Parental Update 17
Dear Parent / Carer,
Parental Update 17
A cold and wet week (any early sight of spring seems to have disappeared) with a Year 11 assembly preparing our students for their upcoming mock interviews, we launched our 2 week 100% challenge to encourage student attendance, our school nurse ran a drop in session, I had a very productive meeting our feeder primary headteachers and we held a very positive Year 10 Parents’ Evening last night.
Looking ahead to the final week of half term it is a busy one: it is a formation week, we have three educational visits out – Discovering ChemEng Live (yr 8), Imperial War Museum (yr 9) and Construction work experience (yr 9). As well as these, we have the Box House Theatre Company performing on Wednesday, Year 11 Mock Interviews Wed and Thursday, Governors Catholic Life and Culture Committee, and finish the week with the Year 11 Retreat Day.
Whole School Focus – Year 11 Wellbeing Retreat Day
It is easy for us, as adults, to be dismissive of the stresses that young people face today. We have all been through our teenage years and probably wouldn’t want to repeat them. For our young people today, those challenges are magnified even more by other issues especially the problems caused by social media and smart phones.
In addition, our Year 11 students face a far more challenging GCSE exam schedule than any of us sat – not only with papers being more challenging, but the number of exams and their length being increased since the GCSE changes in 2017. It is not uncommon for a young person to have 3 exam papers for some subjects.
Looking after the wellbeing and health of our Year 11 students, especially at this stage in their student journey, is crucial – yes we want to keep them focused and working hard, but ti balance that with supporting their health and wellbeing.
One response to this and the issue being raised in student voice feedback, sees us introducing a Year 11 wellbeing day on Friday 13th. We have structured the day to cover a range of areas whilst also giving the students an element of choice to be able to select workshops and activities that they feel would most benefit them.
All students will be part of workshops delivered by the brilliant Loudspeakers, students will also be able to access subject specific masterclasses in English, Maths and Science, to support their exam readiness, a session on best practice and tips for revision alongside a range of different workshops which students can pick and mix. These include:
- - For love or money
- - SLT Mentor sessions
- - Meditation
- - Free Writing
- - Art workshop
- - Resilience workshop
- - Gym time
- - MUGA
It looks an exciting day and really positive way to end the half term and send the students off ready and inspired to enter the final months of their GCSE preparation.
Primary Headteacher Meeting
One area I am keen to improve this year, is our connection and work with all of our feeder primary schools. Some we have always worked closely with, but others we haven’t done as much with. We are blessed to be served by great feeder primary schools, and it was a joy to welcome their headteachers for the first of our partnership meetings this week. Much was discussed with the focus being on how we can create opportunities to add even more to the educational experiences of our students across primary and secondary. Lots of exciting ideas are now being planned and put in place – I will keep you updated as they happen.
Equipment for School
It has been heartening to see our students now regularly meeting the equipment expectations each day – last week almost every child in Year 8 had the full equipment. This is a massive improvement on previous years and really sets the students up to get straight into their learning. Well done Year 8 (and the parents who packed their equipment for them!). If providing equipment is a financial challenge then please speak to the year team and we can support families.
Sporting Updates
Over the past 2 weeks there has been a flurry of sporting activity. This has included:
- - Indoor Athletics: congratulations to our Year 7 girls and Yr 8 boys who have qualified for the Merseyside School Games Finals
- - Basketball: a great week of basketball with our resident coach joining us last week for sessions at lunchtime and after school – all packed.
- - Rugby: our Year 9 boys were in a fiercely contested Town Cup tie vs our friends over at Cowley. A fantastic and gritty performance – well done to all involved.
- - Netball 1: we were delighted to host the Yr8 CVL tournament last week where our girls were unbeaten across all games. The defending champions are eagerly awaiting their next Town Cup tie.
- - Netball 2: Our Year 7 netballers were also in action with a number of great performances at the Yr 7 CVL tournament. Our ladies showed the impact of all their hard work and training with POM: Priya S (and special mention to year 8 Molly for acting as umpire)
- - Updated Clubs List (see attached): our extra-curricular clubs and offer in PE has been updated for the Spring term and, as well as the usual wide offer, now includes: touch rugby, girls only gym and the eagerly anticipated return of Ju-Jitsu / Judo Club.
- - Futsal: As part of our 10 Day Attendance Challenge, year 9 have been taking part in a sport education model in their futsal block. Points are awarded each day, notably the attendance of their team players. East Division Winners will soon meet the West Division winners.
Parking at Green Court (new housing)
I have received a couple of emails this week from residents in the new housing by Greenalls Club – Green Court. They inform me that it has been observed that a number of parents are using Eccleston Green Court for parking and waiting during school drop-off and collection times. This is not only upsetting for the new residents but is also creating several serious safety and access issues. Can I remind parents that Green Court is a private road and should not be used at any time.
IASS Support for Parents
Please see the link below to the St Helens Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) website. The site explains what support IASS can offer to children and young people with SEND and their families. It includes details about the service, how to make a self-referral, and information about upcoming SEND drop-in sessions. St Helens IASS – Information, Advice and Support Service
Year 8 Retreats
Sadly, our planned retreats for Year 8 next week have had to be postponed as the external facilitator has had a family bereavement. Fortunately, we have been able to book these in later this term.
