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WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 17^th April 2026

Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher

Welcome back to Term 5, I hope everyone has had a restful spring break and feels refreshed for the term ahead.

Today we started the day with our usual whole school assembly that takes place at this time of the year. Firstly, I introduced the new Kendrick Student Leaders (KSL). The team is made up 18 students, three students in each of the three committees and three students in each of the three Houses. They presented themselves to the school very well and spoke clearly and confidently about their plans for the year ahead. They demonstrated a real desire to support their school and fellow students in extending the community element of Kendrick which is so strong and vibrant in our school. The new team graciously acknowledged the work of the previous team, emphasising the continuity that exists as one cohort succeeds another. At the assembly I also introduced our Holocaust Ambassadors, six A Level History students, who spoke about what they plan to do to raise awareness and actions in school to understand the Holocaust and remember the victims. They too spoke with confidence and passion about the work they want to pursue in the coming year. We will hear more from these groups in due course.

One of the first tasks of the Kendrick Student Leaders is to represent the school with me at next week’s Open Day, 22^nd April, for prospective Year 7 students and their parents. At this event we will all talk about Kendrick School as a place for students to consider for their secondary education and often parents and their children will be most interested to hear what our students think about their school. The Open Day sessions take place in the school day when groups of parents and children are invited at specific times of the day and given a tour of the school by our students and then receive information about the school from me, the KSL and some Year 7 students. For information about our Open Day sessions this year, please see link here.                                                                                                                                  

Although it is only the first week of term, we have already had some significant events take place, in particular the Celebration Day of this year's Racial Literacy work where we have highlighted and showcased South Asian Heritage. At an event yesterday lunch-time, students and staff across the school prepared and presented a fashion show, musical recital, food, and information boards highlighting significant and prominent people from this area of the world. In the spirit of inclusion and appreciation of difference, we celebrated the communities and the culture of these groups. Photos and videos were taken which we will share with you in due course.

The KPS Spring Raffle finished at the end of last term and a significant amount of money was raised for the school. Thank you to everyone who participated by buying tickets or donating money. As was the intention, the money raised will go to buy 3 interactive white boards for 3 classrooms whose white boards need to be renewed, plus three large LED screens for the library, Drama Studio and Technology Room. Students from across the school will benefit from the updated technology in their lessons and learning. Thank you to KPS and all parents, students and staff for your support of the raffle this year. The next event on the KPS calendar is a Disco next Friday 24^th April for Years 7 and 8. Details have been distributed about this event.

On the website this week are many new articles for you to read: 

French and German Language Plays
Widening Horizons in School Event
Fairtrade Week 2026
Racial Literacy Display

In addition, I would like to highlight the next episode in the Kendrick School webinar series Beyond the Rainbow: Building True LGBTQIA+ Inclusion. The link can be found below.

A new term is an important time of the year as it is an opportunity to refresh, reframe and start again. At the assembly this morning, I spoke to students about the importance of a new start. All of us can benefit from a new start and doing things slightly differently, slightly better than before. I mentioned an assembly Mr Stride did some time ago in which he talked about marginal gains, that is doing something just that little bit less which can make an overall big difference. For example: leaving home just a bit earlier so that you are not late for school, adding another couple of minutes to a task/homework, concentrating that bit harder in a lesson, spending a few minutes more time on exercise, eating a bit more fruit and veg, reducing screen time just a bit every day, wearing one’s uniform a bit more tidily, being that bit nicer/kinder to each other, being that bit more appreciative/respectful of their school and staff. Combined, all these little adjustments can help make huge gains and create the best versions of ourselves. This approach reflects this week’s word of the week which is perseverance (noun), defined as ‘continued and patient effort towards a goal, especially when the path is challenging or progress feels slow’. Example: ‘You show perseverance when you return to a piece of work after receiving constructive feedback, when you keep practising a skill that does not yet come easily, or when you remain committed to a goal that requires more of you than you first expected. Perseverance is not about forcing yourself forward regardless of the cost. It is the steady, considered choice to continue—supported by patience, good judgement and, when needed, the wisdom to ask for help.’

With such thoughts in mind, I wish you all a great weekend.

Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher

School Notices

Episode 3 -Beyond the Rainbow: Building True LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
We are pleased to announce that Episode 3 -Beyond the Rainbow: Building True LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, our second episode in the Kendrick School Webinar Series, is now live. 

