TDS KS3 Bulletin October 2026

Welcome Back A group of people standing next to a dog AI-generated content may be incorrect. A person lying under a tent AI-generated content may be incorrect. Year 7 Year 9 A child holding a basketball AI-generated content may be incorrect. Year 8 A group of children sitting in a classroom AI-generated content may be incorrect. Foundation for Success A child reading a book AI-generated content may be incorrect. KS3 Languages A child speaking into a crowd AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Welcome Back I have been hugely proud of our Key Stage 3 pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9. They have collectively made a fantastic start to the new academic year and really hit the ground running. It is delightful to be able to welcome our pupils every morning and speak with them as part of our new approach to line-ups on an even larger scale. A lot of impressive achievements and successes have already been had. Through routinely going into lessons, I have been delighted with the manner in which the pupils have engaged with staff and their learning. I am hugely optimistic for the year ahead and encourage all of our pupils to Dream, Believe and Achieve. Bravo to our brilliant pupils. Mr S Strickland – Principal This bulletin contains updates from the heads of Years 7, 8 and 9 as well as a spotlight on what Key Stage 3 have been getting up to in Languages so far this term. We know that our young people do fantastic things in and out of school and we want to help celebrate their successes. Please let your child’s form tutor know about achievements so that these can be shared and celebrated in line-ups, tutor time and through this bulletin. Diary Reminders: Thursday 22nd October - Rescheduled Twycross Zoo Visit (Year 9) Monday 26th October – Friday 6th November - Half Term Thursday 26th November – Year 11 Parent Consultation Event Please note that the school will close at 12.15pm and all pupils will be expected to go home and engage with work that is remotely set by class teachers. Tuesday 2nd December – Year 13 Parent Consultation Event Please note that the school will close at 1.55pm and all pupils will be expected to go home and engage with work that is remotely set by class teachers. Wednesday 3rd December – Christmas Food & Gift Market More details will follow regarding this. Tuesday 15th December – Annual Christmas Concert More details will follow regarding this. Thursday 17th December – Grandparents’ Christmas Concert More details will follow regarding this.

Key Stage 3: The Foundations for Success TDS KS3 Bulletin At the start of the term all Key Stage 3 pupils attended an assembly focused on developing positive study habits and effective independent learning routines for the year ahead. During the assembly, pupils were encouraged to think about creating a suitable place to work at home, organising their time carefully, and establishing after-school routines that support both learning and wellbeing. We also discussed the importance of planning time for enjoyable activities, hobbies, and relaxation, helping pupils to achieve a healthy balance between schoolwork and personal interests. Over the course of the year, pupils will take part in a series of assemblies and tutor-time sessions designed to strengthen their study skills and support subject-specific learning. These sessions will provide practical strategies to help pupils become confident, independent learners across the curriculum. As always, our form tutors and pastoral teams are available to offer additional guidance and support. Whether pupils need help managing homework, organising their workload, or developing effective revision and study routines, there is always someone on hand to help.

TDS KS3 Bulletin Year 7 Mrs McDonald – Head of Year Form Tutor Shout Outs! Hugo K - always contributes in form time discussions and engages with all tasks in a positive manner. He is always polite, punctual and ready for the day he has a great respect for himself and those around him. Isabelle B - For her polite and conscientious attitude. She is always outgoing and pleasant in her interactions with both staff and students. She has also joined the choir and entered the Languages Day Competition. Darcey H - Darcey has made a brilliant start to Year 7. She consistently receives house points across all lessons for her outstanding work and excellent manners. She has also been an active participant in school community through her exemplary work in Literacy and Geography. As we reach the end of our first few weeks together, I have been incredibly impressed with how well our Year 7 students have settled into life at The Duston School. September seems a distant memory now, and many students have successfully mastered the art of finding their classrooms without accidentally embarking on an expedition to the far corners of the school site! In fact, the once-essential, maps of the school are now being quietly retired as students confidently navigate their way from lesson to lesson. It has been fantastic to see so many students getting involved in the vast array of extracurricular clubs and activities on offer, making new friends, and embracing every opportunity available to them. Classrooms are busy with learning, students are engaging positively in lessons, and there is a real sense of enthusiasm throughout the year group. We are incredibly proud of how quickly Year 7 have adapted to secondary school life and look forward to seeing their confidence, independence and achievements continue to grow over the coming months. Top House Points Jared M, Sophie F, Vikki B

