A Message to our Class of 2021

What a time 2021 is becoming. The last 18 months have provided a world shift that nobody could have expected or anticipated. It is really easy to be glass half empty at the moment, to see the things we have missed out on, the plans we couldn’t make and the parties we haven’t attended. I know for many of the Year 11 students, the loss of a Prom and Exams has hit hard, and it will remain with them throughout their adult life, that their last years at school were almost lost to a pandemic.

It has been my absolute pleasure to be Head of Year to the Class of 2021. I wasn’t fortunate enough to be here when they arrived as Year 7, but taking them on in Year 9 was a challenge and joy! Watching these wonderful young people grow in personality, ability, confidence and stature has been so rewarding and a joy. As the year group leave South Shore Academy I know they will go on to be successful young adults with their bright futures ahead of them. My favourite part of doing this role for 15 years is bumping into former pupils and hearing how happy and successful they have gone onto be personally and academically, and I cant wait to hear the same of this year group.

Watching the year arrive through the guard of honour, was indeed an honour. The whole school, over 700 people, braved the rain and the cold to show respect for the people year 11 have become, and I hope that is a memory they cherish forever. For the class of 2021, this year may not have been normal by any account, but for the majority, they have ploughed on regardless and have faced the daily challenges with confidence, courage and commitment. The dedication and hard work the year group have given to your subjects and GCSE studies, all whilst juggling jobs, responsibility, and life outside of school is commendable. All of year 11 deserve the reignition of being a bright star or superhero, but staff took the time to vote for year 11 in a series of awards. There were some close calls, and some stand out winners, it would have been nice to award everyone, but in life there are winners, and these were our overall champions:

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the school, teachers and support staff of wishing all of year 11 the success and happiness they deserve in the future, and a huge thank you to all of the supportive people at home who have ensured that their child took advantage of what South Shore Academy had to offer, it has been a pleasure working with so many wonderful families. Thank you, all the very best Mrs Hartley.