This series aims to inform, support, and strengthen understanding between students, school, and parents by exploring shared perspectives and addressing topics that can sometimes feel challenging. Our hope is that these webinars will foster greater insight, mutual support, and more open dialogue within our school community. The webinars will run throughout the course of the year, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, allowing families to engage with the content in a flexible and accessible way. 

A reminder that these links can be accessed at any time through either the link You Tube or through our school website: Website link

We hope you find this webinar informative and engaging. Should you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact shyde@kendrick.reading.sch.uk.

Opportunities to support Work Experience

We know that our parent/carer community represents a fantastic variety of careers and professions. If you or your organisation can offer one or more work experience placement(s) for Year 12 students, it would be greatly appreciated. This opportunity can be immensely beneficial for students as they explore potential career paths and build confidence in a real-world setting.

In addition, if you think that someone in your network may be able to offer a placement, we would be delighted to hear from them.

If you can assist or you would like more information, please complete this short online form.

Kendrick School - Year 12 Parent/ Carer Work Experience 2026 Placement Form – Fill out form

Each placement provider will be sent a link to an online questionnaire about Health & Safety and Safeguarding arrangements in their workplace, which takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. This information will then be shared with the school so that they can approve the placement.

Once a student has been matched to your placement, as an employer, you will receive a confirmation letter with all the relevant student information.

We are confident that this initiative will greatly enhance our students' understanding of the professional world, assist in their career decision-making, and equip them with essential skills for the future.

Details of the Work Experience Programme

·         Work Experience Dates: Monday 8^th to Friday 12^th June 2026

 ·         Duration of Placement: 5 days

 ·         School Contact: Mrs Candace McManus, Careers Co-ordinator cmcmanus@kendrick.reading.sch.uk

Kendrick School Open Day Sessions
For Year 5 students and their parents considering Kendrick School as a secondary school option in September 2027

The sessions will take place in either the morning or afternoon and will last approximately 1½ hours. There will be a tour of the school with our students, and a talk by the Headteacher, Ms Kattirtzi and our Student Leader Team. The event is for families who live within our designated area only. To book a ticket click here.

A Celebration of Sound
The Mayor of Reading’s fundraising event ‘A Celebration of Sound’ is taking place on Friday 1^st May 2026 at 7pm at Reading Town Hall.  This is an event of uplifting music performed by local artists in support of the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

The two important local charities being supported are: Readifood and Utulivu Women’s Group.  Readifood provides vital help to people and families across Reading facing food poverty and financial hardship, while Utulivu Women’s Group offers support, connection, and empowerment to women in the local community. By attending the concert, you’ll not only enjoy a fantastic evening of live entertainment but also help raise awareness and support for two organisations making a real difference in our community.

Come along and be part of an evening that celebrates the power of music to bring people together — all for two truly worthwhile causes.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased via the Town Hall or What’s on Reading.

This event is not affiliated with Kendrick School.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Kendrick School
‘What I Wish my Parent or Carers Knew…’ A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives. Parenting today can feel overwhelming — especially when childhood looks so different from what we grew up with. There’s no manual, and it can be hard to keep up with the fast-changing digital world your child moves through every day. This guide provided by the Children’s Commissioner aims to make those conversations easier and help you support your child with confidence.

Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Gaming and Mental Health. Gaming can be a great way to relax and hang out with friends. But sometimes, gaming can get in the way of things like studying or sleep. If you're feeling like this, here are some tips to keep your gaming positive and balanced.

SEND
Reading’s SEND Local Offer. The SEND Local Offer is here to help you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children and young people aged 0 - 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). 

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 Terms 5 and 6 is currently being finalised.  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

French and German Language Plays
Widening Horizons in School Event
Fairtrade Week 2026

School Calendar

Week commencing 20th April - Week B

• Wednesday 22^nd April – Open day for entry into Year 7 in September 2027
• Friday 24^th April – KPS Year 7 and 8 Disco

Student Careers and Work Experience

Current Opportunities

Vacancies

Business and Economics Teacher. For September 2026. Closing date for applications 9am Wednesday 15^th April 2026.

ParentPay and Evolve Reminders

Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve

Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)

Weekly News – Friday 17^th April 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