This week there has been quite a bit of press around the use of social media platforms, particularly Tik Tok, among students across the country. On Wednesday, a screen cast message was shared with all students about how to keep themselves safe online and some simple advice on how to use social media appropriately. Further in the bulletin, there is information provided to support parents.

In keeping with this week’s “One Kind Word” theme, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the PTFA for their donation of a defibrillator to the school. The PTFA presented the defibrillator at Saturday’s Hanuman Chalisa event, and donations were raised by our student enterprise group, ASDA Abbey Lane and the PTFA Navratri event.

This week our Year 7 netball players had their final round of competitions.  We are extremely proud of our girls, finishing the competition on positive by winning 2 out of our 4 games. Player of the match was Simran N who showed some fantastic skills on the court and the team were very well captained by Danisha D who displayed some excellent leadership and shooting skills. Well done to all the girls who took part. 

Our Year 8 team comprising of a mixture of Year 7s and Year 8s have made into in the semi-finals of the Leicester SSPAN football competition. We have played 3 games in total and remained unbeaten, winning 3-2,4-0 and drawing 1-1.  This is a brilliant achievement as most of the boys have never played together as a team before.  The semi-finals will take place in December and the boys believe they have what it takes to go all the way.  Good luck to our football team. 

Students in Years 9 and 10 have been playing rugby as part of the PE curriculum and we are very fortunate to have the sessions delivered by a Leicester Tigers this half term. The students are thoroughly enjoying participating in this new sport and have approached it with a fantastic attitude. Year 7 and Year 8 have also started a new block of netball and have embraced this fast-paced invasion game.  Well done to all Avanti students for demonstrating resilience and embracing these new sports. 

The PE department would like to encourage all students to bring in some warm clothing for their PE lessons during the winter months. Black or navy blue “skins” or base layers would be suitable, along with navy blue fleeces/jumper – no hoodies are permitted as per the school uniform policy.  

Some of our Year 10 students have recently completed the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award through an external provider.  The DofE award is a youth awards programme that provides young individuals the opportunity to discover new interests and talents.  Our students successfully completed all four sections, including helping the community or environment, developing a new skill, becoming fitter, planning, training for and completing an expedition.  All students who completed the DofE Award commented how this experience helped them develop skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork.  Congratulations to Krisha S, Haley P, Shivani K, Sahil P, Rohan G, Jessica D, Peter W and Harsh G.  A superb achievement! 

This week has seen several news stories in relation to online safety concerns, which have affected large numbers of schools nationally.  To address these concerns and inform our whole school at Avanti Fields, Miss Bardsley delivered a video message to all year groups to educate and advise our students on how to act responsibly, respectfully, and appropriately online and when using social media.  

Please see below for parental guidance and key information on the social media platform Tik Tok. 

The Bishop of Leicester, The Right Reverend Martyn Snow visited the school last week. It was a great insight into Christianity. He gave the Year 10 students a refreshing perspective on Christian ideologies that we had explored in PRE. The Bishop answered questions, simplified complex concepts and explained how they affect Christians in their day to day lives. He touched on many themes such as the resurrection, creation and the importance of Christian celebrations. I liked the fact that he respected science and said that history was his favourite subject at school. The Bishop was very warm and likeable person and his visit to the school was a pleasure and great opportunity for all of us in Year 10.

Yours sincerely

Miss Bardsley

Acting Principal