By Isla Williams
Hello everyone! A big welcome back to all internal and external pupils, parents, staff, everyone in our community. As it is the beginning of the year, I wanted to introduce myself again to any new readers as Editor of ‘Our News’. My name is Isla Williams (on the right in the picture, I chose not to use my Mum’s first day at school photo!) and I work with a group of talented writers in our school to provide an insight on life at Bassaleg. I’m very passionate about ensuring that ‘Believing and Belonging’ is at the heart of every subject we cover: equality, global issues, pupil and staff spotlights, health and happiness events to name a few. As well as this, I encourage pupils across Year 7 to 13 to get involved because I believe that diversity, sharing voices and sharing pride in our school and its values is so important.
The start of the year certainly brings mixed feelings: I began Year 12 last week and I was really nervous, you’d think I’d be better at ‘first days’ as it was my sixth in Bassaleg School! I think I will always struggle a bit when starting new things but it’s never as bad as my mind tells me and every year, I end up excited for the rest of the year. I think the idea of A Levels after finishing GCSEs was a worry for me but so far, the transition has been very manageable; there is so much support from the Sixth Form team and knowing teachers and others in my classes has been a huge help. Across the school, the available support is incredible. From LSA to Hwb to SLT, there are a range of people who are there for you. I want to stress that no problem is too small and your feelings are valid, many people find settling in quite difficult and you should never be afraid to call on the people around you to give you that extra helping hand.
It is fantastic to see that everything at Bassaleg is as busy as it was before Covid! Annie rehearsals have begun after the cast list was announced and all extra curricular activities are back up and running too. The PE Department’s activities are below. Get involved!
In the Music Department:
Monday Lunchtime - Senior Choir (Year 9+)
Monday After School - Big Band
Tuesday After School - Strings Orchestra
Wednesday Lunchtime - Junior Choir (Year 7&8)
Thursday After School - Wind Band
Please talk to Mr Keates or Mrs Davies if you have any questions.
I hope that everyone enjoys this year, if you have any questions at all please go to your Form Tutor or Director of Wellbeing!
We are looking for new writers, especially Year 7s. If the Writers’ Group is something you would like to be involved in, please talk to or email your Director of Wellbeing or Mr Clayton Jones and they will be able to forward your interest to me.