28 November 2025 - Letter to Parents

28th November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had a great week at Orchard School, starting with a fantastic piece of sporting news. Our Year 7 boys’ rugby team have, with a great result on Tuesday, become Bristol Champions. They have only been playing together for a term and already they are the best in the City. The challenge now is to remain unbeaten all the way to Year 11! We have also had a round of the Under 14 Co Ed Dynamic Basketball Cup, in which we performed so well that our coaches felt sorry for the opposition! We also welcomed back our last Year 11 cohort who came to collect their GCSE certificates and give us an update on what they are currently doing. We’ve had a great STEM trip to Rednock School and we have had our usual full selection of lunchtime and after school clubs and activities.

Next week, 50 lucky students will be heading over the Channel to Paris for a French Cultural trip, organised by our MFL department. We also have an Ovid Competition prize-giving event at the University of Bristol, Basketball mentoring, BMX club and the continuation of the Year 11 Mock exams, which have started so well this week.

Key Dates

There are some important dates to be aware of this term. Please make sure you put these dates in your diary.

Year 10 Mock Exam Information Evening – Wednesday 20th May 6- 7pm   

Parent Subject Consultation Evenings

The dates for these through the year are as follows:

Year 7 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 23rd April 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 8 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 11th December 3.30 – 7pm   

Year 9 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 19th March 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 11 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 12th February 3.30 – 7pm  

Please also note the following date: 

Year 9 Options Evening – Thursday 26th February 6 – 7.30pm  

To help parents and children decide together which options subjects/GCSEs they might choose to take over the next two years in school.  

Teaching and Learning/Curriculum

As we near the end of term, there is a chance for students to reflect on their learning. We are using a coloured sheet to support this – a yellow sheet in their book indicates key knowledge for students to retain. This might be in the form of a quiz, a list, or a mind map.

Safeguarding

A reminder that when there is anti-social behaviour in the community that causes worry, upset and potentially damage, this is to be reported to the police using 101. The school can follow up and support with restoring relationships between young people in school where needed.

Clubs – Term 2

Please remember to encourage your child to sign up to one of our brilliant lunchtime or after school clubs. They’re a great way for them to meet new friends, learn new skills and make lasting memories. Orchard School - Clubs and Enrichment

Attendance

A shout out to all students in 7W1 and 7B2, leading the way for attendance last week. Butterfield (yellow tie) House was top of the house's leaderboard too - well done to all.

We shared our reminders about punctuality to school this week in a whole school student assembly. You should have also received a letter detailing the small changes we are making from Dec 1st to support students to get to school on time. The main change is that we will be closing Northwick Road and Filton Road gates at 8.30. If students arrive after this time, they should make their way to the main entrance pedestrian gate. In addition, we will be e-mailing parents/carers if students do arrive after 8.20 each day. We will also be rewarding students who arrive on time and who attend each day from 1st December up to the end of this term, Friday 19th December.

Belonging

Next week sees the launch of our tutor notices winter tradition! Students have to guess the member of staff from their baby photos, and it is always good fun trying to work out who it is! Who will be in this year’s festive countdown?

Enjoy a Christmas cracker joke? Well, it is also that time of year when students can enter our school trust ‘Christmas cracker joke’ competition. The deadline for entering is Friday 5th December and further details are in tutor notices.

Mince Pies with the SEND team, supported by Bristol Family Hubs - Reminder

Parents and carers of our SEND students are invited into school on Tuesday 9th December between 3.30pm and 4.30pm, to meet the SENDCo, Deputy SENDCo and other members of the SEND team. There will be tea, coffee and mince pies, with a chance to chat with other SEND parents/carers as well as staff. We’re pleased that members of Bristol Family Hubs will also be joining us. We hope to see some of you there!

Please complete this short form to register your attendance: Mince pies with the SEND team, Tuesday 9th December 3.30pm- 4.30pm – Fill out form

Community Events

Bristol Parent Carers are hosting several events for parents and carers of SEND children over the next few months. Use the link below to sign up for in-person and online sessions including Autism and Christmas Change, Social Care Rights of Disabled Children and Their Carers, and Coffee Mornings.

01. Practitioner Led Sessions by Bristol Parent Carers | Eventbrite

For festive ideas about events and shows for families in December, see the catalogue of upcoming events on the Raised in Bristol website.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

With best wishes,

Mel Sweet, Headteacher