It's been a very busy term here at Garibaldi, from mock exams in November through to our fantastic Creative Arts Showcase. I've been particularly proud to see the way that student leaders across the school have stepped up and taken their role very seriously. We now have student leaders in every year group who are being ably led by our Head Students. I am looking forward sharing an update on their work in the next newsletter.
It has also been brilliant to see the way that students and families have come together to contribute to our annual collection for our local Food Bank and give back to our local community. This represents the best of the Garibaldi community and shows just how community minded so many of our students are. Thank you for any contributions that you were able to make.
This time of year is a good opportunity to reflect on how the previous year has gone. It's clear that there have been substantial improvements in so many aspects of school life and I want to thank you for your help with this. Our students continue to rise to the challenges that we are setting for them and I am confident that 2025 will be a great year for Garibaldi!
Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Mr P Cassidy
Head Teacher
As recognition for demonstrating outstanding character and living our school ethos of Pride, Respect and Achieve we now have weekly Head Teacher Award Winners.
Our most recent students winners are shown in the photos above. These students constantly demonstrate outstanding perseverance, compassion, resourcefulness, kindness, enthusiasm, attitude and are a shining example of what a Garibaldi School student should be.
Well done to all of these students, keep up the good work and leading by example. We are extremely proud of you all.
Thursday 12th December marked the annual Garibaldi Awards Evening for our Year 11 and 13 alumni cohorts of 2023-24. We were so pleased to welcome back students, their parents and other family members to celebrate in their successes and achievements. As always at this time of the year the Main Hall was turned into an intimate festive setting which helped to create a special atmosphere for the evening. Over seventy prizes were awarded with nominations coming from teachers, mentors, Heads of Year and the Head Teacher along with recognition and a presentation to all our students who completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It was fantastic to hear so many positive and personal comments in support of the award winners and an opportunity to reflect on the hard work, resilience and talent that contributed to their achievements. The Head of Year 11 prize was awarded to Danny Clapperton, while the Head of Sixth Form prize was awarded to Oskar Nowak; both were very worthy recipients. At the end of the evening Mr Cassidy thanked all those who had supported our students in their successes and looked forward to their achievements yet to come. His Head Teachers prize was awarded to Asha Scott for her truly remarkable academic progress, his high levels of attainment, attendance and attitude to learning going on to study at Cambridge University. This rounded off a lovely uplifting evening where student achievement and success was front and centre.
Our students were invited to take part in our annual Christmas Card Competition and we had an array of beautiful designs. The competition was to design this year's school Christmas card. This was a chance to represent the school and create a piece of artwork to show off artistic skills and something to be proud of.
After much deliberation our four finalists were shortlisted anonymously to go to a live online vote by our school community of students, parents and staff. After a massive 889 responses a winning design was selected. The design has been added to the school Christmas card which has been sent to print to be distributed to our school community.
A huge congratulations to Sonia Zuromskyte in Year 8 for her absolutely outstanding piece of art which was our clear favourite this year with her beautiful design. Sonia was presented with an Amazon voucher and a copy of her printed card in a frame by Mr Cassidy.
Well done to everyone that took part and all the amazing Christmas creations!
On our last school day before we broke up for Christmas as part of The Garibaldi School Charity initiative and social action agenda, instead of the traditional £1 non uniform donation, we asked our students and staff to donate some food or toiletries to the Sherwood Food Bank, and my goodness me, did our students and staff deliver! (much like the big man himself!) All of our students arrived to school in their fantastic festive clothing, to be greeted by big smiles and festive tunes where students donated in their droves.
It was phenomenal to see all of our students recognising the need and significance to support others within our own community over the festive period. As a result of the food bank drive, we were able to donate a significant contribution.
Sherwood Food Bank collected the donations and with the help of our student leaders and willing staff volunteers, we were able to load it all in to go to those who may benefit from a little extra help over Christmas.
Well done to our school community for getting involved and help making this happen!
We were extremely fortunate and privileged to welcome Alison Cope, Anti Violence Campaigner to school to deliver talks to Years 8-11 around anti-violence and knife crime.
Alison was able to share important information around joint enterprise laws and the role of social media in escalating issues beyond peoples control, in addition to sharing her own personal story around knife crime. Alison’s son was Depzman (Joshua) who was a renowned Grime rapper. Depzman was unfortunately murdered as a result knife crime.
Our students were absolutely transfixed by her story and inspired by her strength. This has led to some incredible conversations students have had with staff and with each other.
We were incredibly proud of how our students conducted themselves in the sessions, they acted with dignity, compassion and respect.
Alison has created an anti-knife campaign where she has used Depzman’s music, images and voice to create a deep fake video in which he tells the story of his murder and the dangers of knife crime. This was shared with students in the session.
