What a week! Our school hall was transformed into 1960s Baltimore, and we are still buzzing from the incredible energy of our production of Hairspray. From the very first note of “Good Morning Baltimore” to the final, roof-raising chorus of “You Can’t Stop the Beat, ” our students truly outdid themselves. The quality of the singing was breathtaking, the acting was full of heart, and the sheer enthusiasm on stage was infectious.

 Pure Talent and Confidence It was a joy to see so many parents, carers, and family members in the audience. Watching our students perform with such poise and self-assurance is always the highlight of the school year. Whether they were center stage or part of the fantastic ensemble, every single student contributed to a professional-level show that they should be immensely proud of A “Hair-Raising” Team Effort A production of this scale doesn’t happen without a massive team effort. A huge thank you goes out to all the staff members who went above and beyond—from directing and choreography to costumes, lighting, and backstage management. Thank you for your tireless dedication to making this “hair-raising” production a reality! Most importantly, thank you to our students for your hard work and for reminding us all that you truly can’t stop the beat here at Stretford High!

Our Commitment to Safety: The CARE Curriculum At Stretford High School, nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our students. This commitment is at the heart of our “Wrap-Around Curriculum, ” a holistic approach designed to protect, support, and educate our young people beyond the traditional classroom subjects. As part of our ongoing CARE initiative, we recently held a series of specialist assemblies for Years 8, 9, and 10 focused on the critical issue of knife crime. A Powerful Message of Change. We were deeply honoured—and humbled—to welcome a guest speaker whose courage left a lasting impact on our school community. A mother who suffered the unimaginable loss of her son to knife crime shared her story with our students. Her decision to turn a tragic personal loss into a mission to educate and protect other families is truly inspiring. Her bravery provided our students with a raw, honest, and vital perspective on the consequences of carrying weapons and the value of making safe, positive choices.

The “Wrap-Around” Approach Our “Wrap-Around Curriculum” is designed to ensure that safety isn’t just a one-off lesson, but a continuous conversation. By bringing in lived experiences and specialist voices, we aim to: Empower students with the knowledge to stay safe. Encourage open dialogue between students, staff, and parents. Educate our young people on the wider impact their choices have on the community.

Finding Support We understand that the topics discussed in these assemblies can be challenging. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they heard. Further details regarding the content of these assemblies, as well as links to support resources for families, can be found on page 19 of this newsletter.