Hello,

I’d like to introduce myself to you as your form tutor at Southmoor Academy. My name is Mr Buchan (no one can say it, don’t worry) and I teach History. My interests are football (specifically Premier League high-flyers Burnley), music, going to the cinema, and reading. I look forward to hearing about what you are interested in once we meet in person.

I am fully confident that you will enjoy your time at secondary school as it is a chance to meet more people, make new friends, and try new things. As well as lots of different lessons, there are greater opportunities to explore your interests at Southmoor whether it be a new sport or club.

I understand this is a strange time for you, as many of you will have not spent much time in school over the past few months and you may well have lots of questions about September. I want to reassure you that everyone is in the same boat and any feelings of anxiousness or confusion you have will be shared by your peers, even if they don’t say them aloud. You will be supported from the second you walk through the doors at Southmoor by staff and students. You will be able to come to me directly with any issues you might have and we will resolve them together. I promise you that within a week you will feel like you have always been at Southmoor!

Although it may be difficult, please try to see the positives of this situation. Usually it is just the Year 7s and other new students who may feel nervous before the school year starts, but this year, I am sure everybody will be feeling some form of nerves having been away from school for so long. You will not stand out at all in being confused to begin with, and you will look out for each other and settle in quickly.Have a great summer break and please be safe. I look forward to meeting you in September.

Mr Buchan