As we reach the end of a truly fantastic, penultimate week of term, I want to celebrate the incredible achievements, energy and spirit shown by our whole school community.
We kicked off the week with our Year 9 Celebration Day, recognising students' achievements before they enjoyed a well-deserved day of inflatable fun, laser quest and countless other activities. Years 7 and 8 followed with their own celebration events on Tuesday, before the entire school came together for a brilliant Sports Day on Wednesday, where teamwork, determination and house spirit were on full display.
Last night was a wonderful reminder of what makes our school so special, as we had the pleasure of welcoming prospective families to our Open Evening. Visitors saw classrooms buzzing with practical demonstrations, outstanding examples of student work, enthusiastic conversations and the countless opportunities our students experience every day. Our Prefects were exceptional ambassadors, speaking confidently, kindly and enthusiastically about their experiences. They were a credit to themselves, their families and our entire school community.
Thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable week.
As the summer break draws closer, we would like to wish all of our families a restful, safe and enjoyable break. Thank you for your continued support throughout the year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for another exciting year in September!
Click here to see what's on next week (and in September):
Monday 20 July
Year 10 Celebration Trip to Paultons Park
Tuesday 21 July
Nothing advised
Wednesday 22 July Last Day of Term – Students dismissed at 12.20pm, buses depart by 12.30pm
Thursday 23 July
Summer Break
Friday 24 July
Summer Break
Looking ahead to September...
Tuesday 1 September: INSET Day Wednesday 2 September: Year 7 only, 10.00am - 3.10pm Thursday 3 September: All students return to school at 8.35am
Tutor Group Changes
We are pleased to announce the Heads of Year for the next academic year will be as follows:
Head of Year 7: Mr Rice
Head of Year 8: Mr Purdy
Head of Year 9: Mr Stonehill
Head of Year 10: Miss Jupp
Head of Year 11: Mr Waters
Tutor group changes will be:
Year 8
7DVA becomes 8JFR (Mrs Foster)
7ONL becomes 8ESN (Miss Swinson)
7ILN becomes 8WJS (Mr Jones)
Year 9
8TDN becomes 9RLR (Mr Lester)
Year 10
9HST becomes 10CHL/RGY (Mrs Hall/Mrs Gregory)
9LHG becomes 10COY (Mr Oakley)
Year 11
10DDY becomes 11JBY (Mr Brierley)
Support resources available to families over the holidays
ChatHealth - ChatHealth is a confidential text support service for parents, carers, families and young people in Hampshire manned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust Health Visitors and Public Health Nurses (school nurses).
There are three ChatHealth services for:
Parents and carers of children under 5 - Health Visitors have a wealth of experience working with mums and dads-to-be, babies, toddlers and young children. They are trained to support with a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including crying babies, infant feeding, starting baby on solid foods, sleep and behaviour problems. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services. Text 07520 615720.
ChatHealth 5-19 - The Public Health Nursing Team supports parents with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including healthy lifestyles, toileting, behaviour, sleep, emotional wellbeing and health conditions. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. Text 07507 332417
Young People aged 11–19 – The Public Health Nursing Team supports young people with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including self-harm, relationships, bullying, weight, anxiety, drugs, smoking, stress, body worries, alcohol and sexual health. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. Text 07507 332160.
Opening times: 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday-Friday (ChatHealth 0-5 is 9:00am-4:00pm)exc. bank holidays. Any text sent outside opening hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent. Out-of-hours texts will be replied to within one working day. For urgent medical enquires, please call 999 or 111.
Hampshire Healthier Together - clear information on common illnesses, including advice on what serious 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if required, what you should do to keep comfortable and how long symptoms are likely to last.
Koothis a free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support service offered to young people aged 11 - 25 years (up to their 26th birthday) with a safe and secure means of accessing support with their emotional and mental health needs from a professional team of qualified counsellors.
By accessing Kooth young people can benefit from a free, confidential, anonymous and safe way to receive support online, online counselling from a professional team of BACP qualified counsellors is available via 1-1 chat sessions or messaging on a drop in basis or via booked sessions including out of hours’ availability - counsellors are available from 12pm to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop in basis.
No referral is required, young people can access the service directly and in complete confidence at www.kooth.com.
Smokefree Hampshire - do you smoke and would like help to quit? Are you worried about family members who smoke or vape? Smokefree Hampshire is a free and confidential stop smoking service which offers 12 weeks of support with a specialist stop smoking adviser as well as free nicotine replacement products. Smokefree Hampshire is available to anyone over the age of 12 years and can give advice on vaping.
Catch 22 - A specialist treatment service offering targeted, specialist and family support for children and young people in Hampshire who are affected by substance misuse. Referrals can be made on the Catch 22 website and young people can call the 24 hour helpline 24/7 help line 0800 599 9591.
