This quotation is so simple, yet effective and is one message that we want to resonate throughout our school community.
 
... it's about bringing that effort every single day
 
If you put the effort in, you get the results you deserve and our job is to help our young people to also recognise the steps they make and pick up on the transformation towards becoming better at something, whether that's learning, sport, friendships, confidence - the list is endless.
 
 
 
I am so proud of my colleagues who have embraced another year of teaching with the desire to challenge themselves, take on new ideas and move forward with their practice.  We share a passion to continue to provide our pupils with the best experience of learning and a lot of effort is needed by teachers to continue with their professional development.  This all takes place behind the scenes, with meetings after work, reading and research at the weekends - it's not only our pupils who have to work after the end of the school day.  Thank you #TeamEddies for all that you do to have a positive impact on our pupils!
 
We held another successful Open Evening and I was absolutely delighted with the large number of potential parents/carers/pupils who visited us.  Our school prefects made wonderful tour guides and all departments had students helping out.  I received so many compliments about our students ... I always state that our pupils are our best form of advertisement and this was proved correct again.  A massive 'thank you' to all staff and students for continuing to keep our school the special place it is!

We held our Careers Fair for Y10 and Y11 students and I am proud to say that there were approximately 30 representatives from colleges, apprenticeship providers and employers in attendance to help to guide the future choices of our young learners.  The feedback from the event from parents/carers, students and visitors was overwhelmingly positive. 
 
I would like to say "well done" to the 'Historians of the Week' - the effort that you have made in this subject has been noticed by your teachers:-
 
- Sam (10O) for making an excellent start to GCSE History
- Rachael (9O) for contributing with enthusiasm in class
- Sophie (7M) for making an outstanding start to Y7 History
 
As well as the activities that take place at lunchtime, we also have quite a few after-school activities taking place now that the extra-curricular timetable is back up and running.  Why not check the school website to see what is available, for example:-
 
- Music (Y9 Enrichment Programme)
- PE (Y7 - Y10 Netball Practice)
- Rugby Training with Wigan Warriors
- Football Training
- Science

The photo below shows Mr O'Callaghan's class (9X1) fully engaged in a webinar "How to change the world (with the help of Physics)" hosted by the Institute of Physics
 
Our school sports teams have also re-started their fixtures and I would like to pay tribute to our Football/Rugby and Netball teams.
 
A massive Well done to the Y8 football team who beat Lytham High School with a fantastic 3 - 2 win.  The players showed terrific team spirit, effort and determination and deserved the outcome.
 
Also, well done to our Y11 football team who remain unbeaten so far this year, beating Westleigh 5 - 4 in their latest game last night and have now reached the semi-finals.
 
 
The Y9 boys played their first rugby fixture against St Peters and came from 20-4 behind at half-time to win 22-20 in superb style!  What a result!!






 
 
 
The Y7 girls had a netball competition and travelled to Standish High School for the first time in 18 months for a fixture and made a great start to the tournament!
 
It's great to be able to invite Wigan Warriors back into school to support training for all year groups and if anyone is interested in taking part, please speak to Mr Bradley.




 
 
 
 
SCHOOL NETBALL IS BACK!! Since starting back in September, Year groups 7-10 have all competed in numerous fixtures against teams all over the borough, they have represented the school in a Netball tournament, winning at least two games each. Fixtures for the year 7-10 league are currently taking place every Wednesday. 
 
Thank you to the PE Department for creating these opportunities for our young people and to the parents/carers for supporting our teams.  It is wonderful to have all of our enrichment programmes back again!
 
Something else wonderful to celebrate is the success of one of our Y10 students who has recently won a competition to design a rugby shirt with St Helens RL Club to raise awareness for Autism.  Congratulations and
well done Kelvyn - it's a great design and you deserved to win!  You can read more about this on our school website: Kelvyn's Rugby League Win
 
Finally, I was extremely proud to learn that ex-pupil, Private Coan Gildart is now a Paratrooper of the Third Battalion Parachute Regiment and has just returned from serving on the front line in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Whilst home on leave, Coan walked his cousin onto the pitch (ex-pupil and Wigan Warriors player, Oliver Gildart) for his final match before leaving to join The Wests Tigers based in Sydney, Australia.  For the full story, read - Private Coan Gildart walks Wigan Warriors onto the pitch