Home » Letters Home » Term 1, Week 2 Update (Sept 2023)

Term 1, Week 2 Update (Sept 2023)

Friday 15 September 2023

Dear Parents/Carers

Thank you for all your support, feedback and challenge at the start of this term to help us give students a strong start to the academic year. We have students come back to the Academy energised, rising to our high expectations and ready for the challenges that lie ahead this year. Students have collectively achieved over 17,000 praise points in the last 5 days (an average of 20 praise points per student) which is testament to the way they have engaged with our values and the positive contribution students have made to the Academy culture.  

Creating a culture of belonging is a key part of the next phase of our improvement journey, and we will be involved in many projects this year supporting students to connect to their local community. The first phase of this project is to learn more about our families. We have a short 2-minute survey that we would like all families to complete by Friday 22nd September 2023 – to complete the survey, please click on the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/JGt5eTHPYN  

Year 7 students have made a great start to their time at the Academy with high attendance, being ready to learn and enjoying the first full week of their timetable. Every single member of Year 7 was in perfect uniform. In assembly today, Mr Arnold presented the first Inter-House competition trophy to Cleeve, however, it was a very close competition. He was very impressed with the participation and enthusiasm that all the students displayed during last week’s competition. 

Year 7 are also currently working on a Belonging Project in PSHE and for their home learning they will be using the work from this to display in a Photography Exhibition on Thursday 28th September from 4pm to 6.30pm. We have been so impressed with the work that we have seen so far; please put this date in your diary as this is when we will invite Year 7 parents/carers into the Academy to see this exhibition and meet with key staff. The Project is called ‘Being Me In My World’ and is designed to celebrate who students are. More information to come on this.

Year 8 students have returned to the Academy and continue to build upon their positive start last year. They have been great role models for the new Year 7 students, and it has been wonderful to see Year 8 helping and supporting them. Mrs Hurrell and Mrs Thurston are looking forward to getting to know the Year 8 students and their families. 

Year 9 students have engaged in their lessons and tutor with positive attitudes and respect for others. It has been great to see them having pride in their work and settling into their new classes well. They are already starting to ask about the Year 9 Options process which will be introduced to them formally in October by Mrs Gardner (further parent/carer comms will follow). We look forward to seeing how they progress through this year and how their hard work will pay off.  

Year 10 students have stepped up to the mark with their engagement with their new Key Stage 4 courses. I have visited many lessons and the attitude and focus in class has been brilliant, setting the standard for the year to come. Students have been experiencing their new tutor activities, including their first morning meeting – additional English and Maths sessions supporting the curriculum taught in lessons. Year 10 have also welcomed several German exchange students into the Year Group who are already feeling part of the Academy community. 

Year 11 students have returned ready for the challenges that lie ahead of them as they continue to progress through their GCSE courses. They have demonstrated a positive attitude in lessons and responded well to our value of ‘work hard’. Thank you to parents/carers who attended the Steps to Success Evening on Thursday 14th September – we hope you found the information helpful in supporting your child to be successful across this year. Mrs Tushingham will shortly be sharing the resources from this event via the Year 11 blog (this will be communicated next week).  

 If you do have any questions or queries, please do contact your year team in the first instance: 

Term 1, Week 2 Update (Sept 2023)

Other updates:

  • Show My Homework: SMHW is now working following a technical error that delayed our ability to get the system set up for students. Students are now able to access homework online. Thank you for your patience whilst we resolved this issue. Students are being given a letter to bring home that will contain instructions on how you can sign up and log in. If you require further assistance, please contact Mrs Gardner [Associate Assistant Principal]: [email protected]
  • Scopay: We are aware that there have been some isolated issues with Scopay. If you require further assistance, please contact Mrs Davis [Finance Assistant]: [email protected]
  • Enrichment clubs / activities are starting next week (see the timetable below):

Term 1, Week 2 Update (Sept 2023)

  • SEND Parent/Carer workshops: Supportive Parents have two workshops coming up this term as part of the 360° project for parents and professionals about school attendance difficulties and trauma. To book use the Promotional code AUTUMN. 

 Thank you again for your support and feedback as work together to give students the best chance of success. 

Dream BIG // Work Hard // Be Kind 

Mr O’Callaghan | Principal