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Weekly bulletin 16/12/2022

Please see the weekly bulletin below...

Dear UCC Families

What a fantastic autumn term it has been at UCC. There has been so much to celebrate, and whilst we are certainly ready for a break, there has been a resounding feeling of positivity throughout the school.

There are many proud moments that have punctuated the term, and I'd like to use this final Newsletter of the year to highlight a number of these.

We started the term on the positive wave of our most successful ever set of GCSE results. We didn't announce this with any huge fanfare, instead choosing to celebrate the incredible achievements of an entire cohort who demonstrated admirable resilience and fortitude during a heavily disrupted Key Stage 4. As national data has been subsequently published later in the term though, it has unquestionably reinforced the superb levels of progress and attainment our students achieved, with almost all elements of our performance being rated as significantly above the national average.

We have relaunched extra curricular fixtures, clubs and performances, which has been wonderful to see. Last week we held our first public performance since the pandemic, with an excellent Christmas Concert. We also held auditions for our forthcoming drama performance and it was wonderful to see so many students getting involved in these opportunities.  The range of activities for UCC students to immerse themselves in the wider life of the school has continued to increase and we hope to further develop these in 2023. 

The return of school trips and educational visits has also been very welcome. We've taken students on a variety of exciting and enriching experiences throughout the term and we have many more planned in the new calendar year.

We have continued to improve the school facilities so that our students are able to learn in an inspiring environment. As 2022 comes to a close it is worth noting the substantial number of enhancements that have been established in the past 18 months:

  • new PE facilities, including a Fitness Suite that is now fully functional 
  • new Humanities classrooms
  • refurbished English classrooms
  • refurbished dining room
  • refurbished Exhibition Area

We are in the final stages of the refurbishment of our former nursery building, now renamed Redhill Lodge (named after the hill it is located on), which will be used to deliver vocational qualifications for students in KS4. In May 2023 our new building will be completed which will provide us with 5 MFL classrooms, 1 Business Studies classroom and 3 SEND classrooms. Following the conclusion of this project we will be seeking ways to enhance our Science and Music facilities.

So, with so many excellent achievements behind us, we head into 2023 with a real sense of optimism and positivity. I am looking forward to seeing your children when we return to school on Tuesday 3rd January. 

Thank you for your continued support of our school. I hope you are all able to have a restful and enjoyable break. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mr B Solly