Start of Term 5 Letter

Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you have enjoyed a restful Easter. 

Thank you again for your support of our uniform reset during Term 4; the many messages of support of upholding high standards have been appreciated.  I also wanted to extend my gratitude for your support during the penultimate week of Term 4 where I had to make the difficult decision to ask some Year Groups to work from home. This is always a last resort and not a decision I take lightly, but given the circumstances, it was the only way to give people the best chance of success. 

With Term 5 due to start, I wanted to write to you with a few key Academy updates and reminders so that we can work together to give people the best chance of success. This is going to be another exciting term full of opportunity, challenge and growth for our amazing students. In order to achieve success, we have high expectations of everything they do (and high levels of support) to ensure everyone can flourish – your support of the Academy expectations ensures all students’ flourish. 

The purpose of this letter is to update / remind you of: 

• Changes to the Academy Senior Leadership Team 
• Academy expectations relating to Manners, Uniform (link to updated guidance below), Mobile phones, Electric scooters, Equipment, Attendance/punctuality. 
• Term 5 Events / Key dates 
• ChatHealth – confidential health service for young people 

Change to the Academy Senior Leadership Team

You will be aware that Ms Peyton left the Academy at the end of Term 4 to progress onto a new position of Vice Principal at another school from Term 5. I’m sure you will join me in thanking Ms Peyton for her relentless work over the last two years in improving the Academy and wishing her well in her new, promoted position. 

We recruited a new Assistant Principal, Mr Stewart during Term 4, although he may not be able to start until September. In the interim, I am delighted to welcome Mrs Barnes to the Academy as interim Assistant Principal leading on Behaviour, culture and attitudes. Mrs Barnes has been seconded from Bristol Metropolitan Academy and brings with her extensive experience that will add to the further improvement we are seeking at Hanham Woods Academy

Mrs Barnes, Interim Assistant Principal

Academy Expectations Relating to Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Electric scooters, Equipment, Attendance / Punctuality, Times of Day

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.

Responding to a Reasonable Request from a Member of Staff, “First time, every time”:

It is our expectation that students follow staff instructions, first time every time. This creates a safe, calm environment within the Academy which enables everyone to be successful.  If a student refuses to respond to a reasonable request from a member of staff, they will be given a 15-minute detention (either at lunchtime or after the Academy day, depending on the time of issuing the sanction) and parents/carers will be informed via a text message.  The student will then be given another opportunity to follow the member of staff’s request – should the student continue to be defiant they will be placed into a 45-minute SLT detention and parents/carers will be called.

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

A reminder about our uniform expectations can be found here 

Mobile Phones / Headphones:

Mobile phones / headphones are not permitted to be out during the Academy day. If they are seen or heard, they will be confiscated, and students can collect their device from reception at the end of the Academy day. This rule is in place to support student mental health and wellbeing by reducing screen time. It also reduces distraction in lessons so that teachers and students can focus on learning. If you need to contact your child, please call reception and a message will be passed on. If a student needs to contact home, they can speak to a pastoral leader who will facilitate a call home.

Electric Scooters:

Electric scooters are currently illegal to ride on public highways unless a driving licence 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 to the Academy on an e-scooter, it will be confiscated, and you will be called and asked to come and collect it.

Equipment:

It is important that students are properly equipped every day so that they are ready to learn. 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.  Incorrect equipment will result in a 15-minute lunch time detention.

Attendance & Punctuality:

Our ambition is for students to attend every day on time and be on time for every lesson. This is to ensure students get the maximum learning time and the most enriching experiences from the Academy. Students need to be in their tutor room at 08:30 ready to start their tutor programme, every day. To ensure a prompt start to the tutor time programme, students need to be on site by 08:25 so that they can comfortably get to their tutor room by 08:30, ready to learn. Arriving to the Academy after the 08:30 bell is considered late and will result in a 15-minute lunch-time detention.

Throughout the Academy day, students are expected to arrive at their next lesson within 3 minutes of the previous lesson finishing. This ensures a prompt start to lessons and provides all students with the maximum learning time.

If for any reason your child is not well enough to attend the Academy, please:

• call the attendance line on 0117 440 8900 / Option 1 before 8:30am to advise; providing details of the illness.
• If your child is unwell for more than one day you will need to call on each morning of the absence.

Key information regarding attendance can be found here

Term 5: Key Dates / Events

Key dates and events for Term 5 can be found here

ChatHealth – Confidential Health Service for Young People

ChatHealth is a new confidential text messaging service is being launched on 25th April to enable students across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) to contact School Nurses for support. ChatHealth will enable students aged 11-19 to text a number and receive confidential advice on a range of topics including healthy eating, emotional health and wellbeing, smoking, drugs and sexual health. ChatHealth is being launched by the Community Children’s Health Partnership, which is led by Sirona care & health and partners. The service is funded by local authorities and will complement the existing school nursing service across BNSSG. The aim of the service is to reach more students, including those who may not feel comfortable discussing issues in face-to-face settings. It is an anonymous and confidential service although service users can be identified when young people are at risk of significant harm.

ChatHealth will be open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm during term time and school holidays, excluding bank holidays. More details about the service will be released on 25th April, including the phone number.

Thank you for taking the time to read this start 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.

Everyone is extremely excited to welcome students back to the Academy. I look forward to continuing our work together to give people the best chance of success.

Dream Big, Work Hard, Be Kind.

Kind Regards

Mr O’Callaghan | Academy Principal