Dear UCC Families

It feels like the exam season has really kicked in this week, with Year 10 starting their end of year exams and Year 11 MFL students completing speaking exams. I have seen students really focussed on doing their best and preparing thoroughly, and I know they will have been well supported at home. Being a parent of a child who is sitting exams can be a challenging experience, but there are many steps that can be taken to be supportive during this critical time. Helping your child with the right conditions for revision (quiet spaces which are free of distractions, especially phones!), keeping them replenished with snacks and drinks, and rewarding them with praise when they stick to their revision schedule are a few practical tips which might help. We have a comprehensive revision section on our website and this revision guide is specifically aimed at parents. 

Our U14 boys' rugby team have done exceptionally well this year and reached the County Cup final, which they played yesterday against Loughborough Grammar School. The game ended in defeat for UCC, but the boys put in a tremendous display which they should be very proud of. If there is one thing we have learned this year, from introducing our Concept Curriculum in PE, where the life skills that have always been a by-product of sport are 'taught and not caught', it is that qualities such a teamwork, leadership, determination and resilience are essential elements that will help shape our students as they grow into adulthood. The success of our sports teams in the competitions we enter does not define the efficacy of our PE provision, but the progress some of our teams have made, along with the way in which they have conducted themselves, is something to be very proud of. 

We have also been celebrating the success of one of our Year 7 students this week, who has achieved something quite remarkable. Emily joined the Corby Gymnastics Academy Junior Performance Programme in January 2023 and is now training over 20 hours a week at National level. She recently took part in the Amber Valley Ninja Cup 2023, her first competition competing at National level, and finished with a Gold Medal on Vault, and a Bronze Medal on the Uneven Bars. Last weekend she passed her NDP National Grade 4 with a ‘Distinction’. She was ranked 4th overall, which saw her qualify with the top 5 girls to represent The East Midlands in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics National finals in Stoke-on-Trent on 20th May 2023. This is a fabulous set of achievements Emily, well done!

Please take the time to read through the rest of our Newsletter this week.

I hope you have a great Bank Holiday Weekend.
Mr B Solly