Parental Update 9

Dear Parent / Carer,

Parental Update 9

A very wet week but plenty going on in school to distract us from the grey skies: our Year 10 assessments started, Year 11 also began their mock exams, we had a meeting for students who are being supported with the Bedrock Reading programme, flu immunisation catch-ups, a governor Finance, Premises and Personnel meeting, we welcomed staff from Rainford High (in return for our visit to them a couple of weeks ago), and of course we held our Remembrance Service.

Congratulations to Year 7 who again had the best attendance of the last week – their reward is that they will be early access to the canteen at breaktime next week.

Looking ahead to next week, the mocks continue for Year 11, assessments continue for Year 10, it is formation week, we have a SEND Drop in evening, a governor Catholic Life and Culture Committee meeting and our Presentation Evening for last year’s Year 11 students.

Whole School Focus - Remembrance Service

November always feels a very sombre month with the feasts of All Saints, All Souls and then Remembrance Day, and it was in a pensive and sombre mood that, as a school, we took time on Tuesday to come together to remember those who have given their lives for our country.

The weather was grey and overcast befitting of the sombre mood as the students gathered in the quad or watched from the overlooking classrooms, as I was joined on the Bridge by Mr McIntyre, one of our student leaders Sam P and those students from various uniformed cadets and youth groups.

It has been wonderful to see how these numbers have grown over the last couple of years form 2 or 3 students a few years ago to about 15 students this year – from naval and army cadets, scouts, guides, St John’s ambulance and other organisations.

It was a beautiful service, which I began by reading a poem entitled We Shall Remember Them. Sam P then read a short prayer then called the service to recognise the silence. This began with Mr McIntyre’s note perfect performance of the Last Post – followed by a moving silence. during which our uniformed students stood to attention, and our students observed the silence impeccably.

At the end, Mr Mcintyre played the Reveille which brought the service to a close.  A very special and moving moment for the whole school.

Student Successes

It was lovely to hear about some student success this week including Sonny who after 4 long hours of Atemi Jitsu assessment earned his Brown Belt - with MERIT. Well done Sonny!

Also congratulations to Zac, Dexter and Jack who were all part of the Thatto squad that won the Lancashire Cup Final at the weekend beating Saddleworth 4-0

We also heard from past students:

• George Ball who completed 10 weeks basic training in the RAF and now starts his career with them as an Aircraft Technician Avionics.
• Genevieve Lawson who completed her A levels at Carmel College in English, Art, History and an extracurricular Extended Project Qualification, achieving A*’s in them all then went on to study English Literature at Durham University, where she was awarded a First Class honours degree and graduated this summer. During her time at Durham, I also undertook additional study at the University of Oxford, focusing on contemporary Irish women’s writing

Chaplaincy Invitations

Attached with this update are two invitations for you from our Catholic Life team. These are:

1. a) Community Christmas Party (formerly known as our Pensioners’ Party). This is on Thursday 11trh December between 2pm and 4pm. Join us for food, entertainment, bingo and prizes. Tickets can be booked via 0174420511 or email to mccormicks@delasalleschool.org.uk

1. b) Carols by Candlelight: on Thursday 18^th December 7pm start. Joined by our friends at Mary’s meals, we will take some time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. Join us for Christmas craft stalls, mulled wine and festive treats, performances from the choir, band and actors in our school community. Entry to our carols by candlelight service is free, but there will be stalls and raffles throughout the evening. Donations from the evening will be shared between Mary’s Meals and the Hope Fund.

Sporting Updates

Another busy week of training, practices and fixtures across all of our sports. Congratulations to our Year 10 and 11 GCSE students who took part in their rigorous GCSE practical mock exams this week. The level of effort shown was exemplary – despite the weather!

Congratulations also to our Year 7 Rugby players who beat Haydock 16-10 with a resilient performance. Tries from Harvey, Charlie and Noah and POMs being Noah and Charlie.

All of our PE and sport related updates can be found on the wonderful PE Twitter (I just wont ever call it X!) site @DLSPEDept

Lovely feedback

Following the Careers Fair last week, we had some lovely feedback from many of the businesses and organisations that were present. In a world where young people are often painted in a negative light, it is great for our guests to see how wonderful our students are. This was summed up beautifully in one email we received which said:

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed spending time at your school last week during the careers fair. It was a real pleasure meeting your students.

