Posted May 3 - 2024Headteacher's Newsletter
what's happening at Chesham Grammar
Posted on: July 15th 2022
Head's Blog
Dear parent,
Activities Week
As you know, this has been Activities Week for all students in years 7-10 and year 12. This was an ambitious undertaking! We have seven residential visits taking place for years 7 and 8, all in different locations, in addition to a wide range of in and out of school activities for years 9, 10 and 12 and those who have not wanted to take part in the residential or some of the activities. Finally, we have over 30 students who have been in Wales all week, undertaking the expedition for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Something of this scale will never happen without hiccups or issues along the way and the way in which the students and staff have approached anything which has arisen has been really impressive. Above all, as you know, our aim was for the students to go and have some fun. For the vast majority of the year 7s and 8s, this has been their first time away from home as they were denied the PGL residential which for many years has been a rite of passage at the end of year 6 and at CGS, we have not been able to run any sort of end of year activities since 2019. From what I have seen and heard, a great deal of fun has been had across the week! I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff, without whom none of this would have been possible. Many of them have given up their week to go on a residential with the students. They have enjoyed this but I know from my own experiences of residentials that they will be absolutely exhausted. Many more still have led or accompanied day visits and led or supervised in-school activities. I am privileged to work with a fantastic team of such dedicated and committed staff. The biggest thanks, of course, go to Mrs Dax. She has, single-handedly, organised the entire week. While I think she may well have a few more grey hairs as a result, I know that she has derived a great deal of pleasure from seeing and hearing about the fun the students have had. For those of you who have a child returning home this evening after a week away, I hope that you have not missed them too much. I would imagine there will be some joyful reunions at CGS when they return.
75th Anniversary Party
Last Friday, we held our 75th Anniversary Party for parents. Our school hall was transformed and looked absolutely magical. It was a fantastic evening with wonderful food and music. We were serenaded during arrival drinks by Soraya in year 9 who was absolutely superb and many of us then enjoyed dancing both to the band and the disco. Thank you so much to parents who came and supported the school. I know from conversations I had during the evening and have had this week that you enjoyed it as much as I did. I want to say a massive thank you and well done to the FoCGS who organised the event. This was led by our Co-Chairs Caroline and Pru but I know that countless other parents were involved in some way before, during and after the event (by breaktime on Monday, it was as though the event had never happened and the hall looked like - well, the hall again). Without all their hard work, it would not have happened. It was a fitting way to round off our 75th anniversary celebrations. Raffle tickets for the prize draw which takes place on Monday can still be purchased on ParentPay. Please do support the FoCGS if you can. They are raising money for our student services area, construction of which is underway so that it will be operational for September.
End of term
Our academic year ends on Tuesday. The end of the academic year is always a special time and it is when we announce the winners of the House Cup Competition which has been running across the year.
We know that it will be very hot on both days. Further information on the modifications we will be making to mitigate the high temperatures will follow later.
Well done to:
We have had lots of notifications this week of successes in music exams. Well done to:
Katie in year 8 - Merit grade 2 flute
Sohan in year 9 - Distinction grade 3 keyboard
Rahul in year 7 - Distinction grade 7 piano
Shayam in year 9 - Distinction grade 5 piano
Lucas in year 8 - Merit grade 3 piano
I am equally proud of Curtis in year 12. The 2204 (Chesham and Amersham) Air Cadet Sqn recently announced that following a long selection process, Flight Sergeant Curtis has been appointed as Lord Lieutenant's Cadet, representing the ATC in Buckinghamshire. Congratulations.
Well done to Issy in year 11 who has come 1st in the British Showjumping Just for Schools 1.10m Individual League for 2022, representing CGS, as a result of which she will attend a two day camp at the British Showjumping National Training Centre later this month.
Finally, I must mention two of our year 11s, Matt and Jamie, who set off on their bikes from CGS on Monday to cycle to Land's End. As I write this, they are almost there! This is an excellent achievement. They boys are raising money for cancer charities and anyone who wishes to support them can do so here (gofundme).
With best wishes for a relaxing weekend,
Annmarie McNaney
Headteacher
