End of Term 1 / Start of Term 2 Letter
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we come towards the end of Term 1, I wanted to write to you and share some of the amazing things students have achieved over the course of this term. We have experienced a strong start to the academic year, laying the foundations for a successful year and I am really excited about the direction of the Academy and the success students will achieve.
Term 1 Highlights
- House Competitions
- Weekly house competitions spanning a wide range of activities have allowed students to get involved, represent their house, win prizes and most importantly have fun!
- Student Leadership // House Council
- Mrs Hurrell has been busy supporting students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9) to organise House Councils and provide leadership opportunities for students, something we are keen to develop further across the rest of the academic year as this helps to develop character.
- Enrichment Activities
- A wide-ranging set of activities are on offer across the Academy week for all Year Groups. Students have really enjoyed the experience so far as it has enabled them to have fun, meet new friends and try new activities. This has also included several fixtures against other schools in different sports. Please continue to encourage students to attend enrichment next term!
- Beauty and the Beast Auditions
- The Academy has held rehearsals for our production of Beauty and the Beast, and a huge number of students auditioned. We are hugely proud of the inclusive nature of our Academy productions, and we look forward to inviting parents/carers in to watch the production later in the year. Next term will focus on rehearsals.
- Tutor Time Reading Programme (Key Stage 3)
- KS3 students have enjoyed tutor time reading this term which is to further develop a love of reading and provides an opportunity for students to read a wide range of texts (linked closely to our PSHE curriculum) across the year as a group.
- Year 11 Preparation for PPEs
- Year 11 students have been able to access a wide range of support as we work to prepare them for their upcoming PPEs (which start on Monday 31st October). They have had revision strategy sessions, additional core subject intervention, careers input, after academy intervention and assemblies aimed at supporting them with their mental health and well-being.
- Celebration Events
- Students have also had the opportunity to get involved and develop cultural capital further through days and events such as European Day of Languages, National Poetry Day and Black History Month. These events provide much needed exposure to different cultures and also provide students with a more enriching experience within the Academy.
START OF TERM 2 // Monday 31st October
The first day back for students will be Monday 31st October 2022. Below is a reminder of our key expectations ahead of Term 2
Academy Expectations relating to Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Equipment, Academy rules, electric scooters:
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 them to go home and change (in agreement with parents/carers)
- ask them 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
- Trousers with zip pockets
- Tube skirts/tight stretchy material for skirts – skirts must be to the knee
- Hoodies
- Trainers
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 to 11 – there are no exceptions made for Year 11 students. Please ignore the sentence in the planners that says that uniform guidance does not apply to Year 11, this was printed in error. We apologise if this has caused any misunderstanding. 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:
Jewellery:
Students are not permitted to wear jewellery due to our health and safety guidelines. The only jewellery that is allowed is a single nose stud and 1 pair of small stud earrings. Please note that all jewellery should be removed for PE. Plastic retainers for piercings are not permitted. Necklaces, bracelets and multiple sets of earrings must also not be worn to the Academy as we need to ensure students are not wasting time in PE lessons removing excessive jewellery. Please ensure that you have checked and spoken to students about jewellery expectations so that all jewellery is removed for school as far as possible. Please do not allow students to have additional piercings which cannot be removed.
Top Buttons:
Students are expected to have their top buttons done up when wearing a tie.
If you are unsure if the item you are purchasing meets the policy please check before you buy. We also have pre-loved uniform for purchase through the Friends of Hanham Woods.
We will be checking that students are meeting these expectations in Term 2. Please do ensure that you have checked that students know and understand the policy. If you know of any reason why students cannot meet the uniform guidance, you must get in contact with the Pastoral Leader or Academic Leader to agree support. Notes on the day are not permitted and it will mean that students may be asked to borrow an item or stay in our Inclusion Area until the matter is resolved.
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
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 Academy 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 45 minute after Academy detention and the phone can be collected at 15:45.
No Swearing
If a student is heard casually swearing around the Academy, they will be issued with a 45-minute After Academy Detention (ADD). 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 45-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.
Thank you for your continued support of the Academy as work together to give people the best chance of success.
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 the Academy. An equipment check will be carried out daily in tutor time to ensure students are ready to learn. Academy equipment requirements can be found here. 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 2022/2023: Click here
Key Academy Dates / Events: Click here
Thank you for taking the time to read this end of term update. If you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch either via email: [email protected] or phone: 0117 440 8900.
Dream Big // Work Hard // Be Kind
Mr O’Callaghan | Principal
