Final preparation stage!

The build

The phrase 'finishing touches' springs to mind as a summary of this week - ordering stationery for the office, agreeing the colour of tiles in the WC, the lighting system being installed and even agreeing the location of the photocopier and the 2 plasma screens. It has also been good to see the paving slabs being laid around the front of the building - again, another very stylish feature.

The next 4 weeks are going to pass very quickly and it is nearly a year to the day that I first stood on the grassy knoll that was then the planned site of the build. What a difference since then!

The Opening Ceremony - Wednesday 20th July 2011

Please note that this is an INVITATION ONLY event. I have been working with Mrs Nia Jeacock as we finalise the arrangements for the catering, the musical performances, the official opening and speeches as well as the timing of all the events.

Could I please remind Year 12 students that the invitation requests that they MUST RSVP to Mrs Jeacock to clarify if they will / not be attending the ceremony. We are catering for exact numbers and need to know which students are coming.

PARENTS VIEWING OF THE BUILD

I shall be organising a separate special occasion for parents / family members of the school in the Autumn term through the 'Parent Voice.' Full details of this will be given in September and I will look forward to welcoming parents to that forthcoming significant event.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

I N V I T A T I O N S

All prospective Year 12 students should have received their invitation to the official opening of the Post 16 centre on Wednesday 20th July 2011. This will be a very important occasion with local dignitaries, business representatives, school staff and the local / national press in attendance. It is an 'invitation only' occasion so if you have been offered a place to study here next year and have not received your invite please email me.

The Opening Ceremony

This will consist of musical performance, speeches, the grand opening, a tour of the new build as well as 'High tea' refreshments for all. Forthcoming students will be interviewed by the press and I have personally invited some students to take on the formal role of greeting all the guests and taking a lead role on this occasion. It should prove to be a very memorable occasion and the photographs from this occasion will be on display in the centre next year.

Just a reminder, for the entire day all students will be expected to dress appropriately for this formal occasion and therefore be prepared for a range of photographic opportunities!

The kitchen area is installed

It was very good to return to school after the half term break to see the progress that has been made. The scaffolding is coming down, the exterior walls are nearly finished and the windows have been replaced by very stylish grey ones which look great. The builders are also beginning to work on the exterior ground area at the front of the building which will make it look much more finished. I took a tour of Year 10 boys around the site today and they said it was like the tardis - much bigger on the inside than it looks from outside.

The Kitchen area
The builders have now installed this and the wooden worktops look very stylish with the white cupboard doors. There are 2 microwaves, a dishwasher, a sink and a range of cupboards for students to store their own goods. When the table is installed it will be a very popular area for students to use. We have also agreed the contract for the 2 vending machines - again, these will be very useful indeed.

Painting of the walls
The walls are beginning to be painted and the colour of the interior wall looks great. The majority of the walls and all the ceilings are white and when we have the furniture installed the rooms will be bright, airy and very contemporary. I wanted the whole building to look like a modern Art gallery but to have the comfort of a coffee house and this remains the vision we are working towards.

The builders are still on track, the opening ceremony and invitations are fully planned and the press will be there.

All I need now is my sixth formers here to begin the whole process.....