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WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 13^TH MARCH 2026

Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher

I mentioned the Air Ambulance Concert last week which took place last Friday night and was excellent. This student led and organised venture between Kendrick and Reading School is an annual event. Led by Elizabeth, Pip and Sofia, students in Year 12, it showcased the musical talents of our students, but with the specific aim of raising money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance charity. As the programme clearly stated, TVAA is a charity that relies on donations to exist and so events like ours are vital to the charity’s existence and function. What I enjoyed most about the concert was not only the variety of music performed and to such a high standard, but the collaboration there was between the two schools with this common purpose of raising money. Such determination is why our students and those at Reading School will make a success of their lives after leaving us and will go on to do great things. The practice of organising events like the Air Ambulance concert for students is just one of many opportunities and ways they can demonstrate their initiative and capabilities. Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Another very self-motivated group are the six Year 12 A Level History students that were able to go on the Lessons from Auschwitz trip last month. The trip qualifies them to become Ambassadors for the Holocaust Education Trust and requires them to impart the learning they have had from the project with their school community. Yesterday I met the students with Mr Curran and we discussed what they would like to do in the coming year. They mentioned doing some podcasts discussing the themes as well as the history of the Holocaust, promoting some poetry on the subject and maybe putting together a poetry anthology. Remembering individuals from the Holocaust by featuring them in name and photos to keep their memory alive and finally creating a memory garden. They will be confirming their plans in the next few weeks and speaking about them to the school at the first assembly after the spring break.

Another important development occurred this week which was the results of the nominations and voting for the new Kendrick Student Leadership Team 2026-27. I believe around 80 students out of 150 put their name forward to be considered. Based on votes from Year 11, Year 12 students and staff, 18 students emerged as the preferred candidates. Between them they will form three committees and three houses with leaders for each group identified. When the lists and roles are confirmed, they will be introduced to the school after the spring break and begin their term of office for one year. What they do as a group, year on year, adds to the social cohesion, inclusion and personal development of our students and I look forward to hearing what this team will focus on in the coming year.

We have also progressed our Racial Literacy work this week, and Mrs Hearn and I gave assemblies to the three cohorts across the school on the data we received from the training we have done on recent module on South Asian Heritage. Asked if students’ behaviour has changed as a result of the training, 88% of students said it had and that some students were becoming more proactive in challenging racist behaviour or comments when they hear them, both in and out of school. This data is most encouraging. More information about our Racial Literacy work will be on the website soon.

I have mentioned before the Work Experience our Year 12 will be undertaking in June for one week. If your work place is able to offer a placement to a Kendrick student in the week beginning 8^th June, please get in touch with Mrs McManus our Careers Coordinator at cmcmanus@kendrick.reading.sch.uk .

This is such a short term, 5 weeks long and we are feeling the strain of trying to get the normal 6-7 week activities into 5 weeks. In addition to the normal events, we have a group of students led by Mrs Cooper who will be going on a music tour to Europe for a few days. We wish them well. Also, next week we have our annual Trustee Strategic Day when the Board of Trustees gather in school with the SLT to discuss development plans for the future. This year the day coincides with Comic Relief so on their tour of the school and visit to classrooms, the Trustees are likely to see some interesting costumes worn by students, again all in a good cause.

To finish I would like to mention the good cause and charity that is KPS and of course the Spring Raffle. I believe we may have achieved a quarter of the target in raffle ticket sales so far, possibly not even enough to buy one interactive white board. Please may I ask again that parents buy some tickets. If every parent bought a ticket we would exceed our target and buy at least four boards. Here is the link, please donate or buy a ticket.

This weekend I shall be attending the ASCL Headteacher Conference in Liverpool. Amongst the speakers and workshops that Mr Simmonds, Deputy Headteacher, and I will take part in, will be a speech by the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, who I expect will give more detail and explanation about the recent Education White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving (link to paper found here), the government’s plans for education for the next few years. We will be most interested on what is said about the future of schools, including Single Academy Trusts, SEND Education and the impact of any proposals on Kendrick.

A couple of items on the website for you to enjoy and please read:

• Reports on Air Ambulance Concert Air Ambulance Concert 2026
• Beginnings Poetry Competition Beginnings Poetry Competition

Wishing everyone a good weekend.  

Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher

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School Notices

Comic Relief

The Kendrick Student Leader Team (KSLT) Community committee have arranged some events for Comic Relief next week.

All students are invited to dress up on Friday 20^th March, but this is not compulsory. The theme is something beginning with ‘C’ or ‘R’. Students should follow the guidelines on our website for non-uniform events.  There will be an opportunity for students to show their costumes at a fashion show and watch the screening of the whole school music video, on Friday 20^th March at lunchtime (12:30) in the Sports Hall. Entry to this is free but donations are welcomed. 

Donations for the events can be made from your ParentPay account. A suggested donation for the dress up day is at least £2 and further donations are welcomed with all money raised going to Comic Relief.  Students can also donate by cash or card on the day.

Please ask your child about the other events taking place during the week, all of which are optional.

Profiling

As part of our programme of assessment and reporting the students receive an interim profiling interview with their Form Tutor or another teacher. This year’s session of profiling will take place on Tuesday 17^th March 2026.  

Year 7 Year 7 students will come into school for the full day as normal. They will spend the day on Drama activities. The tutor will let the students know when and where their profiling is due to take place. 

Year 8 and Year 11 Year 8 and year 11 students are asked to stay at home and will have a remote profiling interview. This day should be regarded as a school day and students are expected to register at 8.25am remotely and complete the work set. The Form Tutor will let the students know when their Profiling time will be and will send a Google Meet invitation. The students will need to make sure that they are connected to the Google Meet on time so as to not delay the rest of the students. These appointments are for the student to meet with their tutor and should be a 1-to-1 conversation. Please ensure students have the opportunity to speak openly by providing them a private space for this wherever possible. Students should be appropriately dressed and have their cameras on and backgrounds blurred. 

