Newsletter to Parents - Smithdon High School, Hunstanton, Norfolk

As the year closes, we once again say goodbye to a number of staff and welcome others. This year sees a
large number of staff leaving due to the decrease in the size of the school, which is a common factor across
many schools in Norfolk. Mr Mooney and Mrs Hesling leave the school after many, many years of dedicated
service. Both teachers have taught many hundreds of students and have made a considerable impact on the
school. I know the staff and students will all join me in wishing them well in the future.
While they have not served as teachers for as long, the school must also say farewell to a number of teachers
who, between them, have given many years of sterling service. These include Mrs Whitehouse, Miss K Smith,
Mrs Bishop, Miss Bambridge, Mrs Nicholls and Mrs Kennedy. Each one has taught our students and made a
vital, valuable contribution to the school in a host of ways. In addition I would like to thank Mrs Rogers and Mr
Parry for their work during the year covering for absent staff; they have done an excellent job.
The non-teaching staff leaving the school include Mrs C Dennis who has worked in the canteen for many
years. Mrs Dennis’ loyalty to the school and enjoyment in working with our students has been an example to
us all. The same must also be said for Mr Mayes, Mrs P Coombes and Mrs Ruddock. Each one has worked
extremely hard to make our school as good as it can be.
Schools depend on dedicated, hard-working people irrespective of their particular role in the organisation. It
has been a real pleasure to work with all those staff mentioned above; we will miss them and send each one
our best wishes for the future.
Next year sees Mr Sexton joining the school from Alderman Peel School in Wells as Head of Music. Mr
Sexton follows on from Mr Ellis and Mrs Nicholls and I know he will continue the development of our excellent
Music Department. We also welcome back Mrs Chapman, Miss Soper and Mrs S Robinson from maternity
leave.
There are several key dates and times of which I would like to remind you. These are listed below:
AS/A2 Results Day
GCSE Results Day
16 August
23 August
(Results will be available at the school from 9.00am to 12 noon on each day. Please note that if you
are collecting results for your son or daughter, you must have a signed letter from them indicating that
they wish you to do so.)
Staff training days
4 and 5 September (the School Office will be open from 9am to 3pm)
Students return to school at 8.30am on Thursday 6 September
I hope that whatever you are planning for your family during the summer holidays, the weather improves,
enabling the community to prosper, have fun and relax.
I look forward to another excellent year during 2012/13.
Yours sincerely
Mr J M Goodchild
Headmaster