Andrew Smith

It is with the utmost sadness that we share the news of the passing of Andrew Smith.

Andrew will be remembered for so many things, not least the dignity with which he faced his illness over the last year. No-one present will forget the charity basketball game he graced last November, and the huge cheers every time he sank a basket – which was every shot, for as usual he never missed.

All of our staff count it as an honour to have worked with him in the short time he was at Sackville. So many of his peers are proud to have counted him as a friend.

We have lost a young man of immense talent and promise, who grabbed every opportunity his brief life offered and wrung every last ounce from it. Andrew was a true example and inspiration to the whole Sackville community, and the thoughts of that community are with his family now. Andrew, you will be missed but never forgotten.

GCSE success!

Sackville School is delighted with the GCSE results achieved by its students today. They are a reflection of a great year group who approached their studies and all the accompanying pressures outstandingly well.

All of the GCSEs were on the new more demanding 9-1 scale this year and the students rose magnificently to the challenge. With highlights including 8 out of 10 students achieving strong GCSE passes in English and also in maths we can confidently say that at Sackville ‘Together we Achieve’.

Not only were our own expectations exceeded; the students achieved comfortably above government benchmarks. Hard-working students of all abilities continue to make great strides at Sackville.

Headteacher Julian Grant said “We could tell from the way these students approached their exams in the summer that we were in for some strong results. I would like to congratulate the students once again for the tremendous work they put in over the whole of last year. None of this would have been possible without the support of Sackville’s amazing staff and our parent community who I am sure, like me, are very proud today.”

Sackville celebrates!

Sackville students are celebrating another really high quality set of A level results.

Half of all grades were at B, A or A* and over 90% achieved the higher C+ grades in English, maths and geography, with 83% in history and in physics. No fewer than 20 students achieved an A* or A grade in maths alone which is outstanding.

The students have once again coped remarkably well with the new, more challenging A levels and it is testament to their staff who prepared them thoroughly.

Top achievers include Grace de Souza who achieved a fantastic 4 A* grades and a further 11 students who achieved straight A/A*s: Sam Akehurst, Imogen Booth, Mark Botha, Jenny Brockbank, Olivia Burton, Ellie Bush, Alice Holman, Casper Parsonage, Will Roberts Percy, Ben Sweetman and Marnie Trewern. A further 7 students achieved 2 A/A*s: Hollie Barden, Tatyana Koleva, Treya Lufu, Ollie Moon, Emily Phipps, Tom Taylor and Melissa Turner.

Such strong results have led to great success in securing apprenticeship, first choice university, medical and veterinary school places.

Headteacher Julian Grant commented:

“We are thrilled with these results and I would like to congratulate all students, staff and their parents for the hard work and dedication that made these outcomes possible. A huge well done to the Sackville community!”

World Challenge 2019

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Our World Challenge team flew to Malawi on the last Friday of term for their three-week trip. The action began immediately with an ascent of Mulanje Mountain. The slideshow gives some idea of the incredible scenery experienced.

As well as the World Challenge leader, the group are benefitting from Mr Langford as one of the staff leaders. Mr Langford grew up in Malawi and is very keen to share this amazing country with the visitors.

After this initial adventure, the group headed to their project at Fishermen’s Rest, working at Madziabango School.

A safari followed at the Liwonde National Park during the R and R phase of the trip. 

The students returned safely on August 2nd. As you can see, it is the experience of a lifetime.

Steve Latus – still a legend after forty years

At the end of term in July, as well as saying our fond farewells to those departing for pastures new, we marked a very special anniversary: Steve Latus has taught at Sackville for forty years. When he started with us, Mrs Thatcher had just become prime-minister, Pink Floyd had just released ‘The Wall’, and Arsenal had just beaten Manchester United in the ‘Five-Minute Cup Final’.

That is a long time to serve one school, and what service Steve has given. He is very fondly remembered by hundreds of geography students and those who were in the several year groups he headed up. There have been some lovely comments on Instagram:

• Great man, taught me and now teaching my son. Keep going! You were a firm favourite back in my day and still are now!
• The man is a legend, he taught me many years ago, and has since taught my daughter, I’m hoping my son will have the same experience soon!
• Best head of year ever 
• He’s taught two of my three this year and been brilliant. One of the loveliest, funniest teachers to meet at parents’ evening too.
• Loved by my partner and me in the 90’s when we were at Sackville, now loved by our kids too! 
• What an amazing man! As he interviewed my new year 7 for September he told us that’s its never seemed like ‘work’ because he’s loved every day.

Well done to someone who truly makes Sackville what it is.

Archie Mabey wins Matt Rieley Award

There could be no more deserving winner of the Matt Rieley Award than Archie Mabey. Archie throws himself into school life at Sackville, both in lessons and in extra-curricular activities. His default setting is one of cheerful enthusiasm, and you’ll see this whether he is at a desk, on the sports field, or keeping spirits up during a wet Duke of Edinburgh weekend.

In the picture Archie is receiving the award from Mr and Mrs Rieley, parents of Matt who sadly passed away three years ago, after being both an exceptional student and employee. The award is given every year to someone who embodies the values Matt lived by.

Thank-you to Mrs and Mrs Rieley for coming in to present the award.

Curriculum Enhancement Week 2019

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Our ‘activities week’ began on Monday July 16th – and there is almost too much going on to write about. Every year group has their sports day this week. On top of this, year 7s have a day at Blackland Farm or Ardingly Watersports, a STEM day on rockets, and an SMSC day on fair trade. 

Year 8s also have one day at Ardingly or Blackland, a STEM day on disaster survival, and an SMSC day on diversity. Year 9s have an SMSC day on health, a STEM day on the science of sport and a visit to Team Dynamics in Frant. A good number of year 9s are also in Cantabria in Spain on their MFL trip.

Year 10s’ SMSC day focuses on futures and careers, they have a visit to either Plumpton College or Sussex University, and they finish the week and indeed their last school activities days with a visit to Thorpe Park.

It’s a busy week and we’d like to thank all of the students for giving everything a go, and all of the staff who work particularly hard to make the week tick.

Year 8s graduate from key stage 3

We were delighted to host two celebration assemblies on Monday and Tuesday 8^th and 9^th July to mark the graduation of year 8s from key stage 3.

Every student received a scroll from Mr Grant. On the scroll was the number of reward points each student obtained in years 7 and 8, their photo, the subjects they will study in years 9-11, and best of all three adjectives that best describe them chosen by their form tutors.

There were also awards for individual excellence in different subject areas.

One parent commented: A joy to be at the year 8 assembly this morning! Thank you for the wonderful opportunities you are giving our son and the care for him.

We would like to thank all of the parents who were able to attend, and of course also the wonderful year 8 students.

Want to help make cycling and walking round town easier?

East Grinstead Town Council are conducting a survey ascertain the appetite of local residents to cycle and walk more. The council would like as many of the community as possible to complete the survey. You can complete the survey here.

As a school we are of course keen on having car-free, sustainable and safe routes to school for our students as much as possible.

Thank-you!

Benjy and Rebekah star at the English Schools’ Athletics Championships

Congratulations to Benjy Okeiyi in year 12 and Rebekah Tyler in year 11 for two outstanding performances in the English Schools’ Athletics Championships. Benjy came third in the in the 400 metre hurdles with an incredibly fast time of 55.56 seconds. Most of us could not cycle round a track in less than a minute – without hurdles! In late July we heard Benjy had been selected for England in the Youth Nations Cup to be held in Dublin over the first weekend in August.

Rebekah came seventh in the shot with a throw in excess of 12 metres – another astonishing result.

Well done to both competitors – we are truly proud of you.