Mental Wellbeing Hampshire - is a partnership of organisations working to support good mental health and wellbeing in our communities.
Hampshire Family Information and Services Hub (FISH) - Find information about what is going on in your area, details on how to access services, organisations and activities in Hampshire, and the advice and support that is available.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) - 46% of drownings occur in the summer months and this rises to 75% amongst 13 – 17-year olds. The RLSS UK offers lots of advice and tips to stay safe in the water during the summer.
Togetherness- These free online courses offer advice and practical tips to boost your confidence as a parent, help you navigate family life and strengthen your relationships. Whether you are a mum, dad, foster parent or grandparent, there is a course for you.
Developed by psychologists and professionals, they have been designed to help you understand your child’s feelings, development and behaviour, as well as focus on your own feelings as you grow as a family. Click on the link to find out more information and how you can access these free courses.
School Tennis Club & Summer Holiday Tennis
We are pleased to continue to partner with Absolute Tennis to offer an after-school tennis club run by qualified coach Dan Hancock.
Sessions are from 3.20pm - 4.15pm and start Tuesday 8 September for a 7-week course.
Congratulations to Mia P 10LHK/EBT, who has been selected as 'Designer of the Week'!
Congratulations to Lexie L 9JWS, who has been selected as 'Chef of the Week'!
Music Department
Music Celebrations
Massive congratulations to the members of the Choir, Big Band, and Saxy Brass for their outstanding performances in Birmingham at the National Festival of Music For Youth last Friday and Saturday, and to the Big Band for their superb performance at Swanage Jazz Festival on Sunday.
The Junior Choir, Big band and Saxy Brass all gave performances of a lifetime on these world-renowned venues and represented The Mountbatten School at the highest level in the best light. All students should be immensely proud of their achievements, and we look forward to our adjudication decision to see if we have been successful to be invited to perform in the Royal Albert Hall.
We are immensely proud of our young musicians, and want to thank parents and carers for all their support throughout another year filled with wonderful music. We look forward to working with everyone in September, in preparation for our Autumn Concert on 14 October. Wishing you all a restful Summer.
Mr Marchant, Mr Hunter, Miss Wardle & Miss Jefferis.
Percussion Academy Drum Kit Exams
The following students have passed Percussion Academy Drum Kit exams -
Dylan E 8BPY Grade 2 with Distinction
Samuel J 9JAD Grade 2 with Distinction
Toby L 9LHG Grade 2 with Distinction
Hampshire Music Service Certificate of Achievement
The following students have been awarded a Hampshire Music Service Certificate of Achievement -
Adelaide A 7KMN/KRL Stage 2 Flute
Dibyana G 9DCR/JLE Stage 1 Flute
Willow G 7AGN/BHT Stage 2 Flute
Matthew P 8VTE Stage 3 Flute
Chloe R 7DVA Stage 1 Flute
Michael W 9GWT/CFT Stage 3 Flute
Charity
Congratulations to 7AOR, 7JFR, and 7KMN/KRL who completed their charity run on Wednesday, covering 115km in 10 minutes!
Congratulations to Flynn R 7JFR for raising £193.37 for charity.
A big congratulations to Malene W 7KMN/KRL on her home-made smoothie sale to raise funds for the Gambia charity.
If you wish to donate, you may do so via Scopay.
Click the drop-down menus below to find out more about updates in the Careers Department and different careers opportunities coming up for our students.
Current Year 9 – Work Experience
A letter has been emailed home regarding the upcoming Y10 Work Experience in March 2027.
Current Year 9 and 10 – Save the Date: Careers Fair
We are excited to announce that this year’s Careers Fair will be held on17 September, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. In attendance will be the local colleges, universities, employers and former students.
Year 8 & 9 ‘Girls in Engineering’ at Roke
Last week, the girls enjoyed a trip to local engineering, defence and cybersecurity company Roke, where they took part in a range of hands-on activities to encourage them to consider a career in engineering. They toured the facilities, had the opportunity to speak to a variety of female engineers , built a microcontroller, and watched demonstrations by drones and Spot, the Boston Dynamics dog.
Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) programme is delivered by form tutors who know their students well, creating a safe and supportive environment for exploring sensitive topics. This familiar relationship enables open dialogue and builds trust, allowing students to engage more confidently with challenging subject matter.
At the heart of our programme is an oracy-based methodology that prioritises discussion, debate and collaborative exploration. Rather than simply receiving information, students are encouraged to express their thoughts and questions in a supportive environment while listening respectfully to diverse viewpoints and experiences. They engage in meaningful dialogue with peers and their form tutor, developing confidence in articulating their ideas and concerns whilst practising essential communication skills that will serve them throughout life.
