End of Term 2 Final Update
Dear Parents/Carers
Term 2 is almost complete and what a remarkable term it has been! Despite the weather turning, the spirits of staff and students has not been dampened, with lots of opportunity and student achievement spread across the last 7 weeks (which you can read more about in our Academy Newsletter!). Term 2 started off with a focus on Mens Mental Health as well as a number of events throughout the term such as our whole Academy Remembrance event, Inter-House competitions, Enrichment clubs, Children in Need and finishing the term with the remarkable Winter Showcase with lots of student talent on display!
To find out more about what’s been going on during Term 2, please see the Hanham Woods Academy Newsletter Term 2 which is available here
Thank you to those Parents/Carers who attended the most recent Parent/Carer Forum in person at the Academy – we will be running another next term. This is an important opportunity to learn more about how the Academy operates whilst providing feedback and asking questions. Your support, feedback and challenge is always welcome as it helps us to improve the Academy further. In addition to Parent/Carer Forums we will also be launching some Academy in Action tours next term (more information to follow) which is an opportunity for Parents/Carers to visit the Academy, see it in action during the day and discuss any issues you have directly with me.
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our outgoing SENCO, Mrs McDermott, who will be leaving Hanham Woods at the end of term. She has made an immeasurable impact to the provision of SEND at the Academy since joining and leaves a strong legacy. I’m sure you will join me in wishing her the very best for her future endeavours. Our new SENCO, Mrs Hathway, will be starting in January (and has already started a handover process to ensure a smooth transition). Mrs Hathway will be hosting a ‘Meet the SENCO’ event next term – we will release more information about this in the new year.
I hope you enjoy a great Christmas break when it arrives! We look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy on Wednesday 3rd January 2024 to give them the best chance of success.
Ski Trip 2025 Update
We have been overwhelmed by the level of interest in the Ski Trip! There has been a huge demand on places, with the number of students expressing an interest, more than double the number of places available. We are looking into how we prioritise and allocate places to ensure that students get a fair opportunity to attend a ski trip during their time at the Academy. We will be in contact in January with more information about how places will be allocated.
Please continue reading to learn more about our start of Term 3 arrangements and a reminder of Academy expectations…
Start of Term 3 // Wednesday 3rd January 2024
The first day back of Term 3 for students will be Wednesday 3rd January 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 3 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 work set that will support them to continue. Their final round of PPEs begin in the final week of Term 3 (and go into the first two weeks of Term 4). 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 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
- 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 to 11-there are no exceptions made for Year 11 students. All communication with students and parents/carers has said that uniform guidance does apply to Year 11.
We are asking that all parents/carers check the following items before next term to ensure that students are meeting expectations:
Jewellery:
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 which may be worn in the earlobe and/or nose stud which 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 Academy 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 Academy (FHWA).
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 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.
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 2023/2024 can be found here
Key Academy Dates / Events can be found here
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
