This half term’s value is Community Spirit. This coincides nicely with our upcoming end of term celebrations, which have really come to life this year. Our first residential trip for many years is due to take place for the Year 11s in a few weeks’ time. This will compliment an already packed schedule, with the Year 11, 13 and 14 prom really taking on a life of its own. What was once a low-key event that started as the concept of a couple of college students, now involves a three-course meal and professional DJ. The obligatory Enrichment Week will finish the year, culminating in the much-loved summer fair. All these events are intended as part of Riverston’s Personal Development offering. This is an area that continues to be a real focus of ours and is intrinsically linked to our Community Spirit and the sense of belonging that we try to instil in all our students. After all, being part of the community and having a vested interest in being part of the Riverston family is essential in making school work for our students.
Community Spirit is also about being happy for, proud of and impressed by the achievements of other members of our Riverston family. Achievements outside of school are an indication that our students have been able to take their confidence and skills to different contexts and be successful elsewhere. Really, this is our mission with all our students. You will see in this week’s newsletter the outstanding achievements of Toby with his Trampolining. He has showed courage, determination and huge skill in achieving a Grade 10. Toby is a longstanding member of the school community who has consistently achieved highly in all areas while being with us. It is wonderful to see him doing the same outside of school, and this really is testimony to his ambition. In the same way, Marcus’ black belt in Karate (see pictures) is another example of one of our students putting everything into an interest outside school and through sheer determination and self-discipline has achieved fantastically. Marcus is our Student Head of School, and from this you can see why. Both Marcus and Toby are real role models to the other students.
Alex is in Year 13. You may have seen pictures of him enjoying working at a top restaurant in his spare time a few months ago. Well, Alex has now gone even further. You will see in this weeks newsletter Alex giving a speech to 80 trainee nurses at Birmingham university about the rich, fulfilling and successful life someone with SEND can have. We could not be prouder. Alex is a shining example of what our young people can achieve with the right support and confidence. He inspired the nurses he spoke to and is an inspiration to all of us. He is a remarkable young man and much like Toby and Marcus, a real credit to our community. Well done to all! https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7335621056218501121
