The Achievement Evening at the Nottingham Playhouse seemed to go well.  We were pretty nervous about it beforehand as it was the first time we'd taken an event to such a venue.  The pupils, as ever, ensured that the vast majority of people seem to have had an enjoyable evening. They received their certificates with style, danced with energy and class, played music of an extraordinarily high standard and the performance of excerpts from "Little Shop of Horrors" was superb. I talk a lot about the talent at the school. The evening was a perfect illustration of this.  We are keen to get as much feedback as possible from parents and pupils so that next year's event can be even better.

I went along to watch the Olympic torch arrive at Holme Pierrepont last Thursday. The skies cleared and we had  a rare 2012 blue sky moment as our Y7 pupils- the Canoe Academy- paddled the torch across the lake. A great moment.

And then I found out that 7- yes 7- of our pupils have been selected for the English Schools Athletics Championships in Gateshead at the weekend. It's the most of any school in Nottinghamshire. So well done to:-Chloe Worts, Molly Ferguson, Ellie Brazil, Charlotte McLennaghan, Freddie Hessian, Elliot Henry and Joel Leon Benitez.Hope the trip to the North East goes well.

Pupils have been given tomorrow afternoon off  (Tuesday June 26th )  on the assumption they will be attending one of our Achievement Evenings. Tomorrow Y9 and  Y10 will be expected at events held at the Nottingham Playhouse. Tickets have been sent, a practice has been held. It's all systems go. Buses will arrive at 12.30 to take pupils home. We are hoping for a big attendance at a special night for the school.

The Y7 and 8 evenings take place on July 16th and 17th. These will be held in school.

If any parents would prefer their children to stay in school then some teachers will be here. They will be mini-bused home at the end of the day.

Two letters have been sent home on this subject. Sorry if some didn't reach their destination. We will have to train pupils to be better post men and women!

Rushcliffe has never been the most boastful of schools. And that's an admirable trait. However, I think it's right and proper that two members of our team received high profile recogntion in the last week.

Last Saturday it was announced that Graham Marson, our vice Chair of Governors, had been awarded an MBE. So well deserved. Graham became a parent governor in 1986, was Chair of Governors for 20 years and continues to be an active and positive force on the Governing Body. He has taken an interest in the school far beyond what could possibly be expected of a volunteer.

On Wednesday we held a special Sixth Form assembly to present Dr. Leon Jackson with a trophy after it was announced that he was runner up in the Midlands Secondary School Teacher of the Year competition. Very few people knew what was coming and the cheering that greeted the announcement showed just what an effective and popular teacher he is. In his accpetance speech he urged pupils to nominate other members of the Rushcliffe staff as he knew that there were many highly talented and committed teachers at the school.Having observed just about everyone teach in the last 18 months I back this completely.

So..... widespread recogntion for members of the team.  Leon and Graham are the first to say that the awards say as much about the school as themselves. But well done to both !