Dear Parents & Carers,

As we reach the end of another very busy and successful session, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our learners, families and staff for the support, encouragement and commitment shown throughout the year. This final bulletin captures just some of the many achievements, experiences and opportunities that have helped make this such a positive year for Grove Academy.

Across the school, our learners have continued to represent Grove with pride. In Modern Languages, learners reflected powerfully on their international work through the Orléans Eau Choix project, with many highlighting the personal growth, confidence and global awareness they developed through the experience. The faculty has also celebrated its recent Berlin visit, hosted the Twinning Exhibition during P7 transition, and is looking ahead to a German exchange visit in September 2026.

Our learners have also continued to thrive in the Performing Arts. Recent highlights include success in woodwind and vocal competitions, outstanding individual piping achievements, and further recognition for Grove learners through performances across the city. It is also fitting that this final bulletin reflects the strength of our music provision, with Grove pupils continuing to contribute so strongly to the wider Dundee music scene.

There has been much to celebrate across other faculties too. In Social Subjects and RMPS, learners took part in the YPI National Celebration Event, impressed judges through the Powering Futures sustainability challenge, and represented the school exceptionally well on the recent Ireland history trip, where their behaviour, curiosity and maturity were rightly praised. In Business Education, our Young Enterprise team achieved Best Company Report at the Tayside Regional Final, while senior Business Management learners also carried out fieldwork in Broughty Ferry to deepen their understanding of different sectors of the economy.

In Art & Design, learners have continued to excel through competitions and creative projects, including prize-winning entries in Young Artist and Young Photographer, spring competition successes, and strong transition work with P7 pupils around the theme of Fairtrade. The department also showcased learner work at both Senior Phase and BGE Prizegiving, adding greatly to the atmosphere and sense of celebration at both events. We were also pleased to see excellent wider-curriculum experiences in Design & Technology, with our NPA Jewellery class benefiting from a specialist visit to DJCAD, where they developed technical skills in wire work, soldering and jewellery design.

Our work with younger learners and transition has also remained a major strength. We were delighted to welcome P7 pupils for their third cluster day in May, with activities centred around Fairtrade and delivered by Social Subjects and Art & Design. These experiences help ensure that our future S1 learners feel welcomed, included and excited about joining Grove Academy in August.

I would also like to recognise the many wider achievements of individual learners. Our Gold Tie recipients this session have included learners excelling in basketball, inline hockey and golf at national level, reflecting the breadth of talent within our school community. In Support for Learning, staff, learners and the wider community came together to raise £150.35 through a fundraiser that will directly support trips, outings and confidence-building experiences for young people.

The closing weeks of session have also given us valuable opportunities to celebrate achievement formally through our Sports Awards, Senior Phase Prizegiving and 2 BGE Prizegiving ceremonies. These were very special occasions and a fitting reminder of the effort, talent and character shown by our young people across the year. The atmosphere at both events was commented on very positively by families and guests, and they were a real showcase of the professionalism, creativity and teamwork that sit at the heart of Grove Academy.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support in our move to a Phone Free School Environment recently. This move has been extremely successful and even this early we have noted less distractions in class, reduced traffic in our corridors during class time and a positive buzz around the school at break and lunch times, as learners socialise more effectively together. We look forward to continuing to embrace our new phone free environment next session and the myriad of benefits that this approach bring.

As we now look ahead, families may also wish to note some of the key dates already confirmed for session 2026/27 with all keys dates for Term 1 outlined in the Dates for your Dairy section.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to school life this year — staff, parents and carers, community partners, and of course our learners. Your partnership and support are greatly appreciated. I hope that the summer break brings rest, enjoyment and time together, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in August for another successful session.

Warm regards,

Tim Woodcock

Head Teacher

Please view the attached video created by our Learner GALP Ambassadors.