Headteacher Foreword

As we approach the end of the spring term, I am filled with pride as I reflect on the remarkable achievements and events that have taken place within our school community. This term has been both exciting and enriching, showcasing the tremendous talent and dedication of our students and staff.

Amongst the highlights was our Sixth Form Iceland trip with KSHS which proved to be an unforgettable experience, providing students with not only stunning landscapes but also valuable learning opportunities. The accompanying report and photos encapsulate the spirit of exploration and discovery that we encourage within our schools. The Year 7 STEM event was a resounding success, showcasing our younger students' innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. The creativity displayed in their projects was inspiring, and we are proud to feature the highlights in this newsletter. In addition, our students demonstrated their advocacy and understanding of the judicial process through the Magistrates Court competition. The photos and report capture the commitment and teamwork that our students exhibited as they navigated this challenging competition. On the sports front, our Rugby 7s teams have demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork on the field. The pride in their accomplishments is evident in the photos included, highlighting their hard work and determination. Additionally, we had the pleasure of participating in an event organised by the Historical Association, which provided our history enthusiasts with the opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of historical events. The report and photos illustrate the valuable learning that took place during this engagement.

As we enter the crucial period leading up to external examinations, I want to remind our students of the importance of putting in dedicated study hours. This is a pivotal time that can greatly influence your outcomes, and I encourage everyone to focus and make the most of the weeks ahead. Remember, balance is key; alongside your studies, continue to engage in the activities that bring you pleasure and fulfilment.

As we look ahead, I hope that we continue the excellent work of this term into the next. I encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on their accomplishments and to continue striving for excellence in all that they do.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break.

Mr Nick Law
Headteacher

coloured eggs in grass

Iceland 2025

The Blue Lagoon, the Northern Lights, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a glacier hike, stunning waterfalls and a lava show– these are some of the amazing geographical highlights of the Robert Carre Trust five-day adventure to Iceland experienced by forty-one lucky A-Level Geography students during February half-term.

After an early start and a flight from Manchester, we arrived at Keflavik International Airport to start our adventure. The first evening was spent at the Blue Lagoon, which is a bathing pool with an average temperature of 30–40 degrees C where silica-rich geothermal seawater is drawn from a 2000m borehole. We were lucky to visit in the evening where we could gaze up at the stars wearing silica face packs. We also travelled through the ghost town settlement of Grindavik. This once thriving fishing village of over 3800 residents was abandoned last year due to molten lava spewing through two fissures created by the Svartsengi volcanic system.

students in the thermal waters

Day 2 was the most physically challenging and a highlight for many exploring the frozen tongue of the Solheimajokull glacier. Students were equipped with crampons and ice axes and with informative guides they brazed the freezing winds and headed onto the ice admiring the ice sculptures and crevasses. The afternoon provided a unique opportunity to warm up indoors and experience flowing lava at the indoor Icelandic lava show. To conclude this amazing day of geography we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights in the skies over our remote rural hotel; a fantastic photo opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience.

glacier in Iceland

mountain range in Iceland

the Northern Lights

Group of students on a glacier

glacier

lava light show

The Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Station, which is the world’s sixth largest power station, was our next stop on day 3. Drawing on steam and hot water reserves, the plant’s 30 boreholes power six high-pressure turbines to provide renewable energy. We also visited the Carbfix Facility, which is pioneering the process of carbon capture and storage to mitigate climate change.

Onwards to the Thingvellir National Park, the site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American plates are slowly pulling apart. Then more physical geography to enjoy and photo opportunities at the Geysir, a sprouting hot spring that gives its name to all the world’s geysers and the Gullfoss waterfall and gorge.

Mid-Atlantic ridge

Mid Atlantic Ridge

waterfall

Our final full day offered visits to the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. We were able to walk behind the Seljalandsfoss 60m-deep waterfall plume, being sure to wear waterproofs to avoid getting drenched from the spray.

We then visited LAVA (Iceland Volcanic and Earthquake Centre), which developed our knowledge of the art and science of Iceland’s unique geology.

Finally, the visit to the Hveragerdi Geothermal Centre provided an opportunity for us to taste eggs and rye bread baked overnight in hot steam.

The trip was a memory-making lifetime experience for all the A-Level Geographers.

Written by Sarah Livingstone, KSHS Teacher

Thank you to all the staff who accompanied the students on this fantastic trip!

students by a waterfall

Other Useful Dates

Monday 5 May - Bank Holiday

Tuesday 6 May - Whole School Photograph

Wednesday 14 May to Friday 16 May - Year 7 PGL Trip

14 May 6-7pm - Battlefields Trip Parents' Meeting

Friday 23 May - End of Term 5

Monday 2 June - Start of Term 6

Carre's Grammar School Parents' Association

Congratulations to the recipients of the Headteacher's Commendation

Well done to Alfie, Oliver, Owen, Henry and Rafa (not pictured).

Iceland 2025

Year 11 Geography Fieldwork at Snipedales Country Park

On 12 and 14 March, the Year 11 GCSE geography students went to Snipedales Country Park to do their exam fieldwork.

