This article is from our newsletter, The Albanian,
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It’s a pleasure to write the introduction for the Spring 2026 edition of the Albanian as the new Head Teacher of Finchley Catholic High School. It’s a privilege not only to work at this school but to be here in this capacity. I aim to serve the students here to the best of my ability to ensure the school provides a Catholic Learning and Listening environment in a place where the students know they are loved as well as ensuring they get an outstanding academic education. After a cold winter start on the 5th January with a burst watermain creating a false start to the new year, we’ve got off to a sprint start to the warmer and more hopeful Spring sunshine. It’s been a packed term with Mock Exams in Year 11 and 13, and some truly outstanding fundraising over the Lenten period that has included the Sixth Form raising in excess of £5000 for Noah’s Ark hospice at the time of this edition going to print as well as the Easter Egg appeal and Shoes for the Homeless in January. We’re looking forward to a number of our Year groups competing in Cup Finals and progressing through the various semi-final positions we’re currently in and our builders inform us that we’re nearly there with the Sports Hall… Perhaps the most exciting news, however, will be in the forthcoming Section 48 Inspection report that took place here last week. We can’t yet reveal the contents of the report as it undergoes the various checks and quality assurance procedures but I’m certain that you will be as delighted with it as we were when we heard the outcomes. They should be with us to send to you towards the end of the first week back after the Easter holidays as well as being published on the website. Thank you to all of you who took the time and care to fill in the questionnaires from the diocese. I appreciate the time it took you to complete them and it made a big impact on the inspectors who took the time to reflect over how you felt about the school and what it meant to you to have you son and/or daughter with us. Finally, and if I may say very personally, a heartfelt thank you to not only the students but to you as parents, carers and alumni for reaching out and making me feel so welcome in this amazing school. I know there are big shoes to fill here at such a great school. Enjoy this edition. Have a cracking Easter break and we’ll see all the students back for the Summer term. St Alban, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely,
Ciran Stapleton