How time flies! It does not seem 5 years since our current Year 11s joined us at Deer Park but those children who were once at the beginning of their secondary education are now 15 and 16 year old teenagers preparing and revising for their summer GCSE exams.  The next two months may be stressful but there are plenty of resources inhouse (for example, on the iDeer One Stop Shop) and online  (for example, GetRevising, BBC MindSet, OCR Guide to Revision) and our pupils should have the tools they need to get through this time. Talking with teachers, our Pastoral team, parents and friends is highly recommended!

There are a number of important dates coming up:

1. Year Group Photograph - Wednesday, 25 April
   The photographer will be in school on Wednesday 25 April to take a commemorative photograph of the whole year group. Pupils are reminded that they are expected to be in correct uniform and jewellery should be kept to a minimum due to the camera flash. The photograph will be available to order.
2. Leavers' Hoodies - Friday 27 April
   The deadline for ordering Leavers' Hoodies from Prints & Threads in Ashcroft Road, Cirencester is Friday 27 April. Hoodies start at £19, with an additional £3 for a name.
3. Start of GCSEs - Monday 14 May
   The GCSE exam season now starts in earnest. Pupils should check their exam timetables and continue to manage their revision around their scheduled lessons. Lessons will focus on exam preparation and techniques. Teachers will be able to respond to questions and provide last minute guidance. Candidates should make sure they are well prepared for each exam and arrive punctually. Our Exams team provide the essential equipment and additional support where necessary.
4. Leavers' Book - Friday 25 May
   As a souvenir of their time at Deer Park, our Upper Pastoral Team are putting together a special Leavers’ Book. These are published to order and cost £15 based on the sale of 100 books. The order deadline is Friday 25 May and the books will be available for collection during the Celebration of Achievement Evening in November.
5. Leavers' Day - Friday 25 May
   On the last day of this term, we will be celebrating our pupils’ time at Deer Park. They all have a GCSE English Literature exam in the morning, but at 12 noon they will be invited to join staff for a special celebration lunch, before gathering outside to sign each others’ shirts if they chose to do so; alternatively, they can purchase a Deer Park Autograph Book from the Finance Office for just £2. In an assembly we will reflect on their time at Deer Park and celebrate their achievements. Pupils are reminded that they are still expected to be in uniform and that they have an important English Literature exam in the morning that they need to be fully focused on.
6. Study Leave - Monday 4 June
   Study Leave officially begins on Monday 4 June. From this date forward, Year 11 pupils will not be required to wear school uniform when in school, although they are reminded that their choice of clothing should be appropriate for the school environment and comfortable for sitting an exam and that they must remember to come in to school promptly for each exam.
7. End of Exams - Friday 22 June
   The final exams of the summer (Product Design and Citizenship) take place on Friday 22 June. Now all the year group can think about relaxing!
8. Leavers' Ball - Friday 29 June
   The Class of 2018 will come together again at their Leavers’ Ball on Friday 29 June from 7pm. Tickets cost £21 and include non-alcoholic drinks, a buffet, entertainment and a professional souvenir photo. This is an occasion for celebration but obviously our school standards still apply. We look forward to seeing the Class of 2018 dressed in their finery. See the Letters page for the Leavers' Ball Guide.
9. Results Day - Thursday 23 August
   Exam results will be available from 9.15am on Thursday 23 August. We look forward to congratulating our pupils on their achievements when they come to collect their results.
10. Celebration of Achievement Evening - November
    There will be an opportunity to formally celebrate the Class of 2018’s success at our Celebration of Achievement event in November. Further details will follow.