The deadline for applications to our Sixth Form is Friday 25 January (details are available at www.ladymanners.net/sixthform). We thought this would be a good opportunity to share some of the beautiful and creative work that last year's A Level Textiles students produced during their time in the Sixth Form. A bit of inspiration, perhaps, for a cold winter's day?

Thinking of booking a holiday? If you book online, just visiting the website on which you book your holiday via www.thegivingmachine.co.uk can result in a donation to school. There are nearly 300 travel and holiday related companies that have signed up with The Giving Machine, so please have a quick look before booking. It's quick, easy and free, so please consider helping Lady Manners School in this way.

This morning, we were delighted to receive news and a certificate to confirm that the progress made by Lady Manners School Sixth Form students has been in the top 25% in the country for the last three years. This underpins last year's A Level performance, which was in the top 10% nationally! The progress made by students across the UK is measured by comparing their A Level grades with what they received at GCSE. Our ranking shows that our Sixth Form students consistently make better progress at A Level than 75% of the rest of the country. This is an amazing achievement, so well done to our Sixth Form students from the last three years, and to the staff who taught them. If you want to be part of a continuing tradition of success, the deadline for applications for entry to Lady Manners School Sixth Form is fast approaching. Applications should be received by Friday 25 January. If you missed the Open Evening, it's not too late to see all that we have to offer our Year 12 and 13 students. Email sixthform@ladymanners.derbyshire.sch.uk or call 01629 812671 to arrange an appointment to have a look around.

Earlier in the year we reported that Lady Manners School had been awarded the British Council's prestigious International School Award for the fourth time running. Just before Christmas, Mr Meikle travelled to London to an award ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament to collect our certificate. The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. We include an international dimension in much of our curriculum, spanning all subjects and year groups. We continue to explore communities near and far in order to give our students as broad an understanding of the world as possible and to prepare them for life beyond school. Pictured is Mr Meikle at the British Council award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, with our MP, the Right Honourable Sir Patrick McLoughlin.

Today saw the last of our festive events and activities before students head off for a well-earned Christmas break. This morning, years 7 and 8 kicked off the last day of term with a festive house quiz. All students from these two year groups took part this morning, fielding questions on a wide range of topics. Congratulations to Barker, whose general knowledge propelled them to victory. We finished the day, and the term, with a special assembly for students. Earlier in the month, the Learning Support Department created the wonderful Christmas tree, pictured, as the Lady Manners School entry for the Bakewell Church Christmas Tree Festival. The tree is festooned with handmade, sparkly peacocks – a very appropriate theme for Lady Manners School. The festival, which fills Bakewell Parish Church with trees decorated by dozens of local organisations, continues until Sunday 23 December so it's not too late to see our tree in all its glory. We hope that all of our students and their families have an enjoyable and restful break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday 7 January.