootham Old Scholar Jeremy Heywood, a much-loved figure and one of the UK’s most influential civil servants.

Portakabin Workplace Experience – Year 9/10

If your child has expressed interest in this trip, please ensure their form is returned by Monday 22 September.

 

Excellence Every Day Awards

We have returned to the new school year with a bang, and our staff have been awarding plenty of Excellence Every Day awards.

Keep an eye out next week for our September round up, featuring the students that have met with Mr Kumar to celebrate their awards.

York College Open Events 2025-26

York College is hosting a number of Open Events during the 2025-26 academic year, as follows:

  • Tuesday 7 October 2025, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
  • Saturday 8 November 2025, 10.00am – 12.30pm
  • Thursday 20 November 2025, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
  • Thursday 12 February 2026, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
  • Wednesday 29 April 2026, 5.30pm – 7.30pm

For more information, please visit the York College website.

More information on taster days will be available in due course.

The YHS Way

Next week’s focus: Routines and Habits – Strong Start

Exciting Opportunity: Become a Committee Member for Inspire Alternative Provision

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and making a difference in their education? Excel Learning Trust’s alternative provision, Inspire Academy, is looking for dedicated and committed individuals to join its first-ever academy committee (a sub-committee of the trust board).

Further details about this opportunity and how to apply, can be found here.

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.

Related Posts

Follow us

York High School, York, UK

York High School, York, UK

3

This is the official York High School (UK) Facebook Page - LIKE this page to stay up to date

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

🍔Free School Meals are Changing🍕

From September 2026 more families will qualify for Free School Meals.
If your household is in receipt of:
🔘Universal Credit
🔘Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
🔘Support under Part 6 of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999
🔘Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
your child will be entitled to free school meals, but it's not automatic - you MUST apply for them.

Visit: www.northyorks.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals to start your application
(When completing the form, make sure you change the 'Local Authority' to York)

For further information see the letter from Mr Kumar on our website:
www.yorkhighschool.co.uk/2026/07/changes-to-free-school-meals/
... See MoreSee Less

🍔Free School Meal

🎤Prizes Galore🎤

What an Unmissable day we have had...

This morning we started the day with our fantastic end of term Blue & Platinum Ticket draws - handing out vouchers for H&M, Playstation & Amazon for the lucky Blue Ticket winners, and the big one, a £250 Amazon Voucher to our Platinum winner, Daenerys!

Mr Kumar then celebrated with our RAS Achievers, Andrea & Carter, both nominated by members of SLT.

And we cannot ignore the fantastic 'SINGO BINGO' which has been absolutely amazing.

Have a fantastic Summer - We will see you all in September!
... See MoreSee Less

🎤Prizes Galore�Image attachmentImage attachment

⚽Is it Coming Home?⚽

Tonight England take on Argentina in the World Cup Semi-Finals.

Will they win, and join Spain in the Final?
Is Football Coming Home?

We are looking forward to seeing you all in the morning, for those gate chats on how the game went!

Win, Lose or Draw, we can share our thoughts tomorrow.
... See MoreSee Less

⚽Is it Coming Home
Load more
Skip to content