As I look out at the front of our wonderful school on a dark evening with the Christmas tree lights twinkling, I reflect on how much I love this time of year. It is a time for celebration when those students who have excelled this term get certificates and prizes in our celebration assemblies, a time when those individuals who have done something special get invited to have hot chocolate and pastries in the morning with their Head of Year and senior staff, and a time when I get to go to one of my favourite events of the year – The Mountbatten School Carol Service.
The staff and students of our fabulous music academy have been working so hard this term to prepare for this wonderful evening at Romsey Abbey. Every morning and evening, as I wander around the school, it is fantastic to hear the sounds of the rehearsals echoing around the site. This year, if you didn’t already know, The Mountbatten School Carol Concert is held next Tuesday 17 December, 7.30pm at Romsey Abbey. I look forward to watching on, a proud Deputy Headteacher privileged to experience the incredible standard of musicianship of your children.
I am sure many of you have taken the opportunity to attend but in case you haven’t, or even if you just want to warm yourself up for this year’s Carol Service, then please take the opportunity to see our recording of 2023here.
I would just like to finish by thanking all of you as parents and carers for your overwhelming support for what we do at The Mountbatten School, working together we all get the joy of supporting your children to be the best they can be. I hope that you and your family’s holidays are filled with joy and time to spend with those you love. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 16 December
Christmas Celebrations: Christmas Kindness cards distributed
Tuesday 17 December
Christmas Celebrations: Christmas socks/tights
Carol Service at Romsey Abbey, 7.30pm
Wednesday 18 December
Christmas Celebrations: Christmas hats
Whole School Nasal Flu Vaccination Catch-Up
Thursday 19 December
Christmas Celebrations: House Prefects' Christmas Challenge and raffle
Friday 20 December
Christmas Celebrations: Christmas Jumper (Save the Children)
Students dismissed at 12.30pm, buses depart by 12.35pm Christmas Holidays: Return to school on Monday 6 January 2025 at 8.35am
INSET Days for 2024/25
Monday 24 February 2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
Reminder - Rehearsals for Carol Service
Please see the reminder below for all students taking part in the Carol Service.
Congratulations to Olivia B 7LAD/AGN on being selected for the GBR Trampoline Development Squad and GBR Junior Double Mini Trampoline Squad for 2025. Olivia’s selection comes after a successful competition year, where she has earned herself national and international titles, most recently having won gold at the Fincup in Finland. Well done Olivia, this is a fantastic achievement!
RSHE Questionnaire
The new RSHE curriculum became compulsory for all schools in 2020. We have worked hard to create our curriculum which is delivered to all year groups, but are always reviewing and improving where we can.
As part of our current review process, we would like you to complete the short questionnaire below regarding RSHE to support our team with developing our next priorities.
This term, our students have made incredible progress in British Sign Language (BSL). They are now fluent in the alphabet and numbers, and have been learning to sign important topics, for example, where they live and describing their family. Additionally, they have embraced the challenge of learning to sign the Christmas song Snow Is Falling by Shakin' Stevens, showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm.
We are also excited to welcome new students who joined us this half-term as part of their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards for the skills section. These students have been working hard and are mastering the alphabet and numbers with dedication. Throughout it all, our students have been working exceptionally hard, using their break times to practise and refine their skills. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and the progress they’ve made in learning this valuable language.
Bluestar Bus update regarding last day of term
The Mountbatten School is finishing at 12.30pm on Friday 20 December 2024. Bluestar is able to provide one bus at approximately 12.50pm.
This bus will do a combined 504 and 505 service doing all the normal drop-offs along both routes. Students not wishing to wait until 12.50pm also have the option of using Bluestar 4 from the Luzborough Roundabout.
The policy outlines the County Council’s transport provision for young people over 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) travelling to further education or training. The consultation seeks feedback on a number of small, proposed changes to make the policy easier to understand and provide greater clarity on how the service is delivered and managed. The proposals are not part of a savings programme.
Those wishing to comment on the proposed changes to the Post 16 Transport policy can share their feedback by calling or writing to the service or submitting an online form. Contact details are available on theconsultation webpage and on the County Council’s School Transport website.
Analysis of the consultation feedback will be presented, alongside recommendations for the Post 16 Transport Policy, to the County Council’s Cabinet Lead for Children’s Services in early 2025.
Final week of term - festive reminder!
