Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. I write this at the end of a long and eventful autumn term at Derby Moor. We have had much cause for celebration since September and have also had to pull together through some challenging times. I thank you for your continued support with this. We have a shorter than usual update for you below.
Year 11 Update
Year 11 have now completed their first term and, having been put through their paces with a gruelling Mock Examination period are now in a position to act on the detailed feedback and advice they have received to support with future assessments. We have now come to the end of the first wave of interventions and after the holiday those students selected should receive a letter with detail of the new afterschool interventions. These will start on the week commencing 15th January and the second round of Mock Exams will begin week commencing 26 February 2024. We look forward to seeing them return in the new year ready for the big push towards the summer.
Year 12 Geography Trip
Year 12 Geographers visited Beeston in Nottingham on Monday. This fieldwork formed the basis of their NEA preparations. They completed an urban study of five locations in Beeston town centre, with a particular emphasis on the impact of the Tram and Rebranding. Long Eaton, which is 2 miles from Beeston was used as a counter location to compare transport links and the multiplier effect. The trip was rounded off with a visit to the grounds of Nottingham University, which highlighted the excellent opportunities that await the students should they apply to this university in a years’ time.
World Class Schools: Student of the Year
As you know, our school was very proud to achieve the World Class Schools Quality Mark thanks to the impressive work of a considerable number of really talented students. They diligently completed assignments in the 5 categories needed to gain this prestigious recognition last year. But even from this group, and from similarly high achieving students across the country, the work of one student from our school stood out from the rest. The assessors of World Class Schools Quality Mark selected Tanvir Tamber, now in Year 10, as their Runner Up Student of the Year 2023. Congratulations to Tanvir for this wonderful recognition of her achievements.
Second Place in White Ribbon Competition
At the end of November, the male staff and students at Derby Moor joined other City Schools in the White Ribbon Campaign, raising awareness of the need to speak out against violence and inappropriate behaviour towards women and girls. Each school was asked if they could find a group of 10 young men prepared to make a giant white ribbon to advertise the importance of challenging abuse. We sent a photograph of our White Ribbon, currently on display by the Main Hall to Voices in Action and we were rewarded with the prize of a tour of Derby County Football Club for the Year 8 student volunteers, led by GE and DY.
Two of our older students also starred in the Voices in Action film made by Derby City to introduce the campaign to everyone in assemblies and tutor time. The White Ribbon film has been nominated for a charity film award, the group are asking if we could vote for them using this link. You can view the video on youtube here.
Uniform
A reminder that you can view our uniform expectations on our website here and details about our suppliers can be found here. Please use this as your guide when purchasing new items and do check the guidance around jewellery and piercings as these can be misunderstood by students.
Careers Update
Derby Moor Dispatch: The Derby Moor Dispatch goes out every Monday to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. The Dispatch contains a wide range of opportunities for work experience, summer schools, careers related webinars and so on. Please do have a look at the latest edition. The Dispatch is emailed to the students’ school email address, so it is important that they check this regularly on a Monday. You can also view the Dispatch via the Careers page of the Derby Moor website. Please take a look at the website as there is a wealth of useful information including a specific page for parents.
Business breakfast: We wlook forward to welcoming a number of business leaders from across the region to our school o the 8th January to work with staff on our employability curriculum. They will help to evaluate and refine the project embedded in our curriculum as well as forging new links to provide further encounters with real employers for our students.
Sports Update
In extracurricular this term, we have had outstanding attendance. As a department we have started our sixth form club initiatives, where our Year 12 and 13 students run clubs every day. This has supported our students in their coaching modules as well as providing a lot more activities at lunch for students to participate in. New sports and activities were added to our extensive extracurricular programme with boxing being one of the most popular clubs in the school. We want to thank every student who has attended and taken their time out to involve themselves in more physical activity over this term.
Next term we continue to strive for more opportunities and different sports, enhancing the students’ knowledge in a range of sports. We are looking to partner with Nottingham Caesars American Football Club who, following a successful period last year, are wanting to return to Derby Moor to offer more sessions. Flyers are up in the Honor Hub for opportunities to play outside of school. Furthermore, we are looking to introduce indoor cricket and continue with the busy girl’s football schedule.
Staff Spotlight
This week, we shine the Staff Spotlight on Mr Talbot:
Q) How long have you worked at Derby Moor Spencer Academy?
A) 2 Months.
Q) What is your role and what does it entail?
A) Assistant Head of Post 16. In my role, I am responsible for the academic achievement of the students in the Sixth Form. So, I work closely with the Sixth Form students and their teachers to help support them in reaching their goals. I also oversee teaching and learning within the Sixth Form, looking to find new ways of helping students reach their potential.
Q) What is your favourite thing about working here?
A) My favourite thing about working at Derby Moor is the ‘Buzz’ of the school. In the corridors & classrooms there is a great, fast paced culture which makes Derby Moor an exciting place to work.
Final Thoughts
Today began with Christmas Carols on the Learning Hub from our staff choir. It was nice to bring this indoors this year and there was a lovely scene with students and staff watching and joining in with songs from the balconies whilst those in the choir congregated around our Christmas Tree. The corridors and classrooms have fell silent here this afternoon as school begins a period of extended closure during the Christmas break. I know our staff team here are looking forward to shutting down and spending quality time with family and friends and I hope you are also able to enjoy the same.
We have a staff training day on the 8th January where the academy will be closed to students. The term will then begin as normal on the 9th January with doors opening at 8.30. In the meantime, I wish you and your family a restful and re-energising break. A merry Christmas to those celebrating and best wishes for the new year to everyone. We will see you in January.
Scott Doyle
Principal