Year 9 Year 9 students will come into school for the full day as normal. They will spend the day on Work Related Learning activities. The tutor will let the students know when and where their profiling is due to take place. 

Year 10 Year 10 students will come into school for the full day as usual. They will spend the day taking part in various activities and should regard this as a normal school day, wearing correct uniform and bringing their pencil case and a reading book.  

Sixth Form. Please see the email sent to you regarding timings.

For those students coming into school, the day should be regarded as a normal school day and students should wear correct uniform and bring their pencil case and a reading book.  The canteen will be open for lunch as normal, along with the library which will close as normal at 5pm. 

Kendrick School Food Bank Easter Collection

I am very pleased to be able to update you on our last food bank collection and to launch an Easter Collection running throughout next week.

Thank you in advance for your continued support and remember that students can leave donations in the sixth form block or the servery area near the hall. Parents can also donate through Parent Pay.

Last term we delivered 8 large boxes of donations and a fabulous cheque for £1300 representing money raised since last summer on Parent Pay and through in school fund raising events. This money supports families in moments of crisis and is always incredibly gratefully received.

I would love to take a large donation up to Whitley Park Food Cupboard in time for the Easter holiday. Sarah is asking for toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant), toilet rolls, cleaning products, washing powder for clothes, stir in pasta sauces and tea/coffee/biscuits. I am sure that we may be able to also donate chocolate treats for Easter. This would be amazing!

Mr Nick Simmonds, Deputy Headteacher

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Kendrick School

Young Minds Social Media Guide for Parents. If you are worried about your child or teenager using the internet, this guide provides tips and advice for talking to your child about their use of social media and the internet.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School

World Sleep Day – Sleep Well, Live Better.  Friday 13th March 2026 is National Sleep Awareness Day- a day dedicated to the importance of healthy sleep. A presentation, including an interactive “Myth or Fact?” activity to test out your sleep knowledge can be found here.

Looking after your wellbeing through ensuring you give yourself enough rest and sleep is crucial, especially when balancing busy academic schedules with extra curricular activities. The Myth and Fact presentation has some key tips on how to improve the quality and consistency of your sleep but if you are experiencing ongoing issues with sleep please let a trusted adult know or explore the help provided by organisations such as:

• The Sleep Charity: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk
• Sleep Action:  https://sleepaction.org
• Cerebra: https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/sleep-advice-service/

SEND

No.5 School Transitions Project – 7-10^th April 2026. A 4-day series of Creative Expressive Wellbeing workshops to help support young people who feel they may struggle with varying school transitions through creative and performing arts. This project is open to young people starting Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 in September who may be struggling with school or feeling nervous about moving up to a different year group. Registration form can be found here.

School Fund

Please donate to our School Fund here. You can make one-off payments through your ParentPay account or complete a standing order form for more regular payments. If you are a UK taxpayer, please ensure you also complete a Gift Aid Form. 

A school fund is maintained by voluntary contributions from the parents/carers of students. Its purpose is to provide an additional source of funding for the provision of facilities and educational resources for the benefit of students. We use our School Fund to support so many activities in and out of school that have now become essential to school life. 

Canteen

The menu for Autumn/Winter can be found here. The menu is subject to change dependent on food availability. Please ensure that you regularly check your child's canteen balance on their ParentPay account and settle any 'overdrafts' quickly. Overdrafts should only be issued on an exceptional basis and not as a regular occurrence. 

Latest News on our Website

Air Ambulance Concert 2026

Beginnings Poetry Competition

School Calendar

Week commencing 15^th March - Week A

• Monday 16^th March – Year 12 Coasts Geography Trip
• Tuesday 17^th March – Profiling Day; Year 9 Enterprise Day
• Thursday 19^th March – Music Tour to Belgium; Grey and Pink Kangaroo/Olympiads
• Friday 20^th March – Trustee Day; Spring Raffle closes; Comic Relief Day

Student Careers and Work Experience

Current Opportunities

Vacancies

Evening Site Assistant to join us in April 2026. 4.45pm to 9.30pm Monday to Friday. Closing date for applications: 8am Friday 20^th March 2026.

ParentPay and Evolve Reminders

Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve

Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)

Weekly News – Friday 13^th March 2026

On behalf of the trustee body, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 academic year. I particularly welcome students joining us for the first time who will get the support they need to settle in quickly and make a positive contribution to the school.

As trustees, we are responsible for working with Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team to agree on the strategic direction of Kendrick. We assist with setting the school's vision, aims and objectives. To do this, we are organised into three committees – Learning & Teaching, Performance and Review, and Resources. Each of these committees meets regularly, and we meet as a full board three times a year. All the trustees are committed to supporting the ethos of the school, and many have direct experience of the school – as a student, the parent of a student or as a staff member.

We want to ensure that every student at Kendrick has the opportunity to thrive – academically, as a member of the school community, and in their personal development. Kendrick has something for everyone: a huge range of extracurricular activities including music, sports, and drama; opportunities to show leadership, as part of the School Council or the Student Leadership Team; and, of course, the chance to help others.

I do hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities to engage with the school. We are always keen to get your feedback, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am always happy to hear from any of you. Please feel free to contact Lisa Hillan, Governance Officer to the Trustee Board lhillan@kendrick.reading.sch.uk if you would like to get in touch.

On behalf of the trustees, I wish everyone a successful year ahead.

With best wishes

Charles Ramsden
Chairman of the Board of Trustees

September 2025