Welcome to the first newsletter of the year. It has been a busy and productive start to the term, with students already embracing a wide range of opportunities both in and beyond the classroom.

A particular highlight recently was our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award training weekend, when we hosted both Bronze and Silver groups in school. The energy, commitment and enthusiasm shown by all participants were evident throughout, and it was a pleasure to see students working so positively together as they developed their skills and supported one another.

These training days are an important step in preparing for the forthcoming practice and qualifying expeditions, and having the groups based in school provided a focused and supportive environment in which confidence and teamwork could flourish. We look forward to welcoming our Gold DofE students for their training next weekend. My thanks go to Mrs Murphy and the LifeLiveAdventure instructor team for making the weekend such a success.

Looking ahead, we are delighted to be hosting the London Mountain Film Festival in school again on Thursday 12th March. The festival promises to be another memorable evening with films celebrating adventure, exploration and the outdoors. The bar will open at 6.30pm, with films beginning at 7.00pm in the Main Hall. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s, The event is hosted by  the Ribston Hall Association (RHA) and we are really grateful to them for their continued support of the school through events such as this.

Please have a read of this term's newsletter. It is our opportunity to celebrate many of the student achievements and fantastic activities and experiences students have throughout the year. Highlights this term include the recent gliding STEM visit, our cross-curricular trip to Paris, Model United Nations participation, and subject-specific visits that continue to broaden students’ horizons and ambitions.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the school.

Best Wishes

Mr. Alec Waters
Headteacher

Ribston Students Take Part in International Model UN

At the beginning of this month, 33 students from Years 9, 11, 12 and 13 proudly represented Ribston at a dynamic international Model UN conference.

Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations, where students take on the role of country delegates. Participants research global issues, debate proposed resolutions and collaborate in formal committee sessions — mirroring the procedures of real UN conferences.

Ribston joined 13 other schools from China, Kenya and the UK, with each school representing a different country. This year, our students represented Mauritius, debating resolutions set by the “real” UN during last year’s COP29 climate talks.

In the three weeks leading up to the conference, students met regularly to prepare. They explored how climate change affects Mauritius, examining issues such as deforestation, plastic pollution, sustainable fashion, carbon emissions and climate adaptation financing. They also considered the country’s economic position, environmental vulnerabilities and political priorities to ensure they could represent Mauritius thoughtfully and accurately.

We were incredibly proud of the maturity and professionalism our students displayed. They confidently argued positions that reflected the complexities of international diplomacy showing a genuine understanding of the challenges involved in global decision-making.

We hope this experience has deepened their awareness of the complexities surrounding climate action and international cooperation.

Congratulations to all of our Ribston students who took part — they represented the school fantastically, and we have no doubt they are developing into the thoughtful, informed leaders of the future.

Year 7 Charity Fundraiser

Year 7 students raised a phenomenal £682.13 for The Nelson Trust in January. We were delighted to welcome Vicky Keeling, Head of Women’s Community Services, who visited to receive the cheque and speak to the year group about the charity and how their fundraising will support women in need.

The Nelson Trust runs 10 Women’s Centres across South West England and Wales, including one in Gloucester, as well as services delivered from HMP Eastwood Park. The women supported by the charity often face significant challenges such as trauma, involvement with the criminal justice system, homelessness, addiction, and mental health difficulties. The Nelson Trust believes strongly that change is possible for every woman they support.

Around 30% of Nelson Trust staff were once clients themselves — a powerful reminder that, with the right support, lives can and do change. Fundraising like this plays a vital role in making that transformation possible.

What our fundraising could provide:

• Emergency accommodation for a night, ensuring a woman is safe and off the streets while secure housing is arranged

• Food for a mother and her family —to provide healthy, nutritious meals

• Food and hygiene parcels for women in need

• A mobile phone with six months of data — a lifeline for women living in unsafe environments with no other form of communication

With International Women’s Day on 8th March, this event was a meaningful way to show women in our wider community that they are seen, valued, and supported.

Every pound raised will help The Nelson Trust provide everyday essentials that many of us take for granted — but most importantly, it provides hope.

Thanks again on behalf of Nelson Trust!

National Careers Week – 2^nd to 7^th March 2026

National Careers Week (NCW) 2026 runs from Monday March 2 to Saturday, March 7, 2026, featuring the theme "Own Your Future" to empower proactive career management. During the week, students can look at the careers display boards in Mortimer, which contain lots of useful information about career pathways by subject.

As parents and careers, you might find the National Careers Week Booklet helpful. National Careers Week is a great opportunity to start important conversations about your teen’s future. With so many options after GCSEs and sixth form, knowing where to begin can be tricky. The guide sets out the key choices and offers simple, practical advice to help you support your teen in making confident decisions.

The Parents’ Guide to is available throughout the year, containing straight forwardguidance on post-16 and post-18 pathways, alongside support for teenage health and wellbeing.

National Careers Week

Paris Trip

At the beginning of February, 40 students from Years 9, 11, 12 and 13 enjoyed a cross-curricular Languages and Textiles trip to Paris.