TDS KS3 Bulletin Year 8 Mrs Wells – Head of Year House Points Total 8APA 8CBA 8COD 8OMA 8RCH 8SCR 8SDA 8SHO 8TCO TOTAL 11.9.26 541 527 947 545 847 812 422 940 769 6350 18.9.26 712 545 735 671 799 884 466 1126 602 6540 25.9.26 620 589 1038 600 913 896 459 1087 816 7018 2.10.26 541 484 953 539 847 787 409 940 769 6269 TOTAL 2414 2145 3673 2355 3406 3379 1756 4093 2956 26177 Top 10 individual pupils (as of 01.10.26) 1. Isla N (8SDA) & Evelyn D (8SHO) – 185 2. Eadie W (8SHO) – 175 3. Ava G (8SCR) – 168 4. Mollie C (8SHO) – 164 5. Teddy W (8RCH) – 158 6. Aiden WV (8SHO) – 157 7. Ida S (8SCR) & Sofija K (8CBA) – 149 8. Leah-Mae I (8SHO) – 148 9. Poppy A (8RCH) – 143 10. Noah A (8SCR) – 139

TDS KS3 Bulletin Attendance 8APA 8CBA 8COD 8OMA 8RCH 8SCR 8SDA 8SHO 8TCO Average 93% 93% 96% 95% 95% 94% 93% 95% 94% 94% All of the following students have 100% attendance: 8APA: Toby B, Ollie F, Elsie F, Willow G, Layla J, Tom M, Grace O, Eniola O, Inaya R, Patrick R, Jake S, Ninas T, Valentina T, Sophia T 8CBA: Vanessa A, William B, Delia C, Alvaro C, Dumi C, Oliver H, Scarlett H, Anjali K, Stefan L, Artur N, Moosa R, Jj S, Harvey S, Alice T, Maisie W 8COD: Laya A, Lexi A, Lewis G, Niall G, Hadley J, Lexi K, Alfie M, Leon M, Yseult R, Bartosz R, Isla S, Jack W, Dylan W 8OMA: Beatrice B, David B, Josh B, Dillen D, Ava E, Bella F, Karla G, Noah L, Jayden-Rhys N, Eryk N, Franklin P, Ronnie P, Freya R, Jack R, Ollie R, Neveah S, Kai S, Ruby T, Orlaith W, Arlo W 8RCH: Harlow B, Xander C, Isaac C, Aneurin C, Lily D, Matilda G, Frank G, Reece H, Chloe H, Jacob J, Amy L, Anashe M, Ruby M, Sam M, Cherry N, Leo O, Byanca P, Charlotte S, Teddy W 8SCR: Noah A, Lennon C, Iasmina C, Erin F, Ava G, Scarlett H, Harrison H, Hollie K, Cono M, Alex N, Joshua P, Laura P, Casper R, Ida S, Oscar T, Andre V, Harry W, Henry Y 8SDA: Alex B, Riviera B, Harvey B, Patrick E, Hayley G, Brigeld H, Ibrahim H, Davina H, Lollie R, Max V, Aidan W 8SHO: Lewis A, Robert B, Ava B, Mollie C, Evie D, Evelyn D, Freddie D, Fae D, Sam G, Archie G, Leah-Mae I, Austin J, Albert M, Lily P, Kamil R, Ollie R, Benjamin T, Mollie T, Christian W, Eadie W, Aiden WV 8TCO: Riya A, Leo B, Freddie F, Maxwell F, Sara G, Ella J, Hania K, Greyson L, Henry L, Jacob R, Harper S, Lial S, Amelie T, Xenia T, Archie W, Jasmine W, Matilda W

