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Latest News
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Christmas Celebrations
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Excerpts from a Headmaster's In-Tray
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Open Days and Opening Nights
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Invitation to pupils, families and friends
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A week of highs and lows
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"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
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News from cyberspace
Calm, focus and inspiration on muddy fields
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Christmas Celebrations
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Archive News
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Individuals pull together for the team
'In union there is strength' - Aesop -
Laboris gloria Ludi
Getting the balance right -
Arnold's record breaking examination success
Pupils achieve our best ever results -
Celebrating Independence
Fond farewells, England debuts and ghyll scrambling -
UCSF invests £6 million in Arnold's development
An exciting future ahead of us -
Honouring Arnold's traditions
with supper, solemnity... and swing music -
Back to school with a spring in my step
Sunshine brings warmth, hope and happiness
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Individuals pull together for the team
September 4th
One of my main jobs here in the summer was to receive our public examination results and I am pleased to tell you that Arnold pupils did well.
As you will see elsewhere on the site, at A2 (U6) we achieved a 100% pass rate, with almost two thirds of the grades at either A or B. Pleasingly, the majority of students gained entry to the university of their choice. The individual results include some outstanding performances and in total twelve students achieved three or more A grades. At GCSE (Year 11) over half of all grades were at either A or A* and nearly all pupils achieved at least five passes at grades A* to C. It must also be said that there were very many personal triumphs from those who produced less spectacular results and all of our pupils can feel proud of themselves.
The summer holiday saw 6th Form students spend several weeks in South Africa on a wildlife conservation project, a gold Duke of Edinburgh award expedition to the Scottish Highlands and a very successful CCF camp at Warcop. Once again, I acknowledge the efforts of those colleagues who ran these activities.
No doubt your children will have told you by now of the exciting news that we have completed the installation of the latest interactive whiteboards and PCs in every classroom in the Senior School and many in the Junior School. This comes as the first stage of UCST's investment in the school and will be followed by other major projects in due course. On your next visit to the school, I am sure you will also notice that, at long last, the Orange ‘phone mast has been dismantled and removed.
Many congratulations to Miss Alsop and Miss Harvey who both got married over the summer. It is also good to welcome Mrs Caunce and Mrs Jenkinson back to work after having their babies and Mrs Donald and Miss Norris who are both joining the staff. Mrs Donald will take over the leadership of Economics and Miss Norris will teach Art and Drama.
I know you will be concerned to learn that Mr Snell was very seriously ill over the holiday, but also pleased to hear that he is recovering well. He is not fit enough to return to work just yet but we hope to be able welcome him back in a few weeks. In the meantime we have obtained the services of a replacement teacher, Mr Steve Smith. The parents of those taking Drama at GCSE or A level will receive a separate letter soon.
Best wishes and I look forward to meeting you again at some stage in the term, possibly at either our Open Morning on Saturday 4th October or the Open Evening on Thursday 6th November.
Kind regards
Barry Hughes