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HWA End of Term 4 – Start of Term 5 Letter

Thursday 28 March 2024

Dear Parents / Carers,

Thank you for your continued support during Term 4. As the term draws to a close, there has been lots to celebrate, most of which has been captured in our Academy Newsletter, which is going from strength to strength with more students involved in the organisation and publication of the content. Our first ever Festival of Culture was a huge success earlier in the term. This event was planned by our Year 11 Wellbeing leaders and brought both students and staff together to celebrate diversity, heritage and inclusion, which is a part of our ongoing EDI strategy.

Another highlight was our Academy production of Legally Blonde Jr which showcased some remarkable student performances and leadership. Our productions go from strength to strength and the inclusive nature of them means that students are involved in planning, directing, managing and running the events (in addition to the performances!). Thank you to those parents/carers who were able to attend and support the performances!

To find out more about what’s been going on during term 4, please see our newsletter below:

Hanham Woods Academy Newsletter Term 4 is available here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/newsletters/

Parent / Carer Voice: Your voice is important to us. Please take time to complete the Parent / Carer survey (which will close on Friday 19th April): https://forms.office.com/e/cdfNydaT7c Once the survey has closed, I will collate the feedback and write to you to summarise the key themes / actions we plan to take.

As we look ahead to Term 5, please take time to read through the second half of this letter as this serves as a reminder of our expectations to support all students to be successful. There are also several key events happening in Term 5 including Year 11 GCSE exams starting in week commencing 13th May:

  • Weds 17th April – Year 11 Parents Evening (in person)
  • Weds 15th May – Year 7 Parents Evening
  • Thurs 16th May – Parent/Carer Forum (in person)
  • Weds 22nd May – Year 8 Parents Evening

I hope you enjoy a restful Easter break when it arrives! We look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy on Tuesday 16th April 2024 (Monday 15th April is an INSET day) to give them the best chance of success.

Please continue reading to learn more about our start of term 5 arrangements and a reminder of Academy expectations…

Start of Term 5 // Tuesday 16th April 2024

The first day back of term 4 for students will be Tuesday 16th April 2024. Students should arrive on site no earlier than 08:00 and be ready to start tutor time by 08:30.

Below is a reminder of our key expectations ahead of Term 5 starting.

Academy Expectations relating to Homework, Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Equipment, Academy rules, electric scooters:

Homework:

Homework for year 7 to year 10, which has due dates after half term, has been set by teachers to include a full week of school days where possible so that your child does not have homework to complete over the holiday. We hope that this helps to support their wellbeing and provides an opportunity to rest. Year 11 students have revision set that will support them to continue revising. Thank you so much for your support with homework as this is positively impacting your child’s outcomes and their success in the classroom.

Manners:

We believe politeness gets you where you want to go in life. We want to continue the great work you have done instilling manners and mutual respect in your children, within the Academy. We expect students to always be polite, courteous, and show mutual respect so that positive relationships between staff and students can be achieved. This makes for a supportive and engaging learning environment where everyone can thrive.

Uniform:

The Academy uniform is an important part of our community and building a sense of belonging. It is one piece in the building blocks of creating a culture of high expectations and high achievement through an inclusive, supportive environment. All students are expected to be in full Academy uniform every day. If a student arrives at the academy in the incorrect uniform, we will support students in the following ways to meet our expectations:

  • offer uniform items to borrow (if available)
  • ask to go home and change (in agreement with parents/carers)
  • ask to work in the Inclusion Area until the correct uniform is delivered to the Academy by parents/carers

Please note the following items which are not allowed:

  • Jeans (defined as having back pockets and jean-like material) or leggings
  • Tube skirts/tight stretchy material for skirts-skirts must be to the knee
  • Hoodies (students need a weatherproof coat)
  • Trainers
  • False/acrylic nails of any kind
  • False eyelashes

Please note that any hoodies of any type (defined as not being a weatherproof/waterproof coat) are not allowed. Hanham Woods Academy is a site where students are outside between lessons so please ensure they have their academy jumper and a warm, weatherproof/waterproof coat with them. Hoodies or non-uniform jumpers of any type will be confiscated if seen.

