We are so excited to announce that we will be performing Shrek the Musical this summer!

Following hugely successful auditions earlier this month, with large numbers of students from all year groups, we have selected our main cast and ensemble.

There was huge excitement in the Drama Studio as students came along to see which parts they had been allocated.

Congratulations to all our cast members (main parts listed above), and we can't wait to share more Shrek updates over the next few months.

The start of term saw a renewed effort to improve the litter problem at school, and to support staff and students with recycling and managing waste.

With a refreshed approach to the daily tutor litter picks, we now have two tutor groups litter picking during each afternoon registration. By zoning the grounds, it means students can make a big difference to an area of the school within a short space of time. 

We are also planning more regular, half-termly community litter picks in the roads surrounding the school, and down to the Turnhams Farm Recreation Ground. 

In order to maximise the number of students litter picking at any one time, we reached out to Theale-based company, Bowak, suppliers of cleaning, hygiene and catering products, who kindly offered to donate 15 brand new litter pickers, a large box of black bin liners and two boxes of gloves.

Bowak's Territory Manager, Emma Harvey, and Marketing Executive, Lauren Smith, joined Mr Ramsden, alongside students from the Eco-Committee and the team of Sustainability Prefects, to take part in one of our school site litter picks.

It was encouraging to see the daily litter picks were making a difference already, as the litter levels were noticeably less. However, we were still able to fill a few bags from around the bins and the perimeters where litter had collected in the wind.

A huge thank you to Bowak for supporting our efforts and for helping students to take responsibility for looking after their environment, both inside and outside school.

We welcomed The Globe Players back into school this month to perform for our Year 9, 10 and 11 students.

We enjoyed performances of Romeo and Juliet for our Year 9 students, Macbeth for our Year 10 students and An Inspector Calls for our Year 11 students.

It was a fantastic day bringing theatre to school, and for supporting the learning and understanding of our GCSE texts.

This month, 26 Year 12 A-Level Politics students took part in a tour of Parliament. They saw the House of Commons and House of Lords in action during a debate, and also met our local MP, Olivia Bailey.

The tour focused on the history of the Houses of Parliament, with students seeing Westminster Hall, the Lobby and St. Stephens Hall, which is where the Houses of Commons originally sat during Medieval times.

Whilst in the public gallery of the House of Commons and House of Lords, we saw debates taking place in both chambers. We were extremely lucky to be able to speak to Olivia Bailey, our local Member of Parliament, who told us about some of her work for the local constituency as well as her views on current issues facing the country.

Finally, the students engaged in a walking tour of Westminster which included seeing 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Students came away with an enhanced understanding of the workings of Parliament and the locations of power in the United Kingdom.

It was a joy to welcome our former Year 13 students back for a special afternoon dedicated to reconnecting and celebrating their achievements of the last academic year.

The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to catch up with one another, share their experiences since leaving, and spend time speaking with their former teachers.

Throughout the afternoon, a range of awards and certificates were presented in recognition of their hard work and successes. It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces and hear about the exciting paths our students have taken.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such an enjoyable and memorable afternoon.

