Posted May 3 - 2024Headteacher's Newsletter
what's happening at Chesham Grammar
Posted on: July 19th 2022
Head's Blog
Dear parent,
Well, this year didn't quite end in the way we all expected! While I am certain that students are relieved not to have been in the school buildings over the last two days and today especially, it does mean that we have not had the chance to go through our usual rituals which give us all a sense of closure at the end of an academic year.
Had we been in school, we would have held final assemblies for all year groups. These assemblies enable me to say to students 'well done and thank you'. It is also during this that I announce the winner of the House Cup Competition and say a few words about those members of staff who are leaving. I have written all this in an email to students so do please ask your child to check their O365 email account so that they can read this if they wish.
As you know, last week was Activities Week and I want to thank all those who have taken the time to send us feedback about this. I have let the staff know that we have lots of appreciative parents and students. I know that there have been lots of wonderful memories made and thanks again to all the staff and to Mrs Dax in particular.
Of course activities week was but just one week of the last school year. As I look back now it is coming to an end, I am reflecting on what we have achieved together in what has been a more normal year than the previous two. Everyone has worked so hard this year with a focus on recovery which was my key message to staff back in September, whether that be in terms of students' learning or in the provision of extra curricular activities or, as last week, trips and visits. I am sure you will join me in thanking the staff for their dedication and commitment.
As always at the end of the year, a number of staff members are leaving us and I would like to say something about each of our departing colleagues. Mr Camichel joined us in January to teach Drama and quickly established himself in the department. He has enjoyed working with us and was a great support to Mrs Neagle as she prepared for the school show and other performances across the last two terms. Mr Irfan has been with us as our gap year intern this year, mainly working with the Cover Supervisor team. Akmal attended CGS, leaving year 13 last summer. He has quietly got on with whatever has been asked of him and we wish him all the best as he now moves onto university.
Kate Wildey has been with us for a short while also as our Counsellor and has been a huge support to a good number of students in the school. She has played a key role in our pastoral support for students over the last year.
Miss Swahn, another member of staff who attended CGS herself, has been with us teaching English for the last couple of years. She actually joined us during lockdown 1, in June 2020. I know that she has been hugely respected by students as well as by her colleagues in the department and beyond. She has made a very positive contribution to the school. We wish you all the very best for her wedding the summer. She met her soon-to-be husband when they were students at CGS! Miss Murphy is also getting married over the summer and we also send her our warm wishes for a lovely wedding day and beyond.
Miss Robinson is leaving the Art Department, having been with us for four years. She has also been our EPQ Coordinator this year. We wish her all the best in her new role at Berkhamsted School. Dr Lota is also moving to a post at another school. He has taught science/chemistry for four years and has also been a great support to the PE Department as a hockey coach. Additionally, he has promoted STEM, especially for girls, initiating the Girls Get Set initiative within the school.
Mrs Harris has been on maternity leave this year and has decided not to return to CGS following this. She is also a former student. She has taught both history and politics over the last nine years and I know she has enjoyed her time being back in the school as a member of staff.
Ms Robinson has been our Exams Officer since April 2015. During this time, so many things have changed in terms of examinations. She has approached everthing she has done with an air of calm which has been hugely reassuring to staff, students and parents.
Mr Harvey leaves us today. He is retiring from his role as Subject Leader for Engineering and Technology Coordinator. Mr Harvey has overseen a number of changes within the department including the move to engineering at GCSE which has been very successful. He has been here since 2007 and this was his second stint at the school! We wish him a long and very happy retirement.
Mrs De Hoest joined the school in September 2000. She has taught Economics (initially Economics and Business) throughout that time, for many years as Subject Leader. She is a hugely caring member of staff and has supported hundreds of CGS students over more than twenty years.
To all our departing staff, we say a huge thank you for the contribution they have made to the life of the school and, of course, we give them all our very warm wishes for the future.
I want to make you aware of some changes to the governance of the school. As you will be aware, the school is part of a multi academy trust (MAT) and for the past few years, there have been three schools within this, CGS and two primary schools. The primaries have recently moved to another MAT, one which is primary focused and which is, I believe, a more natural 'home' for them in terms of the sharing of expertise etc. This means that our Local Governing Body has become our Board of Trustees and the governors of the school are now Trustees of the MAT which contains one school, CGS. This will not make any difference to the day-to-day running of the school or to parents but I wanted to make you aware of the change.
Over the summer holiday, the school will be open from 8am to 4pm though please be aware that due to absence, there will not be anyone in the main school office until August 1st. A level and GCSE results will be released on August 18th and 25th respectively and students and parents have been sent details of how this will happen. Staff return to school on September 1st with students starting again on 5th for those who will be in years 7, 10 or 12. Everyone else returns on Tuesday 6th.
I wish you and your family a relaxing summer break and look forward to working with you and your children again in September.
Best wishes,
Annmarie McNaney
Headteacher