The group was fortunate to experience beautiful clear skies throughout the weekend, providing the perfect backdrop for exploring the city. Students were a real credit to the school, receiving several compliments from the public for their excellent conduct and positive attitude.

Highlights included wandering through the artistic streets of Montmartre and visiting the Sacré-Cœur, where students took in sweeping views across Paris. The group also stopped at the Le Mur des Je t'aime (“I Love You” wall) before ascending the Eiffel Tower.

Textiles and fashion were brought to life through visits to the Galerie Dior and the Palais Galliera, alongside time at Galeries Lafayette to admire its stunning architecture and shop for souvenirs.

Evenings were spent enjoying meals together in local bistros and strolling along the Champs-Élysées, where students watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour — a memorable end to each day.

The trip provided a rich blend of language, culture and textile inspiration, and was enjoyed by all who took part.

Harry Potter 3D Art & Design Trip

At the end of last year our Year 11 3D Art & Design students enjoyed a memorable visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, where they took part in a behind-the-scenes Set Design workshop.

The session gave students first-hand insight into the creative and technical processes behind professional film production. They explored how initial ideas develop into concept artwork, and how designers communicate mood, scale and atmosphere before construction begins.

A special highlight of the day was when Megan O’Neil was chosen to open the golden doors to the Great Hall, and even had the chance to try on Hagrid’s jumper during the skills session. All students then joined a studio tour, walking through working set spaces, examining detailed props and experiencing the immersive environments that bring creative visions to life.

The visit provided valuable real-world context to support their coursework and inspire their own 3D design projects.

Royal College of Music London Trip

At the end of February, Year 10 GCSE and Year 13 A-level Music students took part in a trip to London.

The day began with a visit to the Handel & Hendrix in London, where students explored the historic homes of the two composers, who lived side-by-side—though around 250 years apart. They enjoyed discovering the rooms, memorabilia, and musical works associated with both figures.

Students then travelled to the Royal College of Music, where they attended the Friday Museum Concert, received an introductory talk from the RCM Academic Registrar, and took part in a guided tour of the college.

Afterwards, there was time for photos and some fresh air before enjoying dinner and beginning the journey home. It was a long but rewarding day, full of musical exploration and inspiration. 🎶🎵

STEM Gliding Experience for Students

At the end of February, 12 of our students visited Cotswold Gliding Club in Aston Down for a STEM event aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in aviation.

Students enjoyed a tour of the site, exploring the range of gliders available and sitting in a glider cockpit. They also spent time using the glider simulator, where they were guided through the controls and learnt the basics of flight. The students were brilliant at this: some took control quickly, while others even managed loop-the-loops. There were a few crashes—but that was all part of the learning process! Apparently, it’s much easier in the air, where the instructor sits behind and can take control if needed. Students also took part in a session on gliding ratios and the science behind take-offs.

Some students will be invited back in the summer term for a flying day at a reduced cost. From this group (across the three participating schools), one student will be awarded a £500 bursary towards further lessons, with the goal of going solo.

Every student was attentive, enthusiastic, and full of thoughtful questions—any one of them would be deserving of this opportunity.

Ribston students have won the bursary for the past two years, so fingers crossed for a third year in a row!

Hattie celebrated a fantastic 2025 season with Tewkesbury Swimming Club on Saturday evening, bringing home an impressive collection of awards. She was presented with the cup for 14-year-old girls and also recognised as the overall girls’ fastest swimmer (all ages) and fastest swimmer for 400 m freestyle, 200 m individual medley, 200 m freestyle, 200 m backstroke, 200 m breaststroke, 100 m freestyle, 100 m backstroke and 100 m butterfly. To top it all off, Hattie was named Swimmer of the Year — a remarkable haul and a well-deserved celebration of her achievements for the season. Congratulations Hattie! 

Well done to all of our Year 10 GCSE Dance students who delivered a fantastic performance of 'Moulin Rouge' as part of the Cheltenham Town Hall Festival at the end of January.

Well done to Amy for her incredible kindness in donating 20 inches of her hair to Little Princess Trust over half-term to support children and young people affected by cancer and experiencing hair loss — what a thoughtful and inspiring thing to do!

Congratulations Britons
House Points champions for this term!

January Spotlight on Safeguarding: Com Groups and Everyday Consent

This month’s edition focuses on Com Groups and Everyday  Consent. Recently, alarming reports have emerged about dangerous online networks sometimes called ‘com groups’ or ‘com networks.’ These are loosely organised online communities, often on social media, messaging apps or gaming platforms, where cybercriminals and abusers target children and teenagers.

As part of our continued commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of our students, we share The  Enlightened Practitioner newsletter. This resource offers guidance and advice on safeguarding matters. 

London Mountain Film Festival

Following the success of last year’s event, the RHA is hosting another London Mountain Film Festival Night this month. Book your tickets now for what promises to be a fantastic evening.

All proceeds go towards supporting the Ribston Hall Association and enhancing facilities for our students.

Ribston Hall Association Shop

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