TDS KS3 Bulletin Sporting Achievements Under 13s National Cup – Girls Our U13 Girls' Football Team hosted Countesthorpe Academy in the National Cup. After a closely contested first half, the game remained level at 0-0, with both goalkeepers producing excellent saves to keep their teams in the match. Countesthorpe struck first after the break, but the girls responded brilliantly. Layla scored twice to turn the game around and secure a fantastic 2-1 victory, sending the team through to the second round of the competition. Given the extremely high standard of the National Cup, this is a superb achievement and one the girls should be very proud of. Netball Year 8 netball teams played friendly matches against Malcolm Arnold Academy (MAA). The Year 8 A Team were defeated 15-2, with Eadie named Player of the Match, while the Year 8 B Team lost 13-3, with Ava receiving the Player of the Match award for her effort and commitment. Although the results did not fall our way, our students should be proud of their performances. Our teams competed brilliantly, represented The Duston School with pride and continue to make excellent progress. Players of the Match Year 8A: Eadie & Year 8B: Ava Sporting Spotlight: Niall has had another excellent season playing Golf with more success, some of which is listed below. He won the Northamptonshire Schools Championships which led to qualifications to the English Schools Finals where he competed as one of the youngest players. He has continued to represent Northamptonshire playing up two years for the U14 squad and remains unbeaten in matchplay for the County. He travelled to St Andrews to play in a 3-day national event and also qualified for the Faldo Series Final at the Belfry where he finished 29th out of 60 taking part in a competition that started with over 1000 entrants. And to top it off he finished in 2nd place on the overall Northamptonshire order of merit, the season long competition for all players up to 18 years old which included two event wins.

TDS KS3 Bulletin Individual success: • Leon M – scouted for England Basketball • Jacob B – GB trampolinist • Ella J winning her karate tournament • Matilda W – playing for Steelbacks in cricket • Kamil R – man of the match – football – Gregory Celtics – 3 weeks ago – also won Billing Youth tournament in football • Albert M - Won players player, managers player and supporters’ player. also won the Kingsthorpe cup – won the plate in Bugbrooke tournament and Player of the Match for Blisworth. • Leah-Mae and Macee – Her football team – Bugbrooke – got to 2 finals in 2 tournaments but came 2nd in both. • Evie DD – passed her dance exams – level 1 – ballet modern and tap • Sam G – selected by his club to play in a tournament – badminton • Fae D- became a gymnastics coach • Lollie R – involved with Street Dance International over Summer Hols. Her team came 2nd. It was held in Sussex. • Henry C – Kingsthorpe Football Team • George B – Trophy at Football Camp • Tom M goes to TISKA Karate and he passed his latest belt grading to achieve 5th Kyu (Purple Belt). He has been training for 3 years now and is very committed to Shotokan. • Jacob B – Winning Bronze at The British Championship for Synchro Trampolining. Form Tutor Shout Outs! Macee F-L – A really good start to year 8. Evelyn D – for commitment to choir. Maja K – for a beautiful entry for The Day of Languages competition – representing Poland. Mollie C – for a lovely entry into The Day of Languages Competition and for an amazing start to year striving to be the best version of herself. Aiden WV – for contributions to PSHE discussions and citizenship discussions in form time. Has put across some really good points and opinions. Isabella R and Stevie B for having some Writing Published earlier on in the year. Ethan L, Sofija K, Stefan L and Dumi C for having a fantastic start to the year with high number of house points achieved.

TDS KS3 Bulletin Year 9 Mr Elliott – Head of Year • Year 9 are already actively involved with looking at their GCSE option choices, asking intelligent, relevant questions. • Year 9 have made an excellent start to character awards and are well presented on a daily basis. • Year 9 have accrued 24, 230 house points this academic year. Form Tutor Shout Outs! Olani B - Currently training with Tottenham Hotspur under 15s Student Reception Year 9 pupils have made a great start as student receptionists this term. This is a responsibility for Year 9 pupils as the eldest in the Key Stage. In pairs, pupils get the opportunity for an early encounter with the world of work by acting as student receptionists for the day. Pupils wear a receptionist lanyard and complete tasks for the reception team. Pupils are rewarded with house points and certificates. Each year 9 pupil will get this opportunity at least once over the course of the academic year.

TDS KS3 Bulletin Spotlight on: KS3 Languages Mrs Oliver, Head of Languages, updates on the Languages successes of Key Stage 3 pupils this term. Languages Week – un éxito total • On Thursday 23rd September we celebrated languages day in school. • Pupils watched an assembly in form time explaining the benefits of learning a foreign language as well as the value in diversity and being unique individuals. • Over 700 lollies were given out at lunch as pupils could order a lollypop at lunch in any foreign language from our languages team. • Over 100 KS3 pupils attended our after school cultural quiz. • A competition ran across the school asking for artistic entries relating to pupils’ home culture or any culture they are interested in. The winners received a £5 amazon voucher and some of our best entries are below. Languages Transition Project – impressionant/ impresionante! A big well done to all year 7s who completed our transition project over the summer. I was astounded by some of the entries. See below. Hours of work clearly went into them! They will be rewarded with a luxury breakfast soon and all received extra house points

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