Year 9 Head of Year

March 2025

Dear Parents,

I hope this message finds you well and that you and your family had a restful and enjoyable half-term break. It has been wonderful to welcome the students back to College, and we are pleased to see them return with renewed energy and focus as we continue with Year 9. As we pass the halfway point of both the academic year and your child’s time at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on their progress and achievements.

At this stage in the year, it is important to remember that GCSE success is built on consistent effort over time. As I often emphasise during assemblies, GCSEs are decided long before students step into the exam hall. We encourage all students to remain focused and dedicated to their studies as we move forward.

As we enter the season of Lent, it provides an opportunity for reflection and personal growth. Our thoughts turn to what we can give up or how we can support others. Our Year 9 students have a strong tradition of fundraising, and we are confident that this year will be no exception. We encourage you to support and motivate your child to participate in the various initiatives their form will be running.

Recently, we have dealt with some incidents involving the inappropriate use of mobile phones, these include the taking and sharing of photos and videos during the school day. Our mobile phone policy is clear, and we expect phones to remain off and out of sight during school hours. If we suspect a student has not followed this policy, we will take the necessary steps, including screening their device, and apply appropriate consequences. We also encourage parents to regularly check their child’s mobile device and online activity to ensure their safety. Should you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

While the majority of our students wear their uniform with pride, we understand that sometimes items may be lost or damaged. If your child is experiencing issues with their uniform, please send a note or message to inform us. This helps us ensure that any claims—such as broken shoes—are genuine. In most cases, we expect uniform items to be replaced within a week, and we will always work with parents if this timeline is challenging.

We would like to express our gratitude for your continued support, especially in maintaining high levels of attendance. Consistent school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, alongside the support and involvement of parents. It also helps develop important skills such as punctuality, a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsibility. If your child is absent, please ensure that the school office is notified daily. Please note that in cases of frequent unexplained absences, our attendance team will follow the necessary procedures, and medical evidence may be required for repeated absences due to illness.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s school experience, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are here to support both you and your child as we continue this journey together.

Thank you once again for your ongoing partnership and support.
Warm regards,

Mr C Taylor
Head of Year 9