Our approach fosters critical thinking skills by encouraging students to question assumptions and examine different perspectives. They learn to analyse information from multiple sources and viewpoints, considering the complexity of real-world situations and relationships. Students develop skills in evaluating the consequences of different choices and behaviours while reflecting thoughtfully on their own values and beliefs.
Through structured discussions and collaborative activities, students develop respect for diversity in all its forms, including different backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles. Students learn to disagree respectfully while maintaining positive relationships and become aware of their own biases, recognising the importance of remaining open-minded.
Our five-year programme follows a progressive and spiral curriculum structure from Year 7 to Year 11, with topics revisited at increasing levels of complexity and maturity. This approach ensures that students build upon prior learning while developing deeper understanding as they mature.
This comprehensive approach ensures our students develop not only knowledge and understanding, but also the communication skills, emotional intelligence and respect for others that will serve them well as they navigate their relationships and make important life decisions.
RSHE Summer Term Dates
Year 7
This term Year 7 will be exploring what living in a diverse society means and celebrating differences, whether those differences are cultural, ethnic, religious, or personal. They will learn that positive relationships are based on respect, communication, empathy, and support, and they help us build a sense of community. We will explore how to challenge prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination and consider that the media often presents stereotypes that can shape our perceptions, but we can actively challenge and question these portrayals to promote a more inclusive society. Relationships and safety are about building healthy connections with others, making responsible decisions, and taking care of yourself and others. In relationships, it's important to demonstrate respect, communication, and empathy. Year 7 end the term looking at the management of their own and others’ safety, both in real life and online, considering how to make informed choices, recognise risks, and knowing when to seek help.
Year 8
Year 8 will consider the different types of friendships and relationships, including romantic relationships. It's important to learn about contraception and safe practices in an age-appropriate setting, as well as how to form and maintain healthy relationships based on respect and mutual care. Year 8 will explore how to manage emotions, develop self-worth, and identify positive social norms to help build confidence and navigate the challenges of adolescence. Towards the end of the term, Year 8 will develop their understanding of how drugs can affect their health and wellbeing. Whether it’s understanding the risks of alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes, or learning how to manage peer pressure, they will learn how to make informed and healthy decisions. They will explore how substances like energy drinks and medication can impact your physical and mental health. By developing a sense of self-awareness and understanding, they can make choices that promote a healthy lifestyle, respect for others, and a positive approach to wellbeing.
Year 9
In Year 9, students will learn about the risks of addiction and dependence related to substances like drugs, vaping, and gambling. Understanding the legal and health consequences of these behaviours is essential for making informed choices. They will also explore and consider the risk of developing unhealthy habits and how to manage influences, both online and offline. By developing positive social norms and attitudes, they can make healthier decisions for themselves and support others in doing the same. They will finish the term by exploring the dangers of gang involvement, knife crime, and the concept of ‘groupthink.’ Understanding how group pressures can influence decisions, and how to assess risks in different situations, is key to staying safe. They will learn about the legal and physical consequences of carrying a knife, the risks of getting involved with gangs, and how to resist negative influences.
Year 10
Year 10 will consider the influence of role models and the impact of the media on perceptions of gangs and risky behaviours. They will understand how to evaluate the impact of role models, manage peer pressure, and make independent decisions in increasingly complex social situations. They will look at how to recognise and respond to pressure, coercion, and exploitation, and how to access appropriate support when needed. Students will go on to explore the complexities of healthy relationships, including understanding and challenging assumptions and misconceptions about sex and relationships. They will learn how to navigate media influences, understand the importance of consent, and develop strategies to handle unwanted attention or harassment. Communication skills, including assertiveness, setting boundaries, and managing relationships online, will be key focus areas. This knowledge will help students build healthy, respectful, and mutually fulfilling relationships based on clear communication and shared values.
Year 11
Students complete their RSHE program this term ahead of their exams after they spend some time reflecting on their RSHE journey throughout their time at Mountbatten from Year 7 to Year 11. They will discuss some sensitive topics around pregnancy, miscarriage and abortion as well as positive relationships and consent. We hope that our RSHE curriculum will help our students stay healthy and happy during and long after their exams. They will then spend some time refining their revision skills and independent organisational skills.
Should your child wish to seek support related to any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support Team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
Please note all calls both to and from the school are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
Multi-Activity Camp
🎉1 week to go!
The countdown is on to our Summer Multi-Activity Camp at The Mountbatten School!
Join us for an exciting summer packed with sports, games, challenges and lots of fun.
Bookings are filling fast so reserve your place today before they're gone!
Anna J 8KSH
Rowan N 8HGR
Harvey B 7AOR
Ellis S 9JAD
Sophie H 8KKY
Congratulations to Mia P 10LHK/EBT, who has been selected as 'Designer of the Week'!
