A Message from Mr Andy Gowell,
The Covid-19 pandemic continues its march but so do we at Bristol Gateway! As I mentioned in my summer newsletter, we continue with a sense of calm and normality. Our school is a safe place to learn and all our staff and pupils have shown extraordinary resilience and adaptability in making this happen.
Despite these challenging circumstances our students have shown an incredible worth ethic. Many of our students have achieved personal bests in all subjects. Our subject leads have worked hard in designing and implementing what is now a sector leading curriculum for our students to achieve well which will improve the life chances of all our students. For example, our students in year 9, 10 and 11 have been preparing for the next stage of their lives through careers education; they have discussed course entry requirements, career pathways and job aspirations with college providers and external agencies.
I encourage all our families to have these discussions at home. It’s vital that together through the home school partnership we encourage aspirations and expectations for the future. The earlier we start these discussions the better. I want us all to be encouraged and excited by the future even if that’s difficult in the current climate.
It’s been hard for everyone, but a special mention of support and encouragement must go to our year 11s as they are working hard in preparing for their mocks after Christmas. With uncertainty around awarding grades, mock examination is a useful indicator for teachers and awarding bodies to predict grades, so they must give this their best effort. Remember our amazing teachers and support staff are there to support them every step of the way.
You will have all received a letter from Kaye Palmer-Green regarding our opportunity to become an academy trust. We are very pleased to inform you that all the necessary agreements are now in place and so this will definitely be happening from 1st January 2021. A great start to the year for us. The new board of trustees will then be meeting to discuss logos and branding for the trust, so thank you to all of you who took part in the survey about this. Your comments will all be passed on to them for consideration. That just leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
Andy Gowell
