Parental Update 14

Dear Parent / Carer,

Parental Update 14

A busy week again in school with the first proper exams of the year taking place with Hospitality and Catering practicals (the smell of the food has left me mouthwatering all week!), St Helens College came in to speak to Year 9, we successfully tested our lockdown (see later), Year 7 had a fundraising concert, we held a parental meetings for children going to Iceland and the DofE, had our governors’ Quality of Education Committee and a cast workshop of Merchant in Venice.

Looking ahead, our ski trip departs very early on Sunday morning (we wish them a safe and enjoyable trip), we have a formation week in school. And two educational visits: to Hope Academy and Cronton College.

For those who missed it, our end of term newsletter is still available at De La Salle Newsletter Autumn 2025

Whole School Focus – Staff Absence

With the winter in full swing and bugs spreading, and with 136 staff and 1200 students it is very easy for bugs to be passed around. Linked to this, I wanted to share some information on a few of the staffing absences that we are currently experiencing. It is not uncommon to speak to headteachers who have double figures of supply staff in their school. So, as a school, we have been very fortunate to have a good, stable staff with very low levels of turnover – this is particularly important in the current climate where there is a general shortage of quality teaching staff and particularly so in key subjects.

I think I should also make the point that our staff are extremely committed and will always done their best to get in to school, often coming in when really should be at home resting – and I thank them for that commitment. However, whenever staff are off, we will, wherever possible, use our in-school cover supervisors – these are infinitely preferable to what is increasingly a variable quality pool of supply teachers – regardless of which agency we go to (there are a small number of exceptions but, as you can imagine, they rarely stay doing supply for long and are snapped up long term by schools).

Since early in the year, one of our full-time maths teachers has been unwell and away from school. Very kindly, the maths department have made as many changes as possible to cover and absorb these groups within existing groups to ensure that students were still getting a good educational experience. The past week this has been compounded by two additional, short-term absences within the department.

Meanwhile in Science, as you will be aware, one of our staff has left us on a sabbatical. This was known in advance, and we worked hard to ensure we had a high-quality replacement for whilst she was away. This was agreed and in place to start seamlessly as we returned after Christmas.

Unfortunately, our replacement had a family medical issue and was not able to attend last week. We have since been informed that that medical issue is far more serious and they are unable to begin their contract with us. This is not only very sad for her and her family, but though unforeseeable, leaves us with a new staffing issue within science.

For all of these we continue to look for high quality long term solutions – I have had emails for rightly concerned parents asking why I don’t just get another teacher in - this is incredibly difficult firstly to source a supply teacher, but more importantly to get one that will be of an acceptable standard to teach our students. – particularly in maths and science where there is a national shortage of teachers. It is not down to a lack of effort to try to resolve these issues.

We have short term solutions in place and for both maths and science, students have been following the same curriculum as their peers with high quality cover work being set. We are currently working on longer term solutions and will ensure that any impact is shared rather than falling on the same classes. We ask for your patience and understanding whilst we do this.

Online Safety

Attached, we are sharing with you an important resource titled “What I Wish My Parents or Carers Knew…”, created by the Children’s Commissioner. This guide offers practical advice and insights to help you support your child in managing their digital life safely and positively.

As technology plays an increasing role in young people’s lives, it’s essential that we work together to ensure they are equipped to navigate the online world confidently and responsibly. The guide includes tips on setting boundaries, understanding online risks, and fostering open conversations about digital experiences.

Please find the resource attached for your reference. We encourage you to take some time to read through it and use it as a starting point for discussions at home.

Social Media Post

Sometimes I make good decisions and sometimes I make bad ones, yesterday I made a very bad one. I apologise that I circulated some information about a theft which occurred on Wednesday after school without any wider information or context. An intruder gained access to the performing arts building via a gate that was open ahead of a parental meeting in school (this was not during the school day). I take full responsibility for the social media post which, in hindsight, was clearly careless, inappropriate and caused unnecessary concern to parents, for which I apologise.

I understand parents will be rightly concerned about site security, so I want to assure you that, once I had been informed of the incident, I reviewed the incident and security implications on the evening it happened and made the necessary changes to our operation of the gate and these were in place by 7.30am the next morning to ensure that this could not happen again and ensure the safety and security of staff and students.

North West Lasallian Educators Gathering

Last Saturday we hosted the annual North West Lasallian Educators Gathering here at school. This was a really well attended event with colleagues from across the Lasallian and associate schools, Brothers, colleagues from Kintbury, governors, a local college chaplain and our own staff. It was an inspirational day as Heather, from the District Mission Team, shared a new take on Lasallian virtues, then colleagues from Cardinal Langley, St Margaret Ward and Kintbury shared their good practice. The day ended with a reflective art-based workshop led by our own, wonderful, Mrs Millea. A much needed day of inspiration!

Lockdown Practice

On Tuesday we held a lockdown practice with staff and students. I am pleased to say this was taken very seriously by all involved and students were able to practice hearing and responding to the alarm. Thank you and well done to all involved. This is something we will revisit to ensure all staff and students are aware of how to respond to incidents.

