Newsletters

News from Mr Grady

Hello everyone.

The newsletter is a day late going out this week, and this is my fault!  Every time I sat down to get on with it, something else got in the way! And despite my very best of intentions I missed both the false deadline I give myself and the actual deadline to get this out in time for Thursday. 

And isn’t that just sometimes the way?  I said I would do it.  I wanted to do it and I assured everyone that I was doing it.  But I wasn’t and it didn’t happen, and now, as part of my ‘mea culpa,’ I’m admitting it to everybody, because sometimes a public commitment to something carries a little more weight than the promises you make to yourself in your head.

I was reminded of the different sorts of promises one makes to oneself as I read the “self-reflections” of Year 11 students on their reports, ahead of writing my head-teacher comments.  I have to say I am hugely impressed by some of the mature and perceptive insights of many of our students, who have commented bravely on their qualities and their areas for improvement; have considered their attitude to learning carefully and its impact, and have made, in many cases, a “public” commitment to a change or an adaptation, or simply to an increase in work rate.

One or two of these promises are like the secret one I made to myself about writing this newsletter, that I would always have it done by Tuesday, and that I would also have a couple of extras written for those busy weeks.  By which I mean self-deluding promises, with no actual plan of how I might achieve it, but it sounds well-intentioned. 

What I actually should have done, when I made this generous promise to myself was also consider how this lofty ambition was to be achieved.  I do know what my distraction level is, and I should have addressed this in my planning!

The Year 11 students have put me to shame in many cases, telling us not just what their intentions were for the next 3 or 4 crucial months, but also how those intentions would be achieved, and in doing so they have reminded me (who is now reminding all of you) that setting the very highest of heights in your heart is all very well, and absolutely what we like to see at Rugby High School, but you do need to make sure that you’ve got a bit of a plan on the direction of travel. 

As I sit here, putting the final touches to a newsletter now more than 24 hours late and counting, I hope my public admission of guilt rings true for many of you and reminds you that the best of intentions need a little consideration before they become a reality!

With best wishes,
Mr Grady

Important Information - Road Safety

Following several near misses on the road and the drive during the morning and afternoons, I am writing to ask all drivers to take the very greatest care when dropping off and collecting students.  

In the past few weeks, staff have witnessed: cars turning without indicating; cars swinging into the driveway at alarming speeds; parking on the Yellow Lines and Bus Bay; impolite gestures and impatience; speeding along Longrood Road; risky manoeuvres between buses.

I am well aware of how busy parents are, but the safety of our students is absolutely paramount and I would urge all drivers to pay close attention at these very busy times of the day, to observe the highway code and to take the greatest of care when negotiating traffic at the start and the end of the day.  In  particular, observing the Yellow Lines on both sides of Longrood road, and not parking or waiting in the Bus Bay, and importantly keeping the school entrance clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children.

It is also vital to keep a watchful eye for the many students we have choosing to cycle to school.  They are road users too.

I am writing too to our students to ensure they take care when crossing the road and driveway, and are careful and responsible pedestrians.

Many thanks for your assistance in the safeguarding of our school community.

Mark Grady
Head Teacher

Important notice for all Sixth Form drivers

All the Sixth Form attended an assembly this week about the importance of safe, considerate driving and parking within and near the school site. Many local residents are increasingly concerned about parking, and we want to ensure that our Sixth Form drivers are safe, and show consideration and respect to all residents and road users alike.

All Sixth Form drivers must:

Display their parking permit clearly at all times

Ensure their registration and car details are completely up to date

Park in the Sports Hall car park OR the car park in Alwyn Road which is a short walk from school (see map below)

Plan their mornings to leave ample time to arrive and park safely at school

All Sixth Form drivers must not:

Park on pavements near the school

Obstruct any residents’ driveways

We anticipate that these clear guidelines will be adhered to by all Sixth Formers, and that they will reflect on the responsibility they have as car users in a busy urban area.

Olga Dermott-Bond
Head of Sixth Form

Member of staff or in Year 9-12?
Want to star gaze?

The Physics Department has a telescope along with a tripod and various accessories to lend out. It is available for any member of staff or student (not just Physics students)

You can borrow the equipment over several weeks and the instruction manual can be found online. Anyone who is interested should see Mrs Mighall (mighalls@rugbyhighschool.co.uk) in the Physics department. 

Please note that a car is essential for transporting the telescope to and from home as the box is rather large and heavy.