Year 7 Update - Autumn 1
Year 7 have settled into secondary school life exceptionally well, making a positive start to this exciting new chapter. Although moving from primary to secondary school brings plenty of changes, students have approached the experience with confidence and maturity. They are becoming familiar with their new surroundings, building strong relationships with their peers and making the most of the wide range of activities and experiences on offer. We would also like to thank all the parents and carers who attended our Year 7 Information Evening on Monday 14 September 2026. Your continued involvement and encouragement are invaluable in supporting our students as they adjust to school life and work towards achieving their best.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Trip
Our Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting day of discovery, teamwork and adventure during their recent rainforest-themed visit! Experiences like this are an important part of life at NLS, helping students develop a broader understanding of the world while creating shared memories and getting to know their tutor group in a different setting.
The day was packed with opportunities to get involved, particularly during the Rainforest Challenge. Working together, students followed a series of puzzling clues, putting their observation and problem-solving skills to the test as they attempted to identify a mystery rainforest plant.
There were also some unforgettable encounters with the animal kingdom! Students had the opportunity to get up close to a range of unusual creatures, including a Corn Snake, Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, Sunny Stick Insect and Giant African Land Snail. These hands-on encounters brought their learning to life, allowing them to discover how different animals have adapted to survive and thrive in their natural habitats.
It was a memorable experience that combined learning with plenty of excitement, giving students the chance to try something new, work together and build friendships beyond the classroom. A fantastic day of exploration that our Year 7 students could really get their teeth into!
Race for Life
One of the highlights of this half term was our whole-school Race for Life, which took place on Friday 25 September 2025. Our Year 7 students threw themselves into the event with fantastic enthusiasm, showing great sportsmanship and maturity while supporting the important work of Cancer Research UK. Dressed in plenty of pink, they took on lap after lap of our school field, demonstrating real determination and a wonderful sense of community spirit. Their efforts helped contribute to an incredible £2660.36 raised for this worthwhile cause — a fantastic result! We are so proud of the way our Year 7 students got involved, supported one another and helped make the event such a success. Well done, Year 7!
Hello Yellow – World Mental Health Day
On Friday 9 October, the whole school came together to support World Mental Health Day in style with the opportunity to swap 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 Year 7 students taking part and contributing — their energy, generosity, and positivity truly made a difference and helped raise awareness for this important cause!
Tutor Time
Year 7 have had a fantastic half term in tutor time, taking part in a variety of engaging activities and discussions that have encouraged them to learn, reflect and broaden their understanding of the world around them.
In PSHE, our focus has been on Politics and Parliament. Students explored why politics matters, learned more about Keir Starmer and discovered how elections and campaigning work. They then put their creativity to the test by designing their own political parties, approaching the activity with plenty of enthusiasm and some brilliant ideas! Students have also taken part in a fire evacuation drill to help them understand the procedures to follow in an emergency. Alongside this, they have had the opportunity to look back on their first half term at NLS, celebrate how far they have come and identify a personal pastoral target to work towards in the weeks ahead.
To recognise Black History Month in October, students explored this year’s theme, Honouring our communities. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to learn about and celebrate the achievements, experiences and lasting contributions of Black individuals, both past and present.
It has been lovely to hear such encouraging feedback from tutors and to see the enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and maturity our Year 7 students have brought to their sessions. They should feel proud of the positive attitudes they continue to demonstrate!
Our assemblies have also encouraged students to think about the importance of showing kindness, making the most of new opportunities and having the confidence to step beyond their comfort zones.
There is plenty more to look forward to next half term, with tutor time sessions covering Digital Literacy, our International Schools Project, Anti-Bullying Week, and Numeracy and Finance. We look forward to seeing our Year 7 students continue to grow, learn and make the most of everything school life has to offer!
Reward Points
It has been a real joy to see our Year 7 students flourish during their first half term, with so many wonderful achievements to celebrate! Recognising students’ efforts and successes is one of the most rewarding parts of my role, and I have been delighted to see our new Year 7s making such a positive contribution to learning and everyday school life. Every student has played a part in this success, showing fantastic attitudes, embracing new challenges and earning an impressive number of reward points along the way.
A huge well done to the following students, who have gone above and beyond with their enthusiasm, effort and commitment to learning, earning the highest number of reward points this half term. Congratulations to you all on such a fantastic achievement!
| Name | Reward Points |
|---|---|
| Sophie M | 286 |
| Teddy B | 231 |
| Aaradhya S | 229 |
| Otto A | 213 |
| Yanni S | 210 |
| Isla H | 207 |
| Beth B | 205 |
| Juliet D | 200 |
| Cassius D-A | 199 |
| Charlie B | 193 |
| Anya T | 193 |
Calendar:
- 11 November: Remembrance Day
- 16-20 November Supporting Anti bullying week culminating in Odd Socks Day on 20 November
- 16-20 November - College Assemblies
- Christmas activities:
Wednesday 2 December Winter Music Concert
Friday 11 December Christmas Jumper Day
We hope the children have a well earned rest after what has been a very long half term, and are refreshed ready for the second half term.
Mrs S Barley-Morey
Assistant Headteacher – Head of Year 7