You can find a link to the video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bc9x4IjhWY
If you would like to learn more about Alison and the incredible work she has done in memory of her son, you can find further information here
https://www.alisoncope.com/
It was great to welcome our MP Steve Yemm to The Garibaldi School today to speak to our Sixth Form. Thank you for giving up your time to meet with our students and answer their questions.
Steve Yemm's visit to The Garibaldi School Sixth Form was part of the annual UKPW ( UK Parliament Week) which, this year, ran 18th – 24th November. Steve, as part of the UKPW, came into school to deliver an address to our Sixth Form students and take questions about his role, both here in the constituency, and at Westminster. His theme was ‘Engaging with young people; Contributing to a Mansfield to call home….’
He outlined his personal journey in life and how it is has contributed to his concurrent engagement in politics with his subsequent victory in the 2024 snap General Election. He then went on to outline how democracy works at a local and national level, including how voting works and ‘registering to vote’. The key element was to get young people thinking about what they want for their home town and to encourage them to engage with democracy to achieve it.
The session finished with a question time where students asked questions about democracy, politics and how they can get involved in their communities to make their hometown the best it can be.
Our local MP Steve Yemm came in for about an hour and spoke to all the 6th Formers about his role in general, as well as his upbringing in the local area in addition to some plans for the area such as around potholes and housing. He then opened the floor for questions from the audience, and he got asked questions relating to issues surrounding the safety of NHS workers and the environmental impacts of building new houses which he answered for the most part, and for those that he didn't answer fully he guided the questioner to other ways to communicate with him such as his email and visiting him in London. I asked him a question about what drove him to the Labour Party when he was younger and what continues to drive him to the party today, and he answered by talking about the impact that the party had on him when he was younger and how he felt a lot of the positive changes that happened to his family he credits to the Labour Party such as the 1974 Miners' Strike. I feel that even if he didn't answer all the questions exactly in the way the questioner was wanting, he showed a clear passion and care for the area and encouraged us to go and vote whenever we are able to, even if the vote isn't for him.
Cory Vincent, Year 12
We were delighted to welcome Circus Sensible to school to reward 140 students who have demonstrated outstanding character virtues since September.
Students had the opportunity to watch some circus tricks and then have a go themselves,
Students were able to practice diablo throwing, plate spinning and hula hooping.
It is fabulous to be able to reward our students that do the right thing all the time and really embody our school ethos of Pride Respect and Achieve.
After having White Post Farm in last term, Circus Sensible this term, watch this space to see what exciting reward we put in place for next term.
Well done everyone.
Students spent time during their Personal Development lessons this November considering the act of remembrance. They learnt about the ‘Standing with Giants’ installation which was originally placed at the British Normandy memorial at Ver-sur-Mer for the June anniversary of the D-Day landings before being moved to Stowe gardens in England. Students considered the different people who are remembered on the 11th November including Private Nathan Chadbourne from Forest Town, who we discovered lived in the same house as one of our current students. Students worked together as a mentor group to create wreaths to display. Students learnt that the Royal British Legion’s message is that ‘Remembrance does not glorify war and its symbol, the red poppy, is a sign of both remembrance and hope for a peaceful future’ before writing their own message on a poppy and adding it to their mentor group’s wreath. This was followed up by Y7-9 learning more about the D-Day landings in their history lessons.
As part of developing student experiences and knowledge towards their Level 2 Performing Arts course, we have arranged a theatre trip to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham to see Hairspray on Wednesday 6th November 2024. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to watch professional live theatre from one of the most enjoyable musical theatre pieces of our time.
A great day was had by both students and staff from the creative arts department.
Over the last six weeks a group of year 7 students have been taken over to Portland College where they have experienced lessons and engaged in practical based learning outside in the woods. Students have worked together in a range of problem solving tasks, learning about the flora and fauna, tool operations, fire safety amongst developing their practical skills in a number of projects. A great effort made by all students, finished of with them making a woodland festive reindeer, and toasting marshmallows on a wild fire they had lit in a traditional bush craft way.
On Tuesday 7th November a small group of Year 11 and Year 12 students went down to the Birmingham NEC for the National Schools and College Leavers Festival. This was an exciting opportunity and chance to meet and speak with a variety of apprenticeship providers, college and university representatives along with a range of industries. Students had the opportunity to find out information and an insight to careers in everything from; the forces, care, aerospace, mechanics for JCB and Aston Martin to University life. A great day out that emphasises the importance of gaining high grades in GCSE’s and potentially A-levels to go onto the next steps.
Over the course of the last half term Year 9 have been working hard in lessons and have taken steps to gather as much information as possible about potential option choices they would like to elect into for their Year 10 and 11 GCSE years. In doing so, this has enabled Year 9 to complete an initial trawl of option choices to allow subjects to put them into option blocks to ensure that Year 9 students get their preferred choices where possible.
