Welcome to the Autumn Term!
This week we were delighted to welcome back all of our pupils for the start of the 2020/2021 academic year. The Senior School First Years, Fifth Year and Upper Sixth arrived first, starting their studies on Wednesday, a day before the official start of term.
The First Years joined Headmaster Dr Paul Owen and Head of First Year Mrs Esther Suttle for a welcome assembly before exploring their new senior school and getting to know their classmates and Form Tutors. They then settled into their first lessons, starting with Maths and English. For the Fifth and Upper Sixth Years, the extra day followed on from their Summer Term sessions in school and remote learning and was a chance to get a head start on their GCSE and A-level preparations.
On Thursday, they were joined by the rest of the Junior and Senior pupils, happy to be back in school. Pre-Reception, Reception, Year 1, Year 5, Year 6, Fifth Year and Upper Sixth were all in school during the Summer Term with innovative online teaching and pastoral support continuing the learning of all year groups throughout the national period of school closure.
The school site has been diligently prepared for the pupils’ return with safety measures including one-way systems; regular hand sanitisation points; additional spacing measures and perspex screens; year group bubbles; and, in the Senior School, face coverings in corridors and in communal areas. The school’s COVID-19 Return to School Risk Assessment is available to read here.
With new safety procedures in place, pupils are being taught the full range of subjects and continuing to use specialist areas like laboratories. SGS is well known for its exceptional co-curricular programme and this term, with some necessary adaptations in place, pupils will still be able to enjoy and develop their skills in a wide range of activities including sports, music, drama, dance and academic societies.
