Reward Points

The positive start made by Year 7 is clearly reflected in their incredible achievements this half term. Celebrating success is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role, and it has been wonderful to see students recognised for their positive learning behaviours and contributions to school life. Every single member of Year 7 has demonstrated these qualities and has already built up an impressive number of reward points. In fact, since our records began on Go4Schools in 2021, no other year group has achieved as many reward points at this stage of the year as our current Year 7 students — an outstanding accomplishment! A huge congratulations also goes to the following students for their exceptional commitment to their learning journey and for achieving the highest number of rewards this half term:

Tutor Time

This half term, Year 7 students have engaged brilliantly with a wide range of topics as part of our tutor time curriculum. The focus for PSHE has been Politics and Parliament, with sessions exploring Why is Politics Important?, Who is Keir Starmer?, and Elections and Campaigning, before concluding with students creating their own political parties — a task they approached with great enthusiasm and creativity!

Alongside this, students took part in a fire evacuation practice, ensuring they are confident about what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. They also spent time reflecting on the positive start they have made to life at NLS and setting themselves a pastoral target for the next half term.

As October marks Black History Month, students engaged in sessions based on this year’s theme of Standing Firm in Power and Pride, developing their understanding and appreciation of the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today.

Feedback from tutors — and from myself — has been overwhelmingly positive, with students showing fantastic engagement, curiosity, and maturity throughout.

Our assemblies this half term have focused on the importance of kindness, as well as the value of embracing opportunities and stepping outside of our comfort zones. I was delighted that our Senior Student Leaders shared their own experiences with Year 7 students, highlighting how getting involved in school life can build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Looking ahead, next half term’s tutor time curriculum will include sessions on Digital Literacy, our International Schools Project, Anti-Bullying Week, and Numeracy and Finance.

Race for Life

On Friday 26 September, Year 7 took part in our annual whole-school Race for Life event. Students conducted themselves superbly, participating with great excitement and maturity while raising awareness and funds for the fantastic cause, Cancer Research UK. They completed multiple laps of our expansive school field, many wearing lots of pink, and their efforts made a significant contribution to the £2,703.75 raised — an outstanding achievement!

  

 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Trip

As an International School, we aim to give all our students the opportunity to experience different environments. This trip, planned at this stage of the year also allowed Year 7 tutor groups to build friendships outside the classroom in a fun and engaging setting.

Students took part in a Rainforest Challenge, acting as rainforest detectives to follow cryptic clues and discover our secret rainforest plant. They also had the chance to handle fascinating animals, including a Corn Snake, Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, Sunny Stick Insect, and a Giant African Land Snail.

Through these hands-on experiences, students learned about the special adaptations these creatures have developed and the habitats in which they live.

The trip was a wonderful opportunity for students to explore, discover, and strengthen their bonds with their peers.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Yellow – World Mental Health Day

On Friday 10 October, Year 7 students came together to support World Mental Health Day in style by swapping an item of their school uniform for something yellow.

  

 

The day was made even sweeter with a breaktime cake sale, with all proceeds going to Young Minds. It was wonderful to see so many students taking part and contributing — their energy, generosity, and positivity truly made a difference and helped raise awareness for this important cause!

 

Year 7 Residential Trip – Whitemoor Lakes

I am excited to remind parents and carers that a Year 7 Residential Trip to Whitemoor Lakes Adventure Centre in Lichfield is planned for Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April 2026. The trip offers students the chance to take part in exciting activities such as abseiling, raft building, zip wire, and archery, while developing teamwork, confidence, and independence.

The total cost is £190, payable via ParentPay, with a non-refundable deposit of £50 due by Friday 7 November 2025 to secure your child’s place. Please note that places are limited to 160 students, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and all participation is subject to the school’s behaviour expectations.

For full details, including payment deadlines and how to reserve a place, please refer to the letter sent on Friday 17 October which is also available on our website: Year 7 Letter - Whitemoor Lakes

Online Safety

Our website contains a variety of online safety information within the Safeguarding tab and we have added the September and October Online Safety Newsletters and a link to Parentsafe which is a very useful tool produced by LGfL (London Grid for Learning).

It offers a wide range of support materials and advice for parents to keep children and young people safe in the online world.

Topics on offer include:

• Top tips for right now
• Safe settings and control on various devices
• What’s that APP?
• Talking to children about the topic
• Screen time
• Top topics including fake news
• Sex and relationships
• Help and reporting

You can view resources and advice via the links here:  Parentsafe LGfL Website and Online Safety Information on the NLS Website

Parental Support WorkShops

We are pleased to share information from Warwickshire County Council (WCC) about a series of virtual parenting support workshops and programmes available throughout the remainder of the Autumn Term. These free sessions, delivered by WCC Family and Relationship Practitioners, cover a range of useful topics including Sleep and Routines, Boundaries and Rules, and Understanding Children’s Behaviour. These workshops provide practical advice and strategies to support families at home. To find out more or to book your free place, please click the following link-Parent Workshops and Programmes Information

In addition, the link below provides access to a range of online courses designed to support parents and carers with their child’s mental health, including support around self-harm, anxiety, and school avoidance-RISE Website

Calendar

As we look ahead to the next half term, there’s plenty for Year 7 to look forward to. We’ll be showing our support for Anti-Bullying Week by taking part in a range of activities that promote kindness and respect, culminating in Odd Socks Day on Friday 14 November.

On Monday 11 November, students will take time to reflect and pay their respects as part of our Remembrance Day commemorations.

Assemblies will continue to play an important role in our wider curriculum, with upcoming College Assemblies and a dedicated Year 7 Fair Trade Assembly helping students think about global responsibility and ethical choices.

As we move into December, the festive spirit will arrive with our Winter Music Concert on Wednesday 3 December, Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 12 December, and the creation of Christmas Hampers during tutor time to support our local community — a wonderful way to end what promises to be another busy and rewarding term.

As we reach the end of the half term, I want to say how impressed and proud we are of the excellent start Year 7 students have made to life at NLS! Wishing all students and their families a restful and enjoyable half term.

Mr. B Butler
Assistant Headteacher – Head of Year 7