Student Successes

It was great to hear that some of our past students have been given offers to attend Oxford University.

- Stephen Pennington has received an offer to study Engineering at Oxford (from Carmel College)
- Ben Kelly has been offered a conditional place at Oxford to study History (from Riverside College)

Well done to them both and all our other past students who are being made university offers.

Ladies Night Invitation

Calling all the ladies in our school community, you are all invited to celebrate International Women’s Day here at De La Salle with an evening of entertainment, beauty stalls, pop-up shop and a fashion show. The event takes place on Friday 6^th March and tickets are available for £7 including a glass of fizz on entry. Further information and booking details can be found here.

Free Bike Marking by Merseyside Police

Our local police officer, Sgt Lisa, has arranged for students in our school to have their bikes signed up to the National Cycle Database. This involves the bike having a tamper-proof sticker attached and the bike being recorded on the national system. This helps reduce the risk of theft and increase the likelihood of recovery. Usually this would cost £12.99 but is free to our students.

Details are on the attached letter and will take place at lunchtime on Tuesday 27^th January. Any students wanting to use this, should have their parents register using the information in the letter.

Eccleston Library ADDvanced Solutions Drop In (repeated item)

We have been asked to share the attached flyer and information about an event the library service will be holding at Eccleston library, for health information week on the 19^th January. This specific event is for children and young people, they have invited Addvanced solutions in to give advice and support to parents and caregivers, who have children with Neurodevelopmental conditions.

Check out our Socials (repeated item)

We have recently been putting some time into stepping up our social media presence and output for families to access. As well as the many Twitter accounts, we have re-invigorated our Facebook output and Instagram (a big thank you to Mr Metcalf for his work on this):

- Facebook: we are De La Salle School (@DLS_St_Helens)
- Instagram: @DLS_St_Helens
- Twitter: @DLS_St_Helens

Term dates for 2026/27 (repeated)

Autumn Term 2026

INSET Day: Tuesday 1^st September 2026
Wednesday 2^nd: School Opens for students
INSET Day: Fri 23^rd October (Laetare Whole Trust INSET Day)
Half term: School closes for pupils - Thursday 22^nd October
Re-opens - Monday 2^nd November
INSET Day: Friday 4^th December
School closes - Friday 18th December

Spring Term 2027

INSET Day: Monday 4^th January
Students return – Tuesday 5^th January
Half term: School closes for pupils - Friday 12th February
Re-opens - Monday 22^nd February
School closes – Thursday 25^th March

Summer Term 2027

Re-opens - Monday 12th April
Bank Holiday - Monday 3^rd May
School closes - Friday 28^th May
Re-opens - Monday 7^th June
INSET Day: Fri 25^th June
School closes for pupils - Friday 16th July

Reporting Absences (repeated)

A reminder to please report any student absences by using the email: dlsabsence@delasalleschool.org.uk

The absence will then be triaged by our attendance team and may be followed up with a phone call or home visit. Any medical evidence can also be attached to the email.

Attached Information

Alongside this week’s update there is also:

Forthcoming Events (dates in bold indicate a change to normal finish times / EV is Educational Visit)

o Sun 18^th: - Sat 24^th: Year 9 Ski Trip

o Mon 19^th – Fri 23^rd: Formation week

o Wed 21^st: EV to Hope Academy

o Fri 23^rd: EV STEM to Cronton College

o Wed 28^th: Year 5 Conference in school

February

o Thu 5^th: Year 10 Parents’ Evening

o Mon 9^th – Fri 13^th: Formation Week and Year 8 Retreats

o Wed 11^th: EV Year 9 to Imperial War Museum

o Wed 11^th and Thu 12^th: Year 11 Mock Interviews

o Fri 13^th: finish for half term 3pm

And finally… Read the small print

Have I mentioned that I’m learning to fly?

Anyway, one of the many key elements of flying is safety — and a big part of that is using checklists to make sure everything is done properly and to minimise human error. As a result, one of the most important items in my flight kit is a PA28 checklist, which covers everything from arriving at the aircraft right through to landing and shutdown.

Over the past year, mine has taken an absolute beating: oil, mud, grease, and the occasional contribution of blood, sweat, and tears. It was starting to look less like aviation equipment and more like something recovered from an archaeological dig. So I decided it was time for a replacement.

While watching a well-known pilot YouTuber, I noticed he was selling his own “world-class” checklist. Perfect! I logged on, found it straight away, and there it was — £12. Bargain. Thanks to the wonders of modern phone technology, it was ordered within seconds. Job’s a good ’un.

It was only the next day, while checking my online banking, that I noticed I’d been debited £38. Surely a mistake? I checked the order confirmation email. Nope. All correct. It read:

PA28 Checklist – £12
Post and packaging (from the USA) – £26

The email also cheerfully confirmed that it was already on its way.

So, while I may still be learning how to fly, I’ve clearly already mastered one important aviation lesson: always read the small print — before take-off!

Have a good weekend,

Andrew Rannard (Headteacher)