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Year 9

Dear Parents and Carers of Year 9 Students,

As we enter this important stage of your child’s education, we are excited to begin the journey towards GCSEs. Year 9 marks both challenge and opportunity, as students explore subjects in greater depth while developing skills that will serve them well in the future.

Why Year 9 Matters

In Year 9, students begin their selected GCSE courses, laying the foundation for their future studies and career aspirations. The more focused curriculum allows them to pursue subjects they enjoy while building key skills such as independence, critical thinking, and time management.

How You Can Support

Your encouragement makes a real difference. Promoting good study habits, balancing schoolwork with wellbeing, and keeping in touch with subject teachers will help your child thrive. We will guide students through each stage of the GCSE journey.

Attendance

Attendance is a vital factor in success. Students with under 90% attendance are statistically more likely to underperform by around one full grade per subject compared to peers with 100% attendance. To put this into perspective, 90% attendance equals almost 20 missed school days a year — that’s lost lessons, extra-curricular opportunities, and wider school experiences. Daily attendance is the best foundation for success.

Key Dates for Your Diary

  • Year 9 Information Evening: Wednesday 26th November
    An opportunity to hear from myself (Head of Year) and Mr Vyas (Deputy Head of Year) on supporting your child through the GCSE transition.

  • Parents’ Evenings:

    • 9A – Wednesday 13th May 2026

    • 9B – Wednesday 20th May 2026

  • Exciting Event: A Year Group trip is being planned to Calshot for Term 3 (dates TBC). Further details will follow.

Contacting the Year 9 Team

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us:

  • Endeavour 1 – Mrs Dique (bdique@bhcs.sfet.org.uk) / Mrs Williams (cwilliams@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Endeavour 2 – Ms Clare (jclare@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Horizon 1 – Mrs Penny (spenny@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Horizon 2 – Ms Duemke (tduemke@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Pioneer 1 – Mr Vyas (Deputy Head of Year) (vvyas@bhcs.sfet.org.uk) / Miss Lambert (slambert@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Pioneer 2 – Ms Malone (emalone@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Voyager 1- Mr Farr (mfarr@nhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Voyager 2- Mrs Britton (vbritton@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)/ Miss Jin (cjin@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

  • Mixed House- Mrs King (gking@bhcs.sfet.org.uk) 

  • Head of Year – Mr Onions (ronions@bhcs.sfet.org.uk)

We are excited to partner with you and your child as they embark on this significant stage of their education.

Best regards,
The Year 9 Team

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