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Weekly Bulletin 31/03/2023

Please see the weekly bulletin & newsletter below...

Dear UCC Families

We have reached the end of the Spring Term, and whilst this is the shortest term in the school year, it feels like we have crammed in a huge amount at UCC.

We have now completed the refurbishment of Redhill Lodge, which will be used for small group and vocational teaching. Geoff Thompson officially opened this for us last week, which was one of his final acts as High Sheriff of Rutland. We have progressed well with the new MFL/Business/SEND teaching block (to be named in honour of Margaret Jennings) which is due for completion at the end of May. We have also recently approved plans to remodel the Block 1 (science) toilets, which are rather outdated, with this work due to be completed over the summer break. 

There have been some wonderful student successes for us to celebrate this week. The performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream was absolutely superb. It was a joy to watch our students perform so magnificently, and I am very grateful to everyone who contributed towards making this production a huge success, especially Mrs Perkins, who has worked wonders to create such an amazing performance in under 10 weeks. As I watched the cast take their applause before singing a wonderful finale song, it struck me that this experience will have been one of their most important at UCC. The bonds they have created, the friendships formed and the obstacles they have collectively overcome will have taught them all so much. I hope the students involved are incredibly proud of themselves, because I could see from the faces in the audience, that family members and UCC staff were overwhelmed with pride and admiration. 

Our Year 10 boys' football team won the County Cup on Monday, in a very tight final, which is an incredible achievement. I was disappointed to not attend, but it was my own fault that I had scheduled a governors' meeting for the same night! However, Mr Laywood has given me a comprehensive summary of the game, and he was delighted for the team, not only for their victory, but the way in which they went about it. They conducted themselves brilliantly, showing humility, sportsmanship and respect, alongside the grit, determination, teamwork and skill, to come from a goal behind and overcome a strong opponent. 

We also completed rugby fixtures in some abysmal weather conditions, with our KS4 team beating Catmose 64-10 in a performance Mr Grandidge described to me as 'stonking'. Our KS3 teams played against Catmose and Casterton this week, and whilst they did not come away with a victory, we were really pleased with how they played.

Our KS4 girls' football team were knocked out of the cup at the quarter-final stage by a very strong Wigston side, containing several international players. A number of our students were playing for the first time and demonstrated a great attitude, which the staff were very pleased with. 

On Thursday, Miss Hodgson took a group of UCC dancers to the Spotlight festival to perform. Our students were superb, and I'd like to congratulate everyone involved. 

I'd like to wish everyone involved in the Iceland and Barcelona trips, the very best of luck. These amazing experiences are only possible because our staff are willing to give up their holiday time, away from their family, to provide students with trips they will always remember. I'm very grateful to my colleagues who have worked incredibly hard to plan, organise and deliver these opportunities. I hope everyone has a great time. 

Please take some time to read the rest of the newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support of our school. I hope you all have a great Easter break.

Take care,
Mr B Solly.