Although option choices at this point are provisional students can now focus on ensuring that they understand the content of each GCSE or vocational course to ensure that the subjects they choose are most applicable to them ensuring ultimate success post Garibaldi.
You will have recently received a letter regarding which pathway your child will be taking from Year 10. At the Curriculum Information Evening in January more around this will be explained and how it ties in with your option choices. You will also be given a brochure specific to that pathway at this event with more details to take away with you.
To continue on their pathway of electing their options, there are some key dates of events that we would like to make you aware of. These events will enable Year 9 to continue making the all-important informed decisions. The dates and events are:
Curriculum Information Evening - Thursday 23rd January 2024
Year 9 Parents Evening - Thursday 27th February 2025
Deadline for completion of option choices - Friday 14th March 2025
You will receive a letter in early January 2025 to enable you to book onto the Curriculum Information Evening at the correct session.
Any queries about the options process, please contact your child’s Mentor in the first instance.
Year 11’s finished their first round of mock exams during early November and their conduct throughout the exam period was fantastic. What was doubly pleasing was that on the days of the mock’s attendance was between 96 and 97% which all helps in supporting the students in their final year. The next round of mock exams will be taking place in January 2025 and the timetable can be viewed via the link below or on our website.
Mock Exam Timetable - January 2025
Thank you to all those involved with supporting our Year 11 students during this journey towards their GCSE's in the summer - parents, carers, teachers, mentors, and wider support for helping them to get to this point and maximizing their full potential.
Well done!
Also available on the website, for Year 11 Parents and Students, are subject by subject overviews for weekly lesson coverage, independent learning/homework and revision links. These can be found via the following link and will be updated ready for half term 3 over the Christmas break
https://www.garibaldischool.co.uk/page.php?d=year11&p=weekly
Garibaldi School are now a Mental Health Support Team School (MHST) which means that we are able to access additional layers of support through external agencies for some of our students.
As part of this package of support, MHST are offering the following parenting workshops online:-
Understanding Your Teen
19th March -6-7.30pm
3rd June- 5.30-7.00pm
Self Harm
25th February 6-7.30pm
11th June 6-7.30pm
If you would like to take part on these workshops, please contact Ellie Jewsbury ejewsbury@garibaldischool.co.uk who will be able to share your details with MHST.
Our current enrichment sessions were shared with students and parents during October which can be seen above and is available to view on our website.
We would encourage students to get involved where possible!
Forthcoming Parental Engagement Events for 2024/25
Online Safety - 28th January 2025
SEND - 13th May 2025
Your views matter to us!
We have been delighted with how many parents engaged in our workshop sessions throughout the last academic year and we are excited to see this evolve this academic year.
Sessions that have happened so far:-
Attendance - 26th November 2024
Helping your child prepare for GCSE's - 4th November - Mr Hales
Creating a safe and conductive environment to learn - 4th November - Miss Bartlett
Encouraging the budding young scientists in your home - 4th November - Dr Inglis
What is is like doing English in Year 7 - An Introduction for Year 7 Parents - 13th November - Mrs Reinspach
An Introduction to GCSE English Language and Literature for Year 10 Parents - Mrs Walker
Couch to 5K - 13th November - Mr Rae
Year 11 End of Year Letter - Hoodies & Prom 2025
As Year 11 approach the end of their GCSE's at The Garibaldi School there will be a number of exciting opportunities available to them to celebrate their time with the school. All the key information has been sent out to parents and the letter is attached for further reference. But we have a lots of exciting things planned for our Year 11 students - Prom, leavers hoodies and a celebration assembly.
We like to celebrate how hard our students have been working and give them some time to make some memories together to take on with them as they take their next steps in their journey.
The link to order hoodies online is:-
https://order.leaversrus.co.uk/product/garibaldi-leavers-2025-hoodie/
Password:- garibaldi2025
Mansfield Town Cup
It has been great to see the high number of students who want to represent the school in competitive interschool competition. As a department, we have entered all available Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 cup competitions for boys, and for the first time this year, the newly created girls competitions. All first round fixtures have now been played with results as follows:
Year 7/8 Girls
In their first competitive fixture as a team, the girls showed tremendous pride, effort and heart but unfortunately were eliminated from the competition following defeat against a strong Tuxford Academy Team.
Year 7 Boys
Played some brilliant football during their first game, helping defeat Queen Elizabeth Academy on a cold wintry night under the floodlights here at Garibaldi. Ashfield School await in the next round on their pursuit of success.
