Holt Lane Wokingham

Berkshire RG41 1EE

Telephone: 0118 978 0165
Facsimile: 0118 989 0831
holtschool@holt.wokingham.sch.uk
www.holtschool.co.uk
Co-Headteachers Mrs Anne Kennedy and Mrs Katie Pearce

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8th January 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians

Re: Year 7 Spring 2024 Welcome Back

I really hope that you had a wonderful festive break with time to unwind relax and to connect with
family and friends. We certainly have had warmer than average weather this year, giving everyone
more outdoor opportunities in which to get involved.

I can certainly say how delighted I have been with Year 7 during the first academic term of their
secondary school life. They have really embraced the values of the Holt community with great spirit.

Community values were a core theme running through our presentation assembly in the final week of
last term. This is where we celebrated individual achievements, with nominations from subject
teachers and tutors in the Autumn term. It is a fantastic formal event where students can showcase
their musical endeavours or speak about different aspects of their interests. I would like to thank the
musical performers and speakers. I was impressed with the bravery and maturity of these students,
as they stood in front of all their peers and presented the work they had written so well. I would like
to thank all the musicians who volunteered as they clearly spent many hours rehearsing. This effort
will certainly develop their oracy and boost their confidence.

On that note, there will be more opportunities for students to embrace a new challenge. The new
term’s extracurricular timetable will be available shortly. It is an expectation that all students are
regularly attending at least one club weekly. As this week’s assembly has been on ‘pushing yourself’,
it’s a great opportunity to maintain or start a new challenge or club. Taking heathy risks like a new
hobby or reading is fantastic for your mental wellbeing, with sports encouraging healthy competition
and fitness.

A notice of some of the dates this term for your information:

Firstly, there will be a second round of reviews sent via the SIMs App on 17th of January. This time
there will be an indication of how your daughter has done in each subject according to their targets.
Additionally, there will be a walking tour to Wokingham, led by the POR Department, which will help
students’ understanding of the local religions within the community.

In March, there will be a fantastic opportunity to come and watch our whole school production of A
Midsummer Nigh’s Dream. This involves a large number of students from all year groups and is an
incredible spectacle of talent. I have always been in awe of the costume designs, singing and acting.
So please look out for further details on the above for more information.

Additionally, you will have received an email regarding some changes to our mobile phone policy.
One interesting thing that was mentioned in the feedback from the student council was that quite a
few students said they cannot read the time on an analogue clock. Even though most technology
uses digital clocks, it is still a useful skill to have, plus knowing how to tell the time is also good for
their maths skills. Here is a helpful guide if you wish to encourage this.
How To Tell Time | Read An Analog Clock (Video) (tutors.com)

The Holt School Ltd Registered in England & Wales. No. 07661205
 Holt Lane Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 1EE
Telephone: 0118 978 0165
Facsimile: 0118 989 0831
holtschool@holt.wokingham.sch.uk
www.holtschool.co.uk
Co-Headteachers Mrs Anne Kennedy and Mrs Katie Pearce

A good way to start conversations with your daughter about this is to look in their planners. You can
then ask them questions about their studies and how they record homework etc. Also, we encourage
parents to look in their children’s exercise books- these also make good conversation starters that
might help you understand their work loads and how they are coping. Looking at the work they have
produced can be a positive and reassuring way to have conversations, and also completes the chain
between home and school life.

Finally, if you wanted to set yourself a reading challenge then I would certainly recommend The
Emotional Lives of Teenagers- by Lisa Damour, as I certainly learned a great deal from the useful
tips on raising teen and pre-teen daughters.

I am looking forward to the next term. I can certainly say that the behaviour in Year 7 is exceptional,
and I am very proud of how well they have accomplished their first term. I have really enjoyed getting
to know them, and so have their tutor team.

If you do need to contact anyone, please do so via year7team@holt.wokingham.sch.uk

Yours sincerely

Ms Herron
Head of Year 7

The Holt School Ltd Registered in England & Wales. No. 07661205