The STEM sessions featured robotics, coding, electronics, and interactive technology projects, providing students with the opportunity to build, program, and problem-solve using real-world tools and technologies. From programming robots to wiring circuits and creating their digital projects, students explored how technology works and how they can shape it. Thank you to Mr Alabi for organising this opportunity.

The Year 10 students on our Excellence Pathway visited King's College London (KCL) University on Wednesday for the last of the three workshops on Success for Digital Futures organised by Mr Afriye. The programme aims to increase the number of undergraduate engineering students from London. Our students have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with Python (computer programming language) through practical examples and have explored the future potential of coding skills. They also explored topics such as digital humanities, ethics and bias and technological developments. We now look forward to their rewards ceremony in July.

The Croydon Inter-Schools Football Cup Tournament for Years 7 and 8 launched this week. Orchard Park, Oasis Shirley Park and Shirley High competed for the trophy in an afternoon of competitive football securing a win for Orchard Park. There were many standout performers at the tournament: Micah, Jacob, Trey, Sol, Joel, Joseph and Theo. We would like to extend our thanks to Shirley High for their hospitality. We aim for this event to grow bigger and better each year. We are also in the process of completing an application to enter the current Year 7s and 8s into the England Schools Cup (ESFA) for the season. This is one of the most prestigious cups in the country, and we are confident our current crop of players can compete at the highest level associated with school football. A huge thank you to Mr Headley for all his work on increasing our football provision.

A reminder that the Friends of Orchard Park PTA group have a JustGiving page [https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsoforchardpark?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL] for those who feel able to make a direct voluntary contribution to support fundraising. Funds raised this year will go towards helping the school buy benches and outdoor games to enhance the children's break and lunch times.

Ms C Moran, Headteacher