Denstone College Newsletter - 29-09-2023

29 September 2023

Newsletter from the Head – Week 4

Dear Parents and Guardians

Autumn is most definitely upon us and post the first Exeat of term, we feel very much into the swing of the Michaelmas Term. This has been a particularly enjoyable week and I have thoroughly enjoyed spending more and more time with your children. In addition, a visit to the Wellbeing Conference hosted by the Society of Heads has reaffirmed all we do to make your child feel happy in school. Fundamentally, we want every child to feel that they matter, that they belong, that they have a voice and if things aren't perfect, they know they have someone they can turn to as their champion. This week, ask your child those very specific questions and if you think they don't have a firm answer, then let us know. Every child really does matter. 

Denstone College Park Run Challenge

This week in assembly, I launched the Denstone College Park Run Challenge. If you are unfamiliar with the Park Run movement, please do take a look online. Throughout the course of this academic year we urge all children, siblings of children and parents of children to engage in Park Runs whenever possible. This could be taking part in Junior 2k runs, full family 5k runs or acting as volunteers. Every time any member of your family partakes in a run (obviously in exeats and holidays only for certain year groups), please do submit a screenshot of your result to [email protected] - every entry counts towards a grand house total and results will be published monthly. As soon as any individual runner completes five runs or volunteer sessions, they will receive a free bespoke 'Denstone College Park Run Challenge' t-shirt. 

The Park Run movement embraces so many of our core values, promotes positive wellbeing in both personal fitness and community belonging and we want the Denstone Community to be out and about. 

Registration of Siblings

We are rapidly entering the assessment period for children wishing to join the College in September 2024. If you have a younger sibling who intends to join us next academic year, please do not assume that we know they will be joining us - they will need to be assessed in the regular cycle. To that end, we ask that you register for the entrance assessments by completing this form: - please click here.

Please note that due to over-subscription in many year groups, we may not be able to assess at later dates in the year. 

Professional Pupil Photographs

At the start of the year we took photos of new pupils and certain year groups for school records. Families whose child or children have had photos will receive an email with a link to buy digital or physical copies of these professional photos. Along with this, we took a few sibling photos in the Prep; these photos will be sent to families on the same link.

Later on this year we wish to extend the invite to families who wish to have a professional photo of their child or children both individually and together in school uniform. Photoshoots themselves will be free and will offer the choice to purchase digital or physical copies of the photos. We will announce more about this soon.

Supporting Our Children Through Sport: Seminar for Lower School Parents

Please be reminded that the above seminar for Lower School parents is taking place this evening from 1815-2000 in the Schoolroom. 

Harvest Season

This year, during our Harvest Season we are collecting donations of food and toiletries for three local charities: Burton HOPE, YMCA Derby and Renew Church Foodbank, Uttoxeter. We would be really grateful if you could send in donations of dry foods such as pasta, rice, soup etc tinned food of any kind and toiletries such as deodorant, toothpaste etc. Your donations will be really gratefully received and shared with vulnerable families through the three charities mentioned. Thank you for your support, Rev Darren

Evolve Trips

Communications Available on the Parent Portal

The following letters can be found on the Parent Portal by visiting https://denstonecollege.parents.isamshosting.cloud    

• Supporting Our Children Through Sport: Seminar for Lower School Parents
• Whole School House Cross Country Event

With very best wishes,

Lotte