We would love to see as many students (and staff) taking part as possible, wearing the festive accessories with their uniform! The £1 voluntary donation to Save The Children can be made online via Scopay or will be collected by prefects, in tutor times from Wednesday 18 December.
Maths Department
Maths Stars
Jaydean G 8GWT
Isla S 8MAZ
Jake B 8ERL
Isla C 11RCS
Lucas J 11RCS
Jack P 11BHT/CFT
Sparx Maths Level Up
Congratulations to the following students for levelling up on Sparx Maths!
Emily R 7LAD/AGN - Level 10
Joey S 7SCD - Level 10
Samuel J 8JAD - Level 20
Joe H 8ADY - Level 25
Thomas C 8LHG - Level 25
Eunice T 10LJS - Level 40
Kaiden R-S 9RLR/HMS - Level 40
Natasha G 9CBN - Level 45
Dylan M 10COY - Level 50
Layla S 10RGY/SNN - Level 50
Abigail R 9CBN - Level 55
Kyla B 9BCY - Level 65
Geography Department
Geography Stars
Kai W 7SGY
Harrison P 7SGY
Jess G 7SGY
Annie G 7LAD/AGN
Kate B 8JWS
Bessie I 9SDN/NWT
Poppy H 10RMN
Oscar L 10JBY
Mia P 11SBS/NKY
Michelle D 10BHT/CFT
Darcie M 11AOR
Eloise G 11NWS/AWY
English Department
English Stars
Adam M 8DCR/ESY
Ava P 9PSN
Lucy W 9DDY
Finley R 9MJS/CEE
Aaron O 10JFR
Charlotte W 10COY
Sadie L 10JBY
Charlie L 10RMN
Fletcher R 11KRL/KMN
Macy S 11BHT/CFT
Media Department
Media Stars
Joe C 10RLE
Jessica M 10RGY/SNN
Maddy M 10LJS
Theoni M-J 10VGN
James M 10RMN
MFL Department
Mandarin Stars
Nathan J 7SCD
Ivy B 8TIS
Kate B 8JWS
Jasmine B 9RLR/HMS
Isla N W 9TLS
Clara F 10RLE
Drama Department
Drama Stars
Felicity S 8JWS
Jesse L 9PSN
Joe H 9RLR/HMS
Elliot H 9PSN
Alice A 9SDN/SWT
Anabelle B 9TLS
Henry F 10JGO/DDN
Oliver R 11SBS/NKY
Science Department
Super Scientists
Heidi C 9EGY
Kaelyn D 9EGY
Ella H-W 9LHK/EBT
Annabel R 9LHK/EBT
Tyrese A 9SDN/SWT
Advik B 9SDN/SWT
Alex H 9SDN/SWT
Isla P 9SDN/SWT
Amelia W 9SDN/SWT
Charlie H 9TLS
History Department
History Stars
Naomi F-R 7BPY
Izzy S 7EHK
Jameson R 7SGY
Noah C 8KGK
Hamish N 8LHG
Ivy B 8TIS
Matthew H 9DDY
Harry S 10LJS
Isabella H 11HCS
Carlos K 11TRN
RE Department
RE Stars
Fleur R 8MAZ
Natasha G 9CBN
Jack E 9RLR/HMS
Tilly G 10JGO/DDN
Louie P 10VGN
Carlos K 11TRN
Eva C 11JLR/MSD
Noah M 11HCS
Music Department
Percussion Academy Drum Kit Exam
Edward F 8ERL has passed Percussion Academy Drum Kit - Debut Grade with Distinction.
Art Department
Huge Well Done to our Year 11 Artists!
Congratulations on completing your 5-hour practical mock exam in Art! 🎨✨ We are so proud of the creativity, imagination, and incredible skill you’ve shown throughout. Your hard work and dedication have truly shone through in the pieces you’ve created.
Keep up the fantastic effort as you move closer to your final masterpieces.
– The Art Department 🎭
Computer Science
eSports
Rounds 3 and 4 of the Williams Student Racing League on F1 '24 took place on Wednesday. Unfortunately, connection issues scuppered the team's chances in Belgium, but we scored our first point of the season in Hungary with a brilliant 5th placed finish from Ollie A 9DDY.
Casper M 7TDN wasn't far behind in 8th place, making his way through the field after an incident. Congratulations to both drivers and thanks to their support team!
