That Was The Week, That Was - 18th July 2025
What a year it has been!
In delivering our Awards assemblies over the last couple of weeks, I have had a chance to reflect upon the year we have had and just how amazing it has been. Going all the way back to September feels like an eternity ago, and yet, that was the month that our journey into the world of television began! By the end of the month, we had been experimenting with smartphone detox and re-evaluating our own relationships with our mobile devices. It was a refreshing look at a relationship that had developed quicker than any regulations had and, as such, it made us all think about what makes a healthy digital life?
By the end of our first term of the year, we had further developed our community footprint, through Remembrance Day services, Winter concerts at the school, charity drives on behalf of Colchester Food Bank, a Staff vs Students charity football match and the first of our “Say Yes To The Prom Dress” events. It is such a joy and a privilege to be in charge of a school that genuinely makes such a difference to lives.
As 2025 rolled in, our students took up the challenge…
Whether that be Enterprise Days, NEMO maths competitions, district sports fixtures, the Big Sing event hosted at our school or participating in the regional Have Your Say competition for languages, our students filled us with pride. Alongside such fantastic opportunities, our students also impressed with their work ethic and dedication to their studies. Visitors from Sigma Trust partners, Governors and even Local Authority representatives all remarked upon our students' exemplary attitudes and conduct. As we closed the Spring term, we began the final build up to this year’s GCSE exams, with revision classes, intervention sessions and Easter workshops being available for our Year 11 students. Whilst the pressure may have been building, our students met that challenge with determination and resilience.
As we moved into the final term of the year, celebrating became a key theme. We celebrated with our Year 11 students as they finished the official time at The Stanway School and were dazzled by the glitz and glamour of this year's Prom at Wivenhoe House Hotel. We held Awards evenings, handed out prizes, showcased the immense talent of our students through our music and drama Stanfest productions, and rejoiced in our District level sporting victories. Towards the end of the term, we also earned recognition through the national and regional Teaching Awards programmes, culminating in being crowned as the Secondary School of the Year in the Essex Teaching Awards, an accolade that is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our staff, students and parents. Without all your support, such an achievement would not have been possible.
This year, we have genuinely gone global. Our students have visited a number of European destinations, such as France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands to name but a few. They have been involved in training camps run by PSV Eindhoven FC, been interviewed by ITV, Channel 4, The Daily Telegraph, the BBC and even TV Francais!
I can’t wait to see what next academic year brings! For now though, I hope you all have a wonderful, restful Summer Holidays, making memories and spending time with loved ones. Over the summer, we will keep you informed as to anything important, ready for September. But, for now at least, have a wonderful break!!
John Player
Head of School