What stood out most to me was how strongly the Lasallian values shone through in so many of the young people I spoke with. Their thoughtful responses to the Conversation Cards really reflected their sense of respect, curiosity, and genuine engagement.

Winter Holiday and Food Programme

The Winter Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) will be running from Monday 22nd December 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026 for all eligible children, young people and families.

All of the information is already available on the HAF webpage prior to the activity bookings links going live on Monday 8th December at 2.00pm for families to book their Winter activities.  Please note that activity places are subject to availability. 

We would like to ensure that as many eligible families take this offer up over the Winter to remove some of the financial burden to families who are already on the brink.

Please see below the link to the HAF webpage with all of the information about the Winter programme. https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/4060/Holiday-activities-and-food-programme

SEND Drop-in Evening (repeated)

Parents are invited to our SEND Drop-In Evening on Wednesday 19th November, from 3:00–4:30pm. This informal session provides an opportunity to meet members of the Learning Support Team and discuss any questions you may have regarding your child’s SEN support in school.

Please note, this is not a formal Parents’ Evening and curriculum progress will not be discussed. It is an optional drop-in session, so there is no need to confirm your attendance—simply come along for a cup of tea or coffee, if you wish to speak with a member of the team.

If you are unable to attend or do not feel it is necessary at this time, please note that further SEND drop-in sessions will take place each term.

Prizegiving Evening (last year’s Year 11)

The dates for this event have had to change for various reasons but the invitations should now have gone out for Wednesday 19^th November for a 7pm start. It is always lovely to see our past-students return to collect their certificates and awards and seeing how different they already look just a few months on from being here.

Reporting Absences (repeated)

Whilst we fine tune our communication systems, will you 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.

Attached Information

Alongside this week’s update there is also:

• - The weekly Careers Newsletter
• - The weekly Chaplaincy Update
• - Local football flyer
• - 2 chaplaincy invitations

Forthcoming Events (dates in bold indicate a change to normal finish times)

• o Mon 10^th – Fri 21^st: Year 10 Assessment Window
• o Wed 12^th – Fri 28^th: Year 11 Mock Exams
• o Mon 17^th: GCSE Bitesize Careers Tour (yrs 7-10)
• o Wed 19^th: SEND Drop In Event 3pm – 4.30pm all welcome to drop in and meet the SEND team
• o Wed 19^th: Governors Catholic Life and Culture Committee 5pm
• o Wed 19^th: Presentation evening for last Year’s Year 11 (7pm start)
• o Mon 24^th – Fri 28^th: Youth Justice Service Assemblies (yrs 8-11)
• o Tue 25^th: Pilgrims of Hope Educational Visit
• o Thu 27^th: St Helens College Uniformed Services Educational Visit
• o Mon 1^st – Fri 12^th: KS£ Advent Chapel visits
• o Tue 2^nd and Wed 3^rd: School Performance of Matilda
• o Wed 3^rd: Geography Field Trip (yr 11)
• o Thu 4^th: Year 8 Parents’ Evening
• o Fri 5^th: INSET Day (school closed to students)

And finally…Walkie Talkies

We’ve recently upgraded our school walkie talkies — a long-overdue improvement! The old ones were much loved, but their actual usefulness was, shall we say, limited. Their range was about 200 feet (in perfect weather, with no walls), the sound quality was reminiscent of a submarine movie, and every so often we’d catch what seemed to be a live stream of local pizza orders or taxi dispatches.

Our new models, however, are a revelation — secure, clear, and capable of letting us communicate without having to resort to interpretive mime. This, of course, led to the next great challenge: establishing a proper “radio protocol” so we all use them like professionals rather than excitable children with new toys.

Luckily, we just happen to have someone in the building with radio experience (perhaps someone who’s learning to fly, maybe?). Within minutes, a proper set of procedures was born!

The results have been pure comedy gold. We’ve heard some wonderfully creative versions of the phonetic alphabet (“E for... elephant?”), the occasional colleague accidentally shouting loud enough to make the actual radio redundant, and conversations that are perfectly by-the-book — yet you can still hear the subtext loud and clear: “Yes, I did hear you the first three times.”

Have a good half term break.

Andrew Rannard

Headteacher