• 6/1 - Y10 U15 Boys Football County Cup match, LHS 10 v 0 Kings Academy Easthampstead Park School
• 8/1 - Y9 ESFA Round 5 National Cup Football match, LHS 2 v 4 St Johns School Leatherhead
• 8/1 - Y7 U12 Boys Basketball, LHS 40 v 2 Blessed Hugh Farringdon
• 12/1 - U16 Boys Basketball, LHS 43 v 37 Denefield
• 13/1 - Y10 U15 Boys Football 5 a side match, LHS 2 v 3 Hartland High (lost on penalties)
• 14/1 - Y7 U12 Boys Basketball, LHS 24 v 55 Bohunt
• 14/1 - Y10 Netball match, LHS 9 v 2 Highdown
• 14/1 - Y10 Netball match, LHS 6 v 4 Reading Girls
• 20/1 - Y9 Boys Football 5 a side match, LHS 1 v 3 Hartland High
• 20/1 - Y9 Boys Football 5 a side match, LHS 0 v 2 Willink
• 20/1 - Y9 Boys Football 5 a side match, LHS 2 v 0 The Wren
• 20/1 - Y9 Boys Football 5 a side match, LHS 0 v 6 Bohunt
• 21/1 - Y10 League Netball match, LHS 19 v 4 The Wren
• 23/1 - Y7 U12 Football 1st round County Cup match, LHS 3 V 1 Brackenhale
• 27/1 - Y8 U13 Football 5 a side match, LHS 4 v 0 The Wren
• 27/1 - Y8 U13 Football 5 a side match, LHS 1 v 0 Maiden Earley Wokingham
• 27/1 - Y8 U13 Football 5 a side match, LHS 1 v 1 Maiden Earley Reading (lost on penalties)
• 27/1 - U16 Boys Basketball, LHS 35 v 34 Theale
• 28/1 - Y10 Netball match, LHS 16 v 10 Denefield
• 30/1 - Y11 U16 Football County Cup Round 2, LHS v Edgebarrow (result TBC)

JUNIOR BAKE OFF
Applications Close Sunday 15 March

Applications for the 12^th series of Junior Bake Off are open until Sunday 15 March. Junior Bake Off is a Channel 4 competition series celebrating Britain’s young baking talent!

This is an exciting opportunity for any baking enthusiasts, and Reading has a good history of Junior Bake Off contestants and winners!

They are looking for young budding bakers between 9–15 years old. Interested bakers can apply online at: Apply for Junior Bake Off Series 12 

Filming would take place from July 2026, but the applications close on Sunday 15 March 2026. 

If you need any further information, contact The Junior Bake Off Team: Call: 0207 067 4833 Email: applyforjuniorbakeoff@loveproductions.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Residents of Holybrook Parish

Holybrook Parish Council is pleased to share details of two community competitions running in 2026:

• Blooming Beauties Competition
• Holybrook Photography Competition

As part of the Photography Competition, they would like to highlight the category “Our Parish Through Young Eyes”, which is open to children and teenagers (up to and including 16 year olds) who live in the Holybrook parish.

This category invites participants to capture Holybrook from their own perspective – from gardens and green spaces to wildlife and everyday outdoor scenes that reflect parish life. It is a great opportunity for pupils to engage creatively with their local environment.

If you have an interest in photography or creative activities, full details of both competitions and their rules can be found here: Holybrook Parish Competition Details 2026

If you are unsure if you live within Holybrook Parish, it is made up primarily of Beansheaf Farm, Fords Farm and a small part of Southcote (up to Underwood Road). A more detailed description of the parish’s boundaries can be found on their website: History of Holybrook – Holybrook Parish Council 

FEBRUARY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES AND EXHIBITIONS
Shaw House and West Berkshire Museum

Please see the flyers below for events and activities which are happening over the February Half Term at Shaw House and the West Berkshire Museum. 

Jack and the Beans Talk - Monday 16 February

• A charming story with an enormous beanstalk, bags of gold and a smelly old giant. Jack and the Beans Talk is a cautionary tale about what might happen if you throw things out of the window!
• £10 for Adults | £7 for Children
• Find out more here: Jack & the Beans Talk

Museum Explorers - Tuesday 17 February 

• A relaxed morning for children with additional needs and their families to enjoy the Museum when there is less hustle and bustle (as we are closed to the public on Tuesdays). 
  The downstairs museum galleries will be open, and there is an opportunity to take part in a craft
• Find out more here: Museum Explorers

Movie in the Hall - Tuesday 17 February 

• Come and watch Fantastic Mr Fox (PG).
• £5 for Adults | £3 for Children
• Find out more here: Movie in the Hall - Fantastic Mr Fox