End of Term Newsletter - for Thursday 21 July 2022

Wed 20 Jul 2022
Dear Parent/Carer

I write to you all at the end of yet another unusual year, with news and updates for the next academic year, but also to say thank you. Your support for your children and our school community here at Outwood Normanby is very special, and makes a huge difference.

Your children, our students, continue to make us very proud. They are friendly, chatty and have good humour. They are committed to their learning. They are kind and supportive towards others. They understand the challenges many face and offer a helping hand often. Perhaps you have managed to see some of this for yourself on our @OutwoodNormanby Twitter or Facebook pages, be it through praise postcards, attendance awards or special mentions. We know parents and carers are also rightly proud of our fantastic young people here.

This success doesn’t happen by accident. The partnership between families and the brilliant staff we have at Outwood Normanby makes all the difference. I am blessed to have teachers and support staff who care deeply about the area we all live and work in, and give their all to raise the life chances for your young people. Thank you for the kind words you share with my colleagues often, recognising the support they have given and continue to give.

Term Dates 2022-2023
We of course look forward to students returning safe and well in September.
Year 7 and 11 will return to school on Monday 5 September 2022.
Year 8, 9 and 10 will return to school on Tuesday 6 September 2022.

All term dates are always on our website: https://www.normanby.outwood.com/term-dates-and-closures 

Students must arrive at school before 8.20am each day to allow for a prompt start in tutor rooms at 8.25am. For those who would like to arrive earlier, and enjoy a nutritious breakfast, we welcome students into our new breakfast club from 8.00am. It is free of charge and will run each school day.

Uniform and equipment
Thank you for ensuring your child is in full uniform every day. Details of how to purchase additional uniform items are available on the uniform page on our website here: https://www.normanby.outwood.com/uniform  Shirts, PE socks and PE shorts can be bought anywhere, as long as they match our uniform expectations. All shoes must be plain, black and polishable. We do not allow jewellery, piercings, false nails, false eyelashes or makeup in school. Please can I insist that any summer piercings or nails should be timed so they are removable by the start of term. Students must have a sensible bag, at least A4 sized, such as a rucksack, to carry equipment to and from school and this should include a pencil case containing pens, pencils and a ruler.

Saying farewell
Thank you to those support colleagues who are moving on to new roles: Mrs Kemp, Mr Clarke, Miss Robinson and Miss Skidmore-West. Their commitment to our students, as with all my colleagues at Outwood Normanby, has been greatly appreciated.

I have also told students today in assembly that I am taking early retirement at the end of this term. The time is right for me to spend more time with my parents, wife and children and enjoy just a little more of what this fantastic part of North Yorkshire has to offer my passion for wildlife photography. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading Outwood Normanby; it is a place that stole my heart right from the first day. I’ve had the privilege of leading three schools on Teesside over the years, and I can’t think of a more special place for my final headship.

I am delighted to inform you that Dr Mark Robinson has been appointed as Principal here at Normanby from September. You will know him of course as my fantastic Vice Principal, who went on to be Head of School at Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth in Stockton, before a rightly earned promotion to return here. He will be writing to you at the start of the new academic year and I know our students and community will give him a very warm welcome back.

Thank you again for your support and commitment to our school community. I wish you and your family a safe and restful summer. I look forward to seeing Year 11 and families on Results Day - Thursday 25 August.

Yours faithfully