Half Term Activities (St Helens Council Family Hubs)
For families looking for activities over half term, please visit the St Helens Family Hub’s website page for half term - Half Term Offer February 2026
Year 11 Mock Interviews: Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February 3.30pm-5.30pm. (repeated item)
If you would like to discuss the mock interviews or have any concerns, please email Nicola.Scully@careerconnect.org.uk A small cohort of students, including those students studying Asdan, will have their mock interview on an alternative date, during the school day.
If your son/daughter has prior commitments or a college course discussion meeting scheduled for 11th or 12th February, please contact Mrs Scully by Monday 2nd February so that their mock interview is not allocated to the same evening.
May we also take this opportunity remind you that some college closing dates for Year 11 applications must be submitted online by 30th January. Please check individual college websites for those colleges that your son/daughter is interested in applying to and ensure applications are submitted on time.
Ladies Night Invitation (repeated item)
Calling all the ladies in our school community, you are all invited to celebrate International Women’s Day here at De La Salle with an evening of entertainment, beauty stalls, pop-up shop and a fashion show. The event takes place on Friday 6th March and tickets are available for £7 including a glass of fizz on entry. Further information and booking details can be found here.
Check out our Socials (repeated item)
We have recently been putting some time into stepping up our social media presence and output for families to access. As well as the many Twitter accounts, we have re-invigorated our Facebook output and Instagram (a big thank you to Mr Metcalf for his work on this):
- - Facebook: we are De La Salle School (@DLS_St_Helens)
- - Instagram: @DLS_St_Helens
- - Twitter: @DLS_St_Helens
Term dates for 2026/27 (repeated)
Autumn Term 2026
- INSET Day: Tuesday 1st September 2026
- Wednesday 2nd: School Opens for students
- INSET Day: Fri 23rd October (Laetare Whole Trust INSET Day)
- Half term: School closes for pupils - Thursday 22nd October
- Re-opens - Monday 2nd November
- INSET Day: Friday 4th December
- School closes - Friday 18th December
Spring Term 2027
- INSET Day: Monday 4th January
- Students return – Tuesday 5th January
- Half term: School closes for pupils - Friday 12th February
- Re-opens - Monday 22nd February
- School closes – Thursday 25th March
Summer Term 2027
- Re-opens - Monday 12th April
- Bank Holiday - Monday 3rd May
- School closes - Friday 28th May
- Re-opens - Monday 7th June
- INSET Day: Fri 25th June
- School closes for pupils - Friday 16th July
Reporting Absences (repeated)
A reminder to please report any student absences by using the email: dlsabsence@delasalleschool.org.uk
The absence will then be triaged by our attendance team and may be followed up with a phone call or home visit. Any medical evidence can also be attached to the email.
Forthcoming Events (dates in bold indicate a change to normal finish times / EV is Educational Visit)
- o Mon 9th – Fri 13th: Formation Week
- o Tue 10th: EV Discovering ChemEng
- o Wed 11th: EV Year 9 to Imperial War Museum
- o Wed 11th: Box House Theatre Company in all day
- o Wed 11th and Thu 12th: Year 11 Mock Interviews
- o Wed 13th: Governors’ Catholic Life and Culture Committee
- o Fri 13th: Year 11 Wellbeing Day
- o Fri 13th: EV Construction Work Experience (yr 9)
- o Fri 13th: finish for half term 3pm
Half term
- o Mon 23rd: School reopens (normal time)
- o Thu 26th – Fri 27th: Cronton and Riverside College Year 11 Interviews
- o Thu 26th: Year 9 Options Evening
- o Thu 26th – Mon 2nd: Year 9 Iceland Trip (40 students)
- o Mon 2nd – Fri 13th: Year 8 Assessments
- o Tue 3rd: EV Healthcare and STEM Roadshow (yr 10)
- o Wed 4th: Immunisation Catch Ups
- o Thu 5th: Year 11 Parental Information evening
- o Fri 6th: EV Creative Careers Experience (Yr 9)
- o Fri 6th: Ladies Night (see article earlier for ticket details)
- o Sat 6th: Mock Magistrates Competition
And finally… A Jaw like Desperate Dan
As part of Mrs R’s ongoing improvement programme (of me not her!) the issue of what I have for lunch each day in school came under her gaze. Obviously, I fought the corner for not interfering with chip Friday, but my usual daily butties came under the spotlight.
The lovely soft barm cakes (is that what they are called in St Helens? Batches? Buns?) with tuna or ham are, apparently, no good for me and too full of processed ‘things’. So Mrs R has decided that homemade would be best.
She very kindly spent Sunday mixing, rolling, proving, kneading, proofing and then baking some homemade barms. These I used to make my butties for the week. It would be fair to say they were robust and, credit where it is due, had a good crumb structure. If I was being a critical friend, however, I might point out that they were formidable in character and would make excellent emergency items if a car window needed smashing to rescue a dog on a hot day.
However, I certainly feel healthier as a result of having them – though probably less to do with the wholesome ingredients and more with the number of calories I used trying to chew through them and developing a jaw like Desperate Dan from the Beano or if that cultural reference is too old – then think Quagmire from family Guy!
Have a good weekend.
Andrew Rannard
Headteacher