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Blog by Mr Owens
Toughest week to date
This week really has seen the most significant impact to date, of COVID on the school population. School has remained open, but there has been a significant increase in positive cases as well as close contacts requiring self-isolation, affecting both boys and staff attendance. This inevitably…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 15 January 2021
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Covid HeadteacherAnother day at the office ...
Well 2021 started as 2020 finished in many respects, receiving late and changing Government announcements, endeavouring to communicate the impact of these to our staff, boys and families. It has been especially busy this week, despite the lazy media headlines that schools are closed. The…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 8 January 2021
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
HeadteacherTogether Stronger
Today marks the end of term, and it genuinely has been a term like no other. In some respects the announcement from the government late yesterday about arrangements for the start of the new term have illustrated the challenges we have been faced within a school setting. We are…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 18 December 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
HeadteacherLifting dampened spirits
Last Friday saw the first slush fall of the academic year. The weather can often prove a challenge for us at West Hill as the layout of the site, as well as the lack of outdoor cover, means the boys are exposed to the elements in a way pupils in many other schools are not.
The rain is often a…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 11 December 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Music Snow Plan HeadteacherModern reporting to parents and carers ... but with a traditional twist
Last night we had our first full parents consultation with our Y11 families. Traditionally this would be a succession of face to face meetings as parents circulated around different teachers, discussing the progress their son had made and more critically what was needed to improve his outcomes. …
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 4 December 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Parents Old Boys Information HeadteacherCommunity commitment
One of the key elements of our curriculum is our IDP (individual Development Programme) dimension. This comprises a timetabled lesson for all boys across all year groups, as well other activities involving assemblies, visits or guest speakers. Led by Mr G Harrison, it is a vital component in…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 27 November 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
3 Peaks Carol Service HeadteacherPresentation Evening 2020
Tonight we should have been assembling in Dukinfield Town Hall for our annual Presentation Evening. As it is, our Class of 2020 and their families, will not be gathering together with our staff to reflect back on their five years at West Hill and celebrate their achievements.
As well as being…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 19 November 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Aim Higher HeadteacherThe Wider Team
One of the critical component parts of West Hill and its success, are our wider support team. Strictly speaking they are not directly involved in teaching the boys, but their contribution is as important. They help ensure the boys' experience, as well as all other stakeholders, is as positive as…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 13 November 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
HeadteacherRemembrance
Returning after half term allowed a refocussing of priorities, and also provided a reminder of the often unrecognised contributions our boys make outside of school. Many of our boys do work in the local community, volunteering in a formal context, but also simple acts of kindness that therefore…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 6 November 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
HeadteacherOctober half term
Today sees the end of our first half term of this academic year. It is no exaggeration to say that from a school’s perspective, it has been one of the more challenging experiences we have faced. The adjustments we have made in respect of our normal routines have been difficult at times, but the…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 23 October 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Careers Year 7 HeadteacherAutumn colours
Looking around the school grounds, there is little doubt that the first signs of autumn are beginning to become more pronounced. The contrasts in colour provide a palette all our boys will appreciate, given the time they have spent with our Art department. It is always a pleasure when visiting…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 16 October 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
Art HeadteacherThe school council
We cannot hold full year assemblies currently, but the pastoral system remains at the heart of what West Hill is about. We have continued to use the Form Tutor structures to underpin our values and the relationships that exist within year groups remain as strong as ever. They are even more…
Posted by /blog/author/Owens on 9 October 2020
Category: Headteacher's Log Book
School Council Headteacher