Parents' Newsletter
Summer Term 2
As we reach the end of another successful academic year at Cardinal Pole Catholic School, I would like to take a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved during this final half term and to celebrate the many contributions of our students, staff and families.
Throughout the examination season, students demonstrated resilience, determination and maturity, embracing both the challenges and opportunities that this important stage of their educational journey has presented. We are immensely proud of the commitment they have shown and look forward to celebrating their achievements in the months ahead.
This term has also been one of transition and celebration as we said farewell to our Year 11 and Year 13 students. Through leavers' events, celebrations and moments of reflection, we have had the opportunity to recognise the positive impact they have made on our school community. We wish them every success as they embark upon the next chapter of their lives.
Across the school, students have continued to engage enthusiastically in a wide range of academic, enrichment and co-curricular opportunities. It has been wonderful to see our young people embracing new experiences, representing the school with pride and continuing to embody our values in all that they do.
As we now break for the summer holidays, I would like to thank our staff for their unwavering dedication, professionalism and care throughout the year, and our parents and carers for their continued support and partnership. Together, we have ensured that our students have been able to flourish within a community rooted in faith, aspiration and service.
I wish all members of our Cardinal Pole community a restful, enjoyable and well-deserved summer break. We look forward to welcoming our students back in September, refreshed and ready for another exciting year ahead.
Together, we remain committed to ensuring that every student is given the opportunity to SOAR, academically, personally and spiritually.
Yours in service,
Adam Hall
Executive Headteacher
🙏✨ "Welcoming our new Year 7 students with a liturgy at the end of Transition Day, where we learned about Cardinal Pole's life, prayed together and sang together. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of their journey with our school community!" ~ Mr Johnston
🍎💬 "We held our final Teaching and Learning Forum of the term at lunchtime. This fantastic discussion was guided by our amazing teachers and focused on learning for all, with students sharing ideas and reflecting on ways to make learning even more effective across our school community." ~ Miss Philpott
Bank of America Offices
A great way to end the week as I took Year 12 students from Cardinal Pole Catholic School to the Bank of America London offices for an insight day, courtesy of Inspiring the Future.
Students took part in an investment challenge, a speed networking session and a Q&A with a panel of apprentices, gaining valuable insight into careers in the sector.
A huge thank you to Anita Makundagiri, Ashish Chordia, Ikrah Qureshi, Jiaqi Yuan, Kristine Zhang, Radha Kachiraju, Sajana Kabaria, Mayur B Patel, Mayur N Patel, Hassan Al-Tabatabaie and everyone at Bank of America, as well as Mitus Castillo and Megan Frost from Inspiring the Future for coordinating such a fantastic day.
Year 8 Speech and Drama
Year 8 students attended a University Insight Day at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, courtesy of IntoUniversity.
The day included a campus tour, a Q&A with current students and a performing arts workshop, giving students a valuable insight into university life and helping them make more informed decisions about their future pathways.
A huge thank you to everyone at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, IntoUniversity and Sarah Jackman for making the experience possible.
As another busy and successful term draws to a close, we have continued to place our Catholic mission and SOAR values at the centre of school life. Through prayer, worship and reflection, students have been encouraged to deepen their faith and to recognise God's presence in their daily lives.
Throughout the term, students gathered regularly for prayer and liturgy, with weekly Celebrations of the Word following the Church's calendar and providing opportunities to reflect on the Sunday Gospel and its relevance to the world around us.
Parental engagement remains a cornerstone of student achievement and wellbeing throughout the secondary school years. As students encounter increasingly rigorous academic demands and navigate complex social and emotional transitions, the active involvement of parents and carers provides a vital layer of support that significantly enhances their chances of success.
Research consistently shows that when parents maintain strong connections with their child's school life, whether through regular communication with teachers, attendance at school events, or monitoring academic progress, students demonstrate higher motivation, improved behaviour, and stronger attainment. Together, these factors help create a positive learning culture.
At a time when young people are striving for greater independence, the partnership between home and school helps sustain a sense of stability, shared purpose, and collective responsibility. Parents who engage meaningfully with their child's learning reinforce expectations around effort, resilience, and personal responsibility, while also supporting our behaviour expectations. This alignment between home and school not only supports academic performance but also nurtures students' confidence and emotional wellbeing.
At Cardinal Pole, fostering positive relationships with parents strengthens trust and contributes to a collaborative community environment. It enables teachers and pastoral leaders to build a fuller understanding of each student's individual needs while ensuring families feel listened to, respected, and involved in their child's educational journey.
As a school community, we remain committed to cultivating these partnerships. Together, we can ensure that every student experiences the encouragement, consistency, and shared ambition needed to thrive throughout their secondary education.
Leo Tavares - Acting Deputy Headteacher
When transitioning into Year 12, I expected complete independence regarding my courses and finding my place in the Sixth Form, but I was delighted by the amount of support from Mr Howard and my Year Team. I was already set on my career path in law and knew how hard it would be to achieve my goals, but fortunately my Year Team and friends consistently pushed me towards them.
This year has been both challenging and rewarding. One of the biggest challenges I faced was preparing for my end-of-year exams. Balancing the demands of three essay-based subjects definitely required strong time management and resilience. There were short periods of stress in the final weeks leading up to Assessment Point 2. However, through consistent effort and determination, I was able to overcome these challenges and achieve strong grades that reflected the hard work I had invested throughout the year.
Alongside my academic studies, I took part in the Envision programme, which provided me with a valuable opportunity to develop my determination, creativity, teamwork and communication skills. I worked as part of a group of 18 students and was tasked with creating a project that would have a positive impact on our school community. After identifying a need for greater career awareness among younger students, we organised a Careers Insight Event for Year 9 pupils. The event gave students the opportunity to learn about different career pathways, ask questions and gain inspiration for their future aspirations. I was incredibly proud that our project was recognised as the winning project in the Envision programme, an achievement that reflected the dedication and effort of the entire team and the school as a whole.
Overall, Year 12 has been a year of significant personal and academic growth. I have developed greater confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of responsibility. These experiences have prepared me well for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in Year 13 and beyond.
Contact US
Website: https://www.cardinalpole.co.uk/
Location: 205 Morning Ln, London E9 6LG, UK
Phone: 020 8985 5150