Headteacher's Bulletin - Friday, May 24th 2024
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We have said goodbye this week to Marie-Anne Askew who has been an outstanding member of the MFL department since 2020, with a prime role of supporting 'A Level' French students through the various disciplines of the course, especially speaking. 'A Level' French results have been exceptional over recent years which is testament to the positive impact that Marie-Anne has had on NSB students. We wish her all the best for a happy and full retirement.
It was not to be for the four NSB football teams at the National Finals this week as our teams just fell short in four thrilling and agonisingly close games. Despite the inevitable disappointment, all the boys should be immensely proud of the manner in which they represented the school and I have no doubt that they will return next season charged full of passion and motivation to lift the national silverware.
I mentioned in an earlier Bulletin this month that five talented Y12 students recently submitted an incredibly professional paper for the University of Cambridge - Davidson Inventors Challenge, 2024. I am delighted to report that the students have made it to the Grand Final of this sustainability-focused STEM innovation competition. The virtual final on June 21st, will see the four remaining applicants (including the NSB Team) present to a host of different stakeholders, including Davidson departmental members and graduates, industry experts, as well as special guests of honour. Huge congratulations to Susanna Law, Josh Obi, Petula Law, Kanthika Bandara and Elena Davies for reaching this level of such a fiercely competitive event, which attracted hundreds of high quality entries from schools across England.
Our first ever 'Future Apprenticeship' evening was an incredibly enjoyable and informative event on Thursday, with Y12 students and parents gaining incisive insight into the benefits and opportunities available via this ever more popular career route for school leavers. Huge thanks to Miss Rickaby and to Mrs Howard for putting such a wonderful event together and to all the alumni and employers who helped to make the event such a great success.
The achievements of former students has very much been a theme of the week with hundreds of former students congregating en masse in London today at the 'NSB Former Student Luncheon'. Guest of honour - Jon Brady (Northampton Town Manager) delivered an inspirational speech and it was delightful to see such so many alumni from all ages, so warmly passionate for NSB and for all that the school sets out to achieve. On top of the luncheon, we were also immensely proud this week to hear of the success of former student Scarlett Humphrey who has been selected to represent Great Britain at swimming in the Paris Paralympic Games this summer.
A massive well done also to Joseph Underwood Y7, who is making great strides in the national squash rankings for his age group. Although still a year young for the U13s, Joseph recently smashed his way through the opening rounds of the prestigious Hampshire England Squash Silver event before finally securing an impressive 6th place out of the 32 strong field of elite junior competitors. A top ten national ranking is now firmly within reach for Joseph.
Finally, I hope all connected to the school have a wonderful holiday week and we look forward to welcoming the students back on Monday, June 3rd.
Richard Bernard
Headteacher