The day was run by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The students worked in small groups, testing various river variables such as velocity, width, depth and sediment size. They were investigating how these variables changed as they moved downstream over a total of five sites.

Once they collected their results, they processed them back in the classroom and will be ready to answer questions about what they investigated in their GCSE exam in June.

Year 7 STEM Morning

(Also see the News Story on our website)

Well done to the winning teams.

Historical Association

Here is a blog written by Hannah in Year 12, as part of the student voices we are trying to include in One Big History Department.

Reflections on the Great Debate - https://onebighistorydepartment.com/2025/03/01/reflections-on-the-great-debate/

Magistrates' Court Competition

A group of Year 9 students recently took part in the Magistrates' Court Competition. Although they did not get through to the next round of the competition, all the students performed well and enjoyed the experience.

The case required a lot of preparation and students enthusiastically took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, defendants, legal advisors and magistrates.

Students also had the opportunity to visit Nottingham Magistrates' Court before the competition and saw real criminals being tried and sentenced.

It was an excellent experience for all concerned.

Thank you to Mrs Goymer for accompanying the students and to Christopher Malone, Magistrate

English

7B and 7C have been reading ‘The Hobbit’ as their weekly class reader. They have been inspired to create some fantastic art of the magical characters of Middle Earth!

The English Department has been very busy with competitions and trips.

Year 12 English Literature enjoyed a great production of the classic Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

Carre's hosted the second round of the English-Speaking Union's Performing Shakespeare.

Our public speaking teams made it to the regional finals of the English Speaking Union's Churchill Public Speaking Competition and the English Speaking Union's Mace Debate.

Well done to all the students involved and Mrs James.

Music

Each Year 7 class received a 1-hour workshop with Tim from Louder than Life Drumming.

The students learnt about Japanese Taiko drumming and created a performance using very energetic moves and shouts.

RAF College Band Cranwell

It was a fantastic experience and the students should be very proud of their fanfares!

Silverware and so close!

On Thursday March, Years 8 and 9 competed at the County Rugby 7s tournament, held every year at Market Rasen Rugby Club.

The tournament had pool matches in the morning to create a seeding system for the afternoon matches. Both age groups won their pools, meaning that they would then play all the other group winners in the afternoon for the top honours.

The Year 9 team won their first game versus local rivals St George’s Academy. Despite SGA being very physical, we won the game comfortably. Unfortunately, in the next game, we let slip a 22-7 lead versus Bourne Grammar and that cost us the title, coming second in the county.

The Year 8 team were unmatched all day. They have only lost one game in 2 years and their mix of speed, skill and power was too much for all the other teams there on the day. The boys were very happy to be crowned County Champions!

Well done to all involved!

CGS Outreach - Easter Holiday Camp

School Years 1–7

Monday 7th and 14th - Multi sports

Tuesday 8th and 15th - Try it (including gymnastics, handball and sports hall hockey

Wednesday 9th and 16th - Whack it Wednesday (racket and bat sports including tennis and cricket)

Thursday 10th and 17th - Football Frenzy (fun football sessions with some match play)

Friday 11th - Easter Festival (Easter hunt challenges and teamwork games)

£25 per day or 5 for 4

Call 01529 308746 or email cgsoutreach@carres.uk

UK Grom National Champion - Wakeboarding

Last year saw Ollie selected for the GB Wakeboard Team for his third year.

2024 saw him compete in all UK national events, where he managed to maintain his title as the UK Grom National Champion.

A huge thank you to Carre's Grammar School for supporting Ollie, helping him to achieve his sporting goals.

This year Ollie has been awarded a Lascelles Memorial Fund Grant for wakeboarding, which will be a big financial help for his overseas competitions.

We are very excited to see where his ambitions take him in 2025.

Well done Ollie - fantastic achievement.

Thank you to Ollie's parents for sharing the article and photos.

Black Belt Grading

Sammy’s Shodan (black belt) pass in Liverpool recently.

The belt is from Japan and says ‘Sammy’ in Japanese and ‘Shogai Karate dojo’ on the other end.

He was commended for his serious performance. This was after three hours of training, including spinning burpees and fighting a third of the dojo!

Everyone is very proud. Thank you to Sammy's family for sharing these photos.

Super effort - well done Sammy!

Free School Meals

School Second-Hand Shop

If you have any clean, good-quality school uniform that is no longer needed - 13 years and upwards only - that you wish to donate to the shop, please bring items to the school office anytime during the day.

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If your son/daughter cycles to school:

Please ensure they lock their bike to the metal bars in the cycle compound.

If your son/daughter leaves their bike overnight, it could be stolen.

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Please remember to label all PE kit and school property - as we have a large collection of unnamed and unclaimed water bottles, lunch boxes, shoes, trousers, coats and PE kit.

If your son/daughter has lost any of these items, please ask them to come to the office to look through the lost property boxes.

ACE Tuition, EASTER Final Phase Exam Courses

He was commended for his serious performance.
This was after three hours of training, including spinning burpees and fighting a third of the dojo!