Some of these items may be marketed as school items so please check they meet the uniform requirements before you buy.

All uniform guidelines apply to all students in Years 7-11-there are no exceptions made for Year 11 students. All communication with students and parents has said that uniform guidance does apply to Year 11.

We are asking that all parents/carers and check the following items before next term to ensure that students are meeting expectations:

Skirts:

The only permitted skirt is a pleated skirt worn to the knee.  This should not be deliberately worn rolled up.  No other shirt is permitted

Students are not permitted to wear jewellery due to our health and safety guidelines. The only jewellery allowed is a single pair of ear studs may be worn in the earlobe and/or nose stud may be worn to the Academy but must be removed for PE without exception.   Apart from this, no additional jewellery may be worn, i.e. no hooped ear/nose-rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings or additional piercings. Plastic retainers of any kind are not allowed. Taping of piercings is not permitted for PE or at any other time. Allowances are not made for healing times for new piercings. If students wish to have a new piercing then they must remove it for school without exception. Smart watches are not permitted.

Make Up:

At Hanham Woods the wearing of make up is discouraged as is not needed for school. If make up is worn, then it must be of a very discrete nature. Nail varnish of any kind is not permitted. Acrylic/false nails/gel nails and false eyelashes of any kind should not be worn at any time.

If you are unsure if the item you are purchasing meets the policy please check before you buy. We also have preloved uniform for purchase through the Friends of Hanham Woods.

We have very high standards in everything we do, and we want your child to look as smart as possible at all times. Wearing smart uniform helps to create the right conditions for learning and enables students to take pride in belonging to our community. We are very proud of our students and the high standards of their uniform, and we know that you are too! If you require further clarity or support to ensure your child is in the correct uniform, please get in contact.

A reminder about our uniform expectations can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-academy/uniform-equipment/

Academy Rules

No mobile phones: Mobile phones should be off and in bags when students arrive at the Academy gates in the morning and only be taken out of bags once they have left the main school gates. If they are seen or heard during the Academy day, the phone will be confiscated and placed securely in reception. The student will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention and the phone can be collected at 15:30.

No swearing

If a student is heard casually swearing around the Academy, they will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention. We expect students to be polite and respectful.

No ‘hands on’ (pushing and shoving / playfighting)

If a student is seen pushing and shoving other students or playfighting, they will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention. We expect students to respect the personal space of others and conduct themselves in a safe manner around the Academy site.

No Aerosols / Perfume sprays

Students are not allowed to bring aerosol canisters of any description into the Academy as these pose a risk to some of our students with respiratory conditions like asthma.  If students need to use anti-perspirant during the Academy Day then we would ask that they bring the roll-on type with them.  Spray perfumes and other aerosol cannisters are not permitted. Thank you for your support with this.

Equipment:

It is important that students are properly equipped every day so that they are ready to learn. All students are required to bring a bag to school. An equipment check will be carried out daily in tutor time to ensure students are ready to learn. Students are not required to bring scissors or pencil sharpeners into the Academy as these are provided in lessons. Academy equipment requirements can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-academy/uniform-equipment/ Students can purchase a pencil case (containing the correct equipment) from reception for £1. If you need support with equipment, please do get in contact so that we can help.

Electric Scooters:

Electric scooters are currently illegal to ride on public highways unless a driving license and insurance is held by the rider. It is not appropriate for students to be riding e-scooters to and from the Academy and they are, therefore, banned from the Academy site. This measure is in place to protect and uphold the safety of all students as they commute to and from the Academy. If a student arrives at the Academy on an e-scooter, it will be confiscated, and you will be called and asked to come and collect it.

Term Dates for 2023/2024: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-academy/term-dates/

Key Academy Dates / Events: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/events/

If you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch either via email: [email protected] or phone: 0117 440 8900.

Thank you for your continued support of the Academy as work together to give people the best chance of success.

Dream Big // Work Hard // Be Kind

Mr O’Callaghan

Principal