Letter from The Head of School - 21st July

Dear parents and carers,

As the academic year draws to a close, I write to you with immense pride and gratitude. The final weeks of term have truly captured the spirit and excellence of Perins School. From sporting triumphs and creative achievements to celebratory events and even participation in a world record, our students have exemplified the very best of themselves.

You can explore these remarkable moments in more detail on our website: Perins News & Community.

Sporting Excellence
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Year 11 student Ned S, who secured gold for England at the SIAB Championships with a phenomenal 60m javelin throw. Additionally, our Sports Tour squad departed for South Africa on Friday, 18th July, where they are already immersed in a vibrant itinerary, proudly representing Perins abroad.

Upcoming Building Works
We are thrilled to announce that Perins has been awarded over £5 million through the government’s Condition Improvement Funding (CIF). This investment will significantly upgrade our health and safety infrastructure, with particular focus on fire safety. These enhancements will respect the character of our historic buildings while delivering cutting-edge safety across our campus.

Farewell to Valued Colleagues
This summer, we say goodbye to several dedicated staff members:
Francesco Marino, Teacher
Maryna Melnyk, Teaching Assistant
Andee Jordan, Drama Team Leader
Perry Ralls, Head of Year & Music Teacher
Ben de Halpert, Design Technology Teacher
Peter Helmrich, Estates Assistant
Jo Williams, History Teacher & Assistant SENCo

Each has contributed immensely to our school community, and we wish them every success in their future endeavours. Please rest assured that thorough handovers have taken place to support a smooth transition for students. If you have any queries, your child’s Head of Year will be happy to help ensure your concerns reach the appropriate staff member.
We remain fully staffed and committed to delivering a rich and inspiring curriculum in the new academic year.

Gift Policy Reminder
Whilst there is no expectation of gifts, we understand that some parents and students do wish to give a little something on occasion to staff.  Please remember our Perins MAT gift policy restricts staff from accepting gifts of any kind over the value of £20.  Alcohol, money and gift cards cannot be accepted as a gift.  This is not due to a lack of appreciation, but to maintain fairness and transparency. 

Mobile Phone Policy
We continue to uphold our mobile-free school environment. Starting September 2025, accountability measures will be further strengthened. Together with members of our 7 Alresford Schools partnership, we are working towards a unified approach to encourage healthy mobile habits among students.

Summer Safety & Online Awareness
While outdoor safety is vital over the summer holidays, we also urge families to stay engaged with their children’s digital wellbeing. Research from Internet Matters highlights the growing use of AI chatbots by young people—for advice, companionship, and academic support. Though often well-intentioned, these tools are not human, and their guidance may not always be age-appropriate or reliable.
Please take time to speak with your child about their online interactions and review safety settings wherever possible.

Looking Ahead
We look forward to welcoming:
Year 7 students on Tuesday, 2nd September for pre-season PE and sport training, and formally on Friday, 5th September
All other students on Monday 8th September

On behalf of everyone at Perins, thank you for your continued support. We wish you and your family a joyful, restful, and safe summer break.

Warm regards,

Mark Nevola

Head of School, Perins School