Year 8 Boys
Demonstrated all the values expected of Garibaldi students, unfortunately, on a freezing cold evening, they were defeated by Dukeries Academy who we wish well in their next round match.
Year 9 Boys
Given a tough first round draw away at Selston, they showed great spirit and teamwork to push Selston close, unfortunately coming away from the fixture empty handed.
Year 9/10 Girls
Played a superb all round team game, resulting in a fantastic victory against an experienced and strong Joseph Whitaker side. Quarrydale or Brunts await the girls in their next round fixtures.
Year 10 Boys
The new Debdale Sports pitch was the venue for the Year 10 teams game against Queen Elizabeth's Academy. A strong squad playing some excellent football resulted in a fantastic victory. A tough away fixture at Tuxford School awaits the team in the new year.
Year 11 Boys
In a repeat of a round draw from last year, the Y11 boys team was again given a tricky away draw at The Manor Academy. The players stepped up to the challenge and departed Mansfield Woodhouse with safe passage into the next round where a home tie against Quarrydale awaits.
As a PE department, it is always great to hear about and celebrate our students sporting achievements, including recently, County Cross-Country representation, selections for International Cheerleading competitions, National development pathway selection for Basketball and Elite level rankings and performance in Swimming. If your child excels in sport out of school, please do pass this information on so they can be added to our "wall of fame" in the PE department.
All students who have represented the school in a competitive fixture should have been presented a "representative badge" which can be worn on their school blazers. Students should show the same level of pride in this badge, as they do when they pull on the schools' colours for games and competitions. After Christmas, there will be even more competitive sports and activities offered to students as we feel that the additional experience provided by sports competitions and participation is a key milestone of the secondary school experience.
Santa has been to the library!
We took delivery of a large number of selection boxes this week.
These will be handed out to those Year 7 and Year 8 students who achieved their Accelerated Reader point target for the Autumn term. What better way to celebrate than with Cadbury’s!
BookBuzz has arrived!
You may recall that with an aim to promote and support reading for pleasure all our Year 7 students chose a book from a selection of 16 titles that were carefully selected by the BookBuzz Program.
Well they arrived! Over 200 books were handed out to our very excited students at the end of October.
Clipstone FC are on the lookout for Year 7/8 girls for a new local football team!
Clipstone FC Under 13 girls have recently set up a new all girls football team looking to provide a fun and safe environment girls to come play in a competitive league and improve their game being developed by fully qualified and DBS checked coaches.
They are looking for new players of all abilities and playing positions, they train on Friday nights at Clipstone Lido Football Ground at 5:30pm - 6:45pm and play games on Sundays at 12:30pm at Manor Complex, Mansfield Woodhouse.
For more details please contact Scott Simpson at Scott.simpson1985@gmail.com
Follow our school on Twitter (X) for regular updates, events and school news!
The Garibaldi School
@garibaldischool
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of a student, please do make contact with the school.
You will be able to speak with any member of staff in school, your concerns may be referred onto the Designated Safeguarding Leads in school. Details of our Designated Safeguarding Leads are on the above poster which is available to students all over school.
Students can speak with any member of staff in school, including (but not limited to) their mentor, pastoral manager or teachers
For further information on support that is available both in and out of school, please refer to
Year 11 Parents Evening - 21st November 2024
Year 11 parents evening took place on Thursday 21st November, which marked the first occasion of an important year, for parents to receive information and talk through progress to date and what is in place for the coming months. Around two thirds of the year group attended which made for a busy and productive evening as always. Though we appreciate that not all parents may have been able to make the evening we would encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions or would like further information on your child’s progress.
Parental Engagement Evening for Attendance - 26th November 2024
The parent engagement evening on the 26th November focused on supporting parents and carers to help their child in managing their anxiety. The evening was well attended and provided the opportunity for best practice strategies to be shared and for parents to communicate with each other regarding the challenges which their child may be facing. The evening focused on sharing success stories and considered how the school and parents could work in partnership to support their children. Attendance improves when students feel a sense of belonging and connection to the school and directly experience the benefits of showing up every day. When families and students are part of the process of tracking attendance and coming up with solutions, everyone benefits. The event was well received by all. The school would like to thank parents for all of their ongoing efforts in supporting their children maintain high rates of attendance.
Year 11 & 13 Awards Evening (2023/24 students) - 12th December 2024
The awards evening for last year's student cohort some of who are now in our current sixth form took place on Thursday 12th December. It was so nice to see some familiar faces receiving recognition for their achievements and how they are doing as they take the next steps of their education.
Sixth Form Parents Evening - 16th January 2025
Year 9 Curriculum Information Evening - 23rd January 2025
Parental Engagement Evening - Online Safety - 28th January 2025
Year 11 & 13 Information Evening - 12th February 2025
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The Garibaldi School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT