Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the very best of health. I’ve found so much joy in doing my job this week – not from huge celebrations or achievements but more in just noticing the little things, the small changes that have made a big difference, the interactions between staff and students, seeing older students give up their time to help our new Year 7s find their way around, hearing our teachers ask really challenging questions and watching our students be brave enough to have a go, even when they aren’t certain. It’s these small things that give our building a genuine feeling of positivity and community. This is all underpinned by our High Expectations and the consistency and clarity with which we communicate this. Thank you for your continued support with that, together, we succeed.
Year 6 Open Evening – 3rd of Oct 2024, 5pm – 7.30pm
Families of Year 6 students are warmly invited to join us at our Open Evening to see what makes our academy a unique place to work and to learn. There will be presentations taking place in the Main Hall at 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm, which will provide you with very useful and important information about the transition to secondary school, our values, and our ways of working. During the evening, you will also be given the opportunity to meet members of our student leadership team, who will be leading tours of the school, starting in the foyer at 5.15 pm, 5.30 pm, 5.45 pm, 6.00 pm and 6.15 pm.
For families of current students, please look out for permission slips if they have volunteered to help out as a student ambassador on the evening.
Duke of Edinburgh
Thank you to families who came to the information evening on Thursday 12th September to find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award for Year 9. Afterschool sessions for Bronze (Yr9) start on 19th September, 3:05-4:05 in HO1. Silver (Yr10) afterschool sessions will start on 26th September, 3:05-4:05 in HO2. If you would like further information regarding the DofE Award, please email Miss Lancaster.
Year 11 Interventions for Science
Year 11 interventions have now begun for science on a Thursday immediately afterschool. Locations are, DE20 for triple, DE9 for set 2, DE8 for set 3, DE7 and DE5 for set 4. Intervention will typically last until 4.05.
Careers update
This week’s job of the week is a paramedic. By engaging with these links each week, our students are introduced to over 100 jobs in their time between Year 9-11. These are two-minute videos that often cover roles they may never have heard of or may not know much about. The video will include some simple information about the skills/qualifications required and the pay as well as a simple outline of what the job involves.
Luminate Careers
We welcome back our independent and impartial Careers Advisers from Luminate Careers. Kat Garland, Jessica Townsend and Marsha Johnson will be in school on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year. As well as seeing students for a 1:1 session or part of a group workshop, they are also available to support with completing application forms and checking CVs. Any student who wants some help simply needs to ask their tutor to make them an appointment or drop in and see one of the Luminate team in the Careers Room. Luminate also have an excellent website with a wealth of useful information.
Visit of Derby College
On Friday, we had a visit from Derby College as part of our ‘Next Steps’ programme for Year 11. Over the next few weeks students will have presentations about college, apprenticeships and traineeships as well as sixth form. It is important our Year 11 students are aware of all of the options available to them in order to make informed decisions. They will also be receiving support from our Careers Advisers at Luminate as well as their form tutors.
Fundraising
Mrs Harford-Smith from one of our feeder schools, Ridgeway, is running the Robin Hood Half Marathon on 29th September and hoping to raise funds on behalf of Sands charity and one of our students, Luciee Taylor. If you would be interested in supporting this cause, please follow this just giving link to make a donation and find out more.
Welcome packs for year 9, 10 and 11
Following feedback from last year, our Year Teams have created a welcome pack for families and students in Years 9-11. These contain key information about the year ahead and give advice on how to make the most of the next twelve months. You can find each pack on the following links: Year 9, Year 10, and Year 11.
Final notes
A shorter update this week and a relatively quiet couple of weeks ahead in terms of whole school events over the next fortnight. It’s worth noting that the Year 12 settling in assessments take place during the week of the 23rd of September, the Open Evening takes place on the 3rd of October and school will be closed to students on the 4th of October for our first INSET day of the year. You can find the rest of our term dates and closure days on our website.
Please do log on to your Class Charts parent account this week and, if possible, each evening to discuss the day’s events with your child. Putting value on this regularly, helps with motivation and strengthens the partnership between our school staff, you and your child. This can only be a good thing and helps up to fulfil our motto, Together We Succeed. If you are having any difficulty in accessing or setting up Class Charts, please contact your child’s Year Team.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal