24th June 2022
A Message from the Head...
After three years of disruption due to Covid, Sports Day, as we know it, was able to return to Gateways with a bang - 91 bangs to be precise!!
The weather couldn't have been any better as the younger children took to the field for their morning events followed in the afternoon by the Key Stage 2 and High School pupils. It was a long, but hugely successful, day!
We were delighted to be able to welcome back the parents, and everyone who took part gave of their absolute best. A full report will appear in next week's newsletter articles section.
A huge thank you goes to Mrs Braithwaite, Mr Scholfield and the rest of the organisers as well as to all of the staff for their help and all those who took part or came along to support their children.
The winning house was Beningbrough. Click here to view a short video of clips from the from EYFS / KS1 event courtesy of Mr Scholfield . Other photos from the event can be viewed on our Facebook page in an album called Sports Day 2022.
On Tuesday, most of the Lower 5 departed on an overnight trip to Alton Towers with Mr Davison, Mrs Wilson and Mr Crosby. All returned to school safely on Thursday and you can read all about their trip in next week's newsletter.
It's also been Diversity Week in school this week and the majority of Prep articles this week have focussed on this so please click that button below to read more about this.
Our intrepid D of E Gold candidates have embarked upon their expedition this weekend and we wish them all the best for a successful trip.
Looking ahead to next week - we have our annual Sports Dinner, the Upper 5 Garden Party, EYFS trips and of course Prize Giving to look forward to! Those attending Prize Giving should ensure that they have reserved seats in advance, as per my email messages, and that they get settled in their seats ready for an 11.30am start on Friday 1st July.
Our Prize Giving speaker this year is Mr Kriss Akabussi, MBE, and we can't wait to hear what he has to say to us. You can watch one of his most famous races by clicking the image below of the 4x400 relay at the Tokyo Olympic games Tokyo in 1992.
Thank you all for your nominations for the Gateways School dog (latest picture above) who is due to arrive with us in September.
A good variety of names was suggested, all with great reasons behind the nominations. The most popular suggestions were Poppy, Ruby and Cherry, with Cherry being the most nominated one.
Interesting fact - the founding Headmistresses (Miss Cox and Miss Simpson) had a Red Setter dog named Cherry and the school colour was chosen in honour of her!
Our little Cherry has already been microchipped and received her first vaccine.
We can't wait to meet her!
Finally, as public examinations draw to a close this week, I must pay tribute to Mrs Kelly, our Examinations Officer, for all that she has done to ensure that the first public examinations in 3 years ran smoothly this summer.
Very well assisted by Mrs Burns, she even coped with a last minute JCQ inspection this week and I'm pleased to say that the school passed with flying colours.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
- Dr Tracy Johnson -
Pupil News
Poppy qualifies for the National Tumbling Finals
Well done to Upper 4 pupil Poppy Straight who won a silver medal at the National Tumbling Qualifiers last weekend. This result means that Poppy has qualified to compete at the English Silver Championships in July in Telford and the National Finals in September in Sheffield. Good luck Poppy!
Alumna Hannah is appointed as a magistrate
Congratulations to former pupil Hannah Matharoo who has recently been appointed as a magistrate at just 21 years old. She applied in summer last year and has had to undergo a rigorous screening process. Hannah says,
"I’ve always wanted to give back to the community in some way as volunteering has always been a huge cornerstone in my life. I felt that this role encompassed my interests within law and the judicial system, but allowed me to learn more about the community we live in. I have been fortunate enough to sit in court as an adult winger now on a number of occasions and I’m excited to progress further both personally and professionally. "
Mr Champken on National Radio
One of our staff members from the music department, Mr Champken, recently featured live on national radio!
Mr Champken (our specialist guitar and drum kit tutor of over ten years), featured live on BBC Radio 2 with his band to help Zoe Ball announce some of the guests that will be appearing at the 'Radio 2 Live' weekend in Leeds this September.
As well as teaching at Gateways, Mr Champken is an avid and experienced live performing musician with over 20 years of experience playing in many rock and pop bands both in the UK and internationally! He currently plays the drum kit and guitar with the band 'SouthWest Band' who primarily play events and weddings across the UK and Europe. SouthWest Band were given an amazing opportunity to play live in front of over 7 million listeners on the Zoe Ball show and wowed the audience with their renditions of songs by George Ezra and Chic.
To hear the live radio clips, you can access the archived show on BBC SOUNDS on this link - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001825v The band play live at two different points - 1h 8m 40 secs and 2h 7m 10 secs.
Well done to Mr Champken and the SouthWest Band!
For more information about SouthWest Band click here
For more infomation about the Radio 2 Live in Leeds event click here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/backstage/radio2live/tickets/
PFA auction lots
With only a week to go until the Gateways PFA Summer Ball we would like to tell you about the auction lots that will be available on the night. Additionally, we are inviting bids by e-mail for those of you that are unable to attend. Please submit your bid to GPFA@gatewaysschool.co.uk by 8pm on Friday 1st July 2022.
- Kathryn Dyer, Chair of the PFA -
Message from the catering team
Please note that due to Prize Giving on Friday 1st July there will be no breakfast club for parents that day. Those attending Earlybirds will have breakfast as usual.