Bebras
Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 10% nationwide of the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, earning a Gold award and qualifying for the next round in the Spring:
Juniors
Zach D 7SCD
Wynne G 7OWS
Digby G 7VTE
Grace H 7EML
James K 7TDN
Daisy L 7EML
Rowan N 7CPE/HOL
Isla P 7LAD/AGN
Gabe V 7SGY (best in school)
Inters
Peter B 9PSN
Sampson B 9DDY (joint best in school)
Alejandro C 9DDY (joint best in school)
Adam D 9LHK/EBT
Lilja I 8KGK
Elliot O 9CBN
Ethan R 9TLS
Giulio S 8LHG
Lorenzo S 8JWS
Lucy T 9BCY (joint best in school)
Molly W 9DDY
James W 9LHK/EBT
Seniors
Harry A 11RCS
James C 10JGO/DDN (best in school, and the country!)
Sam H 10COY
Mathieu M 10JFR
Joseph N 10RMN
Hannah P 11SBS/NKY
Flynn T 11SBS/NKY
Elliot W 10JGO/DDN
Click the drop-down menus below to find out more about different careers opportunities coming up for our students.
Year 11 College Financial Support
Financial support for college expenses is available in the form of the 16-18 bursary. The bursary is generally available to students who are in (or recently left) local authority care, get Income Support / Universal Credit, get DLA or PIP. General information about the bursary fund can be found here.
Colleges may also have their own discretionary bursaries available, applications for financial support should be made directly with the college (click on the college name for links). Free School Meal applications are assessed via the Hampshire County Council portal.
Last half-term in RSHE, students made a great start to their discussion-based lessons where they explored a range of topics. The lessons are taught in tutor groups once a week. Teachers use a range of oracy-based strategies, including a Philosophy for Children approach. This is where students are encouraged to think more deeply through critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking skills. Below are links to more information regarding RSHE.
Students will be exploring healthy living this half-term. They will be identifying what type of lifestyle they lead by considering their diet and exercise habits. They will also consider dental hygiene and pressures from the cosmetics industry. Energy drinks and caffeine will also be discussed, as well as the importance of sleep and brain development. Vaping will be the final topic in this healthy living series and we hope students will recognise the known and unknown risks associated with e-cigarettes.
Year 8
Students will be exploring the online world this half-term. They will be considering the impacts of social media and their responsibilities when it comes to online activity. They will also discuss the stress that can come with managing various online platforms and how media sources can have bias, misinformation and disinformation and it is therefore important to validate the information they view.
Year 9
Students will be exploring internet safety this half-term. They will consider how to use the internet safely and appropriately, as well as identifying what digital resilience is and how to develop it to keep themselves safe and happy. Students will also be completing their #beewell surveys this half-term, which will provide us with an insight into the mental health and wellbeing of our students, which helps inform our RSHE themes and in school support.
Year 10
Students will be exploring mental health and wellbeing this half-term. They will consider who are role models and what they may aspire to be like now and in the future. They will also consider how to reframe negative thinking to take a more positive approach to challenges and ways in which they can support mental and emotional wellbeing, including mindfulness and signposting on how to access quality support and guidance if ever needed.
Year 11
Students will be completing some Emergency First Aid training which will lead to a St John’s ambulance certificate if students fulfill the practical elements of the session. Students will also explore peer pressure and ways to manage it as well as discussing risky behaviours and lifestyle choices such as substance abuse.
Should your child wish to seek support related to any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support Team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
We have our reporting system 'TootToot', where students can report anonymously or with their name.
Please note all calls both to and from the school are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
December Half-Term Activity Camp
Looking to keep your children active and entertained during the Christmas Holidays? Our December Activity Camp is packed with exciting activities, including the ever-popular giant inflatable obstacle course, team games, creative challenges, and more!
Whether your child loves sports, arts, or adventure, there’s something for everyone!
Don’t miss out—book now to secure your child’s place!
Dates: Monday 23 December, Thursday 2 January & Friday 3 January
Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Free for children who receive benefit-related free school meals
The Mountbatten School is finishing at 12.30pm on Friday 20 December 2024. Bluestar is able to provide one bus at approximately 12.50pm.
Jaydean G 8GWT
Emily R 7LAD/AGN - Level 10
Kai W 7SGY
Adam M 8DCR/ESY
Joe C 10RLE
Nathan J 7SCD
Felicity S 8JWS
Heidi C 9EGY
Naomi F-R 7BPY
Fleur R 8MAZ
