28 March 2025 - Letter to Parents

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you had a great week. We have had a really fun one, starting with more excellent sports results. Our Under 12 Girls’ football team have become Bristol Champions, beating Ashton Park in the process. Our Year 8 Boys’ Football Team, coached by Mr Fisher and Mr Staynings, have reached the final against St Mary Redcliffe, with a run of 7 wins and only one loss. We’ve also had a reward trip for over 120 students who enjoyed a visit to the cinema as a result of their House Point success. Next week, in the last week of term, we have an EGG-CELLENT surprise for pupils linked to attendance, as well as Culture Day on the last day of term, where we are encouraging students to wear clothes from a home culture, or wear clothing in the colours of a world flag. We are exceptionally proud of the diverse range of students that make Orchard School a great place to be.

We have one last date for your diary this term:

Year 7 Parent Consultation Evening - Thursday 3rd April 3.30 – 7pm 

Attendance 

As we approach the last week of term, it is essential that all students attend on time every day until the end of Friday 4th April. As a reward, if your child can be on time and in every day next week they will receive a secret reward on Friday during tutor time. Together let’s make sure we have an egg-cellent week!

Attendance and punctuality winners:

Year 7 - Avalon

Year 8 - Butterfield

Year 9 – Avalon

Year 10 – Dorchester

Year 11 – B2

Attendance and punctuality are the first steps to success

Safeguarding in the Holidays

As we approach the Easter break with just one more school week to go, we wanted to remind you of where you and your child can get support as the school will be closed from 7th April till 22nd April. Pupils come back at the usual time of 8.20am (please make sure they’re not late after a sleepy two weeks off!) on Tuesday 22nd April as Monday 21st April is a Bank Holiday.

Please use these services:

- 999 in an emergency

- 101 for non-urgent contact with emergency services

- 111 for non-urgent health matters

- Call the Samaritans – 116123

- Off the Record (www.otrbristol.org.uk) - mental health services

- Brook (www.brook.org.uk) - sexual health services

- Call ‘Mind’ on 03001233393 – mental health charity

- Call Childline on 08001111

Whisper reports will be picked up by staff on the return to school after a school holiday and should not be used for any urgent safeguarding matters nor to resolve community matters; please contact the appropriate service as above and keep us informed of any issues when school re-opens after the holidays.

Community Events

Culture Day

We are looking forward to celebrating Culture Day with the Orchard community on the Friday 4th April.

Students are invited to attend school in clothes from a home culture, or wear clothing in the colours of a world flag. They can still wear their school uniform if they prefer. There will be special afternoon tutor time activities including a Guess the Flag and National Dish competition. Students are welcome to bring in bought snacks from their culture which they can discuss and eat in afternoon tutor time.

We can’t wait to celebrate the rich range of cultures within our school community.

Really Wild Lockleaze is running a variety of Spring events, including a Wildlife Walk with Slowworms on 8th April and Meadow Planting on 10th April. Click here for more information.

Further suggestions for Easter holiday activities can be found here: Your Ultimate Family Guide to Bristol Easter Holidays in 2025 - Bristol Family Blog

Term 5 Clubs

 Term 5 clubs can be found here: Clubs and Enrichment (Curriculum menu tab)

Kind regards, 

Mel Sweet, Headteacher