The new term has begun for or pupils. Whilst the school community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of our Depute Head, Mr Neil Thomson, we are heartened by the will of pupils and staff to commemorate Mr Thomson’s time at Portland.

Pupils have come up with a number of suggestions on how best to do this and the Pupil Council will discuss ideas and proposals.

It has already been decided that the annual Citizenship Award will be renamed to honour Mr Thomson’s dedication to our school and will be presented in June 2017 as the ‘Neil Thomson Award for Citizenship’.

Until then, the school year will drive us forward and we send our good wishes to all of our pupils, parents, carers, colleagues and partners in the school community.

In particular, we wish our senior pupils the very best as they prepare for their qualifications.